Do you want your turf free from moss, weeds and excessive grass? The Bosch ALR 900 Electric Lawnraker might be the product for you.
This unit does a good job in eliminating unwanted grass, weeds and moss in your backyard. The job can be easily done with a 900W high-torque motor. It can be a real help in dealing with a large lawn.
The unit is powerful that it can lift surface debris. With its full 32cm cutting width and 4 raking heights, it can work in pretty much any weather. It also has a raking cylinder which is built into the unit. This cylinder is responsible for keeping moss, weeds and thatch out of your backyard.
When mowing becomes difficult, the torque increases in order to meet the challenges at hand. This is because of the 900 watt motor combined with the gear set that works hand in hand. The purpose of which is to give you a powerful unit that could address any challenges in mowing your lawn.
The grass bin is also fairly heavy duty. It can accommodate up to 50 Litres of grass. This means you can mow your lawn with the minimum number of interruptions. It is detachable from the unit so you could store your equipment with ease. However, the unit and the bin occupies significant amount of space. When buying the product, you may want to consider the space it will occupy.
But then, the collection bin is superb. The debris automatically goes to the collection bin in a short period of time. This unit is probably best suited for medium and large lawns.
It also has a two year warranty on parts and service. Hence, in case you encounter some issues, just call their customer service and they will resolve your issue in no time. If you have a large lawn, then this product could definitely suit your needs.
There are many different lawn diseases that can jeopardize the health of your lawn at any given time. Being educated about these different diseases and the harm that they cause can help you to treat and prevent them.
One very common lawn disease is known as brown patches. Brown patches are most common in areas that experience high levels of humidity and shade. They most commonly occur in Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda grass, Bent grass, St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, and Ryegrasses. These brown spots typically will start out small, but they can quickly spread out in horseshoe or circular patterns. They can grow to be up to several feet wide. Many times, as the brown spot is expanding, the inside of it will recover. This will leave a brown ring in your lawn. The best way to prevent these brown spots from occurring is through regular aeration of your lawn. You can also reduce the shade to the effected areas. This will help them to grow back. A couple common fungicides that are used to treat brown patches are benomyl and chlorothalonil.
Another common lawn disease is the fairy ring. Fairy rings can grow in almost any type of grass. They are circular rings that are filled with a fast growing, dark green grass. Typically, the outside of the ring will turn brown and grow mushrooms. They are most typically found growing in soils that contain a lot of wood debris or old decaying trees. The best way to prevent fairy rings from growing in your lawn is to aerate the area that is effected by the fairy rings. This will help to kill them. It is also a good idea to water only in the early morning hours to help prevent them from growing. You should remove any excess thatch from your lawn, as well. Increasing the nitrogen levels in your lawn through fertilization is also a good way to prevent fairy rings.
Red Thread is another lawn disease that can turn your lawn brown. Red Thread is most commonly found in Fescues, Ryegrasses, and Kentucky Bluegrass. The name ‘Red Thread’ is taken from the pinkish-read threads that are formed around the blades of the grass. These threads then bind the grass blades together. The grass that is affected by Red Thread will eventually turn brown. Since Red Thread attacks only the leaves and leaf sheathes of the grass, it is rarely serious enough to kill the grass. It is easiest to spot Red Thread when the grass is wet. The best way to prevent Red Thread from occurring is to aerate your lawn often and remove any thatch that may have fallen onto the lawn. It is also important to follow a regular fertilization schedule. Chlorothalonil is a commonly used fungicide that can help to treat Red Thread.
Lawn diseases can cause a lot of damage to your lawn, if left untreated. With the proper knowledge, you can spot these diseases and stop them before they get out of control. This article was brought to you by the http://www.bestelectriclawnmower.co.uk/ team, thank you for reading.
When most people think of lawn mowers, they think of loud machines that produce smelly clouds of exhaust. This is not necessarily true anymore. There are many alternatives to the old gas power lawn mowers of the past. A cordless electric lawn mower is a great choice for your next lawn mower.
