Yard Enhancing Tools

By Phil Caxton

Some very basic lawn tools are required for taking care of the lawn. One can gain a lot of fun and recreation from maintaining one's own lawn or yard. Hiring a gardener is one of the easiest ways to maintain the yard, if you do not have sufficient time. But if you look at it this way, we very often take out time in providing recreation to ourselves, so why not spend some good time the yard itself. And if you plan to do so then there are some fundamentals to follow so that your work in the lawn is done with great efficiency. Firstly write down the basic tools to enhance your yard and which you may need for the maintenance of the garden.

Suitable and simple garden tools:

Many are proficient in taking care of the lawn. It is because they have the basic equipments handy always that helps them to maintain a well manicured yard. It just shows that the owner of the house knows rightly how to make the right use of garden tools. One can gain the maximum benefit from using suitable garden tools and convert working time in the lawn, to a favorite pastime.

Stores dealing in home improvement tools and every other shop dealing in garden equipments have a variety of tools to take care of the lawn. You may not require every other tool in the shop, but you can select a brand that you prefer, or which has given you good results in the past. Some of your friends and relatives also recommend some preferred tools to enhance your yard.

Depending on the price and the quality garden tools can be selected. Also consider the convenience of using the tool. Depending on the size of the yard, you can purchase the tools. They should not be too big or too small for use in the yard. Other points to be considered are the type of grass in the yard, the size of the lawn, weather conditions prevalent in your locality, the amount of time you would get to work in the yard, etc.

Knowing the tools you need:

You need to analyze your conditions to know which garden tool would suit you best. Any type of a lawn would first and foremost need the lawn mower. Grass needs to be mowed regularly, and hence the mower is very essential. For maintaining the yard the mower is available in different styles and brands. If you determine the size of your lawn you will be able to choose the right lawn mower. For moving plants and trees around the yard area you would also need a spreader, which is one of the basic tools to enhance your yard. Supplements, remedies for plants and fertilizers can be spread over the yard, with the help of a spreader.

Different models are available, some which you can push around the yard and other models which can be held in the hand. Again the size of your yard will determine the size of the spreader required. Your garden equipment supplier in your locality is sure to provide you with the required tools to enhance your yard. If you are not aware, the suppliers also provide valuable information on tools required for maintaining the yard. - 31813

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Important Aspect Of Simplicity Lawn Mowers

By Phil Caxton

Founded in the year 1922, by the well known William J. Niederkorn of Port Washington, simplicity lawn mowers were manufactured by the Simplicity Manufacturing Incorporation, in Wisconsin, which is a family oriented small community. It was on the shores of Lake Michigan that Simplicity lawn mowers were manufactured. After a few years in 1937 the Simplicity Company, started manufacturing power equipment for the outdoors like the walking tractors which had two wheels. It was for the Montgomery Ward and Company that the two wheel walking tractors were manufactured. Gradually the company started manufacturing different types of garden equipment. Slowly and steadily Simplicity lawn mowers were also manufactured by the popular Simplicity Company.

High performance engines for increased functionality:

Though Simplicity Company still is located at the site of its origin, it still manufactures different products for homemakers of today by working with other giant engines like Briggs and Stratton. Latest technology is being used to manufacture modernized and improved versions of commercial equipment for gardens. Facilities for manufacturing the products are always on the road to improvement. With the changing demands of customers the company is producing a mix of different products for users. Different facilities right from stamping, welding, assembling, painting, machining, are delivering the product to the warehouse are provided.

In the market these days we have the Simplicity manufacturer who manufactures a large range of riding mowers, lawn and garden tractors, different attachments for garden equipment, etc. To cover the needs of the customer Simplicity manufacturer is all over the globe today. It is a beauty to see the way in which these engines with long life and high levels of performance, work when used.

Guarantee for life:

Right from the date of purchase you will also get a warranty period. With a high level of horsepower engine required, categories of premium quality tractors are manufactured by Simplicity Incorporation. One can almost drive these simplicity lawn mowers with great ease like a car. Large lawn areas extending to up to one acre could require mowers like simplicity lawn mowers. You can be guaranteed many years of service by using simplicity lawn mowers.

It should be noted by consumers that a long life engine with performance of high level is an important aspect of simplicity lawn mowers. Every part of the engine is lubricated with engine oil well, so that every component of the machine works well. With latest technology incorporated special foot control provision helps the driver to keep the hands properly on the driving wheel. While changing direction, the lawn mower should be able to provide you with the right direction.

You can guarantee that your work will be done when you use the simplicity lawn mower. This exceptional lawn mower has excelling ability to climb up a hill if required. This is the perfect garden equipment for your garden, especially if the garden is huge. Simplicity lawn mowers are the only way to a beautiful yard or garden around your house. The simplicity tractors also come in different models and have different types of machines with various horsepower levels. When everyone is looking out for rich designs and better quality, simplicity lawn mowers is one of the best choices. - 31813

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Improved Raised Bed Gardening Soil Formula And More

By Andrew Cowell

When you've finished building your raised bed either from a kit or from scratch, you'll be ready to start raised bed gardening. Though your chosen spot might be looking a little empty right now, there are plenty of things you can do to populate your garden with beautiful plants and make sure that those plants stay alive for a long time.

Using proper soil, watering carefully and maintaining your garden to prevent disease and weeds will do a lot to keep your garden looking fresh and clean.

Being Careful About pH Levels

There are numerous soil packages available from every store under the Sun, but my personal favorite is a bit more down to earth. Try this simple recipe: mix one quarter yard soil with a solution of compost and sand. This unique combination will provide a great starting point for your bed. Also watch your pH levels. If they're too high, nothing will grow.

Keeping Weeds Down

The configuration of your raised bed garden on a physical level should be enough to ward off weeds, but if some start to get in, don't take it too hard. Simply drop some organic mulch over the top and use weed guarding items. If, after this step, weeds still insist on coming back, you can remove them by hand. It's not overly difficult. Put some more mulch on top to block them from sunlight. This is an ongoing battle, so you're going to see good and bad days.

Use Right Amounts Of Water

Manual watering is the way to go, making sure to hit the areas where your plants are inserted into the soil rather than the surrounding areas. If you feel extravagant, pick up an easy irrigation system with a drip technology that will keep your plants happy. Overhead watering is dangerous, as your plants can easily remain wet for too long and end up succumbing to disease. Water your plants decently, but don't hose them.

Simple To Maintain

Raised bed gardening is particularly attractive to busy people because they require precious little in the way of real maintenance. If yours is made of brick and mortar, go out and kick it every now and then to make sure it won't fall over, and that's about it. Make sure to water your plants and turn the soil over periodically. Add in a little organic material here and there.

If your garden starts to show signs of disease, empty it immediately and throw some new soil inside for your plants. As a side note, even if your bed is built with brick and mortar, make sure to check it regularly to make sure it's standing steady.

There's no doubt that the low maintenance side of raised bed gardening is appealing, but even better is the amazing display when your flowers and vegetables come to fruition. Your yard will absolutely glow, and so will you as your beautiful bed will attract well deserved attention from passing individuals. - 31813

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Performance of Lawn Tractors

By Phil Caxton

Lives of people have changed lot since many years. Many people now desire to live in pollution free and noise free environments and have started to gradually move out to the country sides. Even if they have to work in the cities, many have homes in the countryside which provide a perfect getaway from the daily hustle and bustle of life.

The countryside has it own characteristics and have different methods of taking care of the surroundings of the countryside. Large lawns are seen around most countryside homes. Walking behind a lawnmower is simply just not enough, as it would take hours to mow the lawn. At such times to make mowing work faster it is best to go n for a lawn tractor. Average suburban houses may not require a lawn tractor, but larger spaces surely need one.

