This is my submission for the "without oil" A-Z project.

I am trying to mow without oil-everything. Just the grass immediately around the house would not be a major big deal-I could use one of those hand pushed mowers- I tried a friend's the other day and it works great-even my son thought it was cool! I have an old one that has been sitting in the barn for about a dozen years-it needs some sort of adjustment as it doesn't work-so a neighbor will try to have a go at it.

The bigger problem is the blueberry field and orchard. I can always not mow the orchard- but the blueberry field, which has strips of  grass between every row HAS to be done regularly or picking becomes almost impossible. Enter, the geese.

I started this project last summer actually, when I bought 6 day-old Chinese Geese. I am down to 4 as last Fall I lost 2 to predators.  Anyway, last year they were still young but did an amazing job. I let them wander freely though which created a bit of a problem for visitors(geese are VERY territorial), and  "land-mines" every foot or so.  I've made some changes for this year and we'll see how it goes.

I've fenced the blueberry field-and they are working it now. I'll remove them prior to picking beginning.  I'm looking for some used electric net fence(I sold mine years ago-rats!)- to then move them to other areas to work for the rest of the summer.  After blueberry picking ends(early Sept)-I'll move them back  until  winter hits and they go to the barn. One of the girls is sitting on a nest of 13 eggs now- hope my male has what it takes-I haven't seen any evidence of that if you know what I mean- but maybe he's into privacy? Well if she does hatch out any goslings- I'll be breeding my own lawn mowers! (Match that John Deere!)

I'd attach a photo of "the kids" but I can't figure how to put one into a blog! (Hey- quit laughing- I can feed  a lot of people-just  don't spend a lot of time  playing with  photos on-line)

Tags: mission
Current Mood: accomplished