The most common types of outdoor power equipment allow every homeowner to keep a manicured and sharp looking lawn. These six tools and a little skill will cause your yard to stand out in the neighborhood.

#1 Lawnmower

Dozens of models allow you to choose the right size, power supply, and quality of lawnmower. It’s hard to go wrong with a brand name mower. Any decent mower should last at least ten years so don’t skimp on price.
Annual maintenance on your mower includes changing the air filter, motor oil, and sharpening the blade to keep your mower operating efficiently.

#2 Edger

Edgers keep your lawn looking orderly. A nice cut makes the lawn look sharp while an edger sharpens the boundaries with the sidewalk, street, and plant boundaries. Edgers are powered by gas, electric, and lithium batteries.

#3 Trimmer

Trimmers allow you to manicure your yard in hard to reach places and against physical boundaries such as the house and fence. Some homeowners can get by without a trimmer if they don’t have a lot of grass against hard borders. A trimmer makes life easier for every man or woman of the castle.

#4 Blower

Have you ever seen a nicely mowed, trimmed and edged lawn with grass and weed trimmings all over the sidewalk and street? It ruins the effect of a nice looking yard. Blowers clear the cement of all clippings and leave a nice final touch. Blowers are also fun to operate and can be used to move other materials around such as sand, dirt, and pebbles.

#5 Power Trimmer

If you have hedges, bushes or trees a power trimmer is a must to keep them looking nice. In most cases you’ll only need to use this trimmer a few times per year.

#6 Chain saw

Chain saws are for big jobs like taking down trees. Consider getting some training before using this dangerous tool.

Consider buying and sharing these six types of outdoor power equipment with your neighbors. If you all pull together you will contribute to maintaining home appearances and values in your neighborhood.

Author: ConservationM

It\’s that time of year that makes us constantly stare out our windows (and clocks) when we\’re at work, eagerly waiting to enjoy the warmth of the sunlight and what would generally be known as a ‘beautiful day.’ You arrive home, are ready to relax, only to find on the kitchen counter the one thing that could turn this dreamy carriage of a day into a rotten pumpkin coach: your water bill.

Your water bill may not be very high… yet

During the warmer months of spring and summer water use increases by up to 50in most American homes. Tasks such as watering the lawn, gardening, and washing the car are completed more frequently. This spike in water use of course produces a spike in the water bill as it is in addition to the water used indoors throughout the entire year. Although some states may have watering restrictions, the hotter months can be especially harsh on local water supplies. Investing in a rain water harvesting system will prove to be an efficient solution to this yearly problem.

Financially and Environmentally Friendly

Making use of rain barrel stands will benefit both you and the environment. They help decrease the amount of residential water used, as you will be using [free] rainwater to complete outdoor tasks. A rain water harvesting system can store up to 60 gallons of rain water. During summer peak months one barrel alone can save just about 1,300 gallons of water. That is the equivalent of fifty-two 10-minute showers in the average home! A rain water barrel can be connected to another rain barrel to further increase your water savings while decreasing your water bill.

Typically, rainwater normally pours off the roof directly or flows through roof gutter downspouts and becomes stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff can contain pollutants such as oil, sediment, grease, nutrients and bacteria. Collecting rainwater reduces the amount of stormwater runoff and increases the amount of groundwater. In addition, these US manufactured barrels are made from recycled shipping barrel.

What is a typical rain water barrel like?

The Great American Rain Barrel Company has produced rain barrel stands designed to be incredibly durable; as they obviously must be placed outside in often harsh conditions to collect the rainwater (makes sense, right?). The wall thickness on these UV protected polyethylene rain barrels is such that the barrels can virtually last forever. This allows the rain barrel to pay for itself within a matter of months, and continue to save you money as long as you are willing to use it.

The rain water barrel from the Great American Rain Barrel Company includes a threaded spigot placed 14′ from the ground, a second spigot 4′ off the ground for a normal garden hose, a screw on cover, drain plug, and overflow fitting, as well as an instruction manual for simple installation. The barrel can be placed on a crate or block to add height. In addition, it includes a screen cover to stop debris from mixing with the rainwater you collect. These are all the tools you will need to install and use your rain barrel stands and begin to save water and money on water bills.

The rain water harvesting system can be used throughout the summer months with ease. However, during the colder months of winter the rain water barrel should be removed. If left standing through the winter it can fall victim to ice damage. Once the seasons change and that warm weather is back, place your rain barrel stands back out there for collecting rainwater, and once again this water will be ready when needed without burdening the local water supply system or your wallet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/rain-barrel-stands-using-rainwater-to-save-water-2268792.html

About the Author

Conservation Mart strives to be a one stop shop for weatherization products, energy efficiency and water saving products. We serve customers such as home owners, businesses, contractors, weatherization agencies, housing authorities and government agencies. We pride ourselves in delivering conservation technologies to help reduce residential and commercial energy and water use and in educating stakeholders on the benefits of energy and water efficiency.