Tasks performed efficiently with lawn tractors:

Buying a lawn tractor is an investment, which one needs to think of well. If you want to get the right amount of benefit from the investment in a lawn tractor you have to see that the machine does not get stuck in small sized yard. Lawn tractors need sufficient space to move around so that work can be efficiently executed. Mowing tasks should be performed perfectly and for that you should ensure to buy the right type of lawn tractor for your garden or lawn. Understanding the basic characteristics of the lawn tractor is essential. Depending on your needs you can either purchase a small or a large lawn tractor.

Different types of lawn tractors are available in the market. We have the compact lawn tractor, the multifunctional and the multipurpose lawn tractor as well as the garden lawn tractors. As far as the multipurpose or the multifunctional lawn tractor is concerned it can be used in very large lawn areas. Those owning huge properties can go in for these types of lawn tractors, due to multitask features which are attached to it. Users can make the best use of multipurpose or multifunctional lawn tractors.

Capitalizing on the investment:

A variety of tasks are performed by the garden tractors. Basic work of the tractors is mowing the garden, removing the snow during the winters and other basic work concerning the garden lawn. For larger yards, different jobs like harrowing, working the soil and milling can be efficiently done.

For lawns that are lesser than one hectare in area, one can conveniently use the lawn rider. Standard lawns could be smaller for use of a lawn rider. Tools like containers to fill in pesticides and fertilizers which are products to take care of the lawn and brushes to sweep the lawns can be also attached to the lawn rider. With the many options available with the lawn rider, you are sure to make the best use of it.

A great variety of lawn tractors are available in the market in different models. As per your requirement and budget you can buy the best tractor for maintenance of your lawn. You are sure to obtain the best performance from quality lawn tractors. Instructions mentioned on the manual should be read well before starting to use the lawn tractors. If you are not able to understand much about its functioning take the services of the customer care service offered by the company from where you purchased it. - 31813

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Are You Looking For Healthy Growth Of Plants?

By Phil Caxton

Just like humans, even plants require some basic elements for their healthy survival. As per different studies it has been found that plants approximately require around seventeen different chemical elements to grow a healthy. One of the most important elements is potassium which is very often neglected in fertilization of plants. Growth and health of the grass can be enhanced by using potassium in your garden. Using soil rich in potassium is always beneficial as it helps in regulating the functioning of the plants and grass biologically in your garden. Most experts on lawn care and efficient and skillful gardeners would suggest using soil rich in potassium.

For healthy growth of plants:

Different types of lawn fertilizers are like phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium help in providing the required nutrients to the soil. Plants receiving a low supply of potassium may not ground healthy, as compared to plants receiving a high quantity of potassium. It is not that only potassium is required but all other elements in minimum quantities are also required. Different elements help the plants in various ways. For treating fertilizing problems zinc is essential.

During winter salt can cause damages to plants, for which calcium is of great help in combating the damages caused by salt. Plants develop well and their growth is accelerated with the help of phosphorous. Grasses develop blades that are sturdy, when there is regular supply of potassium. Plants can also fight against various diseases on receiving a constant supply of potassium. Potassium sulphate, potassium chloride and potassium nitrate are some of the chemicals different grasses and plants need which are suitable to them accordingly.

Strengthened plant fibers:

Capacity of crops is increase with the help of potassium as the develop resistance against drought, variations in temperatures and plant diseases. This element also helps the plant to absorb more water and improve the health of the plants. Lawn care techniques in their proper form when implemented can help plants in increasing their enduring capacities. Grass looks rich green in color and grows in length too. As far as vegetables are concerned, they grow well in terms of thickness as well as size. If you are going to take so much effort in maintaining the lawn, then why not ensure that the plants and grass receive nutrient in the right quantities.

It is understood by many that grass just grows randomly and does not need much care. It must be noted that every living thing, be it the ordinary grass, it too needs proper care and maintenance for healthy growth. If you check out the difference between a well maintained lawn and a less maintained lawn you will see the difference in quality of grass and plants.

When you see new shoots of grass in the garden, think of adding potassium to accelerate its growth. A spreader helps in spreading granular potassium and liquid potassium too is absorbed by the soil very easily. Studies show that potassium works well in combination with manganese thus hastening the photosynthesis process. Ensure not to sideline potassium in your strive towards a healthy and well balanced garden. - 31813

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Valuable Tips To Appropriately Care For Your Yard Tools

By Frank Froggatt

Becoming knowledgeable about caring for and the proper use of your gardening tools will not only increase the lifespan of the tool, but it will also help to prevent you from injuring yourself and make taking care of your garden a lot more enjoyable. Take your garden hoses for instance if they aren't coiled up correctly it can cause a tripping accident. The points of an upturned rake can inflict painful and sometimes serious puncture wounds when stepped on, to say nothing about the possibility of the handle flying up and striking you in the face. Tools must not be left where their edges or point may be hidden by grass, leaves, or other material. Try to stay away from lawn mower blades, and this doesn't only mean when they are running, as just brushing up against one that is sharp can leave a nice cut on your hand or arm. If you have a tool with a wooden handle on it and it has a small crack on it, you can repair this with some black tape. It actually works pretty well. A glass filament tape is particularly useful for such a job.

If any of the wooden handled tools that you own have splinters, then you can easily cure this problem by sanding them down smooth. Doing this doesn't only protect your hands, but it will keep the splinters from spreading into full-blown splits which will end up in a broken handle.

A nice way to protect a wood handle is to apply a number of coats of quality varnish or to paint it. You can definitely paint the metal parts on your tools as well, and when you do just make sure that you apply a coat of primer and a couple of coats of exterior paint on top. However, any metal part which goes into the ground should not be painted.

Making the tool last longer shouldn't be the only intent on your painting the tools as when they are painted the proper colors they are much easier to keep track of. The color, therefore, should not be green or brown, but a bright contrast to the grass such as red. yellow, blue, or white.

The metal edges of shovels, hoes, rakes or other yard tools may become nicked. You can repair these easily with a nice metal file or a grinder with a sanding disk if you have one on hand. Any rough surfaces should be gone over with steel wool or other abrasive which is good for metal. By using a simple mallet you can easily pound out any dents that your tools may have. A wheelbarrow break, in the wood or metal parts, should be repaired at once. If you want to preserve your wheelbarrow for a little bit longer period of time, you can easily do so by painting it as this helps to preserve the wood. Any of the moving parts on your tools should be oiled on a regular basis to keep them operating smoothly. Make sure that you keep your tools and a dry spot throughout the winter so your tools aren't harmed by moisture. Before your store your tools always make sure that they are clean and free of dirt and grass. It is always a good idea to coat the metal parts on your tools with a mixture of petroleum jelly and light oil in order to prevent any rusting while in storage.

If you correctly take care of your garden tools they will last you for many many years. - 31813

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Change To Green Lawn Care Products And Your Family Will Thank You

By Michael Tait

Green lawn care products refer to treating your lawn organically as opposed to chemically. If you are thinking why you should apply green lawn care products then read this article to see what the benefits of organic lawn care products are.

Lawn care is a complicated practice that entails several different supporting components in order that your lawn can really be healthy. But have you considered why you would like to use green lawn care products. If you want to utilize them since they are less costly and easier to use, then possible they are not for you. If however you desire the best looking lawn and desire products that are safe for your family and your pets then green lawn care products are your best option.

Green Lawn Care Product Benefits

Not only do green lawn care products make things healthier for you and your family, they also make your lawn healthier. More often than not, chemical treatments for your lawn replace the natural elements or minerals in your lawn with chemical ones; your lawn will become dependent on these chemicals to survive. Lacking chemicals, the lawn turns brown and becomes diseased. Natural, green lawn care products do not do this as they support the lawns natural growth with natural minerals and nutrients. Whereas your lawn would not do as well without them, it does not shrivel up and die as noticeably as when you discontinue using chemical products.

In addition, the organic green lawn care products are by and large not whatever dangerous, so you, your children, and your pets can be on the lawn without worrying that you will become ill. If you apply chemicals, you have to use a mask, gloves, and possibly safety glasses - would you want your children rolling around on the lawn or your pet eating the grass if it is covered in harmful chemicals?

