Why do we cut our grass?

[Amused]

Paving or Astroturf will cost you more in increased air conditioning costs than simply leaving the grass.

Paving soaks up an incredible amount of heat throughout the day and radiates it out throughout the night. This is why cities are sometimes as much as 10 full degrees hotter than the surrounding countryside. Paving right up to the side of your house increases the heat radiated back at your house. This is why it is always suggested you have planters or grass right up next to a house.

The cheapest and most effective way to keep a yard green, yet not a fire hazard is to have a lawn. Watering and cutting a lawn not only makes it look good, it keeps the fire hazard low (especially in the Southwest) while greatly reducing the amount of radiating heat around your house...

If you don't want a lawn, try ground cover like ivy or some other plant. You'll still have to water it occasionally in the summer to keep it from dying, but it will be less maintenance than grass.

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"It seems like such a waste of natural resources..."

Like putting spoilers, ground effects, neon lights, alloy wheels, LED lined exhaust tips and 2,000 watt sound systems on econoboxes?

Nobody hates mowing more than I do, but it's done for the sake of aesthetics just like your riced out econobox. It also helps the property value of your neighborhood. Something your noisy econobox DOESN'T do!

Some cities insist you cut the lawn, or they'll do it for you, and charge you to boot. Sometimes that gets challenged in court. The city claims it's for health reasons, to keep vermin away. That's a valid point, but I think they're more worried about property value. It's a matter of being considerate to the people around you, which is another thing noisy econobox drivers wouldn't understand...

What the hell does this thread have to do with "econoboxes"? Speaking of cars, if you want to look at a waste of natural resources (among cars, they all waste to some degree or another), just look at a ford expedition or chevy suburban. How many soccer moms really need that? Waste, waste, waste. Can't you americans at least TRY to preserve what we have left? oil is not present in infinite supplies, you do know that right? neither is clean air

BTW, I'm sure those SUV drivers are just SO considerate to others. After all, if's the other driver and his family that will die no matter who caused the accident, not the SUV driver. Uh huh, really considerate.

Really considerate, eating more than your fair share of gas, etc..

Why don't you SUV drivers stop being babies and pay your fair share? Drive the damn things if you want but pay their true cost. If you did I don't think any of you could afford one.

 

[Ornery]

Just trying to use an example you geeks can relate to. How's this instead?:

• "It seems like such a waste of natural resources..."
  
  Like putting plexiglass, black paint, neon lights, alloy sheet metal, blow holes and 2,000 watt sound systems in PC boxes?
  
  Nobody hates mowing more than I do, but it's done for the sake of aesthetics just like your modded out PC box. It also helps the property value of your neighborhood. Something your noisy PC box DOESN'T do!
  
  Some cities insist you cut the lawn, or they'll do it for you, and charge you to boot. Sometimes that gets challenged in court. The city claims it's for health reasons, to keep vermin away. That's a valid point, but I think they're more worried about property value. It's a matter of being considerate to the people around you, which is another thing noisy PC box owners wouldn't understand...

It's OK if YOU waste resources in one fashion, but not if others "waste" resources in another, eh?

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
Don't. Use the redneck lawnmower.......a match and a stiff wind.

ROFL, doing that down here in Florida is grounds for a lynching, especially during winter, which is brush fire season.

 

[Howard]

Just to add to AmusedOne's point - put your hand on a lawn, and then put your hand on some flat stones. Especially if they're dark colored.

 

[gotsmack]

anyone know about the fake grass they have at minature golf courses? is that stuff astro turf?

I've been thinking about removing all of my grass and putting in crab grass. crab grass is good because it doesn't die and doesn't have to be watered or mowed.


crab grass - the way to go. They just get a bad rap because they have a crappy name.

 

[911paramedic]

Put ice plant on your yard, it is a great fire break as well.

ice plant

 

[Cyberian]

Paving or Astroturf will cost you more in increased air conditioning costs than simply leaving the grass.

I understand about paving, but would Astroturf have the same effect?

 

[shiner]

Maybe there's something wrong with me but I enjoy working in the yard. It's very relaxing and it's what I do for stress relief. You should see some of my rose bushes, maybe I'll take some pics and post them later.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: minendo
The whole world is out to piss you off GermyBoy. Perhaps you should join Jerboy in his quest to end it.

GermyBoy... Jerboy... boy... Germy... Jer... Jermboy...

 

[MrChicken]

Aside from looking good, keeping a nicely cut yard.....

cools the air as water evaporates from the grass
makes oxygen
keeps insect and rodent infestation down
prevents erosion

FWIW, I NEVER water my yard. After 6 years it has gotten a little brown after alomost 3 weeks of no rain, but it made it. Some of the lawms in my are were dying during that time even though they were watered every other day. Seems that my grass has figured out how to deep for water and how to without water. I actually have convinced one of my neighbors and now he doesnt water his either.

 

[Bulldozer]

Originally posted by: gotsmack
anyone know about the fake grass they have at minature golf courses? is that stuff astro turf?

I think the stuff they use is "outdoor carpet."

 

[hardass]

I love mowing, the smell of a fresh cut yard makes me horny....j/k,lol

 

[Pepsi90919]

They could fill a swimming pool with that amount of grass.

water.

 

[her209]

Lesson in biology:

Plants need water to live. Plants grow as well. Yellow plants don't look good.