The problem with urine on lawns is that it kills the grass. This occurs because urine is high in nitrogen. In a lawn that has not been fertilized, urine can actually be beneficial, since nitrogen is one of the primary ingredients in fertilizer. However, in a lawn that has already been fertilized, this basically creates an “overdose” of nitrogen and results in burnt grass. The irony here, of course, is that the people who are most likely to be bothered by urine marks on the lawn are the ones who fertilize the lawn to keep it looking good.

Can urine stains in the grass be prevented?

Urine stains may be preventable. Try watering as soon as possible after the animal has urinated on the grass, and many stains can be eliminated this way. Additionally, lime added to the soil may also prevent the burned patches from forming. Powdered gypsum or even baking powder can help neutralize the urine. Additionally, some products are available on the market to discourage animals from urinating in certain areas.

Wondering how to cure urine stains in the grass?

If the burned patches are already there, the only option is to dig them up and reseed the area. The soil will need to be dug into about 1 to 2 inches deep. Add a lawn mixture to the soil, and grass seeds. The area will need to be watered daily for 1 to 2 weeks, until the grass really takes hold.

The problem with this is that animals tend to return to the same places to urinate. This means that all this work may be for nothing, if, as soon as the grass takes hold, the animal in question continues to use that area. The best action to solve the urine stain problem is prevention.

Author: Silka Sage

It was not that long ago that home lawn care was a matter of having a goat, a few cows and maybe some other live stock roam freely in your yard. These living grass cutting machines could chew and mulch your grass and fertilize it too. But in this day and age, unless you live on a large farm where cows will still do the job of trimming your grass for you, there are some more advanced grass cutting tools that will make any routine yard care task easier and faster.

The modern day workhorse for cutting grass is of course, a lawnmower.  Homeowners can be very passionate about the appeal of their lawn and a good regular cut is actually healthy for your grass.  A reliable lawnmower with a sharp blade is your most important piece of yard care equipment.  If you’re in the market for a new mower you’ll find that prices can vary greatly for a range of mower types and by brand name. But you don’t have to break the bank to get a good cut.

Your mower is a machine that needs regular maintenance and the better you care for your lawnmower, the better it will cut your lawn season after season.  A well maintained machine will last a long time, saving you money in the long run.  Refer to the mower’s owner manual for recommended maintenance and follow those guidelines.

Keeping the lawn neat involves more just mowing, though.  A trimmer is a good option for cutting over grown grass along walls and fences.  As with mowers, you have many choices when it comes to brand names and features including manual trimmers.  Somehow, a good cut just does not look complete until you’ve trimmed the long grass around decks, fences and patio stones.

Most people go for a power trimmer with a plastic line that needs to be replaced every so often.  The plastic line cuts grass, weeds and small plants with no trouble. You should always wear safety glasses and ear plugs when using one of these bad boys.  And always be certain to operate the trimmer when you are well clear of people or animals.  These machines are relatively inexpensive for most residential lawn care jobs but a gas powered trimmer that is contractor grade can easily run a few hundred bucks.

A spreader or two is vital for evenly laying out fertilizer, weed killer and other lawn treatments that can help keep the lawn weed free and looking lush and green. One sort is like a small lawnmower with no blade, just a tub with small holes and a roller that dispense material. Easy to use and long-lasting, they’re adjustable for a variety of applications.

The second type of spreader is a hand-held unit, usually plastic with a rotary handle. They’re perfect for specialized applications of seed for patching small lawn areas, distributing dry fertilizer beads and so forth.

This might seem obvious but you’ll want a couple of good rakes too.  Rake away heavy amount of leaves in the fall because leaves left on the ground can cause grass to overheat or to get too little water.  In areas that get winter snow, at the end of the season the grass will be compressed into thatch.

If your lawn is not raked when necessary, it can prevent aeration from reaching the soil leading to uneven or patchy growth patterns. De-thatching requires rigorous raking with a sturdy, wide tooth rake. The more malleable fan rake is great for loose grass trimmings and leaves.

