07 October 2009

Person-Powered Yard Work

It's funny how so many of us are constantly trying to lose weight/get healthier, yet we use electric, gas, or water-powered tools as often as possible. Sometimes it's necessary, of course. Just try to put a screw through a concrete wall without a power drill. Other times, however, it's just a waste.

Yard work, in particular, often falls into this category. People pull out their gas-powered lawnmowers (don't even get me started on the tractor ones in suburbia!), their weed wackers, etc. and blow through their yard work. Then the next morning, they go to the gym.

Environmentally, the much kinder method, of course, is to put some people-power into your yard work. We've written before about how much we love our push reel lawn mower. We have a harder time avoiding the weed wacker, though I prefer to use clippers any day.

Green is sexy highlights another egregious waste of resources in the article "say it, don't spray it." Using a hose instead of a broom to sweep away grass clippings or leaves is not cool. For that matter, neither is using a leaf-blower when a rake will do.

Yes, I know it is hard work. And in the southern sun, it's preferable to spend as little time working out in the yard as possible. But do as much yard work as you can using your own calories, and your heart, arteries, muscles, and waistline -- and Earth -- will thank you.

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