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6 Key Factors to Consider When Creating Your Dream Garden

Many people dream of having their own garden. It’s a fun and rewarding hobby that results in a beautiful landscape.

As a homeowner, you have the freedom to create a backyard paradise. But, if you’re like most people, you have no idea where to start. It can be daunting trying to figure out what you want and how to make it happen.

Luckily, we’re here to help! Here are 6 key factors to consider when creating your dream garden.

1. The Current Condition of Your Backyard

Before heading to the home improvement store, you should evaluate your current backyard. Determine what you’re working with. Did you just move in and are starting with a blank space? There might be more work involved, but you’ll get to design it exactly how you want. If you want to modify a preexisting garden, it might be a little easier seeing as you have a foundation to work with.

Once you evaluate your current backyard, determine whether this is a project you can complete yourself. Depending on how ambitious your vision is, you might need professional help. Use tools like this Georgia contractor license search to help you find a qualified landscape contractor.

2. What Kind of Plants You Want

This might seem obvious, but you should carefully consider what kind of plants you want. They should fit your personal preferences while being suitable for the climate and soil you’re working with.

Many people are content with flowers, bushes, and even a couple of trees. Others might want to dive into fruit or vegetable gardening. Do your research to see how much work each involves and if you will be able to maintain your desired plants.

When you know what kind of plants you want, it will be easier to plan the rest of your landscape. You’ll know where to put plants that require a certain amount of space and sunlight, leaving you free to arrange everything else around them.

3. Focal Points

Focal points help tie your garden together. They bring emphasis to certain areas and provide a more cohesive look. Without focal points, your garden might just look like an overcrowded bunch of plants.

Some of the best focal points for your garden include:

Statues
Arbours
Benches
Fountains
Pools
Birdbaths

Note that certain plants can also serve as focal points. These can include a unique-looking tree, a cluster of plants, a particularly vibrant plant, etc. While focal points are a great addition, be careful not to use too many. Too many focal points can be distracting and cause crowding.

4. Shed

Now that you’re a gardener, you need somewhere to keep all of your tools. Why not build a shed?

A shed will keep you from having to lug tools from your garage. Aside from being convenient, a shed can also be an aesthetic choice. A rustic-looking structure can add a lot of charm to your garden.

5. Free Space

Before completely filling your backyard with plants and focal points, consider how much free space you want.

Do you have kids or pets that need room to run around? Do you want to have an area to host guests? If so, be sure to consider this when planning your landscape.

6. Privacy

Even though you want everyone to see how beautiful your new garden looks, you probably still want some privacy. Add a fence to keep prying eyes at bay and protect your plants. Or, consider adding a hedge for a more natural look.

Bottom Line

While creating your dream garden can be challenging, it’s also very enjoyable! Don’t take it too seriously, and have fun adding your own personal touches.

The Complete Guide to Creating a Self-Sustaining Garden

Over the past decade, the landscape design industry has been growing at a significant pace. By working with an experienced landscape architecture firm, you can add value to your home and also create a much more livable environment. This can include a wide range of projects including building a new patio, installing a koi pond, or—as has become especially popular in 2020—installing a new garden.

Landscape architects, generally speaking, will help blend the best of architecture with the best of landscaping. They’ll focus on pursuing many different goals include creating a space that is environmentally friendly, increasing your overall rate of livability, and also adhering to your original budget. They will also work to ensure that the space you are creating is one that can be enjoyably lived in for many years to come.

Recently, many top landscape architecture firms, such as Lifescape in Colorado, have been receiving requests to help install a self-sustaining garden. These gardens are popular because not only do they effectively decrease your current carbon footprint, but they can also help you add a reliable source of food and produce for many years to come. Additionally, growing your own food can be incredibly fulfilling. As the famed Roman philosopher Cicero once said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

In this article, we will discuss some of the most important things to know about building a self-sustaining garden. Whether you plan on working with a landscape architect or creating a self-sustaining garden entirely on your own, this spring is the perfect time to begin a gardening project and bring some new life to your home.

Step One: Choosing What You Want to Grow

Contrary to what you may have initially assumed, there are actually many different crops that can be easily grown in almost any corner of the United States (and elsewhere around the world). If you have never gardened before, you may want to with some relatively high-calorie crops that are also very easy to store. This includes potatoes and sweet potatoes, along with winter squash and pumpkins. By planting just 60 sweet potato plants, you can generate more than 140,000 worth of calories, all of which can be stored for multiple months.

