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Documentally's avatar

I have never liked mowing and used to avoid it at all costs. But I've just moved to a Scottish holding many acres smaller than yours but still in need of way more mowing that I've ever done.

Thankfully the house came with the option of an electric ride on mower and I haven't looked back. Apart from to check my handy work. I love it. It's meditative and feels like sculpture. Especially as I have a lot of areas left to flower.

I just hope there are enough dry days for me to make it as regular as I would like.

I love how you have framed it. I was worried I was enjoying it too much. Cheers Ben! :-)

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Ben Green's avatar

Thank you Christian it means a lot coming from you.

I have a ride on mower (petrol, sadly, not electrons), but an overkeen volunteer sheared off the teeth from the mowing gear by slamming it into reverse. It's a rather expensive fix!

Would you consider making your own excellent Substack commentable for non paying subs? I find myself frequently wanting to add a line or two, but am always foiled by my own impecuniousness!

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Documentally's avatar

Hi Ben,

Comments are occasionally open but I’ve probably inadvertently trained people to ignore them by now. I was getting blatant advertising popping up and I found it easy to manage that way. I’ve subbed you a month should there be anything you wish to go back to and I will endeavour to unlock more in the future :-)

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Ben Green's avatar

Thank you for the sub. I promise to abuse it most egregiously :)

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Maritza Ilich's avatar

Do you have flower meadows? Or deliberately leave some parts unmowed each year for pollinators?

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Ben Green's avatar

Taking care of the insects is probably the number one priority of the barracks. Maybe equal with "improving the soil". I want to plant a hedgerow this year, and there are vast swathes of broom, clover, dandelions, cornflowers, buttercups and flowering shrubs all over the place. There is a huge variety of habitat here, and I try to ensure as much variety as possible. The mown parts get mown though :)

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Maritza Ilich's avatar

Balance is everything!

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Jack McNulty's avatar

If I imagine myself pushing your mower through the vast sections of grass on your property, I believe I would consider it meditative. It would become an act of deep connection with nature - a sort of truce between what I want and what nature demands. I imagine it as a beautiful act...for one day! Doing it every single day would quickly feel like a chore...a tussle with nature that I would forever lose. Kudos to you and your endless energy and patience...

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Ben Green's avatar

I did put the same picture in twice, didn't I?

WAKE UP!! :)

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