Lawns tend to look a bit worse for wear after a long, cold winter. Spring is the best time to fix any bare patches, and it’s not that hard to do. Planting new seeds is the easiest way to remedy a patchy lawn. Head down to your local nursery and invest in a lawn patch repair kit containing a mix of grass seeds. The seeds will germinate quickly with a little care, leaving you with a picture perfect lawn in time for summer.

Rake the lawn

Rake the whole lawn (preferably with a metal rake) vigorously to remove any thatch. This will let air and water into the soil, readying it for seeding. Rake in two directions to be thorough, and have some extra soil on hand to put on bare patches if necessary.

Lawn repair

It’s worthwhile paying for a premium lawn repair brand as it’ll provide you with a good mix of grass species. You don’t need moss killer or fertiliser, but getting some compost to help the seeds germinate is a good idea. Scatter the seeds over bare patches and cover them with multipurpose compost mixed with a little soil.

Cover

It’s a good idea to cover newly seeded patches with fleece or netting to avoid birds making a meal of your budding lawn.

Water

Use a watering can with a rose to water the seed three or four times a day, for 10 minutes at a time. Water less often if the weather is rainy. It’ll take between two and three weeks for your grass to germinate and reach an inch in height, and then you can reduce your watering to two to three times a week.

Mow

Once the grass is 3 inches high, use a lawnmower with a sharp blade to trim it down to 2 inches. Once it’s grown back, you can mow your patches of new grass once a week or so, along with the rest of the lawn.

The garden is probably the first thing guests will see on arriving at your home, and it may be what leaves a lasting impression. If these visitors are home buyers, there’s a good chance that what they see in the garden will affect what they’d be willing to pay for a property. Even if you’re not thinking of selling, consider doing some home maintenance to improve the value of your home – you might just enjoy it, too.

Keep it clean, and green

You may not have to give your garden a full makeover to add value to your home – just keep it tidy, and maintain it on a regular basis. You can get out the lawnmower and hedge clippers yourself to give the place a once-over now and then, but if gardening just isn’t your thing, get garden services in to do the job. Keep the garden well watered to keep the lawn green and inviting and make sure that trees and hedges are well pruned.

Spring clean

Photo: Stock.Xchng

It’s not only furniture and interior design that can become dated: your garden may have gone out of style, too. To update it, take a look at gardening magazines or interesting public gardens to get inspiration for your garden, then think about making some changes that’ll make your green space more appealing.

How to invest

Want to know what it is that you should invest in to increase your property’s value, fast? Items that add ‘horticultural value’ to your garden include fruit trees, other plants that bear fruit, and indigenous vegetation. Find plants that grow well in your area and keep them healthy, then reap the rewards in the form of fruit, a beautiful garden, and a more valuable property.



You probably didn’t know what the speed record for a lawn mower was, but that record has just been broken in west Wales. Don Wales rode a custom-built machine (which had to pass a grass-cutting test to prove that it was, primarily, a lawnmower) along the beach to smash the previous record of 80.069mph – then beat his own record speed. The record-setter still hasn’t reached his goal, though, so he might just be back for more in the near future.

It’s the custom

The lawnmower that Wales drove to beat the speed record is a custom-made model – but that doesn’t mean that it’s not good for cutting the grass, too. Before attempting to break the record, the team had to take part in a public demonstration of grass-cutting. World record regulations state that the machine used in this kind of event needs to be made primarily from lawnmower parts – and future challengers will have to undergo the same testing.

One more time

Photo: Stock.Xchng

After breaking the record, what was the next step? Breaking it again, of course. After hitting 86.069mph on Saturday, Wales went back on Sunday and broke his own record by travelling at 87.833mph on Sunday. Why the second attempt? Well, the team had actually been hoping that they’d pass the 100mph mark – but that, it seems, will have to wait.

Just like granddad

Wales’ granddad is also a record holder: he set the world land speed record in 1924, driving a car – on the exact same spot where his grandson’s record speed for a lawnmower was set. It seems that a need for speed runs in the family – and although Wales’ spokesperson hasn’t been clear about whether he’ll be back to attempt to reach his 100mph goal, it seems likely enough.

Spring, for most avid gardeners, is the most exciting time of the year. It’s not only the time when many plants are flowering and at their best, but it’s also a busy time when gardeners take advantage of good conditions to prepare for the year ahead. Some knowledge of the tasks that should be completed in the garden in spring and the right garden product for every job and plant will allow the gardener to lay the groundwork for a garden that will flourish until next spring’s flowers are blooming.

