To Mow or not to Mow: History and Lawn Care

The idea of a lawn is very old, but it took a key technology to make lawns very common. The History Guy presents the forgotten history of lawn care.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Facebook: / thehistoryguyyt
Patreon: / thehistoryguy
The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
Subscribe for more forgotten history: / @thehistoryguychannel .
Awesome The History Guy merchandise is available at:
teespring.com/stores/the-hist...
Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #lawnmowing

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

A couple of viewers complained that I mentioned, in the very briefest way, the fact that Levittowns were controversial because they only allowed white families. I thought it irresponsible to mention lawns without mentioning the impact of William Levitt. But the fact that FHA loans for houses in Levittowns stipulated that only "Caucasian families" were allowed represents a legitimate controversy, and I felt it irresponsible to leave out entirely that significant controversy as if the only thing important about their impact was grass. As always, I meant no political statement, was not referring to any issue of modern politics, and support no candidate or legislation in my brief noting of the Levittown controversy. My answer to those who complained: I do not care, even a little, if you choose to find offense in historical facts.

[@deanstuart8012]

Regarding you final line. Unfortunately KZbin only allows me to give you one like for that.

[@justinpipes85]

Thank you for your sentiments sir because you're one hundred percent historical true. If you find offense in a historical fact than you really need to take a huge step back and reexamine why you're life is so good that you can get upset about something like this. Anyways as always great video sir.

[@boogerie]

Wait a minute--the FHA stipulated "whites only"?!?!?!?! That's a wrinkle that I wasn't aware of! BTW keep up the good work

[@PelenTan]

@@deanstuart8012 Yeah.... I sooooo tried to spam that like button.

[@deathmerchant8662]

That last sentence made me laugh so hard."I dont care even a little if you choose to find offense in historical facts.". I love it. In a part of Kanasas city Missouri known as the Plaza. A very expensive shopping district. Jews were not allowed to own property until the 1990s. So if you think prejudiced is not still rampant in America wake up. Learn your history people. Change it for the better. Or as they say be doomed to repeat it.

[@7950pacecar]

"why would anyone do drugs, when they could just mow a lawn?" - Hank Hill

[@travisfeltwater5664]

I was looking for this comment

[@news2383]

Damn right

[@InlandEmpiresoccer909]

@@travisfeltwater5664 me too

[@eddybrevet6816]

Suburbia taking over here, replace lawns with grain, clover, wot I wud do, probably against the law

[@bradcrosier1332]

“Boy, I tell you what!”

[@David-bc4rh]

This video is relevant to me because I mow only where I walk and work. my yard is growing a beard, and I am 100% supportive of it's endeavor.

[@JungleJoeVN]

Good on you.

[@briseboy]

Mowing where i work has proven irritable to library patrons, whose shushing remains blissfully unheard in the din. Beards, high and low, are more manageable products of puberty; when they wax, they can BE waxed.

[@rico99586]

Been looking down at the grass for almost 80 years, sooner or later I'll be looking up at the grass.

[@hoosierhiver]

Sadly my lawnmower turned 19 last year and went to college.

[@rubywingo6030]

Feel your pain! My lawnmower just got married!!

[@michaeldart5646]

HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA.....

[@johnpatterson8697]

You should get an African Sulcata tortoise they have a completely autonomous yard navigation system and a duty cycle of 100 years I recommend building a 4X6' A-frame shelter with a heating element for winter storage

[@michaeldart5646]

@@mikeyerke3920 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

[@jmsmaxwell]

And now it will never work again, just layabout complaining about how unfair the world is.

[@masterimbecile]

Lawn and Order: Special Vegetations Unit.

[@MichaelD-fn5lv]

This is beautiful

[@niteshades_promise]

masterimbecile oh gees lol😂🍻

[@thenumerousfew1205]

Genius alert!!!!!

[@jacobstaten2366]

*odor.

[@helbeze770]

@@jacobstaten2366 aka landscaper

[@bernard2735]

The lawn is an absurdity in water stressed Australia, yet we all have one and now I know why. Another great video, thanks!

[@mitch_the_rookie]

Nah mate, its an essential part of the Aussie home.

[@JungleJoeVN]

Lawns are totally absurd waste in any country.

[@BlackJesus8463]

@@JungleJoeVN this

[@pocketscience911]

As the eldest son it was my job from an early age to mow our lawn. In hindsight I feel my younger brother was denied the joy of completing an onerous task and admiring the finished result on a weekly basis. I'm into my 50's now and still enjoy mowing my lawn, and begrudgingly have let my son "have a go" a few times, only to have to redo it "properly" myself afterwards - mostly because I wanted to vs needing to. :)

[@cheifreal]

I told dad I wanna be like you. On firth birthday he gave me a Honda monkey 50 and took me to work at Jay Carter wind systems. He is a welding engineer that also mowed lawns. When spring come I was his gofer. Within a few years I could do everything except run a chainsaw. I'm now 49, hobby level welder and a literal lifetime landscaper and gardener with 20 years in restaurantsas well. That's almost 45 years and I ain't but 49. I'm retired though, that's just doin part time and no more big commercial jobs.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Ppppppp0p0😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 I've but

[@mikedavis8499]

Nut

[@RobertChapman2005]

As a child I believed I was only born to cut grass.

[@kirbyhumphrey3653]

Rake leaves... I'm 64 and still do all that 😁

[@justinpipes85]

I'm 34 and I grew up as a preteen and young teenager mowing neighborhood lawns so I could afford the things I wanted (usually music CDs).

[@mcw0530]

My father built a plywood bench so I could ride the mower with him. By 8 or 9 I was mowing on my own.

[@julioaguila9792]

😂

[@redram5150]

You too, huh? Except mine was weeding. Misbehave? Weed. Parents can’t think of a chore? Weed. Having company tomorrow? Weed now. Weed the garden, weed the lawn, weed the driveway all day long. I’ve owned my home for thirteen years and never pulled one weed. I’ve sprayed them, but that’s as far as I go.

