Our Lawnmowers

We put our little John Deere lawn tractor in the garage back in late October after we mowed the last of the summer grass and leaves.  I'll crank it up every once in a while to make sure it still starts for when we need it, but we try to delay using the John Deere to mow until we absolutely have to.  It is officially Spring right now but the nights are still pretty cool, so the grass hasn't started growing vigorously yet.  I'll hear the neighbors firing up their lawnmowers to mow the white dutch clover that fills their yards.


White Dutch Clover in the yard

We fire up our mowers as well, but we use a different type lawn mower to trim our clover - Rosie and Daisy.  Unlike my boys, they show excitement about being asked to mow.  They also don't need to be filled with fuel.  Aside from the cow patties that they leave scattered on the front lawn which some people find unappealing, I can't really think of any downside to letting the cows do the mowing for me.  I'm sure if we lived in the suburbs, the Home owner's Association would likely frown upon this lowbrow practice.

Rosie & Daisy chowing down in the yard

So oblivious to deed restrictions, Rosie and Daisy set out to mow a section of our yard.  They don't have harmful emissions that harm the environment, unless of course you count...  Well, you know.


The Jersey Zero Turn Radius Lawn Mowers at work

They run excitedly from one clover patch to the next, noses to the ground, skillfully pulling out each piece of clover and devouring it. 

Clover for Daisy Lou

Cows are not emotional creatures.  You will never see them smile.  They are very even keeled and the only time you really see them show enthusiasm is on that first cool, crisp day of the fall.   They'll kick up their heels and run around.  Looking down at this platter of clover, I'll bet she's smiling on the inside in her own cow kind of way. 

Do cows smile?

She's nose deep in the clover now, but she has that twinkle in her eye to let you know that she's happy.  

Daisy's favorite meal - white dutch clover

It's kind of rude to stand over someone while they're eating, so I'll move on down the road.  Enjoy your luncheon, Miss Daisy.

Finally, here's how we keep our lawnmowers from mowing our neighbor's property or getting out on the road.  I have some temporary electric wire fencing on a reel that I unroll and affix it to some step-in fiberglass posts.  To be honest, I don't even hook it up to the charger.  The cows have been shocked before, so they respect the fence and don't go near it.  We don't leave the house while the girls are mowing, though.  We keep a close eye on them.  Once we see them sit down, they're done and we walk out and lead them back to the pasture. 

Cows inside the temporary fencing mowing down the clover

Tomorrow, I'll simply pull up the temporary fence and move it to another part of the yard where there's more clover.  Clover provides the girls with lots of protein, digestible nutrients and calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.  This, in turn, enables them to produce the most delicious, nutritious, milk on God's green earth. 

Daisy and Rosie - Mowin' the grass & puttin' milk in the glass.  Thanks girls!