There are a number of drawbacks to the old style of gas powered lawn mowers. For one thing, they are loud. In fact, many of them are very loud. This makes it inconvenient to use them early in the morning before the hottest part of the day. These machines also create pollution and exhaust. They also require that you fill them with gas and oil often, as well as perform a lot of regular maintenance in order to keep them running properly. All of this can add up to be quite a hassle for the user.
Cordless electric mowers can provide you with a great alternative to gas powered mowers. There are many benefits to using a cordless electric lawn mower. One benefit is that an electric lawn mower costs less to operate. Another one of these benefits is the noise. A cordless electric mower is much quieter than a gas lawn mower. This allows you to mow the lawn whenever you want without the fear of waking up the neighbors. Cordless electric mowers also require very little maintenance. This means that you can spend your time actually mowing the lawn instead of spending time working on your lawn mower before getting to mow the lawn. You will not have to fill the mower with gas and oil. It will also not produce any toxic emissions at all. You can just charge the mower up and be ready to go in no time. While an electric mower will not be as powerful as a gas mower, it will definitely have enough power to cut your lawn effectively and efficiently.
There are a few downsides to an electric mower to keep in mind if you are looking into getting this type of mower, though. One downside is that cordless electric lawn mowers are designed for smaller lawns. The usual run time for these types of mowers is about 30 to 60 minutes. This provides you with enough time to mow about one fourth to one third of an acre. Some models, however, let you change out the battery. This allows you to swap out the drained battery for a charged one and then you can keep mowing longer. Another downside is that cordless electric lawn mowers are heavier than gas powered lawn mowers. They are heavier because of their large batteries that supply them with power. This can make mowing up hills a bit more difficult.
A cordless electric lawn mower can be a great alternative to a conventional gasoline powered lawn mower. It is important to know what your needs are if you are looking into buying one of these mowers. Knowing and understanding exactly what your needs are can help you to make the best lawn mower.
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June 17, 2010 at 11:17 pm
The key to achieving a clean, even placement of a lawn lies in the preparation of the site on which the grass is to grow on: no rubble, no protruding large stones, no holes or crevices on the ground that may twist one’s ankle, hide tiny objects, even creatures, that inadvertently roll onto lawn grass, and will make the task of mowing the lawn difficult.
The first step to level lawns – is to clear the area of unwanted objects like tree stumps and large stones. This is done by digging or by using a Rotavator. If there are weeds or unwanted vegetation growing, a systemic weed killer may be sprayed onto the soil to discourage the further growth of weeds. After clearing, the soil is raked to improve soil structure. This also facilitates the leveling process.
The next step is to do soil patching to further even out the surface area and to create a planting surface that is acceptable to the roots of the plants. This can be done by dragging topsoil from one area of the lawn to the other in order to create an even planting surface. Well-drained, sandy loam makes the best topsoil for a lawn. It should be free draining, but at the same time be able to retain a certain water level that can prevent plants from completely drying out. Sand may also be added to the topsoil to level the soil but it can turn cement-like when dry and can cause soil drainage problems. Used alone, sand is not a good surface to grow grass on.
To achieve a uniform level for the planting area, mark the desired soil height using string that is drawn taught on pegs. These pegs are evenly plotted on the area, creating a uniform grid that will guide the distribution of the soil. Adjust the soil level to the marks indicated by the lines. Repeat the digging, raking and leveling processes until a level surface is achieved. The soil is then firmed down.
Cover the whole area with topsoil, preferably 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) deep. Tread evenly over the ground to test if the soil is evenly firm. Take care not to over-compress so that the soil won’t get compacted or water-logged. No activity should be undertaken on the soil surface within the next 4-6 weeks to allow the soil particles to settle down naturally. Lightly fertilize; water the soil thoroughly a few days before putting the grass in.
If lawn ruts or uneven spots appear after the grass has been allowed to grow, patch the soil with an equal mixture of sand and dry topsoil, evenly spreading the mixture, but not entirely covering up the growing grass underneath. Compost may also be added to the patching soil mix for a richer planting medium.