[@BrickTsar]

When I bought my first lawn tractor, we watched the safety video with my then 4 and 5 year old kids. It mentioned about not riding in lap and not viewing it as a ride. After watching the video they asked if they could ride it.

[@Liberalcali]

My grandpa would let me sit on his lap I survived 😂. I promise not to do that.

[@MrMattumbo]

Nothing wrong with letting kids ride on your lap, just do it as a ride, take it easy, and leave the actual work for when the kid is safely away from the machine. I had a lot of fun growing up around big machines, from lawn tractors to actual tractors, and I survived just fine because my parents were smart about it and also scared the shit out of me so I'd treat it seriously. Only took a few stories of people they knew getting killed or maimed by machinery for even a young boy like me to realize the true dangers involved. There's nothing like big and dangerous machinery to teach a kid responsibility and give them confidence, treat em like an adult and they'll start acting like an adult. (you know as much as a kid can, don't just hand em the keys, but with good supervision and an abundance of caution it's a really great way to open a kids eyes to the complexity and danger of the world while showing them how to understand and mitigate it.) Though I should add I was always a very cautious kid, don't know if that was because of my experience or just hard-wired, but gauge your kid's demeanor and be careful about the more reckless types. Riding in the tractor there were times the difference between falling out and getting sucked under a 6ft tall tire and being safe was whether or not I held on and stayed focused, which even as a kid I was hyper-aware of but some kids don't have that level of understanding and concentration and can do boneheaded things you'd never expect.

[@loriboufford6342]

Our boys, sat on the porch to watch their dad mow. It was that or IN THE HOUSE! Yet, around the age of 4 they were driving it themselves....with the mower off, in first gear and my husband walking on the most likely side to fall off. I'm very grateful that they grew up to become fine adults who are very respectful of machines and work.

[@MichaelD-fn5lv]

My grandpa tied me to the console/fender next to the seat with a rope on his tractor when I was little. It was one of my most fondest memories as a child. Hell yes it was dangerous, but that's why he told me to hang on TIGHT!

[@michaelwertzy9808]

@@MrMattumbo, agricultural and farming occupations are among the top ten injuries & deaths of all.

[@bruceschneider4928]

My grandparents had a reel lawn mower. While it did require sharpening, it never broke down. My grandfather was very picky about his lawn, and insisted on giving each of us 1/2 hour of instruction when we reached an age he deemed appropriate to cut his lawn. That mower was a joy to use, and my grandparents' yard always looked immaculate.

[@Padraigp]

I wish we had our old mower which could be sharpened the manual one i have now just relies on speed and blunt whirly things. I have a scyth and thats so much better than any strimmer and so quiet and not at all hard to use so long as you dont whack your leg off. Its very nice clean cutting.

[@isaaco5679]

I have a modern reel mower, and I like it for much the same reasons. I like to cut the grass as short as possible to hamper it's grown.

[@Padraigp]

@@isaaco5679 can I ask what kind it is. Im looking for a vintage one for sale around here and I have one but its the kind that doesnt sharpen it just has metal whirly things that sort of cut if you go fast enough. But its nowhere near as good as what we had years ago that could be sharpened with a thing...we have the thing for sharpening it still in its box which cost some lsd on the front. I think it was 6d whatever a d is!! But im not sure which are the sharpenable ones. Thanks if anyone can give me some names of them that would be helpful.

[@isaaco5679]

@@Padraigp its a fiskar brand mower. It has blades that almost touch, supposedly to prevent sharpening, it does have some difficulty with thinner blades and seed stalks (they pass through the gap without being cut). Super easy to push, but I haven't been able to adjust it. Guess I'll have to look it up.

[@Padraigp]

@@isaaco5679 brilliant thanks I will look it up! Does it have little wheels at the bakc or front thats probably what you have to wind up to make it higher. Mine is totally stuck on low mow ..I have a scyth for the big stuff which I love using... its so relaxing and quiet compared to a weed whacker and it leaves nice neat bunches you can pick up not shredded mess.

[@galanie]

I had one of the ones shown at 4:13 around 20 years ago. That motor still ran sweet and true while the mowing parts of the body were not in the best of shape. Wish I still had that old cast iron Briggs and Stratton. It was great. I could start it up and just let it run by itself for a while on the floor of the shop lol. I loved just listening to it and watching it run. I no longer live in a city and I never cared about 'farming grass.' It grows or it doesnt, I cut it but I don't fertilize or water it. It's grass. Not a food crop.

[@HoH]

As odd as it may sound, growing up in an urban area one of the goals later in life is to have an actual lawn to mow.

[@andrewszigeti2174]

And for those of us who grew up with the soul-sucking chore of mowing the lawn we could't move to the city to avoid it fast enough...

[@EdwardChen0]

Growing up in the suburbs, I look forward to and enjoy the small amount of lawn care I have to do now with my small city lawn. I still love the smell of fresh cut grass

[@Carlton_Wilson]

Not odd at all. A well maintained lawn is a family's private oasis.

[@user-td1zo3tv9p]

I agree. As I grew up and moved from one place to another, my residence was ever changing as my financial situation improved to where I could afford my own home with its lawn and whatever I wanted to plant and maintain on my two acres. I always felt it was somewhat of a "status" symbol. And, as a homeowner, the maintenance and upkeep was (is!) a part of pride of ownership and a finely maintained lawn, or lawns, was the epitome of the status. Unfortunately, as I've aged I am paying for the sins of my youth as well as an adrenaline-charged lifestyle what with all the injuries I've endured over those years. Now it is a serious CHORE to do even a modest amount of fun maintenance like growing and cutting a lawn and I never thought I would miss those days. Being outside, enjoying the sunshine and inhaling the aroma of freshly clipped grass. Ahhhhhh, THOSE were the days! Hopefully, one day soon my health will improve and I can begin anew. Thanks, THG, for the video. It brings back many fond memories.