The next reason why green lawn care products are better in general is that they make your lawn stronger overall. They maintain the natural growth process and will cause your lawn to develop strong roots that will allow your lawn stand up to freezing winters or sizzling summers. In the end it means less work for yourself to keep your lawn vigorous in the long run. A chemical lawn will not be as able at fighting off these things as it depends on the chemicals to stay healthy not its inner strength.

The Best Child and Pet Safe Lawn Care Products

One of the more widely used child and pet safe lawn care products is organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer not only helps your lawn to prosper and support its natural resistance to disease and insects, it is also completely safe. By using a natural, green lawn care product like organic fertilizer you not only help the health of your lawn but of everyone in your household.

Usually two organic fertilizer applications per year is more than adequate. In the beginning, if your lawn is significantly damaged, you may need further applications. An organic pet and child safe lawn care product can improve the health of your lawn and the strength of its root system so that you don't need to continually apply it.

As well as organic fertilizer you can use seaweed to support the health of your lawn. Seaweed is exceedingly rich in minerals and is not expensive - it is something you can apply for a small amount of cash on a monthly basis.

Hopefully this has given you some insight into why using organic products for your lawn is the safest way to go. I was an administrator of an organic coffee plantation with the use of organic material as well as organic insecticides and fungicides. I also have a chemical free garden that produces organic vegetables and citrus fruit - switch to organic and natural gardening as it's really fulfilling and safe. - 31813

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Grass Mowing Business - Forms and Standard Letters

By Steve Sutherland

Running a lawn mowing business will require you to be organized and one way to do this is to be efficient in how you approach your paperwork. It is better to have standard business forms, customer agreements and standard letter templates on hand to be customized quickly as you need them instead of having to write up a whole new document from scratch.

It is no longer necessary to write up this paperwork by yourself however as there are now many ways to get samples of lawn business documents online that you can change and add your own logo to.

In this article we examine some of the forms, documents and various other paperwork that you will need to set up and operate your lawn business successfully. Then we let you know how you can go about accessing some of these resources.

1) Finance and Cash flow - You will have to carefully record all cash flows coming in and out of your business. It is extremely helpful if you can view samples of business forms and letters that other lawn care business owners have been using so that you can develop your own set of documents for invoicing, receipts and chasing bad debt.

2) Customer Relations - It is important that your lawn care company maintains good customer relations so that you can keep customer accounts for many years and benefit from 'word of mouth' referrals. You should have standard letters that deal with all aspects of your relationship with them, from welcoming them, letting them know about changes to your service and sending them a letter thanking them for their business at the end or beginning of each season.

3) Lawn Service Contracts - It is important that you have a standard contact for all of your customers that you can change quickly on a case by case basis. You can get good ideas from looking at agreements that other lawn mowing businesses have used but you should always remember to consult with a lawyer before putting an agreement of your own together.

4) Other Paperwork - other lawn care business forms documents and templates that you will likely need include flyer templates and forms for managing employees and equipment.

By having access to a variety of business forms, standard letter templates and a lawn care contract you will be able to ensure that you maximize your productivity and professionalism so that you can get your lawn mowing business off to a winning start.

How to get lawn mowing business forms? Some successful lawn care business operators have written information products that can help newcomers to lawn care get started successfully. Some of them also include business forms and standard letter templates that you are able to use freely for your own needs. - 31813

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Guidelines for Starting your own Lawn Mowing Business

By Steve Sutherland

If you have made the decision to start a lawn care business you may be wondering where you should start off. This report will cover the basic questions on how to start off a new venture. When setting up any new business you will want to consider the pros and cons of the industry. If you are still unsure if it is the right move for you, look into what is involved to get started, run, and make a company in this industry profitable.

What should you do in the beginning? Start by thinking of a suitable brand name. You will definitely want to stand out from the competition so find out what names are commonly used and steer away from using those. You don't want to be mistaken for another local market player especially if they have a terrible name.

Should I take on employees right away? If you are already knowledgeable about the lawn care business and you have only a few customers you can probably get by without any assistance in the beginning. If you haven't ever worked in the industry you may want to consider taking on a part time employee with experience at first.

How do you obtain clients? This can be difficult in the beginning. You will be new to the industry and competing with businesses in your neighborhood that have been established for years. You can start by offering services to family and friends and ask if they would be willing to mention your business to other people. Advertise in your local newspaper as this can get word out to a lot of people quickly.

How much should I charge for lawn services? You need to consider what the competition are charging in your neighborhood. There really are no set guidelines to follow for pricing a mowing job. However, for the most part lawn care services charge around 25 dollars to cut a medium sized yard and work up from there.

What type of equipment will I require? At first get your essentials; mower, trimmers, and a blower. This is just the basic lawn care equipment that you should buy. This gear is a necessity for your business and the only way you can provide good quality service is if you own the proper tools. You don't need to buy the best equipment immediately, but you definitely don't want to get the cheapest equipment out there either. Low quality gear will not be able to handle servicing lawn after lawn so start out with the proper equipment and it will bring you benefits in the long run.

How do I bill the customer? There are several options to choose from when it comes to billing your clients. There are computer programs that you can use for your company to assist with invoicing. The computer program will guide you through how to use your new invoicing system. You can either leave the bill on the customer's door step while you are working there or you can post it out to them shortly after.

Now that you have decided to start a lawn care business take some time to think about your strategy. It doesn't hurt to wait a month or two and do a little bit of investigation on lawn care businesses and how you can succeed at setting up your own lawn care business. - 31813

Start a Lawn Business - A Startegy for getting Started

By Jacob Christian

If you have made the decision to start a lawn care business you might be wondering where you should start off. This report covers the basic considerations on how to start your new venture. When starting any new business you should think about the good points and bad points of the industry. If you are still unsure, research exactly what is involved to start, run, and make a business in this industry successful.

What should one do in the beginning? Start by coming up with your companies name. You will want to stand out from the competition so take a look at what names are commonly used and avoid using those. You don't want to be mistaken for one of your local competitors especially if they have a poor reputation.

Should I employ a team? If you are new to the industry it may be advantageous for someone to teach you the ropes and get you familiar with the business. You could always employ a part time employee at first. Remember that you need to know the ins and outs on how to service a yard properly and offer good quality service or you business won't get referrals from satisfied customers.

Should I place an advertisement in the newspaper to get customers? Yes. The local paper is a great way to publicize your new venture. You can start out by running a small inexpensive ad during the weekends for your new lawn business. There are othermethods that you can try to get new customers as well. You can send out flyer's however, this can be a little costly. You can also ask your first few clients to place your business sign in their front yard for a discounted rate on their bill if this is allowed in your city.

How much should you quote for general lawn service? There is no set pricing method to follow when it comes to lawn services as each lawn is different. However, you can look at what your competitors are charging for an idea of how much you should charge. You should stay close to the rates that they are asking for their services. If you are too high-priced it will be hard for you to keep steady clients.

What type of equipment will I need to buy? At first get your basics; mower, trimmers, and a blower. This is just the basic lawn care equipment that you should strongly consider buying. This is an investment for your company and the only way you can provide good service to clients is if you have the proper tools. You don't have to buy the best equipment at first, but you don't want to buy the cheapest equipment available either. Low quality equipment will not be able to handle mowing yard after yard so start out with the proper equipment and it will bring you benefits in the long term.

How do I invoice the client? There are quite a lot of options to choose from when it comes to billing your customers. There are computer programs that you can install for your business to help with your billing. The software will guide you through how to implement your new billing system. You can either leave the bill on the customer's door step at the time of service or you can mail it out to them later.

If you choose to start a lawn care business you will discover that you can decide on your own working hours for the most part. Lawn service companies are in popular demand as most people do not have enough time to regularly take care of their lawns. - 31813

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When Mallow Hits Your Lawn

By Neoma Archer

Your lawn is your pride and glory and you definitely want to make sure that it stays as green and as healthy as it is now. You definitely do not want it withering or developing some kind of disease. And that is why you give it your utmost attention. That way, if you see anything amiss, you can easily take a look at it and give it a diagnosis and then give it the right treatment. Just like what real doctors would do with real people. Only this time, you are the doctor of your lawn.