That should be it, keep an eye on the lawn but over time, this uneven spot should eventually level out. These are the simple steps in lawn leveling, it’s not as difficult as it seems. You can save on professional fees. But more importantly is the fact that you will derive much satisfaction in doing your own lawn leveling
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June 10, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Hydroseeding is a modern and easy way of planting grass on your lawn. In hydroplanting, grass seeds, water, fertilizer, fiber mulch, and lime (optional) are blended together and applied to a prepared lawn area through a spraying hose. The wet fiber, which acts as the planting medium, easily bonds with the soil, creating a water-retaining blanket that will provide the seeds protection from the elements, as well as the nutrients they need, while being established. As the seeds germinate, the growing medium gradually decomposes and adds nutrients to the soil.
Taking Care of Grass
Planting your lawn by hydroseeding has advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed below.
Advantages. Hydroseeding allows for a big lawn area to planted at a relatively shorter period of time. The spraying process covers a wider planting area much more quickly than seeding or sodding. This method also makes it possible to efficiently seed contours and slopes. Because the wet fiber actually adheres to the soil, it creates a surface that prevents soil erosion. Hydroseeding can actually reduce erosion. Hydroseeding costs less than planting with sod, but more than regular seeding. The technology costs more, as well as the actual application which can only be done by trained professionals.
Hydroseeding has been found to result in higher seed germination rates as compared to regular seeding. Because it creates lush growth, mowing and lawn maintenance can actually start at less than a month after the date of application. The fiber in the mulch maintains moisture around the seeds, thus increasing seed germination rate.
Disadvantages. Hydroseeding companies offer limited grass varieties to choose from. Usually, these are sturdy grass varieties that lend themselves well to the procedures.
As in conventional seeding, hydroseeding cannot be done at just about any time of the year, or whenever the lawn owner wants hydroseeding to be done. In order to get the best results, hydroseeding should be done immediately prior to the prime growing season of the specific grass variety. It is seed and season-specific.
Hydroseeding also is a costly process, and one that is best done by professional hydroseeding companies. The technology does not lend itself to “do-it-yourself” gardener. Not only is the hydroseeding sprayer costly; operating it properly requires training and skill.
Nonetheless, in order to make the hydroseeding effort a success, here are some preliminary procedures that have to be undertaken.
Follow their instructions the company will give you on soil preparation. If none are given, you can do this task by going over your soil bed with a lawn roller that is filled with water to 1/2 or 1/4 level.
Get cost estimates from hydroseeding companies in your area. Do not settle for one company, but get comparative costs based on the types of services they offer, types of planting materials or hydroseeding blends they have, and other costs that the planting procedure will entail.
The hydroseed mixture is green in color and the area where it is applied will acquire a green color. This makes it easier to spot missed areas, or areas that need reapplication. The seeds will germinate in about a week. Maintenance can begin at 3 to 4 weeks after the date of application. The hydroseeding company teaches the technique of watering a hydroseeded lawn. Should there be areas of the lawn that show sparse growth or no growth at all, the hydroseeding company can be asked to remedy to the situation.
Honda Lawn Mowers are not nearly as well known as their quality automobile engines. Did you know that the company also offers a wide selection of quality lawn mowers and yard and lawn equipment all available now in the UK and Ireland? Honda is now one of the major players in the lawn mower manufacturing market, with a total of 18 different lawn mower models in 5 mower categories. The design of these mowers were based on what the people want in the market. The more popular Honda lawn mowers are walk-behind lawn mowers that belong to the following model series: HRC, HRR, and HRC. All Honda lawn mowers boast of easy starting, powerful engines that account for better cutting ability. The compact, lightweight OHC/OHV GCV series of engines are used in all Honda lawn mower models. Aside from this, Honda lawn mowers are CARB compliant in all of the 50 states of United States of America, making it a cleaner choice to device to use.
There are five grades or categories of Honda lawn mowers.
These are the following:
The Honda HRX lawn model series which have the capacity to distribute grass clippings to both the bag and to the ground. The HRX features a powerful 6.5-hp Honda GCV overhead cam engine, with a choice of Smart Drive.
The Honda Harmony II series, which is has a timing belt built into the machine. This is a first-ever feature that helps the lawn mower absorb any vibration or noise created by the machine.
The Honda Harmony Series.
The Honda Masters Series.
The Honda commercial series. Honda’s commercial lawnmowers are in the top of their class, featuring Honda’s easy starting commercial grade overhead valve engine.