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

Or you can be like me from a rural area our lawns are forests....

[@GasCityGuy]

As much as I hate mowing the yard, it's a great feeling when it's finished and everything looks nice and tidy.

[@kevindube7096]

Makes you feel rich & privileged for a minute, does it?

[@bgd73]

I love the lawn. our winters are violent. -20s F every year. the roads crack, the driveway heaves. The lawn is the most beautiful thing....alive.

[@joel1239871]

The diversity of your content is amazing. History has no distinct avenue, and paths are as diverse as individuals are unique.

[@wyliehudson8396]

Well said. As i watched this, i thought gee ive certainly never thought about lawn history. Then i see your comment. Well said indeed.

[@williamschutz4982]

I love to mow the grass! Fresh air, the smell of fresh cut grass and the sun. Can't go wrong!

[@nimrodquimbus912]

or unless you have allergies.

[@kokofan50]

Where do you live? In the summer sun is something to be avoided here in Texas.

[@williamschutz4982]

kokofan50 In Maryland it's usually really nice.

[@williamschutz4982]

Thefirst Decade Don't get under them and you will be fine. No problems in my 40 years of mowing.

[@tomminton5512]

You're in luck, William! I have two slots a week available to mow my lawn all summer! I won't charge you a cent! 😀

[@merrycatsrus3383]

🎶I fought the lawn and the lawn won🎶 I bought a T-shirt for my Dad that said that. He kept mowing until he realized a blind man shouldn’t be on a riding mower😃

[@mrjames7251]

AhhHaHaaa👍😉👏😂👏😂👏😂 My grandfather went blind & insisted on mowing the lawn too so I totally get it!

[@xxxbbbqqq]

Hilarious.

[@rabbi120348]

I guess he couldn't read the shirt then...

[@redram5150]

uncletigger my uncle’s dad was going blind and lost his license. He was never the type to take advice. He did what he wanted all his life. That’s how he lived. One day, shortly following the loss, he decided he wanted to go out. So he and his wife got into his land yacht and four blocks from their home rear ended a car. Rather than realize he’s done something wrong and needs to make amends, he runs from the scene of the accident to his other son’s body shop, luckily not hitting anything else on the way. He arrives and tells his son what’s happened and he needs to hide his car. Before the son has a chance to do anything for or against his father, the police arrive. Someone at the scene copied his plate number and they put two & two together he’d be at his son’s shop. Dad’s excuse was “He’d have stopped, but the car had “questionable looking and angry black youths” inside and he feared for his wife’s safety.” As it turned out, the car he hit contained a very white and very blonde single mother and her kid in a car seat. No dice. The old man and his wife were cuffed and arrested. They didn’t spend any time in prison, but between fines and restitution he had to sell his car. And until the day he died he blamed his son for not lying to the cops during a situation where he was dead to rights

[@donaldstanfield8862]

God Bless all Dads 💓

[@writerconsidered]

I grew up with this lawnmower as a kid in the 70s and early 80s 8:25. I worked for a landscaper who called grass a cultivated weed. He didn't deal with grass at all, he was a plant and shrub guy. He called landscapers who mowed grass lawn jockeys. He was a character.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

They call me a Lawncologist.

[@jaskamon6127]

Nice history lesson.. this season marks my 47th year of my humble lawn mowing service on the Oregon coast. I guess I've done thousands of jobs during that span and have an outlook on the subject most don't. I have met all sorts of folk and sometimes the owners of a property have spanned three generations, still to this day avoiding the chore that they give to me! No problem, with the correct tools it is a pleasure.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

I'm on my 48th year of the same thing here in Texas. Now I'm looking to move to your Oregon Coast and retire.

[@jaskamon6127]

@@LemonySnicket-EUC it's way different from Texas!

[@HemlockRidge]

I mow about three acres. A John Deere, a "walk-behind", and a string trimmer. Takes hours. But.... I enjoy it.

[@niteshades_promise]

HemlockRidge shaving the planet is good times🍻

[@HemlockRidge]

@@niteshades_promise I am The LAWN RANGER!

[@jaskamon6127]

..and a blower

[@JohnMyers1970]

I have always enjoyed mowing my lawn. I even worked as a landscape artist for a while in the 1990’s, doing commercial lawn mowing in Fort Wayne, IN. My current yard is around three acres. I find it relaxing and enjoyable to mow it.

[@todaywefly4370]

John Myers Satisfaction is sitting on your back deck with a beer in your hand and admiring........the missus as she walks back and forth pushing the mower. True bliss.

[@decadantdog4444]

It can be good therapy.

[@suzbone]

Only 1/3 acre here but I also find it a relaxing and enjoyable task. My sister and I did all the mowing growing up, as our family had no boys. Dad was super detailed and taught us best practice on everything from washing cars to mowing. I enjoyed mowing as a kid... especially the satisfaction of making a tall, crappy-looking yard look neat and tidy so quickly. Our Texas summers get challenging but I still get a ton of satisfaction looking over my well-mowed yard when it's done. I do virtually all the mowing, as my husband HATES the heat. He'd do it if I didn't but I can't imagine putting him through something that would make him MISERABLE, when I actually enjoy it. I don't think he's mowed the yard once this year so far lol... and that's the way I want it.

[@Harey0407]

I have no where near the amount of lawn to mow. But I enjoy it and sometimes it's a good exercise (my lawn mower is not exactly new, and doesn't have drive that the newer ones have)

[@elpanchosancho2314]

I get the Mexicans to do it. Pay them peanuts

[@NorthernChev]

"Lawns are a soul-crushing time suck" is absolutely right.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

As an arborist I sometimes must deal with the misinformed gardener, homeowner and so called landscapers, and their misguided work. Having a lawn of my own, plus the foregoing, it had actually come to mind to wonder where all this yard lawn business had begun. Now I know. Thank you.

