Household Tips

In the market for a new lawn mower or tractor? Go out and pick up the May issue of Consumer Reports! They’ve ranked the top picks (and worst choices.)

Grooming a trophy-worthy yard does not need to be an overwhelming and expensive task,
according to the May issue of Consumer Reports. According to CR, some of the latest mowers and tractors cut time and effort as well as the grass without breaking the bank. And tests of trimmers and blowers show that top-rated models can be $70 or less and make for a trophy yard.

Consumer Reports also tested two robotic mowers. One of them, the LawnBott LB3200 Evolution can pose a serious safety risk and Consumer Reports judged it “Not Acceptable.”

Top-Rated Mowers and Lawn Tractors

The Toro Super Recycler 20092 at $500 has a rust-free aluminum deck and superb side-discharging, while the highly-rated Honda HRR216K3VXA at $580 has a blade-brake clutch that stops only the blade but not the engine when the safety lever is released. For lower-priced models, CR suggests Lawn Boy 10685 at $370 for its handling and ease of use, but the Toro Recycler 20066, named a CR Best Buy, at $350 is better for mulching. All of these Consumer Reports Quick Picks are self-propelled, rear-drive mowers.

For smaller lawns, CR found the self-propelled, gas-powered Cub Cadet 12AE18M with electric starting for $290 or the push Cub Cadet 11A-18MC, a CR Best Buy, for $230 can meet the needs of consumers who are fine with mostly bagging clippings. In the electric mower category, CR recommends the cordless Homelite UT13122 for $300 and the corded Black and Decker MM875 at
$230 for their mowing versatility.

CR also tested lawn tractors. Consumer Reports notes that the John Deere LA115 at $1,650 has easy mode changes and a washout port, and the Craftsman 28828 at $1,650 and 28724 at $1,500 have relatively large yet smooth-cutting decks. All of these models are CR Best Buys.

Consumers that have a flat lawn that presents several obstacles might want to consider a zero-turn radius model. These types of mowers use levers to steer the rear wheels and can lose traction and be hard to control on hills. For those with flatter lawns willing to live with those drawbacks, CR suggests the Toro TimeCutter Z4200 at $2,500 or John Deere Z225 at $2,900 for even mowing or the Toro TimeCutter Z5000 at $2,800 for its relatively wide, 50-inch deck. CR also tested two mowers that provide tight turning but still use the familiar steering wheel. The John Deere X304 at $3,500 is better at mulching. The Cub Cadet i 1042 at $2,700 is good for side-discharging.

Robotic Mowers - Emerging Technology

Robotic mowers promise to save time and effort as they rove within a perimeter wire that sets the mowing boundaries. But Consumer Reports found that one of these robotic machines poses a serious risk to those it would serve.

Consumer Reports tested Friendly Robotics’ $2,000 RoboMower RL1000 and LawnBott’s $2,500 LB3200 Evolution. Both crisscross randomly within their boundaries, reversing direction when they reach the perimeter wire or an obstacle and returning to their charging stations when needed. And both use metal blades. When Consumer Reports testers lifted the 78-pound RoboMower
while mowing, its blades stopped roughly 1 second after its wheels left the ground. But the 25-pound LawnBott’s blade kept spinning until it was lifted beyond roughly 45 degrees. Even after that, its blade took nearly 4 seconds to stop. Either situation could harm an adult or a curious child.

Consumer Reports contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and asked it to investigate the LawnBott LB3200. CR also contacted the U.S. distributor, which said that a downloadable software update stops the blade within 1 second after the mower is lifted beyond about 35 degrees. Consumer Reports believes that even with this update, the LawnBott LB3200 Evolution poses a serious safety risk and has judged it “Not Acceptable.”

For more advice on lawncare, check out this post on lawn care first-aid!

According to The Scotts Company, imrpoving your landscaping could provide better ROI on your home’s resale value than costlier bathroom or kitchen renovations! The study, conducted by Michigan State University, shows that landscaping can add 5 to 11 percent to your home’s base value. Money Magazine suggests that landscaping investments will return between 100 and 200 percent of their costs; whereas, remodeling a kitchen will net you only 75% and remodeling a bathroom will bring a mere 20% return. Scotts offers this sage advice:

Contrary to popular belief, homeowners don’t need to wait until the spring to take on a landscaping project; fall is actually the best time of the year to get started. According to John Marshall, manager of The Scotts Company’s Training Institute, fall’s unique weather conditions are ideal to tend to the centerpiece of your landscape — your lawn — with feeding and
seeding projects.

“The combination of cooler air temperatures, warm soil temperatures, increased precipitation and decreased daylight hours allow for accelerated root growth,” Marshall explains. “Root growth helps lawns protect themselves against winter weather and lays the foundation for a stronger, healthier lawn all year. Feeding your lawn in the fall not only thickens and greens your lawn immediately, but also helps roots to grow stronger so they can absorb more water and nutrients in preparation for winter.”

