[johnfarr]

I'm one of those crazies who mows my lawn. About 40% of my full-time neighbors mow theirs, too. I first tried gardeners and the few I used were unreliable, so I decided to do my own. If you have St Augustine (Flor/Tam) grass you'll appreciate a self-propelled mower, as the grass needs to be kept 3 1/2-4 inches high, as the little mower wheels get bogged down in it. I work with a neighbor and when either of us is out of town, we do the other's lawn. If both are gone we have a gardener do them. I understand that the name Flor/tam is a derivative of University of Florida and Texas A & M who developed the strain of grass.

Many of the newer sections in TV have zoyzia, which is nicer to walk on in bare feet, easier to mow, but goes dormant and turns brown in the winter.

In the summer mowing should be done in early AM, before it gets too hot. Flor/tam needs to be mowed weekly in summer, monthly (or less) in winter. No need to bag clippings - just set mower on mulch.