[@-whackd]

Plant some fruit trees and put down wood chips in circles around them. I'm an arbourist and that's how I got rid of half my lawn.

[@michaeldougfir9807]

@@-whackd Dear Whackd, Interesting what you wrote. I trust you left a small space between the chips and the tree trunk base? Say, a handbreadth or so? To prevent decay at the root crown, and so that little bark chewers could not work undercover on your trees?

[@adambarlow81]

@@-whackd I have my half acre lined with Haskaps (honey berries), blueberries, 800 sqft raspberry patch, vegetable garden, 2 apple trees, 10 mature trees (with sum mulched rings), landscaping for perennials and 14000 sqft of turf. Seriously the lawn keeps us outside and keeping it thick, I don't need to use chemicals. It is crazy how cool it gets in the heat of the summer after the sun sets. Our family health is wealth and the lawn keeps us that much more active. I have a masters in environmental studies.

[@RalphBellairs]

I love mowing...I could do it all day. As a retired greenkeeper/groundsman I've spent many days doing just that! =)

[@niteshades_promise]

David R Bellairs yep yep🍻

[@bernard2735]

David, Ride-on is parked in our garage. Feel free to pop around anytime and enjoy yourself :-) Oh, we’re in Australia.

[@rustymaximus9179]

Me too, I care for my neighbors Berumuda yard. She marvles at how good it looks. No weeds. I can do that with ease! The only golf course I have left as the decline has affected so many of our brothers!

[@virginia7125]

I hate baggers. They're a waste of time. I've tried it before. Too many empties every 20 minutes.

[@bharnden7759]

When you mow, people leave you alone.

[@sid2112]

Wow, 1299. 700 years of rolling and seeding. It must be a perfect carpet.

[@cherylsmith4826]

I would love to see it

[@Paul-ou1rx]

My neighbor: "Damn you kids! Stay off my enemy thwarting cleared forest!"

[@Paladin1873]

You mowed me over with this one. I suffered from a lawnmower accident at 16, and have despised the chore ever since. When I retired I decided not to have a lawn, and instead made a large rock garden with flowers, shrubs, waterfalls, and ponds. Beyond that are pastures and trees. My biggest problem now is keeping the grass at bay, which is accomplished by a combination of weed blocker, mulch, hand weeding, grass trimmers, and horses. It's more irritating and slower than mowing, but I only have to do the manual labor a couple times, once in the spring and again in the summer. if only somebody would invent a weeding robot.

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

Your the robot 🤷🤗🦊

[@Paladin1873]

@@foxiedogitchypaws7141 Pretty much, now that the kids are grown.

[@Padraigp]

I know why are robots making art and not doing useful things. I was just thinking ai would be useful for calculating shade during the year and planting could be easier ...im trying to work out where the hell the shadow of a tree is going to be 😂😂

[@Paladin1873]

@@Padraigp If the experts are correct, your AI lawn care machines are more likely to be calculating where to plant you so they have some ornamental shade.

[@Padraigp]

@@Paladin1873 yeah I dont believe that to be honest. If ai is so good why the fuck is everything technolgoical so extremely shit and incompetent.

[@mgabrysSF]

I'm watching a video - on the history of lawn care. That's how good this channel is that after an all-nighter, I'm watching a video - on the history - of lawn care. Let me say that again. I'm watching (and enjoying) a video. On the history. Of lawn care. And I live in the desert where xeriscaping and rock gardens are more common.

[@mcw0530]

The History Guy does a great job with his videos.

[@broncobubba3169]

Not surprised about the child amputation part. My step-dad had the handle taped on our lawnmower so it wouldn't shut off when you needed to pick up a stick and throw it in the bushes. Had to shut it off by using a stick to pull the spark plug wire. This was the same guy who cut off 3 finger tips pulling grass out of a running lawnmower. Needless to say I don't have mine taped.

[@465maltbie]

Evolution...:D thanks for sharing

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

Heres a tip. Pick up your yard before mowing lol.

[@johnsiders7819]

I did not tape mine I took it apart replaced that dummy bar with a regular throttle lever as a kid we did not have the blade brake or a deflector on the back or the discharge chute we were just careful with the mower at 6 i was cutting hay fields with a farm all tractor and a 7 foot sickle bar mower .

[@donjohnson2639]

Nothing like the smell of fresh cut grass on a Saturday morning 🤩

[@tray3120]

As I got older I take more pride in how my yard looks

[@URKillingme100]

I'm glad I'm not along in my hatred of lawn-mowing. I mow my lawn (or what's left of it) once a year, whether it needs it or not.

[@deathmerchant8662]

me to evey January 1st to start the year off. I live in Missouri.

[@113dmg9]

I vacuum my house twice a year, whether it needs it or not.

[@christopherconard2831]

Remote controlled lawn mower? I assumed that was called a son.

[@artistny0000]

Christopher Conard - or daughter

[@mickeymet6973]

No, no. There are robotic lawn mowers. They are very similar to the robotic vacuums, just for the outdoors though.

[@wiamoaw]

@@mickeymet6973 They're the dogs bollocks :D

[@andyZ3500s]

All technology has its problems.

[@terrencebradley5417]

But. But. Mine grew up. Everytime I have to pick up sticks or mow the 2.5 acres I miss him terribly.

[@elsiestormont1366]

Here in Fairbanks, Alaska, lawn maintenance is not for the faint of heart. True, we have a very short growing season, but our Midnight Sun keeps that grass growing at an incredible rate.

[@jst7714]

I've been studying department stores lately: along with Levittowns, the wide spread growth of Sears, Roebuck & Co along with Montgomery Ward, both with extensive lawn and hardware departments helped fuel the lawn culture today. One used to buy everything from Sears, especially for the home. Push mowers and tractors would be a mighty temptation. Sears was where our lawn equipment came from.

[@hamish9917]

I look forward to mowing, but then, I have a riding mower. A dream realized since I was a child. ( I agree with mwc0530, it's an adult go-kart)

[@garyschmidt7320]

Does the Green Acres theme come into your head when you mow?

