Posts Tagged ‘Lawn’

The First Thing Your Visitors Look At Is Your Gorgeous Lawn

Most people, who are living in their own house, take a lot of pride in looking after their home, both inside and out. The exterior landscaping is the first thing that visitors will see, which means you will want to have it looking the best it can. Additionally, you’ll have a feeling of happiness when you see your beautifully landscaped lawn. If you would like your lawn or garden looking its best, you will need the right tools and equipment for the job.

Many homeowners think that using dangerous chemicals and pesticides are critical for having a successful lawn or garden. That does not have to be the case, since you are able to use organic products on your lawn and garden, which will work on them without harming the environment. You will find quite a few harmful chemicals in the fertilizer for your grass, primarily phosphates and nitrates. It will require plenty of fertilizer to do the whole yard, in some cases, a couple of pounds, which will expose your family to some unnecessary problems. Significant health complications, like asthma and cancer can result. During rains, the chemicals become washed away and pollutes the water supply.

Using natural compost is really a better option than using fertilizers, especially if you can make your own. You can make your own compost simply by filling a compost container with old leaves, grass, food scraps and even pet droppings. It does not demand much effort once you set it up and you won’t create any health issues. The compost you create will likely be filled with nutrients. If you have a large yard, you will need to make a lot of compost. The quantity of compost you get isn’t going to be much because it shrinks as the elements first decompose. The lawn and other plants will grow really well in your nutrient-rich soil.

Having a healthy soil, the plants and grass will have healthier and longer roots. Having sturdy roots means there is less water for you to use consequently, you’ll have a lower water bill. Since several areas have constraints on water usage, you will need properly prepared soil, to get the best results from the water you are allowed. Even not having much water, you will still be ready to have a yard, full of green grass.

When you water in the early morning hours, you’re going to get the most effective benefits from the water, than almost every other time. Since there is less sunlight, there’ll be less evaporation and the water will have a chance to saturate into the soil. But don’t get it done at night since the water could potentially cause fungus to grow.

Lawn Leveling Tips – How do you Level Lawns

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

ALM Lawn Mower Plastic Blades

This spool cover is an easy fitting design that can be fitted by the user so there is no need for costly repairs.

Lawnmower Blades Range of blades to fit most grass mowers

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Lawn Seed Preparation and Costs

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.

ALM Metal Lawn Mower Blade

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

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ALM Lawn Mower Metal Blade

This blade is an easy fitting blade that can be fitted by the user so there is no need for costly repairs.

Alm Fl043 Metal Blade Size: 30cm (12in) – To Fit Flymo Hover Mower Models: Dle-02 Dle03 E30- 1/2/3/4/5/11/12/13 Xe30 Tl E30 Twin Sprinter 30 Sprintmaster 30 Hoverstripe 30 Turbo Compact 300 – Compares To 5126439-72/7 And 5126439-00/8

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Buy ALM Lawn Mower Metal Blade at Amazon

I Have Broken My Lawn Mower And Wondered If There Was A Way To Fix It?

I have a Black and Decker Rotary Lawnmower – GR3420. While reajusting the handle bars I accidentally severed the wire connecting the hand controls to the body. Is there any way to reconnect this severed wire?

I Need Advice On What Type Of Lawn Mower To Buy?

Need to buy a lawn mower for my garden – medium size, but don’t know which one. What is the difference between a rotary and a hover, and which one is better? What is the minimum power I should go for? Which are the best brands.? Many thanks.

How Do You Cut Your Lawn? 1. Riding Mower 2. Push Mower 3. Rotary Cutter 4. Farm Animals?

Buff lawn guy!

How Much Power Is Needed To Move The Lawn Mower With 120 N Of Force Exerted?

A person exerts a force of 120 N at an angle of 40 degrees on a lawn mower handle as they push the mower. If the mower moves at 1.75 m/s, how much power is used by the person to move the mower?