There are lawn mower brands in the market that offer a “personal pace” feature which is not offered by Honda, and which has proved to be a source of problem for these other brands. Honda has self-propelled lawn mower models to choose from, and which are available at three speed varieties.
In a 2009 consumer satisfaction survey that was carried out by J.D. Power and Associates, Honda walk-behind models received top ranking when compared with 9 other brands with similar models. More recently, the 21-inch Honda HRX217K2HXA has been put through exhaustive tests at ConsumerReports.org and was reviewed as the best self-propelled gasoline lawn mower in the market. This machine is fuel-efficient, durable, and with a relatively quiet engine. Although the model lacks an electric starter, reviewers say the recoil start is easy to use, and that the engine can be paused using a blade brake. The HRX217K2HMA model carries the added feature of an electric start. The four-cycle OHV engine is CARB-certified as giving out low emissions. The Honda HRX217K2HXA is available in all 50 states.
Other features include a variable speed with cruise-control, and also a variable mode that makes mulching some of the clippings possible while bagging the rest. It also has a blade brake that can stop the blade, but not the engine.
It has some disadvantages, though. Some users say the handle is too long, and that height adjustment is complicated. There are also complaints about rear discharge and selective gasoline use. Some find the self-propelled feature to be too slow. There is absence of a drain plug, making it necessary to tip the mower over for oil changes.
Popular Mechanics is conducting a 2010 review of a similar Honda HRX model. The Australian equivalent of ConsumerReport.org, the NoisePollution.org, also conducted earlier tests on the Honda HRX217K2HXA that yielded similar favorable findings. As befits a multinational company like Honda, their mowers can be bought all over the world Honda Lawn Mowers UK and Ireland are some of the biggest sellers.
Looking for ways to come up with a durable, more lasting lawn? Consider lawn seeding. Lawn seeding ensures that grass on your lawn are deeply rooted and will withstand the wear and tear that most lawns are subjected to.
Although seeding a lawn takes and awful lot of time to do, it is definitely a lot less costly than laying sod. The first step is to determine the type of turf grass to plant. This step requires serious planning and it would be a good idea to get professional advise on what grass to grow in your particular area. Seed dealers can offer a wide variety of lawn products and services to choose from: from seed costs, to labor costs, and other requirements. One tip: never use quick grow seed packages as these contain a high percentage of annual rye, which dies after only one season. How much seed to buy? The rule of the thumb in seeding bare ground is 5 – 6 lbs per 1000 square feet; for over seeding add an estimated 3 – 4 lbs per 1000 square feet.
The initial establishment cost in lawn seeding is generally lower costs related to sodding. This is basically because seeds cost less than sod. Where to plant? Seeding is not an option in areas where there is a high probability of soil erosion. Too much movement of soil particles will prevent the seeds from properly taking root and will prove to be more costly when the process of seeding has to be repeated. Also, herbicides may be needed during the first year of seed establishment to ensure that the young grass plants do not compete with herbs for much needed nutrients in the soil. The cost of herbicide application should be included in the computation of seeding costs.
Taking Care of Grass
Seeding is a good option when you want to have grass in a shaded area; just be sure to plant the right type of grass seeds for the site. Other things you need to do in seeding include loosening the soil, which is a basic requirement for any lawn establishment procedure, clearing the area of weeds and debris, leveling the ground and applying topsoil where needed. Your usual garden tools are often sufficient for these procedures: shovel, rake, pick-ax. A rotary tiller might be needed in areas that are tough to loosen, but renting one rather than buying would be sufficient.
For seed application, you will need a drop or a broadcast sprayer, and then a garden hose and sprinkler to dampen the area where the grass will grow. Make sure the prepared ground drains well. New sprouts can be protected from heavy rain or strong winds by covering them up with a fine layer of hay, which can be removed with a rake when the sprouted seeds are strong enough to stand on their own.
A professional landscaper usually charges around $201for a 2,000-square foot lawn; others may charge around $90 to work on a 1,000 square foot lawn. Just a reminder: be wary of so-called professional grass seeders who charge too little for the job. You might be in for more trouble. Most seed /landscaping companies stay competitive and their price range will lie within a competitive range, so costs should be fairly even.