Other basic yard care essentials include:
- a long handled fork for turning soil
- a long-handled shovel or spade for a variety of gardening tasks
- a quality garden hose and nozzle
- garden gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs
- a sharpe pair of hand prunning tools

You can get a lot done with just these basic yard care essentials and the better you maintain your tools, the longer your lawn care equipment will last.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money.  If you’re on a budget (and even if you’re not), check out neighbourhood yard sales because you can often find these yard care items in excellent condition and at bargain prices.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/lawn-care-tools-for-your-home-982419.html

About the Author

Silka is a freelance writer who is completing her Masters of Business Administration at a major Canadian university. She has an undergraduate degree in Horticulture and consults with businesses that provide lawn services in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. She is passionate about environmental concerns in general and especially as they relate to landscaping and gardening matters within the Regi

The most important thing is to ensure that the landscaping is tastefully done and has a decent amount of curb appeal. The overall look should be professional as well as inviting. The landscaping is basically the face of the building and a tastefully done property will hopefully increase customer traffic. People want to see a well maintained property. This will help to instill confidence in the company. When a customer sees a business that looks run down and is not taken care of, he will generally not think highly of that company. Image is surprisingly important.

When choosing plants, trees and shrubs to utilize, there are many variables. In general, plants that are hardy will be best. Also, ones that are native to the area and will bloom the longest are good to have. The color and plant selection can be a difficult process. With so many choices, one often does not know where to even begin. By doing research and getting consultation on this, the perfect things can be purchased.

In addition to how the landscaping will look, the maintenance and upkeep of the property should be a consideration. Most business owners would prefer items that are low maintenance. Having such plants and shrubs on the property will also help to lower the average cost of maintenance. Whether maintenance is being done by someone in the company or an outside provider, this should be a consideration.

With some proper planning and the placement of attractive and appropriate plants, any commercial property can be greatly improved through landscaping.

Whether you are looking to spruce up your yard to sell your house, to start a new hobby or simply to enjoy it more, landscaping ideas for your front yard are endless. From using a varied color palette, flowers or different shapes and heights, stone, or a water feature, the end result will be an eye-catching spread of land just steps from the front door.

To begin, sketch out or jot down a few goals for the front yard. Consider exact location of the flower bed and then narrow it down to the placement of specific flowers and other accents. To encourage inspiration, drive around a beautiful neighborhood to see what the going trend is or simply cut out pictures from home and garden magazines. After taking into consideration the work space available, think about the shape of the flower bed and what would be most appealing in that particular area.

Once the location has been mapped out, determine a color scheme. Flower color varies greatly and depending on climate and environment, one should be able to successfully grow a wide array of flower colors. Decide on all one color or a spectrum across a family of colors. After determining a color scheme, figure out which flower species are best suited for your design and plant accordingly.

Don’t stop at flowers; use other objects to create contrast in the flower bed. Add stepping stones made of natural material or colored concrete to add beauty and function to the area. Utilize the stepping stones while tending to the flower bed to avoid the soil while kneeling. A water feature can be used as a focal point to plant around and a way to attract birds to the garden location. Another way to create contrast is to install a trellis system. By using one or many trellis panels, the addition of plants that tend to vine creates another element within the flower bed, taking it it from the ground up. With so many options for a front yard flower bed, the option to maintain a certain standard or continually add more is open to the gardener’s discretion.

Author: Ilenya Marin

Other safety issues occur when branches are too low to allow pedestrians or vehicles – or, when tree limbs block visibility to stop signs or grow too close to power lines. Health reasons to prune a tree may include: trimming limbs to allow enough air and light or removing portions that are dead and diseased. The third reason to trim a tree is to try and improve its aesthetics by reshaping and improving the tree’s visual balance. Effective pruning should leave the tree healthier and more attractive. Following are some basic tips to successful pruning.

1. Understand your reason for pruning. As mentioned above, the primary goals for pruning trees are to improve safety, plant health and the tree’s visual appeal. Trees that might constantly be pruned for safety reasons – particularly if they grow into overhead power lines or block sidewalks and streets may be too large for the space. In some cases, removing a tree that is too large for the space and replacing it with a more appropriate specimen may be the best choice.

2. Understand the natural shape of your tree. In general, trees take on one of two basic shapes. Conifers like pine and spruce trees grow in a pyramid or inverted cone shape. These trees have a single stem that grows up the full length of the tree and all branches grow out of that stem. Deciduous trees including maples and oak trees grow in a spherical pattern. A single stem at the bottom divides into major branches, which then subdivide into still smaller branches. Correct pruning works with these natural grow patterns but doesn’t cut all limbs shorter to force a tree into these shapes. Instead, pruning is about selectively removing limbs without damaging the main stem.

