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What does the 2009 landscaping budget look like? If it’s anything like mine, things are a bit tight but, like many others, I never really had a huge budget to begin with. Managing smaller budgets can be tough, but there are plenty of ways to make sure that turf receives proper care and maintenance without breaking the bank. This month, I’ll let you in on a few of my secrets to balancing the needs of turf with the budget.
Mowers
Mowers are the hardest-working machines, so having one that fits my needs is a key to productivity. The type of mower chosen should depend on the type of grasses. At Virginia Tech, I use two different types of mowers--a rotary mower and a reel mower.
Typically, rotary mowers are used for grasses that are kept at a higher height, such as cool-season grasses. On cool-season fields, I usually do not cut the turf below an inch and a quarter since a lower cut places more stress on the grass, possibly resulting in increased susceptibility to disease or impaired growth. Review the different sizes available before choosing a rotary mower. A smaller deck-size one will cost less but will also require more work on a larger field.