In-ground crops are generally considered easier to grow, especially because you do not need to worry about insects, birds, and squirrels as much as you would with above-ground crops. Because of this, growing carrots, turnips, onions, and radishes can also be very productive. Most of these crops require about 2-3 months to fully grow. If you are going to begin growing above-ground crops, consider growing corn, tomatoes, basil, and even wheat. Though some of these crops will require careful attention to detail, they can still be successfully grown by even a novice gardener.

What Conditions are Best for Creating a Self-Sustaining Garden?

The first thing you will want to be sure to include in your garden is plenty of space. If you want to create a garden that is genuinely capable, The Urban Homestead claims that a family of four could be fed with less than one-fifth of an acre of land. Other estimates claim that one-tenth of an acre can be enough to sustain a family, though this may require some additional equipment, such as vertical farming supplies.

Beyond space, your garden will need the three basics that all plants require: sunlight, soil, and water. Ideally, your crops will be exposed to at least six hours of sunlight each day. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing gardens will be positioned to get the largest amount of sunlight. You should also avoid placing the garden where trees, buildings, or other tall objects will block the plants for significant periods of time.

To help better improve your soil, consider creating a compost pile that incorporates all (or most) or your organic waste. Additionally, fertilizer—which can easily be made from scratch—will help add nutrition to the soil and help your plants grow. Some gardeners will use pesticides to help discourage pests from eating the plants, though others prefer to grow without them. In terms of water, there are also quite a few things you can do to create natural irrigation and remove the need for sprinklers (discussed below).

Creating Natural Irrigation Systems

Water will be essential for growing all crops—if you are in a relatively dry state, such as Colorado, it will be crucial to develop strategies to help ensure your plants are getting the water that they need. One of the ways that a landscape architect can help ensure your plants are well-watered is to create natural irrigation systems that direct water from higher ground to the lower ground where your garden will ideally be located. While you can’t control the rain, you can control where the rain landing in your yard ultimately ends up.

Additionally, you may want to consider using various rain collection systems to help increase your water supply even further. These collection systems are relatively affordable and can usually be purchases at your local hardware store. You can also use a hose or sprinkler to water your garden, but this might go against the “true spirit of sustainability.”

Pursuing True Sustainability

William Kent once said, “Garden as though you will live forever.” With today’s emphasis on sustainability and minimizing environmental harms, it seems this quote is now more relevant than ever before. Naturally, if you want your garden to be truly sustainable, you’ll need to do some additional planning.

By choosing local plants that are compatible with your growing conditions, cycling crops as needed, reusing seeds, and utilizing compost as fertilizer, your garden will continue producing crops into the perpetual future. Take some to research your options and see what works best for your specific yard. If you are able to plant the right crops, you may not only eliminate your (food) carbon footprint, but you can potentially create a negative footprint, due to carbon capture.

Conclusion

There are few things in this world that are more fulfilling the creating your own food supply. By creating a sustainable garden in your own yard, you can have a regular supply of crops and the satisfaction of living harmoniously with the Earth while creating something from scratch. By keeping these things in mind, and by working with a landscape architect as needed, the home garden of your dreams is something that will be well within your reach.

Tree surgery: when to remove your tree

As a gardener, you want all parts of your garden and yard to look as good as possible. So it can be extremely disappointing to realize that the bark on one of your trees is starting to fall off or that your tree has become a host to a swarm of bark beetles.

You might wonder — does my tree need to be cut down or is there a way to save it?

There are certain signs that you’ll want to watch out that indicate that it is time to cut a tree down. While it is possible to recover the health of some trees, you don’t want to risk leaving a dead tree in your yard. You also don’t want to let a tree grow so large that it becomes a safety hazard due to the proximity of the tree to your house or the power lines.

Signs of a dying tree

Certain signs indicate that a tree is no longer healthy. These signs include brittle bark, limbs starting to fall off, lack of healthy leaves during the growing season, and large amounts of pests such as carpenter ants living in the tree. You may also notice the tree starting to lean in an usual way. You might also notice fungus, such as mushrooms, starting to grow on trees. However, sometimes fungal infections can be treated before they spread, allowing you to save the tree.

