Ok, so the grass on your lawn is looking like it needs a trim but your trusty 20-year-old lawn mower has given up the fight and refuses to start. What do you do? Don’t worry I’m about to show you how to cut grass without a lawnmower so you can get your lawn back in shape.
It’s the 21st Century and lawnmowers have come a long way. They have been designed to cut grass fast and effectively to leave a professional finish.
But, when you have no access to a lawnmower and just positively need to trim that grass you can use the following solutions, which although far from ideal, will cut your grass without having to resort to a lawnmower.
From trimmers to shearers here we delve into the everyday garden tools you can use to cut your grass without a lawnmower.
Table of Contents
2 Very effective methods for cutting grass without a lawn mower
Arthur Conan Doyle stated, through the mouth of his fictional character Sherlock Holmes, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the answer” [paraphrased].
Well here is the best answer to the question “how to cut grass without a lawn mower”:
1. A Scythe can make light work of grass cutting
This is by far the most effective method for cutting grass without a lawnmower.
The scythe was first invented in the 15th Century as an agriculture tool for reaping crops and also for cutting grass. So it has been specifically designed for this very purpose.
The word “scythe” originates from Old English and has a few different spelling variations such as “sithe” or “sythe”.
The scythe is such an effective tool for lawn care that using it has been traditionally known as “mowing”.
These days, due to the introduction of the modern lawn mower, its use is usually referred to simply as “scything”.
How to use a scythe to cut grass
Using a scythe is very easy once you get the knack of doing it. It also burns a lot of calories without causing strain on your muscles.
To use a scythe you start by holding the top handle in the left hand and holding the central handle in the right hand.
With arms held straight out and with the blade parallel to the grass (at the height you want to cut it) you keep the scythe at your far right side keeping the uncut grass to the left.
You then twist your to the right in a fluid motion.
The blade will hook the grass and as it is swung steadily to the left in a long arc. You stop swinging when the scythe is in front of you. You do not continue the swing to the right.
You then take a small step forward and repeat the process swinging from left to right in a steady rhythm.
You will need to stop at regular intervals to hone (sharpen) the blade with a sharpening stone (like theses ones).
The correct technique to scything is akin to a slicing motion, as shown in the video below.
Using a scythe is 100% environmentally-friendly and is quite fun to use.
It can also help keep you fit. You can check out suitable scythes on Amazon here.
A Scythe cutting grass in action (video)
2. An edger will take a while but can still cut grass effectively
Another very effective tool for cutting grass is an edger.
Although this garden tool has been designed to cut the edges of flower beds it is often used for different garden jobs from hedge trimming to grass cutting.
As it is designed to use on a lawn it has a long reach and therefore does not require you to stoop down or kneel on the ground (like many of the other methods mentioned above).
An edger is also considerably cheaper to buy and run compared to a lawn mower.
Many garden edgers are electric and therefore more environmentally-friendly than gas-powered lawn mowers.
You can check Out the Best Edgers on Amazon
3 Fun (but ridiculous) methods for cutting grass without a lawnmower
Here are four genuine methods that people have used to cut their grass.
Yes, they are ridiculous but feel free to try them if you are adventurous as others before you have used them.
1. Scissors can cut grass & give you a hand workout at the same time
With a pair of trusty household/hair scissors get down on your hands and knees and start cutting. Of course you can always use grass scissors
As long as you have a strong back, and lots of time on your hands, this method will actually produce a very well manicured lawn.
You will need a very sharp pair of scissors as blunt ones will scalp your lawn.
Believe it or not there have been people who used this method along with a standard school ruler to ensure the height of their grass was even throughout their lawn.
Crazy!
2. Golf clubs are a super fun way to cut grass (and scalp your lawn)
The trusty gold club can be used to cut your grass.
This method works equally well for hockey sticks and if you are Irish you can try using a Hurling stick.
Some people have even tried to cut grass with a baseball bat (but that is just taking ridiculous to a whole new level).
Simply swing your club an inch or two above the ground to trim that high grass.
Be careful not to hit the ground or you will scalp your lawn.
Obviously you shouldn’t expect a neat even finish using this method but you can expect to have sore shoulders by the end of it and maybe , if you’re lucky, an improved driving swing.
3. Sheep – the traditional grass cutter
If you have a few sheep knocking around they are a great way to keep your lawn in trim.
Sheep eat grass and are one of the herbivore species (vegetation eating animals) that like to eat the grass down to a very low point.
This method is not as ridiculous as it may sound. Sheep were used by the European aristocracy for this very reason before the invention of the lawn mower and they were very effective.
In fact sheep are so effective at keeping grass growth in check that they have made a come-back in Europe. They are now being used to help combat global warming by being placed in urban areas instead of using gas-guzzling lawn mowers.
Other vegetation eating livestock such as cows are an equally good substitute though you can expect to be spending some time cleaning up poo from your lawn and dealing with complaints about the smell from your neighbors.
Sheep Mowers in action (video)
2 Silly methods for cutting grass without a lawnmower (that actually work)
The above methods are not at all useful when it comes to residential lawn care.
So, below are a few methods that do work and have been used by others very successfully.
Although they are not very practical they do work and it is possible to cut your grass using them if you don’t mind a bit of hard work.
1. A hedge trimmer can cut grass (as long as you have 2 days to complete the task)
A hedge trimmer may be designed for heavier use on hedges but it can actually be used to cut grass.
Like the scissors method above you’ll have to be willing to get on your hands and knees to use this method. You must also be willing to spend more time in that position than you may like.
It does work though.
If you do decide to try this method please be careful if you are using a corded electric hedge trimmer as it is all too easy to lose track of the cord and cut it accidentally.
2. Shears are just as effective (and just as tiring) as scissors
Using garden shears is another effective way to cut the grass.
This is a very eco-friendly method. It is not that friendly on your back though.
Again you will need to get on your hands and knees to cut grass with garden shears and you must be prepared to spend a fair amount of time down there.
Conclusion: 7 methods to cut grass without a lawnmower
We hope you have enjoyed this article and got a few good ideas for your own lawn care from it.
Obviously we do not advise you to try the “ridiculous methods for grass cutting” above and although the usable methods will work you are better avoiding them also.
Of the 2 best methods for cutting grass without the aid of a lawn mower we advise the use of a scythe for our more “green” readers and the use of an inexpensive edge trimmer for those who want a mechanical solution.