Having the right lawn and garden tools in your collection can save time and money. Many of these tools also allow you to be environmentally thoughtful while working in your yard.
Rake Rake leaves, then shred them with your lawn mower and compost them or use to mulch the garden. They'll do more for your lawn and flowerbeds than if you bagged them and sent them off to the dump.
Watering Can Singles New on the market, Miracle-Gro Watering Can Singles save you time and money. These pre-measured fertilizer packets mean no mess, no waste and a quick and easy way to feed plants. Eliminate any measuring confusion by emptying one pack into a one-gallon watering can.
Multi-purpose Gardening Tool These tools, such as the True Temper Planter Buddy, make gardening easier and less time consuming because you don't have to continuously switch tools or get up to get a new tool. They are also a good investment, as purchasing just one of these tools means you don't have to buy an array of additional gardening tools. Truly multi-purpose, these tools can contain a trowel, a serrated and a straight edge, a weeder tip and tamper.
Soaker Hose Reduce your typical garden-water usage up to 70% by using a soaker hose. Soaker hoses provide drip irrigation that is less prone to evaporation and allows precise water placement. Be sure to choose a soaker hose that has been made from recycled materials - another helpful earth choice. Cover your soaker hose with 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and protect it from sun damage. But don't bury your soaker hose in the soil and be sure to locate and move it before digging in the garden.
Electric Lawn Mower Cordless electric push mowers are clearly the clean air choice. These mowers are easy to use, don't emit any pollutants into the air, and are less noisy than conventional lawn mowers. Although you'll have to reach deeper into your pockets to pay for an electric mower, you'll only spend an average of $3 per year on electricity for your mower. Take into consideration how much money you'll spend on gas and oil for a gasoline-powered mower and in the long run you'll be saving yourself money and reducing pollution.
Shine the light on your yard
Adding outdoor lighting to your yard and patio can provide that finishing touch to your home. There are many options today that are simple to install, energy efficient, and fashionable. You can set the scene for night-time gatherings with family and friends by following these tips:
Main Walkway Help your visitors find their way by illuminating the ground they walk on. You have two options - wired or solar units. Solar-powered units require no digging, wiring or other complicated systems. Solar powered units, however, won't provide overpowering light. Instead, these energy-saving lights provide an illuminated guide that outlines the path. Wired systems, on the other hand, can be fitted with higher-wattage bulbs that bathe the path in light. The downside, of course, is that wired systems increase your electricity bill by drawing power from you house.
Entryway Once visitors make it to the front door, you want them to feel welcome and easily find the doorbell. A good light fixture will complement your front door and entryway while making it easy for you to see who's on your doorstep.
Patio and Deck Entertaining in the dark isn't very much fun. Neither is staring into a bright light. Focus on using smaller, more intimate lighting. On the patio tables, start by using candles, such as a Citronella candle that will help keep bugs away. Just a few will do. Adding glass lanterns or shades will keep the wind from snuffing out your light while adding style and class to your setting. For an added boost, or to give your party a summertime feel, put up some tiki torches. As with candles, be mindful of the open flames. Or, for both heat and light, use an outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Also, don't neglect the umbrella. Adding both form and function, umbrella lights are a great way to add a festive mood to your outdoor entertaining.
Accents Accent lighting provides you with a tool to highlight featured elements of your outdoor decor. For example, using a ground-up spotlight to illuminate an ornamental tree or flowering bush adds detail and interest to what would otherwise be just a shadow or void in the nighttime yard. You can also highlight flowers, water features or other decor elements. Accent lighting can also be used to illuminate landscaping without spotlighting specific elements. This type of accent lighting is similar to walkway lighting, but at a lower wattage.
Yard Light Depending where you live, a yard light might be a requirement, an option or impossibility. Free-standing lamps provide more than just a feeling of safety and security for people walking by - they also set the tone for your entire yard. If you plan to use CFL (compact fluorescent bulb) on a lamp with a photo sensor or automatic light sensor, check the package for compatibility.
Side and Back Walkway When the party is in full swing and it is time to take out the trash, don't ruin the mood by turning on the back porch light. You'll not only flood your quests with a momentary barrage of light, you'll also be highlighting the garbage bag in your hand. Having walkway lights installed helps you play host without drawing attention to yourself at an inopportune moment.
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You can find us at the following addresses: Wesleyan Ace Hardware - 5020 Forsyth Rd, Macon, GA 31210 Rutland Ace Hardware - 6173 Houston Rd, Macon, GA 31216 Riverside Ace Hardware - 3600 Riverside Dr, Macon, GA 31210