[@virginia7125]

Some people count how large your lawn is by the number of beers they drink. That's what the holder's for.

[@Nastyswimmer]

My lawn is definitely a reflection of my personality - I haven't mowed it for two years

[@opheliabawles9646]

Long grass together with a rusting car or two are great if you have a lot of dogs. That way they can bark outside all night under shelter, even if it's raining. The long grass is good because then you can't see all their unsightly droppings.

[@bobmartin4942]

@Yar Nunya So did you think maybe their yard doesn't have grass on it. Visit the southwestern US. Many yards there don't have it to mow.

[@american_warrior724]

@Yar Nunya How do u think wolves n coyotes survive in the wild? U think they're all getting killed by ticks???? Ur an idiot.. U prolly have little dumbass dogs like a poodle that dont even have a prayer if released out into the wild. Go fk urself. Ur stupid

[@shootingblind7728]

@@american_warrior724 Poodles were bred to be hunting dogs. Look it up. Don't let the hair cuts fool you. Edited to remain polite

[@paulaschroen5070]

I used to wonder what uncut grass looked like, as a suburban kid in Maryland. Now I live where grass of several strains is grown for seed and I really do know what uncut grass looks like. It ripples in the wind. Waiting till they have to burn harvested marijuana fields.

[@derrickprowx]

Heck, I like the idea of growing veggies and fruits way more than a bunch of grass!

[@garethbaus5471]

It would probably look nicer to.

[@samiam619]

Ya still gotta weed fruits and veggies!

[@NateLeePhillips]

@@samiam619 Yeah but you get to eat the produce that you grow. Unless you have a special type of grass, it's not a good idea to eat grass clippings.

[@nathanconroy6722]

And you can team up with neighbors to grow different foods and trade with each other

[@jonmeray713]

Mushroom Mark still gotta weed outdoors

[@chelanchris50]

When I was a kid in Phoenix AZ almost everyone had a grass lawn. Our family left AZ in '75. I recently googled our old neighborhood. I saw that our old house and everyone in the neighborhood had transitioned to a gravel yard instead of grass. Saves water, mowing, weeding and time. Can't say I blame them.

[@thomasdarby6084]

My friends on the West coast, during the drought actually had their dried-up lawn painted green by a company specializing in that service.

[@williamhogan4031]

heard that is a common thing...

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

Thats the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Some Alice in Wonderland shit lol

[@UtahSustainGardening]

This have been a long time trick for over stressed football stadium laws.

[@filanfyretracker]

I think id just rip out my lawn in a region like that and put in regionally proper stuff. desertscaping I think is one thing that is popular. Though I do hear it rubs HOAs the wrong way, Some places in drought prone regions however have banned HOAs from restricting such landscaping.

[@garethbaus5471]

@@filanfyretracker HOA's suck.

[@sakr-el-bahr272]

Thank you THG for this cutting edge information.

[@isaacroebuck9514]

This would be funnier on an episode about swords or knives.

[@sethmaki1333]

I own a lawn care company. This video was a joy.

[@niteshades_promise]

fascinating to a landscaper. those old reapers. a straight handle and thin blade was sharpened by hammering with a rock in the feild. i have several that are well over a hundred years old. i still use these.🍻

[@mikaelgaiason688]

Then you would know they're called scythes...

[@Pandabonium]

Very interesting. I've lived in "rural" Japan for 14 years. Most homes here are not complete without at least a kitchen garden for herbs. My yard is mostly covered with our vegetable garden and fruit trees - persimmon, mikan, kumquat, pomegranate, and ume (Japan plum). And most people grow more than they need of some veggies, so we share what we don't need ourselves - in my case broccoli heads and mikan fruit. I do have a small area of lawn (which we maintain with hand shears) for our dog's use. ;)

[@painmagnet1]

I bought the nicest Honda commercial mower last year for my tiny lawn and actually look forward to cutting the grass these days. Having good tools certainly makes chores more enjoyable.

[@BoylenInk]

When I was little, my dad had a tractor style lawn mower. He built a little trailer that we kids could ride in behind him. We would reach down and pick up fresh cut grass and smell it and throw it in the air. It was great fun and a fond memory of my wonderful loving dad.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

I love my Lawn and Garden, it keeps me fit!

[@TrickiVicBB71]

This is why I love this channel. I also hate mowing the lawn

[@LlyleHunter]

You’d like a robotic mower.

[@tigerkill420]

Could you do a short on lawn games? Lawn darts, croquet, bowling, golf, cornhole, etc?

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

This

[@kengihepworth7568]

Cricket .....

[@RCAvhstape]

I am astonished to think that my parents made me mow the lawn and trusted me with a gasoline-powered foot-chopping machine unsupervised. I hated cutting grass but I liked operating the Briggs and Stratton motor, maintaining it, oiling it, and so on. I hit a golf ball with it once, as well as a few crab apples and even a rock or two. Damned dangerous thing but I survived and now I know how to handle power tools and work on engines.

[@martinaudet7687]

I proudly carry on the Australian tradition of lawn mowing, Although now in my senior years it is much more fun to use a ride on. Gotta love the lawn.

[@KManwarren]

A soul-crushing time suck indeed. I keep going back because I love the end result. Always a great time with the History Guy😁

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

The medieval generation were smart to grow gardens instead

[@kirbyhumphrey3653]

Digging up the plot today. Getting ready to plant and do as little grass cutting as possible. Weeds...

[@andrewszigeti2174]

Try growing a large garden in a homeowner's association. Especially if the only part of your property that gets decent light is in the front yard...

[@cgaccount3669]

My mom said here in Canada people always grew potatoes for the first year in new houses, before planting grass. And during the second world war digging up lawns and planting gardens was encouraged. Now people rarely even bother planting grass... they order it like carpet and the next day you have an instant lawn

[@andrewszigeti2174]

@@cgaccount3669 : Aside from the potato thing, all that is (or was) fairly common in America.