3. Choose branches wisely. Trees have ways of self-pruning. Limbs that don’t get enough light, are unhealthy or that aren’t strongly attached to the stem will eventually die and be shed from the tree. Pruning speeds up this natural process and assures that branches don’t jeopardize property or the safety of people or domestic animals. Plan before you begin removing branches. Good choices for pruning include branches that overlap or rub other branches. Pruning should improve access to light and air for the remaining branches. Also, remove any branches that aren’t firmly attached – look for v-branching patterns because they typically aren’t as healthy and u-shaped branchings. And, remove any branches that are dead or diseased. Work deliberately and avoid removing any more than ¼ to 1/3 of tree limbs in a single year.

4. Prune at the right time. In general, the best time to prune trees is during dormancy in late fall or winter. It is easier to see the growth patterns of deciduous trees after they had shed leaves, and trees are more likely to repair their wounds and prepare for new growth in the spring when pruned in dormancy.

Finally, for best results consider working with an expert. In many cases, the best choice is to consult a certified arborist or other tree expert. Pruning at the wrong time can leave your tree vulnerable to parasites and other pests. Pruning incorrectly can make it difficult for a tree to heal, and ineffective pruning can leave you with trees that aren’t as safe, healthy or attractive as they should be.

Finally, for best results consider working with an expert. In many cases, the best choice is to consult a certified arborist [http://www.naturefirst.net] or other tree expert. Pruning at the wrong time can leave your tree vulnerable to parasites and other pests. Pruning incorrectly can make it difficult for a tree to heal, and ineffective pruning can leave you with trees that aren’t as safe, healthy or attractive as they should be.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/basic-tips-for-pruning-trees-3959732.html

About the Author

With an increase in the number of Farmer’s markets and an increase in their popularity, many consumers are finding new ways to “green” their lifestyles. For many, the first step is to grow their own produce. This is an easy, inexpensive way to eat healthy and ensure the best quality produce. Others may wish to begin their own garden of flowers. Regardless of the “green” endeavor, many beginners all have the same question: when is the best time to plant? Soil acidity, temperature, climate, and sun exposure can all affect the growth of certain plants. It can be difficult to determine the best time to plant each seedling because their growth periods vary.

According to Mother Earth News, beginning farmers should base their decision of when to plant their seeds on the average last spring frost date. For example, peas and spinach are so resistant to temperature, they are almost not affected. These particular plants can be planted as soon as the ground can be cultivated. Another invaluable resource for knowing when to plant certain crops is the Farmer’s Almanac, which has been used for years because of its accuracy in predicting the weather and growing seasons.

Summer planting and spring planting begins with lettuce, beets, carrots, radishes, dill, and cilantro. Fall planting is reserved for corn, melon, cucumber, and squash. It is important that close attention is paid to the type of soil used, the types of plants and trees planted, and the water levels of each plant daily. In order to really get flowers blooming, some fertilizers and other popular planting products can be used. With the proper amount of watering and sunlight, most crops will not need any additional planting products. The Farmer’s Almanac can also be consulted as a reference for the daily amount of water required for each plant, as well as daily sun requirements.

How to raise a rose garden can admittedly be a bit of work. Roses can be temperamental, though not as temperamental as some people believe. Still, the hard work is more than worth it.

Planting a Rose Garden
Roses come either bare root or in pots. The roots should be strong, rounded and well proportioned. To know which roses to choose, the gardener might want to speak to established rose gardeners or visit a professional at a botanical garden or garden center.

Roses shouldn’t be planted too close to trees or shrubs because their roots will compete for nutrients. They should also be planted where they get a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day. After the gardener has decided where to plant, soil from the area should be analyzed to find out what kinds of nutrients it has and lacks. A soil analysis also reveals the pH; roses like their soil to be a bit acidic, about pH 6.5 to 6.8. Soil should be turned with a spade to a depthPosts of about 18 to 20 inches, and peat moss or compost should be worked in. When it’s time to plant the roses, they should be put in a tub of water that covers the canes and the roots and soaked for a couple of hours.

The hole in the bed should be at least 18 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep. In the north, rose bushes are planted about eighteen inches apart, and in the south, with its longer growing season, they’re planted at least three feet apart.

Maintaining A Rose Garden
Roses should be deadheaded after they’ve bloomed, which means getting rid of all spent blooms. Older bushes should be pruned. To prevent disease, the area should be cleaned up after pruning and the bushes and the ground around it might be sprayed with an eco-friendly fungicide. However, if the gardener wants to winterize their roses they shouldn’t be deadheaded or pruned in other ways, nor fertilized before a hard frost. Sometimes a covering of soil or mulch over the roots is good enough for the roses to get through the winter, though the rosebush can be covered in burlap.