One of the things that could find their way to your lawn is weeds. It is something that you think you can easily catch and you can easily take out of your lawn if they do start to thrive there. But that is not definitely the case always. There are times when you think that they have been there for just a short period when in fact, they have already sunk their roots deep down. When that happens, you definitely would have a hard time trying to get them out. If you do get them out, you will not be happy to know that a good portion of the roots still remains underground.

Your lawn does not need mallow. This is a weed. It has leaves which are round and green. It produces flowers which can be white or lavender. It is at its glory during the late part of summer which is sometime July or August.

The leaves of the mallow are round and lobed. With that, it looks like ground ivy and many people make that mistake. But there is a difference. The mallow leaf is attached to the stem at its back portion. It is important that you know how to differentiate mallow from ground ivy and other weeds so you will know how to attack it.

There are different types of mallow. There are those which can live right through a whole season and these are the annual type. And then there are those which are known as perennials for they can thrive for years. July and August is the glory period for them so that means that they are on top of their business during this time.

Herbicide is the attack that you should use against mallow. Apply it on your lawn. Do this every five or six weeks. The whole deal will work after 6 times you do this. The leaves will wither when you are doing it correctly and that is the time that you will know that you are successful in terminating its growth.

To make sure that mallow does not come back this time, you have to attack it before the seeds actually germinate. So in April or May, get some pre-emergent herbicide and apply it on your lawn. That should work on the seeds and kill them before they even spread their roots and let out their leaves. - 31813

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Lawn Tractors-What You Should Know

By Danny Forge

Even the most ordinary looking lawn tractor has many advanced accessories. They work in tandem with the lawn tractor when mowing the yard. There are the chances the lawn tractor accessories will require replacement since they are used frequently. M

Some people know the parts well as others are not so familiar with the parts. In either case, it is important to know about the parts and the accessories used on the lawn tractor. Here are several parts and accessories commonly used on the lawn tractors.

Dethatchers are the part of the lawn tractor included in the blade arrangement for moving the thatches of grass from the yard. They are rolling parts.

As they roll, the blades keep moving cutting off the grass in the yard. Different types of blades are available and the different kind of blade purchased is at the preference of the individual. Some lawn tractors have detachable dethatchers that are used as a push mover separately.

Another part is the rakes that move along with the dethatchers. The purpose of the rakes is to loosen the difficult thatches of grass making the grass easier to be moved by the dethatchers. Some lawn tractors do not use the rakes yet using the rakes makes the dethatching process easier. The rakes are detachable and replacing them is easy. They are available in different shapes but they all have prongs to separate the grass as they pass over the areas.

Tillers make a great attachment for the lawn tractor for people that enjoy gardening. Tillers loosen the hardened soil so it is aerated making planting the garden easier. The tiller moves the lower layers of the rich soil to the surface creating a healthier richer top soil for the garden. Tiller are available in detachable models so be used separately from the lawn tractor or as attachments to the tractor.

Backhoes are similar to hoes yet they attach to the lawn tractor. They assist people digging holes in the yard making the job easier and faster. The backhoes offer the person to adjust the depth of the hole by either adding an attachment to the backhoe or by manually calculating the depth of the hole. Some backhoes have aligning features allowing the person to create the inclined hole to their desired measurements.

Several other lawn tractor parts are also commonly used such as buckets, bush hogs, drillers, and harrows. All of the parts are available at a hardware store or on the internet. Either place will provide the needed parts for the lawn tractor. - 31813

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Maintenance of Lawn Care Equipment

By Julia B Larkin

As homeowner, I'm sure you have found yourself spending plenty of money on you landscape machines. These tools allow you to make your property look its best and get the work done quickly and easily. Most home owners will purchase a large collection of lawn and garden equipment over the first five years of owning their home which typically represents a sizable investment. In order for you, the home owner, to protect your investment and ensure that next year when you reach for that weed whacker that it runs its best it's very important to take the proper steps to winterize your gas powered equipment.

Any equipment with an engine, from your gas powered blower to you lawnmower, should be winterized in a similar fashion.

First, wash the equipment and clean off any dirt or debris followed by thoroughly drying the equipment to prevent rust.

Second, drain the gas from the reservoir either by pouring it out or running the piece of equipment till empty. (Please note that you may also purchase fuel additives that may be mixed in the reservoir if you prefer).

Third, remove the spark plug and place a few drops of oil into the cylinder and then pull the starter cord slowly three or four times to lightly coat the piston. This step prevents rust from forming over the winter months. And finally, look through the socket where you removed your plug and have someone pull the starter cord slowly until the piston is at top dead center (when the piston is closets to the opening of the socket). Replace your spark plug and store your piece of equipment with piece of mind that your investment will be protected over the cold winter months. - 31813

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Lawn Tractors-What You Should Know

By Danny Forge

Even the most ordinary looking lawn tractor has many advanced accessories. They work in tandem with the lawn tractor when mowing the yard. There are the chances the lawn tractor accessories will require replacement since they are used frequently. M

Some people know the parts well as others are not so familiar with the parts. In either case, it is important to know about the parts and the accessories used on the lawn tractor. Here are several parts and accessories commonly used on the lawn tractors.

One of the parts a person needs to know included the dethatchers. These are the parts that have the blade arrangements removing the thatches of grass. They are designed to row over the lawn.

As they roll, the blades keep moving cutting off the grass in the yard. Different types of blades are available and the different kind of blade purchased is at the preference of the individual. Some lawn tractors have detachable dethatchers that are used as a push mover separately.

Rakes are another part of the lawn tractor used with the dethatchers. They perform the job of raking the difficult thatches of grass making moving the grass easier for the dethatcher. Some lawn tractors are available without the rakes yet using the raking system with the dethatcher makes the moving process easier.

Tillers are great attachments for the lawn tractor especially for the gardener. The tiller is used to loosen the hard surface of the soil creating an easier soil for planting the seeds and other garden items. The tiller aerates the ground and allows the richer organic layer of soil underneath moved to the surface creating a better soil for the plants of the garden. The tillers are available as attachable units to the tractor or as separate units.

Backhoes are similar to hoes, which are then attached to the lawn tractor. They offer the ability to dig holes anywhere in the yard. There are adjustments to the backhoes as accessories to gauge the depth of the holes dug. The accessories help with aligning the holes to the perfect depth and design required for the holes dug.

There are other accessories available for the lawn tractor in addition to these important accessories and parts. The additional accessories include buckets, bush hogs, drillers, and harrows. Most of these accessories are available in hardware stores and stores on the internet. - 31813

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Lawn Tractors-Useful Information

By Danny Forge

The ordinary lawn tractor has many sophisticated parts to make it work. When all the parts work together, the lawn tractor is able to mow the yard. Due to the standard use of the lawn tractor, there are parts that wear out and will need replaced.

For those people how are familiar with the lawn tractor, repairing it themselves is easy. Yet even with this knowledge, there is the fact of needing to know about the different parts of the tractor.

Dethatchers are the part of the lawn tractor included in the blade arrangement for moving the thatches of grass from the yard. They are rolling parts.

As they roll, the blades keep moving cutting off the grass in the yard. Different types of blades are available and the different kind of blade purchased is at the preference of the individual. Some lawn tractors have detachable dethatchers that are used as a push mover separately.

Another part is the rakes that move along with the dethatchers. The purpose of the rakes is to loosen the difficult thatches of grass making the grass easier to be moved by the dethatchers. Some lawn tractors do not use the rakes yet using the rakes makes the dethatching process easier. The rakes are detachable and replacing them is easy. They are available in different shapes but they all have prongs to separate the grass as they pass over the areas.

Tillers are a wonderful attachment used with the lawn tractor by many gardeners. They loosen the hardened ground and aerate the soils by rotating the richer bottom soil to the top surface of the ground. This process of tilling the ground makes the garden easier to plant seeds and other garden plants. The tillers are attachable to the lawn tractor or available as independent models.