For an average-sized lawn, you will only need around $50 if you plan to buy the seeds and plant it yourself. If you need to add topsoil, you’ll have spend a little bit more. Some shops have a grass seed calculator that can help you in the computation of costs in preparing your lawn.
Your starter fertilizer should be an 18-24-12 mixture; a 50 lb bag will adequately cover about 12,000 square feet.
A final advice: do your seeding in late summer or early fall, when cooler weather and rains are expected. That way, the tiny plants will be less subjected to stress and will pass through their growing season more peacefully. You will also lessen the probability of having to reseed due to failed initial seeding attempts.
And remember choose the best lawnmower you can to keep the grass trim, and it’s especially important to keep the blades sharp when grass is young as otherwise your mower will tear the grass rather than cut it cleanly.
Lawn diseases can ruin the appearance of the healthiest and tidiest of lawns. Many turf diseases are difficult to identify and to distinguish from problems caused by pests or by poor maintenance. But with proper management practices, serious damage can be avoided.
The development of disease is often associated with poor turf management practices, such as improper selection and planting of grass variety, insufficient and untimely watering, untimely fertilization, not using the right amount and balance of nutrients, irregular mowing and not mowing at the recommended height, improper amount of light and air movement, non-maintenance of good soil aeration and drainage, and poor thatch management.
But setting these aside, the most common remedy for lawn disease is fungicide. While this may treat the disease, it can also kill off good organisms and insects as well. It should therefor not be used to treat the whole lawn area. The best method of applying fungicide is as a spot treatment. This would minimize damage to the lawn ecosystem.
Several types of fungicides are available in the market and are differentiated by the action they make in stopping the spread of the disease. Contact fungicides remain on the plant’s surface on application and kill spores that come into contact with it. Systemic fungicides move throughout the circulatory system of the plant and stay longer inside the plant’s system. Penetrant fungicides are similar in action to systemic types, but act as a preventive to stop the growth of pathogens.
It can be difficult to identify some of the specific diseases and I will be adding some lawn disease pictures to this post shortly.
Below are some of the common lawn diseases:
Snowmold, common to regions where snow falls and sits on the lawn for extended periods of time.
Brownpatch, common in regions with high humidity and where the grass grows in the shade. The disease usually starts as a small spot that quickly spreads outwards in a circular or horseshoe pattern. It can cover up to a couple of feet wide.
Dollar Spots, common to humid areas. These are small, silver dollar-like discolorations that are brown or straw-colored in appearance which, left untreated, may merge into large patches that are several feet in diameter.
Fairy rings, unsightly, difficult to control circular rings that continue to expand with each growing season, leaving circular areas of with poor grass growth and dying grass.
Rust, caused by a fungus that gives a rusty appearance to leaf blades. It is not seen every year, but when infestation is severe, it imparts a yellowish to reddish-orange appearance to the lawn. Mowing the grass sends out a red-orange dust that settles on surfaces. Rust makes the soil susceptible to winter kill.
Grease spot, slimy-brown patches of grass that are surrounded by white cotton-like fungus.
Red thread, characterized by pinkish-red threads that form around the leaf blades, binding them together. The leaves turn brown eventually.
Powdery mildew, which covers the grass with whitish powder. Grass eventually wither and die.
Pithium blight, or the formation of irregularly shaded spots of wilted brown grass, with cobweb-like mass of fungus; patches form long cluster streaks.
Fusarium, light green patches that turn reddish brown; the leaf then dies.
Leafspot-Melting Out, brown to purple lesions possibly caused by too much nitrogen.
Slime Mold, covers the grass with a powdery substance that looks like crystallized frost that thickens, preventing sunlight from entering the plant cells.
These are the more popular lawn diseases that can be controlled, if not eradicated, by proper care and management of the lawn. It pays to keep the lawn clean in order to ward off these diseases. Often, proper watering and fertilizing are all that are needed to keep the lawn disease-free.
This blade is an easy fitting blade that can be fitted by the user so there is no need for costly repairs. It fits all Black & Decker hover mowers using a metal blade except gx530 (bd033), gx635 (bd034)
Lawnmower Blades Range of blades to fit most grass mowers