How to get your husband to do the yard work he hates doing

[Anonymous]

We have a large lot and the miscanthus spreads terribly. We have to maintain it (HOA) so have to cut it down every year. Hired out, it’s over 2K. We both HATE cutting down those grasses and this year he flat refused. I’ve been out there doing it. We both think it’s best to just remove them and I was resenting the hell out of him. Then I had an idea. I said that we should rent a digger for the day, that it would make short work of removing them. I said that I’m sure our Son-in-law would love to drive that thing and do it. He eagerly said he’s always wanted to drive one so he wants to do it. Shoulda thought of that from the start So tomorrow, I call Dig Safe and have the lot marked.

Bottom line - give a man a fun toy to drive and he’s game!

[Anonymous]

A happy ending!

[Anonymous]

I have a few grasses and I cut it down in the fall. This is the method I use: First, securing the grass and then cutting with an electric/gas hedge trimmer. I found a video that explains it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrB1doPGbQM

If you need to thin out your grasses, ask at a nursery for the best product. I have been known to spray Roundup Up around the edges to narrow down each plant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a few grasses and I cut it down in the fall. This is the method I use: First, securing the grass and then cutting with an electric/gas hedge trimmer. I found a video that explains it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrB1doPGbQM

If you need to thin out your grasses, ask at a nursery for the best product. I have been known to spray Roundup Up around the edges to narrow down each plant.

There are probably about 40+ in that field. I’ve been cutting them but it’s exhausting. We want them gone. This is the invasive Chinese miscanthus.

[Anonymous]

What you need to do is put a garbage bag over the top of the plant. Then cut the base with an electric hedge trimmer. Done! All the cut plant is in the trash bag and there's nothing more to do.

[Anonymous]

My neighbors have a similar bush. They never cut it. It turns brown over winter and then if not trimmed, the brown just falls out in the spring when the plant starts growing again. Lucky for me, the wind blows it into my yard. My yard is now absolutely covered with these stringy things (leaves? Fronds?) now. It happens every spring. I wish it would blow into their yard, but nope.

[Anonymous]

So many things that someone has now named as an invasive. Stop the madness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many things that someone has now named as an invasive. Stop the madness.

Yep. Best way is to use a native ornamental grass. My HOA has a 3 acres forest easement included in our common property and half of it is taken over by Chinese wisteria and bamboo. Both are invading homeowners properties rapidly - it's a continuous maintenance hassle. We got an estimate to remove it and it was nearly $200,000. We're currently trying to find grants to help. So yeah - invasiveness is real and it can destroy the value of your property not to mention what it does to nature. Stop the madness - ban these plants and don't plant any more of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many things that someone has now named as an invasive. Stop the madness.

HOAs love invasive.

I'm not sure why PP is so bothered by people learning more about the environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you need to do is put a garbage bag over the top of the plant. Then cut the base with an electric hedge trimmer. Done! All the cut plant is in the trash bag and there's nothing more to do.

these are over 7 feet tall.

[Anonymous]

Just spend the money. I wouldn't want to do it either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many things that someone has now named as an invasive. Stop the madness.

Yep. Best way is to use a native ornamental grass. My HOA has a 3 acres forest easement included in our common property and half of it is taken over by Chinese wisteria and bamboo. Both are invading homeowners properties rapidly - it's a continuous maintenance hassle. We got an estimate to remove it and it was nearly $200,000. We're currently trying to find grants to help. So yeah - invasiveness is real and it can destroy the value of your property not to mention what it does to nature. Stop the madness - ban these plants and don't plant any more of them.

OP here. You are EXACTLY right. Places like Home Depot often sell the invasives and label them like the non-invasives. For instance, the American wisteria var. Amethyst Falls is very well-behaved, but people aren’t aware there is a difference in varieties. I have a few Miscanthus var. Morning Light which do not spread. Another is Sweet Autumn Clematis. There is an invasive variety and a non invasive variety and they are labeled the same. I made that mistake early on and am still paying for it.

Same with Vinca. Perfectly manageable in New England and here, it’s impossible. Ask me how I know….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you need to do is put a garbage bag over the top of the plant. Then cut the base with an electric hedge trimmer. Done! All the cut plant is in the trash bag and there's nothing more to do.

OP again - I do love this for the smaller ones though!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a large lot and the miscanthus spreads terribly. We have to maintain it (HOA) so have to cut it down every year. Hired out, it’s over 2K. We both HATE cutting down those grasses and this year he flat refused. I’ve been out there doing it. We both think it’s best to just remove them and I was resenting the hell out of him. Then I had an idea. I said that we should rent a digger for the day, that it would make short work of removing them. I said that I’m sure our Son-in-law would love to drive that thing and do it. He eagerly said he’s always wanted to drive one so he wants to do it. Shoulda thought of that from the start So tomorrow, I call Dig Safe and have the lot marked.

Bottom line - give a man a fun toy to drive and he’s game!

Ah, I thought you were going to ask how to motivate the man. I was going to answer S-E-X.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a few grasses and I cut it down in the fall. This is the method I use: First, securing the grass and then cutting with an electric/gas hedge trimmer. I found a video that explains it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrB1doPGbQM

If you need to thin out your grasses, ask at a nursery for the best product. I have been known to spray Roundup Up around the edges to narrow down each plant.

For anyone not wanting to use herbicides, splitting the plants every few years would serve the same purpose and not expose critters to chemicals. You can relocate the parts you dig up or give away or discard.