Backhoes are similar to hoes, which are then attached to the lawn tractor. They offer the ability to dig holes anywhere in the yard. There are adjustments to the backhoes as accessories to gauge the depth of the holes dug. The accessories help with aligning the holes to the perfect depth and design required for the holes dug.

Several other lawn tractor parts are also commonly used such as buckets, bush hogs, drillers, and harrows. All of the parts are available at a hardware store or on the internet. Either place will provide the needed parts for the lawn tractor. - 31813

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Lawn Tractors-Helpful Information

By Danny Forge

The ordinary lawn tractor is made up of many sophisticated parts. These parts together to mow the yard. Since these parts work when mowing the yard regularly, they tend to break or wear out, calling for replacement parts.

Some people know the parts well as others are not so familiar with the parts. In either case, it is important to know about the parts and the accessories used on the lawn tractor. Here are several parts and accessories commonly used on the lawn tractors.

Dethatchers are the part of the lawn tractor included in the blade arrangement for moving the thatches of grass from the yard. They are rolling parts.

As they roll, the blades keep moving cutting off the grass in the yard. Different types of blades are available and the different kind of blade purchased is at the preference of the individual. Some lawn tractors have detachable dethatchers that are used as a push mover separately.

Rakes are part of the lawn tractors that work with the dethatchers. They perform the task of loosening the difficult thatches of grass so the dethatcher easily mows the grass. Many lawn tractors do not have rakes, yet they make the mowing of the yard easier. The rakes are detachable and simple to replace. The rakes are available in different shapes with the standard design containing prongs that separates the grass.

Tillers are great attachments for the lawn tractor especially for the gardener. The tiller is used to loosen the hard surface of the soil creating an easier soil for planting the seeds and other garden items. The tiller aerates the ground and allows the richer organic layer of soil underneath moved to the surface creating a better soil for the plants of the garden. The tillers are available as attachable units to the tractor or as separate units.

Backhoes are similar to hoes but they attach to the lawn tractor. The backhoe will help dig holes anywhere in the yard. They are adjustments on the backhoe to dig the hole to a specific depth such as a depth gauge added as an option to the backhoe. Some backhoes have advanced aligning features so the holes are prepared to the desired measurements.

Other lawn tractor parts include buckets, bush hogs, drillers, and harrows. All of these added parts are available at most hardware stores and at stores on the internet adding the appeal to many owning the lawn tractor. - 31813

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Autumn Leaf Raking Tips

By Tom Smith

Of all the autumn outside home chores, picking up and collecting leaves is one of the most loathed. There are no lack of tools and hardware contraptions to help you pick up leaves from special leaf bag holders to leaf vacuums of every sort. The brisk air is here and the autumn leaves are dropping and covering lawns across the country. Below are some affordable things you can do to make your leaf clean-up a bit easier:

Rake at the correct time: You should always wait for dry day to pick-up your leaves because they will be lighter and easier to work with. Obviously, less breezy days are preferred because you will not be overwhelmed with more leaves blowing around as you try to pick up the leaves that have already fallen. A lot of people spend almost every weekend picking up their leaves. Yet a week of blustery conditions just brings more leaves for the next weekend.

Consider mulching your leaves: You can use a chipper vac to grind your leaves into tiny pieces that can serve as mulch. You might want to consider mulching your leaves if you don't have too many to deal with. Some leaves can be used as a sort of home made mulch to keep your shrubs warm through the cold winter months.

Use the correct tools: For tight spots don't try to use a leaf blower, instead use a medium-sized leaf rake to pull the leaves out into a clearing where you have more space. Backpack leaf blowers are popular, but they can be loud and dirty. Some people depend on leaf blowers more than is necessary. Leaf blowers are broad blowing tools that can sometimes disburse more leaves around your yard.

With a little planning the job of raking leaves from your lawn could be much easier than you think. No one enjoys cleaning up leaves every autumn but most people love the shade provided by those trees during the summer. - 31813

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Practical Advice On Warm Season Grass

By Dewey J Capasso

Growing grass, as you know is really a pretty simple proposition. But being simple does not equate with being easy. In other words there's more to it than heading down the lawn care aisle, grabbing a bag of grass seed and spreading it over some dirt then letting nature take it's course.

No, if your idea of an ideal lawn is one that requires little watering, infrequent mowing and flourishes as the temps soar you're going to need to do your homework. Recognizing too that there is no perfect turfgrass to be had.

To help with that here's a brief rundown on the five warm season grasses felt to be worthy of consideration. That list would include Zoysia, St. Augustine, Bahia, Centipede, and Bermuda - in no particular order. Each has it's own pluses and minuses.

If you want a fast, dense growing grass that does well regardless of the quality of soil then St Augustine might be the one for you. But before you run out to buy some seed you need to know you can only establish a St Augustine lawn from sod or plugs. It's also a thirsty variety that surprisingly isn't all that drought tolerant either. Others are not taken with its Astro Turf like appearance either.

Bahia grass might be the ticket if you want to establish a drought resistant lawn from seed. It's a coarse textured blades ward off insects and disease. Fans of this variety point out it pretty much survives on rain water alone and can hold on nearly indefinitely in a dormant state when things get too dry. Those who aren't fans are quick to point out it doesn't do well in shady applications. Also mowing it can be a challenge that compares well to mowing wire. Probably not that bad but you get the idea.

Gray-green Centipede grass is a slow growing turf variety that is naturally drought tolerant. Grown best in full sun it has about average tolerance for shade and acidic soil. Centipede can be started from seed or put down as sod. It withstands cold temps and need less mowing than others on the list. A drawback to keep in mind is it doesn't do well in heavy traffic situations.

If you've got plenty of flower bed common Bermuda may not be a good choice since its runners can quickly take them over. This is a grass that appreciates full sun and has little tolerance for shade which for some would be a deal breaker. Bermuda has enough cold and drought tolerance however and has no known disease susceptibilities.

If cold hardy is a concern, Zoysia is your grass. Yes it is a slower grower than Bermuda and only has an average ability to grow in shade. But being thick and dense it easily thwarts weeds. Zoysia is typically established using sprigs or plugs. Given that don't expect a plush green yard over night. It's biggest drawback, if you consider it that, is its need to be more fairly frequently.

As you might have concluded, if you keep your regional weather in mind, know the growing conditions and take your level of commitment to lawn care in mind, growing a lawn that stays green longer isn't all that tough. Hopefully the run down on your best bets when it comes to strains to consider has made your selection process that much easier. - 31813

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Extend The Outdoor Living Enjoyment Bu Purchasing Propane Patio Heater

By Tom Vandeventer

A patio or outdoor living area is a great way to make a small home seem much larger. Many people are now buying outdoor living furniture that includes sofas and chairs. During the late spring, mild summer and early fall, these areas are a great place to relax and spend time with friends or family. A propane patio heater allows you to use that patio even when the nights turn cold.

If you live in an area where nights are very cool, even during the summer, you may find that a patio heater allows you to spend more hours outside enjoying your patio in early mornings or late evenings.

There are several styles of propane patio heaters available. Umbrella heaters have an umbrella shaped cap that directs the heat back toward the ground. In the base, there is room for the needed five gallon propane tank. The actual burner is held up in the air so that the heat does not present a danger for children.

Propane logs can also be installed in an outdoor fireplace to heat the area in cooler times. These logs, made of ceramic, have the look of a real wood fire without any of the mess. They are very good at warming a patio area for your enjoyment.

Other patio heaters have the appearance of a fire pit. The fire pit can be metal or brick, but has a flame that warms the air in the patio area. The propane or gas flames in the fire pit are much easier to maintain and create no smoke or ash. You will not have to carry heavy firewood from a woodshed to the fire pit in order to keep warm. When you go in at night, your hair and clothing will not be covered in the smell of wood smoke.

An average ten by fifteen patio is sufficiently heated by one patio heater. Larger patios may require more than one heater to keep guests warm.

