The Best Ways To Cut Grass If You Don't Own A Lawn Mower

Keeping your grass trimmed is one of the simplest ways to maintain a healthy, attractive landscape. Regular mowing encourages denser growth, helps crowd out weeds, and gives your yard a neat, well-kept appearance. While lawn mowers, whether they're ride-ons, walk-behinds, or rotaries, are the most common tools for this, they're far from the only ways to get the job done. From string trimmers and hedge trimmers to centuries-old scythes, there are several practical alternatives when a mower isn't available — or simply isn't necessary.

Considering how fast and efficient the best lawn mowers can be, it might seem hard to believe that someone would opt for a different method for grass cutting. However, there are situations where an alternative makes sense. Gas-powered mowers can often be loud and damaging to the environment. And while electric mowers are quieter and emit fewer pollutants, they tend to be more expensive. Push-powered reel mowers are quiet and don't emit pollutants, but they can be exhausting to use. 

There are also spots in some yards where the terrain is such that going over it with a mower is impractical or unsafe. So, whether your lawn mower broke on you or you just have such a small yard that buying one seems a bit silly, there are plenty of other tools that can cut grass.

Using a weed whacker, or string trimmer, to cut your grass can be a practical solution, especially if you only have a small area to care for and already have one on hand. They are also great at getting tight spots most lawn mowers can't reach. Depending on the style, they can be surprisingly heavy and challenging to use due to vibrations, though. And gas-powered ones are still quite loud and have many of the same environmental downsides as gas mowers. And, of course, you still have to remember to fill the tank or charge the battery if you expect your weed whacker to function.

Another unexpected yard tool you can use to deal with your overgrown lawn is a hedge trimmer. While the angle is a bit awkward, if you don't mind kneeling while you work, this can be a good option for a small space that only needs infrequent care. Though if you're using a gas-powered hedge trimmer, then you'll still have to deal with the environmental downsides and the inconvenience of refueling.

Garden shears are specifically designed for cutting plants, so they can be a perfect option for taking care of a few pesky blades of overgrown grass. But since they can only cut a small section at a time, they aren't a good choice for larger patches. And you'll need to keep your clippers and garden shears sharp if you want them to work well. 

Scythes have been used to cut vegetation for centuries and are experiencing renewed interest among homeowners looking for quieter, gas- and battery-free tools. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but many people also claim they're quite meditative to use. A well-sharpened scythe can also handle tall, thick grass more easily than many people expect. There's definitely a learning curve in getting comfortable using one, though, and its weight and the range of motion required for use mean it may not be the most accessible tool for those with mobility or medical challenges. They also require upkeep to keep the blade sharp.

One lawn-cutting method that's even more unconventional is letting livestock do the work. Everything from goats to sheep to guinea pigs have been put to work cutting grass and maintaining lawns. These animals also fertilize the grass while they munch. But considering the amount of work their care entails, it's unlikely this strategy will save you time, effort, or money unless you're an animal lover with a hungry herd ready to go. However, goat grazing has become increasingly popular for clearing steep slopes, overgrown lots, and areas where machinery can't safely operate. If this is your situation and you really want to see how well one of these herds can handle it, there are companies that rent them out for lawn care.