[@redram5150]

I’d rather a lawn than a garden

[@07Convertable]

I enjoy cutting my grass. It helps to have a 61" riding zero turn while doing it but my 2 acres gets done rather quickly. I use that time to just enjoy the ride. Great video.

[@tshepp89]

Mowing the lawn is so therapeutic! As long as you have a good yard. Mowing a crappy yard can be a real chore.

[@derekk4659]

Ive always kinda wondered about this. This is the niche history i love. You're a gem

[@rollinwithunclepete824]

New bow-tie and handkerchief, THG? Looks very springy! You are right - Spring can't come soon enough!

[@dirtybongwater5751]

Spring comes way too fast if you live in Texas

[@jamesbondj.r.7090]

Thank you for your most interesting topics on history. It's refreshing to be able to keep learning from the BEST of the origins of certain aspects of American history. I enjoy your research method and how you base your stories in factual reporting of the time you are talking about. Thank you very much History Guy.

[@faulltw]

I love working on my lawn. I listen to pod casts while I mow and find it relaxing.

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

"Its March and spring is in the air" *looks outside at 5 feet of snow*

[@pmvaldez1]

You little bastards, stay off of my lawn!

[@scottbarber6694]

Moles and ground squirrels have destroyed my lawn. Wanna buy a mower?

[@brianwyters2150]

If you're talking about children, they'll just end up cutting themselves with the lawnmower.

[@johnw2026]

@@brianwyters2150 i started mowing grass when i was a little boy. I'm 34 now. I cut myself many times back then, never went to the hospital. I love mowing my grass to this day, except when i'm forced to do it in a hurry.

[@dannynicastro3207]

Scott Barber ....lol!!! We are in Philly, moved thirty city blocks away...and we miss our old friends, but our new hood and new friends are great. And we have a huge yard for thecity....love seeing the eight or so varieties of birds, squirrels a plenty living in the fairly big tree, once in a while, the odd possum or raccoon stops by. Now, not a lawn exactly but grasses and a sort of lettuce looking thing, alot of them, sprout up every spring. Ivy, and some weedy plants. Do not mow, but trim and cut. We love it, but do want to get one of those push type mowers. The forerunners of the modern tractors and ride on mowers. Good story. Love you HG, from Philadelphia PA. Take care🕊🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

[@ForceSmart]

Mowing the lawn was one of my favorite chores as a kid. It certainly helped that we had a riding lawn mower though. I haven't yet been able to enjoy having a lawn of my own as an adult, but I look forward to it someday.

[@neilsheets1098]

I always thought lawns got started as a fire break for homes. I learned something new today.

[@mcw0530]

That’s funny, I look forward to mowing the lawn. It’s my adult excuse to ride a go-kart.

[@thomasdarby6084]

I like mowing the lawn... I'm outdoors, fresh air, getting exercise by pushing my old-fashioned reel mower. Granted, the lawn is small, maybe 300 square feet, but at 67 I still enjoy this boyhood chore. And the birds thank me for it.

[@boogerie]

oh please! you have a rider! try using a push mower. in the summer. in Houston TX.

[@mcw0530]

Steve Martino Yes, I can see how a 1968 Cub Cadet makes me rich.

[@erikkunkle9574]

@@RetroBerner Wow. You equate a riding mower with being rich and are jealous of someone who has one? I'd like to say that is silly but it is just sad.

[@danaphanous]

Everything is relative of course, but if you get a used lawn mower and keep it in repair yourself, it is quite affordable. Costs less than the average phone or computer these days. But most people don't have the mechanical expertise to keep them in repair.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Now that video was a cut above the rest 🤗

[@That-Google-Guy]

Andy Richards heyooooo

[@imapaine-diaz4451]

DA-DUM!!!

[@jer991]

I like watching my grass grow. heading in to another fine weekend.

[@smeldaroses2082]

Facts are facts. Continue to speak them and keep history alive. Always enjoy your short history stints. Great!

[@Liberalcali]

I love doing my lawn. It's a hobby.

[@UtahSustainGardening]

Interesting, my hobby is getting rid of lawns! ;)

[@Liberalcali]

@@UtahSustainGardening what is it that you do. Pull lawns up and put concrete?

[@UtahSustainGardening]

@@Liberalcali Heck no! I just think there are a lot of plants that are much cooler than turf grass. Too much concrete in the world anyway....

[@Liberalcali]

@Mr. Morningstar that's funny you would say that my other hobbies are my 1973 Scottish Aviation Bulldog 890 SMOH 640 and I'm in a motorcycle club ;)

[@Liberalcali]

@Mr. Morningstar your hobby is probably trolling me at your mom's house

[@inversionessinilusiones803]

I was floored when, years ago, I learned that turfgrass was not a natural feature of landscapes, and that it only has existed for at most 200 years in the land of my birth. A mowed lawn was not an example of nature reaching perfection!!!! (now my neighbors have raised complaints to the city about my lawn: I do water my fruit bushes, but unless I am forced, I will not water that grass. )

[@cynthiabeckenbaugh5189]

Love my lawn, my quiet pondering time. As a single mother of five wonderful children.

[@charlesbaldo]

6:26 because of quarantine I spent that much time on my lawn last week. I bought a reel mower this year for the good cut and the exercise

[@allenatkins2263]

I made good money as a kid pushing my mower around town in the summer. I haven't seen that in thirty years. I guess kids don't do that anymore.

[@aubreyackermann8432]

When I had a band trip from Chicago to new York in highschool, a lot of the kids could only afford it by going to a rich suburb and mowing lawns for people who had no clue what the job was usually worth. Those kids turned in their payments first.

[@bullettube9863]

I also mowed lawns when younger, and in my town lots of kids still do lawn care jobs like mowing, raking leaves and shoveling snow. I don't know what people are complaining about, maybe they should get out more?