The new anti-smoking policies have many businesses scrambling to provide customers and employees a warm area for the winter to light up. A patio with a patio heater can satisfy the demands of customers that are tired of standing in the cold to smoke. Bars are finding the heated patios are an effective way to draw back many customers that are not returning because of smoking laws.

In restaurants, patio heaters make it possible to use patio seating after there is a bite in the air. Since many customers prefer patio seating, you can increase the number of available seats in your eating establishment without having to build more walls. Patio heaters provide the necessary warmth.

In addition to propane patio heaters, you will find that there are heaters that can be powered by natural gas or electricity. Be sure that you check out the options before making your final decision on how to heat your outdoor living spaces. - 31813

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Solar Christmas Lights for Bright and Low-Cost Christmas Holidays

By John Monsholi

Solar Christmas lights are one of the most low cost Christmas decorations, helping the homeowners to save anywhere from around 100 W per each string of their lights. Another benefit of solar Christmas lights is that they turn on and off on their own, with the aid of a special photo cell making your Christmas even more magical.

One of the main benefits of solar Christmas lights is that they eliminate the need in electrical outlets. Another benefit is that they help the homeowners to really save on the cost of energy. These lights get charged from the sunlight, and then they automatically come on with the onset of the evening. These lights allow you to decorate any tree in your garden, no matter how far away it is located from the house.

Solar Christmas lights come with little solar panels, which easily stick into the ground, as well as, they can be placed on a branch. Solar panels include solar cells (usually 4 cells), a rechargeable battery and a light sensor. Solar cells convert the sunlight into electricity, and on a sunny day the sun will give enough energy to completely recharge the battery.

When looking for solar Christmas lights, it is better to opt for the lights equipped with special polycrystalline solar cells, which allow the lights to emit bright light for hours even after being charged for merely a few hours on a rainy, snowy or an overcast day.

How long will the solar Christmas lights stay on? One hour of straight sunlight in the daytime will make the lights shine for about one hour in the evening. Thus, if you live in an area with about 10 hours of sunshine in the daytime, your lights will stay on for about 10 hours with the onset of evening.

Most common shapes of solar Christmas lights include: round, oval and teardrop shapes. Most common colors include: blue, red, green, and yellow. You can choose the type of light to your preference; some lights have soft and dim light, while others have bright and clear light.

Once Christmas is over, it doesn't mean that you have to take your solar Christmas lights down. You can keep them in your garden, in order to; for example, decorate arches in your garden with this pleasant type of light. The lights can also be used for various other holidays, such as anniversaries and birthdays, as well as for lighting of pathways, porches, etc.

When choosing your solar Christmas lights, it is better to look for the lights with a rechargeable and replaceable AA battery. This type of a battery will allow you to enjoy your Christmas lights, even if they did not recharge on rainy or snowy days. All you would need to do is to charge batteries with a regular charger. Lithium batteries are not a good choice, since most likely you won't be able to replace them, yourself.

You can have as many strings of solar Christmas lights as you want on the trees, and you will never have to worry about running the cords across your yard, never have to worry about turning the lights on and off, and most important, you will never have to worry about paying hundreds of dollars for electricity!

It might be a good idea to watch your yard for at least two or three days before placing your solar lights. The most important thing to note is that the area, where you want to place your solar Christmas lights, does not get a shadow cast. Another important thing to remember is that solar Christmas lights operate best when their solar panel is in direct sun throughout the day. - 31813

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The Right Way To Mow Your Lawn For A Perfect Finish

By Ian Cordingley

For many people mowing there lawn has become a art. While to many people just mow there lawn because they have to, but cutting your lawn the right way is especially important to keep the grass healthy.

Here are some tips on just how do that.

1. Before you begin to start mowing your lawn, remove stones and sticks that may get in the way. Doing this prevents the materials from getting thrown by the lawn mower. by not doing this you could cause a fatal accident.

2. To keep your lawn healthy do not cut it to short. In general, leave about a half of an inch of grass sticking out of the ground. Anything shorter could kill your grass and ruin your lawn.

3. If you find the activity of mowing your lawn as something therapeutic, try not to be overeager about it. You do not need to mow your lawn each week, just cut it when the grass starts to look too unkempt. Your grass needs time to grow, this way it will look healthy.

4. Always keep the grass cuttings. While it might seem that it helps in keeping your lawn looking neat, it is far better to keep it on top of your grass. When the cut grass decomposes, it will act as a mulch or a fertilizer for your lawn.

5. Lastly, always keep your mowing pattern as varied as possible everytime you do this activity. It keeps the growth of your grass straight. Not all gardeners agree on this aspect though.

If you follow the above-mentioned tips then you should have a terrific looking lawn. But as well do not forget that the quality of your lawnmower is important to.

A poor quality or old lawn mower can ruin your lawn and make hard work of mowing it to. So if you do want a marvelous looking lawn, then make sure your lawn mower is up to the task in hand. You will be able tosearch for the right lawn mower for your needs online and certainly get it cheaper than at your local gardening store. - 31813

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Solar Garden Lights - The Best Way to Light up Your Landscapes

By John Monsholi

Solar garden lights help homeowners to safeguard anyone in their garden, whether it is pets, children or the homeowners themselves, from getting an electric shock. Solar garden lights are lights powered by the sunlight. These lights illuminate the need in wiring, helping the homeowners to save on the electric, as well as, such lights are very easy to install.

Sunshine is the source of all of the natural energy on earth. Solar garden lights utilize the energy of the sun, free of charge, to emit light. The lights are made of special cells, generating electricity when exposed to the sun. Solar cells, a regular rechargeable battery and an LED special light emitting diode is all that is needed for these lights to shine, when an electric current goes through it.

Solar garden lights usually emit a moderate amount of light for a modest amount of time. However, due to constantly improving technology, the lights keep getting better, shining brighter and longer.

Advantages of solar garden lights include:

1. Solar garden lights can be easily assembled, installed and relocated if such need arises. All that is needed for the lights to work is the sunshine in the daytime.

2. They are low voltage lights. This means that they are very safe.

3. Solar garden lights are powered by Direct Current electricity, making them very energy efficient. Common batteries get charged by the sunshine and give out electricity, making the lights shine. A homeowner can save a lot on the cost of electric and the cost of fossil fuels.

4. They come with integrated photo sensors, which turn the lights off during the day and turn them on at night. Your garden will automatically come alive after the sun goes down. Many of the solar garden lights also come with an On/Off button for your convenience.

5. Solar garden lights do not produce dangerous environmental pollutants, which is a common thing for other electricity generating utilities.

6. Solar garden lights are stylish, attractive, and compact. They create a remarkably pleasant atmosphere in the garden.

7. It is important to purchase good solar garden lights, which are capable of producing light even in autumn and winter. Good lights will shine for over eight hours after being exposed to the sun for nearly 4 hours in the daytime.

8. They do not have to be connected to any electric socket and there is no need in electrical wiring. Solar garden lights with no connecting wires can never be damaged by animals.

Before purchasing solar garden lights for your landscaping, please note the following:

1. Be sure to opt for the solar garden lights with the spike made of metal or a durable plastic.

2. If you want your solar garden lights to shine bright and for a longer time in the evening, you should opt for lights with more solar cells and with batteries of a higher capacity. The light intensity will vary from one type of lights to another. Therefore, it is better to check the feedback from other buyers before purchasing the lights.

3. Ensure that the solar garden lights of your choice are waterproof and weatherproof. For example, if the water leaks through the solar panel of the lights, the lights may stop working.

4. Remember that on rainy and cloudy days, solar garden lights will not work for as long as they would work on bright and sunny days. That is why it is important to place the lights, where there is sun in your garden in the day.

5. If your lights do not work properly, the most common reasons for that will be: rusty batteries, rusty battery terminals or poor quality of the batteries.