Cutting back

Springtime is the ideal time to prune flowers and other plants to allow for a substantial and healthy regrowth. However, the type of flower you’re pruning will dictate which point in spring is the ideal time for cutting back. Roses are the flowers that should be pruned early in the season, while plants that flower in spring should only be pruned after their flowering is complete – and this will be in late spring. Use a good pair of pruning shears – selecting the appropriate garden product for the plant you’re pruning – to keep your task quick and simple and to avoid damaging your plants.

Mowed down

Photo: Stock.Xchng

For the same reason that springtime is pruning time, it’s also lawn-mowing time: dead growth must be removed to give new growth the best possible chance of health and survival. Investing in a good lawnmower makes the job a whole lot easier, and the larger your garden, the more you’ll need one. It’s best to mow your lawn in mid-spring, and it’s important not to forget to fertilise the lawn, too. Of course some regions will be more damp than others, but as a rule it’s a good idea to water grass regularly as summer approaches.

Weeded out

Spring is the time of year when everything in your garden grows most easily. This sounds like great news until you consider that this includes weeds. Make sure that you do a thorough job of weeding in spring to make keeping the garden weed-free later a far easier task, and consider using a weedkiller, too. As mentioned above, lawns will have to be fertilised anyway, so keeping grass at its peak with a ‘weed and feed’ garden product is a good idea.

Get your hands dirty

Photo: g-hat / Flickr

Once the winter frosts have thawed and conditions have become more favourable for gardening, it’s time to invest in the year’s gardening by getting to work now. Repair winter damage, remove dead plant matter that might prevent your plants from achieving their full potential, and get plants neatly clipped and trimmer in preparation for all of the growth that they’ll be experiencing during the season ahead. It might be a lot of work, but springtime gardening is fun, too, so take the opportunity to enjoy your garden as you help it to grow and see the results of your hard work.

While some people can’t stand it, others can think of nothing better than getting stuck into soil, digging holes and starting the long-term project of designing beautiful gardens. This guide is for the gardener who loves spending time toiling in the yard, but is unsure which tools to have. Here you will find the three garden tools you cannot go without.

The spade

Photo: Fotosearch

The spade is the equivalent of the Swiss Army knife to the gardener. Digging holes, carrying cement, spreading cement, using the tail end as a hammer and even cleaning up after pets are some of the more common uses of one of the most timeless garden tools. In this regard, a good utility spade is critical for any gardening project. The Draper Stainless Steel Spade Set fits this bill, and comes with handy garden forks for all your digging duties.

The lawnmower

Photo: Fotosearch

Grass makes up a large part of a garden, so its influence on your garden’s look is huge. You could have a garden with the most perfect flower arrangements, hedges, trees and garden furniture but unkempt grass makes the whole garden look untidy. Thankfully, lawnmowers have become simpler and more fun to use, so tending to the grass isn’t the chore it once was. The Hayter Spirit 41 Autodrive has a massive 55 litre grass box capacity and a high frequency blade for mowing large and small lawns alike with ease.

The wheelbarrow

Photo: Fotosearch

All the disposables in your garden need to be carried somehow, and the wheelbarrow is the tool for this. All transportation needs, whether for tools, dirt, waste, bricks or anything mobile, will be  handled by your wheelbarrow, making it the third of our three indispensable garden tools. A tip for the budding gardener is to buy a builder’s barrow, which is generally more expensive than a regular barrow, but built to last and with more stringent manufacturer specifications.

The Gardener’s Foundation

All the plants in your garden depend on sun and water, and without either of the two they won’t survive. Having an irrigation system, even a simple hosepipe, is essential.

Several other garden tools such as shears, rakes, watering cans and the like are important tools for the gardener, but if you can only get three tools to start with, start with these.

The AL-KO scarifier has a specially designed 6 stage aeration depth or 6 stage height adjustment feature which allows users to make quick and simple adjustments in the working depth of the lawn. The AL-KO Comfort 36 VE lawnmower is powered by a 240V/1100 Watt Electric motor, which runs smoothly, quietly and efficiently. It has a grass cutting width of 14in/34cm which means you can get your small or medium sized lawn manicured quickly.

It has been provided with a large grass collection bag that has a capacity of 60 litres, so the need to visit the garbage bin for emptying is reduced. The garden equipment has been designed keeping safety of the user in mind. This ensures no accidents can occur when the lawnmower is put to use. It comes with a safety handlebar with cable strain relief that ensures the motor shuts down instantly the moment the bar is released.