[@allenatkins2263]

@@bullettube9863 I wasn't complaining about anything, just making an observation about my own experience. I'm glad things in Mayberry haven't changed and I promise I will get out and visit someday.

[@bullettube9863]

@@allenatkins2263 No, I don't live in Mayberry, our population is over 60,000 and still growing. While lots of people use lawn care services, most people still pay local kids to do the lawn work. My friend also just reminded me that some home insurance companies worry about lawsuits if the kids are injured and I'm wondering if this is why people prefer to use professionals instead of the local kids.

[@garyschmidt7320]

@@bullettube9863 Those pro services don't do it as cheap as I did back then. I had an 80 dollar mower and a pair of gloves and a pair of clippers. Now they have a 6000 dollar zero-turn, 2 weedeaters, a blower, a 2000 dollar trailer and a 40,000 dollar truck to pull it all with. Not sure little Johnny got smarter when he grew up.

[@That-Google-Guy]

Yeah buddy! Got a New Jersey reference and he didn’t even crack a joke! You’re the best, THG!!! I too love mowing my lawn but I have a riding mower. If I had a push mower it would indeed be a soul crushing time suck. It’s no mean feat mowing an acre+

[@Randomconsiderations]

I've always found this history of the 'lawn' interesting. I actually don't mind mowing my lawn. It's part of my gardening process as I reuse the clippings for mulching and filling in potholes in the yard. Plus, as someone with a desk job, I also get some much-needed exercise. I did leave my yard unmowed for a few years because the mower died and I liked the Texas wildflowers that came in too much to buy a new one right away. Eventually, though, I got tired of having to collect and throw away all the lawn care flyers and business cards that collected on my door. It's interesting how there was a presumption that I needed help with 'my weeds' instead of an appreciation for a yard full of Texas Primroses. (Yay for not living in an HOA where I had the choice in the matter, though!) There are a few people around my neighborhood that have turned their front yards into vegetable gardens and I've thought about it myself, but I keep my veggie garden in the back yard (if I have one at all). It's hard enough beating the birds to my veggies. I'd rather not have to also beat other humans, too. I live in the city with the 'joy' of working full time and driving to and from work in heavy traffic, which greatly limits how much time I can devote to a whole yard garden. Wish I could, though.

[@baylorsailor]

I love caring for my lawn and beautifying it. It's good discipline as well. Mowing is one of my favorite jobs to do because it's satisfying. My least favorite job would be keeping up with laundry. There is no break from that in my house.

[@jimhowland8965]

I love mowing my lawn. I't therapeutic for me. It's my alone time, my "me" time .

[@stevemarks4590]

I grew up in a good sized city in the 50's and 60's. What I remember is most 'Mom's' didn't work ( but stayed home to be homemakers. Most people didn't have even a 'reel' mower that one pushed and which did a good job! What most people did was use a scythe to cut pathways to the front and back doors of the house and occasionally other area's. Then, in the 60's.. the 'gas powered NOISY/FUMY lawn mowers started to catch on ( to those who could afford them- they were like 'color t.v.s- few could! )What I've seen is the total 'fanaticism' through the decades of some with their lawns.. Sure, spray 'CHEM'lawn on it and other things.. then let your kids and grandkids PLAY on the lawn ( as well as pets ).. I've seen countless birds who suffer toxic nerve disease from eating insects caught & eaten on such 'treated' lawns.. But honestly???? I'll NEVER get people who mow their lawn on Monday... then again on Tuesday...then again on Wednesday... maybe ( MAYBE ) not mow it on Thursday, then mow on FRIDAY... three to six times a freeking WEEK!! Then?? Strap on the back-pack BLOWER to blow EVERY blade of grass.. OFF the lawn, and into the street that cause major sewer issues... ONE neighbor will actually get on his hands and knee's with SCISSORS to hand cut some errant blades of grass that the mower missed...So I remember when families DID things together ( like rake leaves in the Fall ) where they'd have fun, TALK between themselves and neighbors etc... The Fall was a generally HAPPY time and people got more ( and BETTER ) exercise! Last year ( here ) there was a severe drought. I'd see the 'LAWN fanatics' sneaking out in the middle of the night to WATER their damned lawns despite consequences ( if caught ) and these same people had DEAD.. YELLOW lawns ( but no matter.. ) STILL freeking mowed it 3 to 6 times a week!! To me?? THAT'S plain F**ked up- period! By the way.. I maybe mowed my lawn 5 times during the entire drought... early or late day (NOT at the height of the sun!) and only if it actually NEEDED it.. Result? The ONLY 'sane' person with a live, mostly green lawn ( without illegally watering )

[@alphagt62]

I’ve found that many who do unnecessary work, is because they can’t stand their lives, and will do anything to avoid their spouses and families. “These people are driving me nuts! I’m going outside to mow the lawn”.

[@frootlooper]

@@alphagt62 yeah Steve seems like a person who’s enjoying his life.

[@neilpiper9889]

I live in Stroud and have mowed lawns for the wealthy for much of my life. Thank you Mister Budding for giving me a means of income and the ability to have a family of five children. American lawns are described by Joni Mitchell in her song 'The hissing of summer lawns', referring to pop up sprinkler systems.

[@jaskamon6127]

47 years myself out here on the west coast

[@Deacetis1991]

Such an interesting concept, the history of yards. It literally never crossed my mind.

[@Peasmouldia]

Preaching to the choir here in the UK H.G. You might note that the "strimmer"(US: weed whacker) has had a huge impact on biodiversity here by removing wayside scrub and other uncultivated areas that would have gone otherwise unmolested. As ever, H.G. magic.Thank you.

[@That-Google-Guy]

Ian Bunyan has it made biodiversity worse? Also i love that word, strimmer. Is it a portmanteau string and trimmer?

[@Peasmouldia]

@@That-Google-Guy you got it, Def portmanteau. Because of enclosures of land many species of insects with important role in food chain relied on scrub land. Of course, farming practices are another important contributory factor.