6. For most convenience, opt for solar garden lights that come with an on and off button.

Concluding:

Solar garden lights are a big step forward in the modern technological development. The lights help create a garden with an extremely pleasant and relaxing ambiance, as well as they are cost efficient and environmentally friendly. Solar garden lights are one solution to consider for any garden enthusiast. - 31813

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Solar Powered Landscape Lighting - Say No to Wires in Your Landscaping

By John Monsholi

Solar powered landscape lighting is a solution to consider for any gardening enthusiast. Solar powered landscape lighting is a substantial step forward in modern landscaping, since solar lighting eliminates one of the major disadvantages of the regular landscape lighting - long, bulky and unsightly wires.

Solar powered landscape lighting produces light with the aid of natural free of charge solar energy, making this type of lighting both cost efficient and friendly to the environment.

Solar powered landscape lighting will allow you to safeguard your children and pets from getting an electric shock, while being in your garden. The lighting wires will never get damaged by animals, since there will be no wires. No wires also mean that this type of lighting can be easily relocated throughout your garden in the future.

Why do more and more gardeners opt for solar powered landscape lighting?

1. Solar powered landscape lighting comes in a large assortment of landscape lighting solutions, including spotlights, bollards, flashlights, floodlights, garden lighting, lawn lighting, step lights, pathway lights, hanging path lights, wall lights, deck lights, flagpole lights, light strings, tube lights, lantern lights, address lights, and even floating pool lights.

2. Solar powered landscape lighting also provides you with a wide choice of materials, such as copper, bronze, stainless steel, metal, plastic, as well as chrome coated units.

3. A wide variety of decorative units will satisfy the taste of the most sophisticated gardening enthusiasts. Decorated units include hummingbirds, fireflies, dragonflies, butterflies, mushroom lights, flower lights, glass orbs, color changing orbs, stone lights and dozens of other beautiful design units.

Solar powered landscape lighting is one of the most beautiful and functional landscape lighting solutions. Solar-powered garden lights are equipped with solar panels, allowing for a battery to gain enough power to feed the LED (Light Emitting Diode) for more than 14 hours on a bright sunny day. Even on a cloudy day the lighting will get charged from the sunlight, however in this case it will emit light for less than14 hours at dusk.

Solar powered landscape lighting is designed for the night-time illumination of the garden, it is ideal for decorative landscape lighting of the garden stairs, paths, alpine slides, flower beds, pools and other landscape areas. Such lighting can be installed in any location where there is enough sunlight to charge the battery. Many models have special brackets to place them on walls. With the onset of night, the light will automatically go on until dawn, and in the morning it will turn off, shifting to the charging mode. An integrated switch allows you to easily turn off your landscape lighting.

Other advantages of solar powered landscape lighting are that solar-powered lights will never burn out, they require no maintenance, as well as, they do not use any electricity. Installation does not require wiring or expensive landscape works - simply stick the lights in the ground or hang them where you want them, and they will start working as soon as the battery gets charged. This landscape lighting does not get damaged by rain, fog or snow, as well as it withstands temperatures from 14 F (-10 C) to 122 F (+50 C), and serves for more than 10 years. Solar powered landscape lighting is practical, decorative, autonomous lighting, allowing you to implement your most creative landscape ideas. - 31813

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Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting - Safe and Cost-Efficient Lighting Solution

By John Monsholi

Low voltage outdoor lighting represents a safe and cost-efficient lighting solution. It is quite easy to assemble and install your own low voltage outdoor lighting system, without having to use the services of a professional electrician.

Low voltage outdoor lighting uses a current, which is 10 times less potent than regular electric current. This low voltage lighting uses a 12 V current when regular current is 120 V. This naturally renders this type of lighting 10 times safer. Electric runs through a specific water proof cable, which creates a loop around the transformer, lighting up the garden.

There are several important advantages of the low voltage outdoor lighting setups, when compared to regular lighting:

1. It is very easy to set up your own low voltage outdoor lighting. The system usually comes in kits, which include everything needed to assemble the lighting (the transformer, cables and fixtures). You would just have to buy the bulbs with a preferred wattage.

2. Low voltage outdoor lighting is a very low cost solution, since it can use light bulbs, starting at nearly 4 W. In addition to regular lamps, home owners may choose to use halogen or fluorescent lamps.

3. Timers are another very useful feature, allowing you to set the time for the lighting to go on/off for 4, 6, or 8-hours. Some low voltage outdoor lighting systems also include a photocell, which can turn the lights on at night and turn it off in the daytime.

4. Low voltage outdoor lighting setups provide the homeowners with a maximum security, since they can easily indicate intruders after the sun goes down.

5. Low voltage outdoor lighting is very easy to relocate, since the wires do not have to be buried deeply and permanently in the ground. The wires can be just slightly buried.

6. A transformer for low voltage outdoor lighting can range anywhere from 150 W and up to 900 W. It would probably be a good idea to purchase a transformer with a little more muscle, so that you can expand your lighting system if you decide to start using the bulbs with more watts.

7. In order to pick the correct cable for your low voltage outdoor lighting system, you would need to know the amount of watts that your system will require. The most common size wire is 12ga, which is capable of carrying 300 W. There also are 14 ga. and 16 ga. cables, which respectively can carry 200 W and 150 W.

8. There is a wide variety of schemes based on which you can build your low voltage outdoor lighting system, including in-ground fixtures, spotlights and deck lights for an ultimate convenience while walking in your garden at night.

9. Another advantage of the low voltage outdoor lighting systems is their low cost. Not only the systems may cost anywhere starting from $15, but they also help the homeowner save a lot on the energy costs. However, keep in mind that a sound quality system will usually cost anywhere around $300.

10. Simple mathematical calculations will help you estimate how many light bulbs you can use in your system, as well as what will be the average wattage of each bulb. Simply multiply the number of the bulbs in your system by their wattage, and you will find out what the wattage of the transformer is that you need for your lighting system.

Before starting to bring about your low voltage outdoor lighting set up, please consider the following:

1. Make sure not to use an extension cord for the transformer. Instead plug it directly in the outlet.

2. If the wires of your low voltage outdoor lighting system are not buried deeply, they will be more prone to getting damaged.

3. When choosing a transformer for your system, try to make sure that the wattage of your transformer is not over one third of your system's current wattage.

Low voltage outdoor lighting is easy to implement, low cost and a safe way to light up your landscaping. Low voltage outdoor lighting will make any garden safer, and extend the life of the garden into the night. - 31813

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Tackle Landscaping Projects with the Help of Landscape Tools

By Jeremy Szechenyi

Landscaping is a great way to improve the appearance of your yard, and landscape tools are essential for any landscaping project. There are many tools out there, some made for one specific job. The best thing you can do is to purchase a basic group of tools that you can multi-task with, and add specialized tools one at a time as you need them. The basic group of tools is listed below.

Group 1 is the shovel.

The second tool group is the rake.

Group 3 is the lopper, shear or pruner.

Group 4 is the garden cart or wheel barrel.

The shovel is the first group of tools. It is a piece of metal that has been flattened and attached to a handle. These allow you to carry and move materials around. There are three main types of shovels. The flat shovel has a wide surface area, and is a relatively flat piece of metal. It is good for moving scoops from a rock or gravel pile. The second one is the rounded or pointed tip shovel. This is good for slicing and digging in the soil. It is the classic shovel that most people think of. The last is the narrow shovel. It works well for digging smaller holes and in tight spaces.

Group 2 is the rake. It has a long handle with the rake head attached. Two main types are commonly seen, the leaf rake and bow rake. The leaf rake has thinner prongs. These pick up leaves and lighter material, but do not damage the ground below. The bow rake is heavier and sturdier, meant for moving heavy items like rocks and gravel.

Group 3 is the lopper, shear or pruner. These tools cut, snip and trim. Pruners are single hand devices made to cut through smaller, but still tough, items. These are good for precision work. Loppers are two-handed devices, intended to cut heavier and bigger items like tree limbs. The shear, commonly seen as a grass shear, is a two-handed device made to cut through thinner items, but in longer cuts. It is used mainly for shaping items like hedges and shrubs.