The new AL-KO 36VE has an effective scarifier mechanism that has six different settings and consists of 11 serrated sharp blades. Adjustments can be made on the blades to make them higher or deeper. The lawnmower comes with a 12-meter cable and weighs 20 kg. The AL-KO 36 VE is easy to clean and comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The lawnmower has a grass collection box that has the capacity to hold 200 litres of cut grass, which is far more than your average sized mowers like the Flymo Multimo 360 XC. The Bolens lawnmower’s large capacity enables users to complete mowing their entire lawn in a single stretch without having to make frequent trips to the bins. If you prefer not to collect the grass or if you find the cutting conditions in your landscape difficult, then you can detach the grass catcher.

The Bolens lawn Tractor BL 125/76T is fitted with a single blade equipped heavy duty grass cutter. This is able to throw and blow the leaves and grass cuttings straight into the grass catcher. This is possible through the direct collection system, which has a blade cutter. This device also features a turbo fan assister.

The rear discharge Bolens lawn tractor is extremely useful when it comes to cutting grass in small and nonnegotiable areas. The lawn mower has headlights that can be turned on when the weather conditions are bad. The large floatation tyres enable the lawnmower to negotiate over difficult terrain easily. The lawn mower weighs approximately 169kg.

]]> http://www.home-living-news.co.uk/in-the-garden/557/bolens-bl125-76t-perfect-for-cutting-grass-in-small-areas.html/feed 0 http://www.home-living-news.co.uk/in-the-garden/555/dori-485rs-tough-and-rough-grasscutter-lawnmower.html http://www.home-living-news.co.uk/in-the-garden/555/dori-485rs-tough-and-rough-grasscutter-lawnmower.html#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:52:43 +0000 Paul http://www.home-living-news.co.uk/?p=555 Dori 485RS Rough Grasscutter Lawnmower is a rough and tough machine which truly means business as it cuts short the rough and tough grass around. Built about 21 inches for heavy duty purpose, the Dori lawn mower has a powerful Briggs and Stratton 5.5hp 4-stroke engine for propelling the back wheels. A truly conventional land mower, it has got features for crankshaft protection and a hinged side discharge chute. The folding handlebars make it compact and easy to store.

The Dori is ideal for people who want to have a strong and reliable lawnmower with four wheels. Although the Dori 485RS grass cutter is built almost identical to 460EP it has an extra wheel fixed to the front of the deck. Dori, the economical grasscutter, comes with a two year warranty from the manufacturer. Listed below are some of the key features of Dori 485RS Rough Grasscutter Lawnmower:

• The Dori has got a rough grasscutter.
• It has easy folding handle bars.
• It is fuelled by unleaded petrol.
• It is self- propelled by two non-pivoting front wheels.
• It has a powerful and large rear wheel drive.
• It has a slipping blade arrangement that shields the crankshaft from being struck by an object.
• It has a cutting width of 21 in (53 cms)
• It offers three choices in height adjustment.
• It has a hinged side discharge chute.
• It is powered by the Briggs and Stratton 5.5hp 4 stroke engine.
• The manufacturers offer two year warranty for the Dori

This piece of gardening equipment has a spring time comb, which is 14 inches in length. This lifts the grass before it gets cut which ensures that the lawn is even. Beautiful classic stripes can be created with the help of a stainless steel roller and a rear roller. The classic stripes are a hallmark of an Atco lawn. When you buy an Atco lawnmower, you are ensured of years of uninterrupted lawn mowing experience that is going to last you a very long time, even generations.

The machine has two cutting widths. You have the preference to choose your mowing speed by using the variable speed control dial. The motor is a 340 Watt energy efficient motor that provides a trouble free mowing experience. The Atco Windows 14S Lawnmower can be moved to any part of your lawn because of the 75 feet cable attached to the machine. It has a large grass collection box that has been fitted with a compactor so you need to make fewer trips to the bin. The Atco Windsor electric cylindrical lawn mower comes with a 5-year guarantee.

This self-propelled model uses petrol and can take care of medium sized lawns perfectly, unlike, say, the less powerful, electric Einhell BG-EM 930. Moreover, the Einhell BG-PM 46 S lawnmower has a strong body of coated sheet steel so no worries for users if they happen to run it on stones or hit any bumps. The four-wheel drive allows for easy manoeuvring in the garden. The weight of the lawn mower is approximately 40.2 kg and it comes with a 2-year warranty period.

The Einhell BG-PM 46 S Self propelled petrol lawnmower is cordless and uses a four-stroke engine with a 135 powered motor that has the strength of 3.75 HP. The speed of the machine is 3100 rpm and its tank has a fuel capacity of 1.3 litres. The machine uses lead free petrol to power it. The corners and edges in your garden can be mowed easily as the lawn mower can access all the nooks and corners with ease. Storage is easy as the handles are foldable. There are five different height levels settings to choose from according to your requirements. A single handle controls the four wheels. The extra large collecting bag allows users to collect cut grass without having to make trips to bins for emptying.