According to Marshall, many people think that they don’t need to feed their lawn in the fall because it goes dormant in the winter. In fact, feeding your lawn in the fall will do more good for your lawn’s long-term health than feeding at any other time of the year.

If your lawn has been damaged by summer heat or drought, or even by a particularly rough touch-football game last weekend, you might also want to consider a fall seeding project. The air and soil conditions during the autumn are ideal for any and all seeding projects. Whether you need to fill in some bare spots or you need a complete grass overhaul, high quality grass seed like Scotts Pure Premium brand grass seed will give the new grass its very best chance of establishing healthy roots.

The Scotts Company suggests these additional fall tips for ensuring spring curb appeal:

* Plant trees and shrubs — Root development is also critical for the success of your trees and shrubs. Giving your trees and shrubs a head start, before their first summer, makes a big difference. For both, dig a hole as deep as the root ball, but dig the hole about 1 - 2 feet wider than the ball. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with the soil you dug out. The loosened soil around the root ball will allow the plant’s roots to grow. After the plant is secured, water deeply.

* Plant your bulbs — Are you into tulips or are daffodils more your style? Your annuals should be planted when evening soil temps are between 40 and 50 degrees F. Big bulbs should be planted about 8 inches deep and smaller ones about 5 inches deep. Be sure to keep your bulbs in an area where the soil drains well. And check the instructions on your bulb package’s label for further instructions.

landscaping, home value, home improvement

I don’t know about your lawn, but after 10 days of greater than 100 degree heat, mine is DRY and yellow. I’m not sure even these tips can save it. But I’m willing to give it a try. Thanks to Briggs and Stratton for the tips!

Here’s what to do now:

— First aid for a battered lawn.
By late summer or early fall, your grass may be worn down from foot traffic. When you fertilize, give these areas one extra pass with the spreader to help the grass recover.
— Need green in a hurry?
Hosting a family gathering or open house? Apply a light dose of urea (pure nitrogen fertilizer) and water it in for near-instant green in two to three days. It will last a couple of weeks.
— Prepare for the weed war.
Those most hated of weeds — perennials like dandelions and creeping Charlie — should be tackled in early fall for a better lawn next spring. They are germinating now and are easier to kill. Use a broadleaf weed killer.
— Raise your mower blade.
Give your lawn a break by letting it grow just a little longer. Whenever you mow, never cut more than one-third the height of the grass blade to help your lawn stay healthy.
— A great time to seed.
Whether you are seeding an entire lawn or fixing dead patches, late summer and fall are great times to do it. Rake off any dead grass, loosen the soil and add a starter fertilizer before you seed or add sod. Keep the area moist until the seed sprouts and the sod sets roots.
— Plant trees and shrubs.
Fall is a good time to add landscape elements, and you will find many of them on sale. Water trees and shrubs thoroughly and continue to water until the first frost.
To diagnose and find a cure for lawn problems or to learn more about how to achieve a great yard, visit the Yard Doctor at
http://www.yardsmarts.com.

lawn, yard, grass, Briggs

I’ve been repotting plants this week. We already talked before about adding a small sponge at the bottom of the pot to help with water retention. On top of your sponge, try adding a small layer of tea bags. As they naturally biodegrade, they will provide additional nutrients for the soil.

And they don’t have to be NEW teabags! You can absolutely recycle used bags! Traditional black teas, not herbal varieties, seem to work most consistently!

houseplants, teabags, recycling

My favorite hose attachement is the multi-nozzle sprayer.

I have one on the hose in my front and back yard.

The best thing about this nozzle attachment is that you can water grass in a wide path, and tiny little seedlings up close, you just use the mist mode.

This Scott’s Website discusses techniques for getting the most out of watering your yard.

Regardless of where you live, it is just about that time of year again. Time to start mowing your lawn again. The first time you mow, you might feel a little nostalgic for those long summer nights bathed in the scent of freshly cut grass, but soon, you will realize that you now have to mow weekly for the next four months and you are realizing how little television watching and ass sitting you will be doing on Saturday morning and how MUCH mowing and lawn maintenance you will have ahead of you.

Relax.

Lawn mowing is an art.

By following a few simple steps, you can achieve a healthier, greener and better looking lawn in no time!

- Mow in different directions. Horizontal, diagonal, vertical … mix it up each time you mow. This prevents the blades of grass from curving in a particular direction after many cuts.

- Never mow when the grass is wet.

- If you really want a flat, smooth lawn, consider purchasing law rollers and rolling them over your lawn after mowing in even, straight rows.

It is a big misconception that you should mow your lawn super short. Grass is actually healthier when it is a little bit longer.