 

[JellyBaby]

It's all essentially customary. It's customary to maintain a very green, well-trimmed yard if you're a homeowner. Some other reasons: it gives father's an excuse to get out of the house away from the wife. It gives the wife and excuse to pester the husband. It provides a means for a young boy to endure Trials to become a man by helping Dad mow the lawn.

It's one of those things we do because it's expected of us but in the grand scheme of the universe it's utterly senseless.

 

[Rallispec]

basically... here is the shortened version----

long grass is the breeding ground for mice, snakes, ticks, rabbits, foxes, orangatans, ground sloths, fruit bats, caterpillars, rats... and so on. A lot of things people dont like.

cutting grass keeps things out of our yards and away from us. Hundreds of years ago when the first lawns were mowed it was actually a means of safety too.. People wouldnt have to worry about Tigers leaping out of the tall grass in the front yard and eating them if there was no tall grass to hide in. Since then its just become customary and tradition.

deep inside, we're all still afraid of what lurks in the tall grass--- so cutting grass is just our human survival instinct.

 

[GermyBoy]

Originally posted by: her209
Lesson in biology:

Plants need water to live. Plants grow as well. Yellow plants don't look good.

That's how I like it though. If it's yellow, I don't have to mow it. I try to always cut way too low, so that when it gets really hot, all the grass dies.
I should just build a large mirrored dome over my house, so that the grass will die, and the neighbors will all be blinded by the brilliance of the light.

That will show them that cutting the grass is stupid!

 

[Ferocious]

get a goat.....lol.

That was a good one.

 

[tops2]

on a side note..i don't wanna cut my hair!
keeps growing out!
;-)

lol
but man, i haven't cut my hair in almost 2 months..and i used to cut it every 2 weeks...

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: GermyBoy

Originally posted by: her209
Lesson in biology:

Plants need water to live. Plants grow as well. Yellow plants don't look good.

That's how I like it though. If it's yellow, I don't have to mow it. I try to always cut way too low, so that when it gets really hot, all the grass dies.
I should just build a large mirrored dome over my house, so that the grass will die, and the neighbors will all be blinded by the brilliance of the light.

That will show them that cutting the grass is stupid!

Go for it... but don't be suprised if you are referred to as the neighborhood hill-billy.

In regards to the goat, see above

How about a pygmy hippo?

 

[incallisto]

Originally posted by: Rallispec
basically... here is the shortened version----

long grass is the breeding ground for mice, snakes, ticks, rabbits, foxes, orangatans, ground sloths, fruit bats, caterpillars, rats... and so on. A lot of things people dont like.

cutting grass keeps things out of our yards and away from us. Hundreds of years ago when the first lawns were mowed it was actually a means of safety too.. People wouldnt have to worry about Tigers leaping out of the tall grass in the front yard and eating them if there was no tall grass to hide in. Since then its just become customary and tradition.

deep inside, we're all still afraid of what lurks in the tall grass--- so cutting grass is just our human survival instinct.

IRC discussion about your post:

<incallisto> Take a look at Rallispecs post... HAHAH
<aznst4lker> Ground Sloths are gentle, creative pets!! I have a few in my yard.. They only attack people who call for them. But dont worry, they wont arrive for approximately one year from the date you called them. That leaves plenty of time to run away or feed them a LOT of hotdogs [there favorite foods]. They usually just vomit on you and laugh, albeit slowly. Organgatans(whatever] are vicious beasts. They will pull out your hair and vomit on your ground sloth. Sad, but true.
<corrupt> damn........ that was psychotic
<alphamale> and you actually went to oxford, azn?!
<aznst4lker> Actually I did embicile!
<incallisto> No comment.
<aznst4lker> Stop it! I will ship a package full of groudn sloths to you both DIE!!!@#!#!#@!#$*$!(!
<corrupt> lamer
<incallisto> Sigh.
<alphamale> lol

 

[Ultima]

modding a PC box? Are you serious? That's the gayest thing I've ever heard of. People actually do this? That's worse than ricing out a car.

Originally posted by: Ornery
Just trying to use an example you geeks can relate to. How's this instead?:

• "It seems like such a waste of natural resources..."
  
  Like putting plexiglass, black paint, neon lights, alloy sheet metal, blow holes and 2,000 watt sound systems in PC boxes?
  
  Nobody hates mowing more than I do, but it's done for the sake of aesthetics just like your modded out PC box. It also helps the property value of your neighborhood. Something your noisy PC box DOESN'T do!
  
  Some cities insist you cut the lawn, or they'll do it for you, and charge you to boot. Sometimes that gets challenged in court. The city claims it's for health reasons, to keep vermin away. That's a valid point, but I think they're more worried about property value. It's a matter of being considerate to the people around you, which is another thing noisy PC box owners wouldn't understand...

It's OK if YOU waste resources in one fashion, but not if others "waste" resources in another, eh?

 

[Ornery]

Where have you been? I've been reading posts from people searching for the elusive black face plates, keyboards, mice, monitors and 3.5" floppy drives for their 1337 black cases forever! There's entire sites devoted to this sh!t. You need look no further than our own Cases & Cooling Forum for tons of examples. Gay? Hell yeah it is!

 

[johneetrash]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

They could fill a swimming pool with that amount of grass.

water.

bhaha