Dandelions are very difficult to battle without using chemicals if your lawn is covered with them.  In previous years I have spend hours and hours pulling hundreds of weeds by hand.  With each yank I hoped to get the entire root.

Let me tell you after years of experience this is a tough job.  It is made even tougher when you wake up the next day to find a whole new legion standing at attention where you once thought you had pulled them all out.

Even cutting them down with a lawn mower is only a short term fix.  Chopping them down does not keep them from growing so your lawn may look dandelion free from a distance, the underlying devastation continues.  If you have a reel mover, the tall dandelions just don't get cut that easily either.

This year I gave up the one by one pulling technique.  Although it makes me look like an environmental martyr, I realized with the state of my lawn, it is pointless.  Also, if I wanted to use only a reel mower to cut my grass and not a gas, powered mower, I would have to get my lawn back into reasonable shape and then keep it that way.  I can pull a few rogue dandelions.

So what is my attack plan this year.  Let me tell you.  Regular vinegar (5%) works well.  I sprayed a  bunch of dandelions and after a week they looked like they were not going to survive.  However, the grass around the dandelions didn't look so hot either.  I am using natural fertilizer and compost to feed the grass to grow back.

The corn gluten meal I spread in April, I think had little effect but I am not giving up on it as my lawn is in such bad shape.  It still must be helping provide nutrients.

Another technique you may have to resort to to get your lawn back to a manageable state is to do a one time weed and feed.  I know this goes against some people's stand on using chemicals, but if your lawn is infested with dandelions, this may be the only way.  However, you have to swear that once the dandelions are gone, you nourish your lawn and then manage the dandelions by pulling them out, blasting them with vinegar and using corn gluten meal as a preemergent.

The last thing I do after I cut my grass with the reel mower is I do a pass with my rechargeable weed wacker and cut down any stray tall dandelions.   I figure that keeping the stem low cannot be good for the survivability of the dandelions.

So my advice if you have a lawn infested with dandelions and you want to use your reel mower is get your lawn under control.  Do a full court press to eliminate the dandelions using vinegar spray, weed wacking, conr gluten meal and perserverance.  If you have to as a last resort, use the weed and feed correctly one time and carefully.  Get the grass growing again and maintain that lawn free of the weeds.

I cut my grass today and my Great States reel mower cut it beautifully.  It is not easy to push nor is it that hard either.  I love the exercise and if I miss the tall stuff, I pull out the battery powered weed wacker.  See the eNowShop.

One by one pulling is a hopeless cause.  I took me three years to change my strategy and this one will be far more effective. 

I finally decided to buy a Great States 18" reel mower.  I paid $95 for it.  I actually already owned a Great States reel mower but when I tried to resharpen it,  I couldn’t adjust the blades.  My fault.  I left it out in the rain a few times.

So I was torn between buying a rechargeable mower and another reel mower I went for the reel mower.  I went for the reel mower mainly because I like cutting with a reel mower.  Also, getting rid of the battery of a rechargeable mower will not be so great for the environment and also I read mixed reviews about the mowers…most were great, but they still made me pause before spending $400.

I bought a new Great States mower which is not a high end reel mower.  There are reel mowers that cost over $200.  Having had experience with Great States already, I went with another one.

Assembling the mower is a snap.  I did it in about 30 minutes including adjusting the cutting blade.  It is slightly different than my first mower, it is slightly bigger and also the handle and push bar is different.  Some reviews have called it flimsy but I have not had a problem with it.  (Update - I recently had a problem when when one the tightening handles came loose and the roller in back fell off.  I lost a piece but use my other mower to fix it.  My recommendation is just check these tightening handles once in awhile.  It only takes a second.)

I didn’t realize how a reel mower actually worked until I got this mower.   This time I  took the time to understand how the cutting mechanism worked.  It is very simple but amazingly effective.  This “aha” moment made me want to try to fix my old mower.  I purchased some oil to help unstick the rusted adjusting bolts and a few days after applying the oil and a little elbow grease I was able to adjust my old mower, apply the sharpening paste and now I have two reel mowers!  One is adjusted lower than the other so I can use one for a closer cut.  (Update - I no longer have two mowers as I used a bolt from the old one to replace one I lost.  I only need the one mower anyways.)

Okay back to my test of the new Great States mower.   Thie new mower is a little harder to push, but it is not difficult.  It actually has a different feel to it.  When it cuts, it also has a smooth slicing sound. I like it.

The cut is amazing,  In taller grass and even some dandelions, the grass and weeds come pouring out the back.  It is kind of amazing! On occasion I have to go over an area more than once or I use my rechargeable weed wacker to take care of the stragglers.  Also, I seem to notice, sticks do not get jammed as often. 

I mow weekly which for some may be a hassle, but I like it.  It is a great workout.  The things I love the most about using a reel mower are

1. My kids can play right next to me as I mow
2. I don’t breathe in all that exhaust and it is quiet
3. I don’t have to deal with the gasoline
4. It is good exercise
5. It really doesn’t take that long.

The cons of a reel mower?  The only one I can think of is it doesn’t cut all the dandelions.  There is no vaccum pull like in a gas mower.  I have a lot of dandelions and most of my neighbors yards are immaculate.  This is a separate discussion on the use or overuse of lawn chemicals.

I am torn between the use of weed and feed to get the lawn under control so I can use the reel mower.  Once under control I can manage it with gluten corn meal and fertilizer. I also use vinegar for spot treatments which works well, but damages the grass a little.

For those who say reel mowers are only for small yards, all I can say is, it is a little more difficult, but it is all about the trade offs.  I personally like the exercise.  I want to do my part.  I enjoy cutting the grass.  I have learned to ask myself why am I in such a rush?  Do I need to hurry up and cut the grass so I can run to the gym to workout?

I am digressing a bit, so let me end by saying.  I love my two Great States reel mowers.  I am not sure why I would pay $200 or more for a reel mower.  Maybe if I had one I would know, but I am quite happy with what I have.  People walk by me and are amazed reel mowers still exist.  I just think “Get Reel.”

I bought mine at Menards, but you can find them online at good old Amazon.  I recommend this mower. There may also be some ads on this page with other reel mowers like the Brill and other models I have heard of. 

Great States #815-18 18" Deluxe Reel Mower

I applied the corn meal gluten I received.  I put down a 40 lb bag on my small lawn....I can tell you I put more than the recommended amount.  I used a drop spreader.

So did it work?  Well I have a major dandelion problem and we get hundreds of dandelions...this year even with the application we have hundreds.

However, I am not giving up on the corn gluten meal.  I think my lawn is in such bad shape the corn gluten meal alone will not work.  I actually think we have less this year than previous years.

I plan on reapplying more later this summer.  I'll keep you notified.  So far, I have to recommend this path forward.  It is better that using all those chemicals.