High gas prices are impacting more than just the type of vehicles people drive. Some people are even changing how they mow the lawn. One article says that commercial-quality riding mowers are more efficient than gas powered mowers. However, it is the old-fashioned push lawnmower that is seeing rising sales nationwide. Push lawnmowers - also known as manual reel mowers - are being praised as a green alternative. That's a Scotts 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower pictured in the photograph on the right.
Not only is the sound quieter than the traditional whirring and humming of gas-powered mowers, but reel mowers are an option for those looking to stay "green" and save green while taking care of their green.
The old-fashioned mowers don't create any air pollution and are cheaper to buy ($80 to $130 on average) and maintain than their gas- or electric-powered counterparts. The advantages of reel mowers are catching on with some Lawrence residents.
The Home Depot has seen increases in sales for reel mowers at its Lawrence store and nationally. "We didn't anticipate this much increase in demand," said Home Depot spokeswoman Jen King.
The increase is also carrying over to smaller, local stores, such as Cottin's Hardware, where sales for reel mowers are seven times higher this year than in 2007.
The big downside, of course, is the increased personal effort it takes to use a push mower. If you want to save money on gas while burning some extra calories and doing less harm to the environment than this may be the mower for you. A Forbesarticle describes three different kinds of mowers: push reel, electric and gasoline powered.
High gas prices are impacting more than just the type of vehicles people drive. Some people are even changing how they mow the lawn. One 