The wheel barrel or garden cart is the fourth group of tools. Both of these items are used to transfer large amounts of heavy and/or bulky material around. Garden carts roll on two wheels, which reduce its maneuverability, but increase its stability. Wheel barrels are the opposite, balancing on one wheel and having better maneuverability and less stability.

Landscape tools provide you the ability to perform many landscaping tasks. From digging holes with a shovel, to carting loads of gravel for a walkway with a wheel barrel, these tools are critical for many landscaping jobs. - 31813

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Is That Crabgrass You're Seeing

By Neoma Archer

Insects may be the thing that some people dread their lawns or gardens of having. There are also people who may look at drought as a phenomenon that their lawn would not want to experience. And then there are also those who would point at weeds as the worst thing that they would want to have in their lawn or garden. Weeds may look not that menacing but it can be difficult to deal with. You have to make sure that you take out all of them or else you may just see them growing back again. All they need to survive is just one good leaf and a good root and they are all set.

One of the weeds that you should be on the lookout for is crabgrass. No, it does not resemble a crab in any way. What it looks like is orchard grass. This weed usually grows in patches. You will know that you are looking at crabgrass because they have side branches. These branches have wide leaves and they branch out. You will see that it forms like a star. You will also notice that it has blades that are wide. So are its leaves.

The summer months of July and August are known as the best time for the crabgrass to grow. This is the very reason why this weed is also categorized to be a summer annual grass. You can prevent this weed from growing to its peak by spraying pre-emergent herbicide before the summer months.

Your lawn or your garden may be one place for crabgrass to grow but it can also grow in other locations like the sidewalk and even on roads with cracks. This is how well this weed can thrive. What you should do when you see them growing already outside your lawn or garden is you start your pre-emergent herbicide treatment. You do not want them growing on your lawn or garden now, do you?

There are people who believe that the chemicals in the herbicide may actually harm their lawn or garden. Now if that is your thought, then you can actually do something else to battle the weed. What you can do is wait for it to grow and then take them out by hand. That should do the trick. But that may also mean that you can still leave some roots in the soil and seeds too. They may not be there right now but come its peak season next year, they may be back. - 31813

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Beneath The Dandelions' Beauty

By Neoma Archer

When spring comes around, what do you love to do? There are plenty of people who do love spring because, for them, it symbolizes hope. They believe that after the months of cold that belongs to winter, spring is like a miracle. Just think of how dreary winter is and then how everything seems to come alive when spring comes around. Now that is the magic that spring brings. And with spring comes wonderful plants coming to life.

The flowers of the dandelion is what catches your attention. Beautiful as it may seem to be to other people, those who have lawns or gardens hate it because it is actually a weed. Its peak period comes during April to May. During this time, you would notice this perennial weed to show off its yellow flowers and its broad leaves.

Beauty is definitely something that dandelions have. But this weed also has some tricks that makes it thrive even when you do not want it to. One of the secrets that the dandelion has is its fleshy taproot. This one goes deep down so you will have to exert effort to take it out by hand. Also, this weed has yellow flowers that become puffy seeds during maturity. These seeds are then blown by the wind and are spread out so come spring next year, the dandelions on soil will again bloom.

Right now, the dandelions look good. But what if they spread and more grow? Would they still be as beautiful? Well, you can take them out manually but be sure to take out the taproot. Or you can also opt to apply herbicides every five to six weeks. Using herbicides may take a long time because it should be around six applications to thoroughly get it done.

The experience of having dandelions in your lawn or garden has left you wanting that they do not come back at all. What you can do is get the grass growing and mow it to the second highest setting. That should keep the grass tall enough to block any sunlight and crowd the seeds out. You can also spray pre-emergent herbicide in April so that the seeds do not grow. - 31813

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Choosing Lawn Aerators for Your Aeration Needs

By Mike Smith

When your lawn turns brown and dead, it can be easy to leap to the wrong conclusions. It can be tempting to blame insect pests for the blight on your yard, or to blame a lack of watering and fertilization. Actually, while these are certainly possible causes, it's more likely that you have another problem entirely. Your lawn might just need to be aerated. Aeration of your lawn is really nothing more than coring into the soil with a device that ensures your grass is able to enjoy more water, air and fertilizer.

If your lawn requires some help, you will find that there are several different types of aerators that can offer a helping hand. Aerators with gas-powered engines are often used to help remedy this problem. They might also be called corers or plug-aerators in your area. These devices utilize long, hollow tines that each remove a core from your yard as the tine punches into the turf. That said, these are large machines, better suited for large yards than for smaller areas.

You will also find another option on the market: pull-behind aerators. These are quite similar to the aerators mentioned above, but are designed to be pulled behind a lawnmower, rather than being self-propelled. Usually, you will have to add some extra weight, which can be done by adding bricks or cinder blocks. Finally, as with the devices mentioned above, these are good solutions for large yards.

Yet another option on the market is the push aerator. In form, these resemble old-time push mowers, though they feature a tine-studded drum, rather than mower blades. When you push the aerator across the yard, the tines bite into the turf, giving air, water and fertilizer better access to grass roots. Of course, you might find that these need extra weight added in order to penetrate hard-packed soil, as well.

A last solution is a set of aerator shoes. You might be more familiar with these as aerator sandals. They fit over your regular shoes and adjustable straps hold them in place. Along the bottom of the shoe, you will find metal spikes, similar to those on a golf shoe, but longer and more vicious-looking. As you walk around your yard, the spikes dig into the soil, helping to alleviate the problem with your turf and ensuring that you have the lush, green yard that you want. - 31813

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Avoiding Your Lawn From Damaging

By Carl Philips

There are top suggestions to care for your lawn. Just as important as lawn care tips are the lawn care mistakes that we should know the way to avoid. Lawn care and maintenance takes more than the usual cutting and watering.

Here are the top ten lawn care mistakes that many folks make. Some are so common that we think it's just normal, when in reality it is basically damaging to your lawn.

1. Cutting the turf too short. Many people would like to save time in mowing our lawns so we choose to cut them too short. This will give us a longer break between mows, but this does not bode well for your lawn. The idea here is that removing more than a 3rd of a grass blade will weaken its root system. This could gradually result to future lawn issues.

2. No or little preparation on the planting plan and strategies. Keep in mind that plants grow better when they are planted at the appropriate depth and spacing. Naturally, this would force some research about the plant and its most favorable conditions and some preparations to take better care of it. Conducting soil tests is particularly topical because the pH balance can help establish which kind of grass is best to grow on your lawn.

3. Disregarding the difference between mature plants and the young ones. It might not seem like a big thing, but noting which plants are new and which are mature is important. This concern involves the water intake of the plants. The water wishes of the new and young plants are bigger. They need more water and they could need to be in a sun condition different from that of the grown up and established plants.

4. Watering and fertilizing at the wrong time and schedule. A watering schedule is recommended for house owners who want to maintain a healthy lawn. Watering amounts will depend on the seasonal changes, the climate and weather, and the area. Generally, the ideal time to water your lawn would be early in the morning, when you'll have the least amount of evaporation. Timing and scheduling also applies to fertilizing you lawn. Depending on your location, fertilization of the grass varies.

5. Ignoring the significance of mulch. Mulch is critical for lawn care and upkeep because of its various uses. Mulching can help add or retain nutrient elements in your soil, repel insects, control weeds, and can reduce manure wishes by a third.

6. Mistaking when to use seed and sod. Most householders choose one or the other based primarily on the amount of time to build a lawn. The reality is, you need to select between seeding or sodding by the its most advantageous purpose in lawn care. Sodding helps against soil erosion and is the most effective in building a new lawn. Seeding is better in filling openings and bare parts of a lawn.

7. Using powder products and "green" products. Power products may be cheaper but they can get blown away before it can get into the soil. Using organic products, or "green" products, can be time-intensive since it takes longer to work and a lot of applications are wanted to achieve results.

we can see that these are all normal mistakes. But we will also see how each of these lawn care mistakes can impede us from making a great and healthy lawn. - 31813

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