[@That-Google-Guy]

Oh shit! Whipper-Snipper and Strimmer! I have two words I need to integrate into my daily life!

[@jaskamon6127]

technically called a line trimmer

[@arachnonixon]

just imagine, if everyone dedicated at least 1/4 of their lawn towards agriculture &/or smallscale farming. it would be such a National advantage

[@zoesmybaby]

@Stephen Morton i see what you did there (*´ ∀ `*)

[@reasonablespeculation3893]

For my immigrant forefathers, struggling to feed the family in the early 20th Century - thru the Great Depression, the tiny back yards of Row Houses in cities large and small would be used as vegetable gardens and chicken coops. There were No front yards... I don't wish to return to those days of sparsity... However, the traits of industriousness, efficiency, and appreciation for the little you've got, has been lost, even on the "poor", in todays society of abundance.

[@boogerie]

www.foodnotlawns.com/

[@robertqueberg4612]

My best friend’s mother grew up in southwestern Indiana( Posey County) in the twenties and thirties. She was relating stories of sweeping the lawn on early Sunday morning, along with the chicken yard. This was to tidy up for company that may stop by to visit. Her son and I laughed and agreed that we did not want that type of company.

[@jimerjam6689]

my mom is a landscaper and I must say that the lawnmower is one of the most well used machines that we have. (side note I REALLY enjoy mowing lawns)

[@OldMan_PJ]

I always enjoyed mowing the lawn but it always seemed like my dad spent more time trying to get the lawn mower started than I spent pushing it around.

[@nunyabidness117]

There are headhunters from Borneo more tamed than my lawn.

[@peggyjones3282]

I love mowing the lawn. So satisfying.

[@joeallison5484]

You are the ONLY person who could get me interested in the history of lawn care. Thank you.

[@juliankirby9880]

The more fruit trees you plant w/ flower beds underneath, the less you have to mow

[@christophergruenwald5054]

Julian Kirby that’s why last year I planted 9 fruit trees, 3 blue berry bushes, 3 shade trees plus a huge vegetable garden.

[@JHNielson4851]

@@christophergruenwald5054 - Are you able to harvest the fruit? Or do you get to much to deal with?

[@juliankirby9880]

Christopher Gruenwald pro tip, spread kelp meal and oyster shell under the trees each year, in the garden bed if you can swing it too. For flavor and tree health

[@stevenroland7472]

They are just obstacles that you have to cut around. I like long expanses of yards that require no maneuvering.

[@juliankirby9880]

Steven Roland eww lawn.

[@doctorpicardnononono7469]

4.05 a lawnmower pulled by a lawnmower.

[@this_boy-gent_is_a_roy-den2660]

Did you know?..kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKesiX14p8ifgrs

[@highflight41]

How can anyone dislike the History Guy? It is like disliking Christmas morning...or puppies.

[@rbmossx1432]

Thanks for your concise and fascinating videos on historical aspects not covered so well elsewhere on KZbin.

[@DavesShed]

If you have ever used a manual hand mower then you would appreciate the term "soul crushing time suck". I had to use one as a kid on our 1/4 acre lot until we eventually got a petrol one. Never again.

[@1stPCFerret]

I can credit lawn mowing (and other "home gardening chores" that were inflicted on me as a kid by my parents for never purchasing a house to live in. Gee, I miss them both!

[@mrjames7251]

I had a gravel yard for a few/several years when I was a kid too... You DO miss something you've never had; right?

[@vegasfordguy]

I enjoy mowing my lawn and take pride in having the greenest and nicest manicured lawn on my street. It sure does take a lot of water and $$$ to keep it green in the Nevada high desert.

[@smithy2170]

Maintaining beautiful landscapes is one of the most important things you can do.

[@Wrench245]

While mowing the lawn is high on my list of homeowner chores to get out of, it isn't the highest. Fixing plumbing, repairing the garage door, and pruning trees, (ask how I broke an ankle,) are sort of tied. I want to enjoy my home without forever having to work on the bloody thing.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I agree- but it was only top of list for least favorite for 20% of the people in the survey. I'd generally take lawn work over house work.

[@Rob_h_floridaman]

LOL. I've come to realize that I don't really own my house. The house owns me......

[@roscoesomeone9764]

Happiness is a mower that starts on the first pull. Hint, use only 100% gasoline, ethanol is hard on small engines.

[@cgaccount3669]

I prefer electric. Quieter and less stink. At my cabin I use a manual push mower and it's actually easier to use than my old power lawnmower.

[@EdwardChen0]

Even happier, a snowblower that starts on the first pull after a blizzard!

[@JHNielson4851]

@@EdwardChen0- Yes to this!

[@niteshades_promise]

Roscoe Someone yep yep🍻

[@oddball0045]

Yep, ethonal attracts water and swells up the rubber fuel lines and rubber seals in the carburetor

[@adriansmith3139]

As an Australian I appreciate your comment recognising the Australian obsession with their lawn. The rotary mower was invented in Australia, the 'Victa' still a top selling brand here. I myself prefer a push or hand operated mower for the small(ish) area of grass or lawn I need to maintain. My suburban home itself does not have any lawn/grass,however, the nature strip, a piece of land between the paved footpath (sidewalk) and road owned by the local municipal authority(council) is grassed and it is expected the homeowner/occupier will mow and maintain it. Indeed the home owner can be fined for not maintaining the nature strip. For those who may be interested I live in a south eastern suburb of the Victorian capital of Melbourne (not Mel-born, rather Melb'n) .

[@TermiteUSA]

The beautiful words below:...'" if you chose to find offense in historical facts'"... are amazing in this new culture which cannot even deal with real life current events, let alone events from the past. Keep up the good work Sir. As for the subject, it made me think of Cowpens, that lovely little field where some of my distant kin turned the tide. Can you take us back to the Revolution sometime soon?