Hazards of a decaying tree

A decaying tree can cause a safety problem for you, your neighbors, or other people. Over time, the wood of a decaying tree becomes brittle, making it more likely that a branch or a limb will fall, which could cause a serious injury if someone is struck by the falling branch. A falling limb could also land on a house or a car, resulting in property damage. You could end up being held financially responsible if the branch of a decaying tree injuries someone or damages property.

Other reasons to remove the tree

Another reason to remove a tree, even if it isn’t dead, is if the tree is too close to your house or is interfering with a powerline. Even trees that aren’t dead could still fall over in a heavy storm. This could result in the tree damaging property or falling on the powerline. You could also decide that you just no longer want a tree and it has become a nuisance — maybe it is taking up too much yard space or leaves berries all over the place.

DIY or professional

Once you decide to remove a tree, consider whether you want to do it yourself or if you should hire a professional. Taking down trees can be tricky, especially if the tree is large or if it could fall on a powerline or your house. If you don’t have experience with tree removal, it could make sense to look into tree surgeon companies that can help remove the tree. If you cut the tree down yourself, look at an online tutorial before starting the process.

When to leave the tree alone

The only time you should consider leaving a dying tree alone is if the tree is located somewhere where it won’t pose a safety concern if it falls. For example, if you have a large property and the tree isn’t near a building or powerline. Or if it is located deep within the woods. Dying and fallen trees can make great habitats for animals, so if the tree can decay without causing harm, consider leaving it alone. It’ll eventually fall or decay due to natural circumstances.

Keep trees healthy

While all trees will eventually die, there are certain tips you can use to help your trees stay as healthy as possible. Make sure to plant trees where they’ll have plenty of room to grow and where they’ll have access to the appropriate amount of sunlight. Fertilizer and water the tree as needed to make sure it gets needed nutrients. And when you notice dead branches, trim them back so healthy branches can grow. The good news is, most trees are good at taking care of themselves!

Final thoughts

When it comes to keeping a healthy garden, don’t overlook your trees! While trees might not need as much maintenance as your flowers, you still want to check on them regularly to make sure they’re healthy. If you suspect that you have a dead tree, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional to see if it needs to be removed.

LANDSCAPING TIPS FOR YOUR RENTAL HOUSE

Renting a house does not mean you cannot have a say in how the lawn looks.

Renters are often under the impression that landlords and property managers assume 100 percent responsibility for landscaping tasks. However, many landlords and property owners encourage tenants to assume some of the responsibility for maintaining a vibrant lawn and a beautifully sculpted garden.

Your lease will define who is responsible for monthly lawn care. According to Utopia Management, there is no specific rule of thumb, about half of landlords prefer to provide lawncare, and half require the tenant to fulfill those duties. However, in either case, landlords tend to be extremely open to additional landscape improvements by the tenant, even encouraging and preferring it. Whether you’re responsible for mowing your own lawn or not, you can still find ways to improve and participate in your landscaping, making the home feel like your own. The benefits are that you make the home feel like your own, enjoy a sense of pride in beauty of your home, and get to partake in the lifelong hobby of gardening as an expression of creativity and joy.

Here are a few landscaping tips for renters. The answer is to keep it simple and if you have a more complex landscaping project in mind, make sure to run it by the property manager for approval. You may even convince a landlord to share some of the costs with you.

Stick to a Consistent Mowing Schedule

Because of the temperate Mediterranean-like climate, San Jose’s growing season typically starts in early February and it runs until mid-December. That is more than 10 months of mowing grass. Follow a consistent mowing schedule, such as every seven days during the rainy season and around two weeks when the weather turns much drier.

Pruning for Looks

Outside of overly long grass, nothing detracts from the appearance of a home more than overgrown bushes and shrubs. You do not need the landlord’s permission to prune the bushes and shrubs that surround your rental home, and may even be required to. However, you should brush up on when it is the best time to prune different bush and shrub species.

Clean the Gutters

You might what wonder what do gutters have to do with maintaining a healthy lawn and garden. The answer is overly clogged gutters eventually spill debris across a property. The unsightly mess indicates the landlord does not do a good job of maintaining the property. Cleaning the gutters can be done twice a year around the end of growing season and during the middle of summer.

Go Greener with Low Maintenance Plants

Mowing the lawn is just one way to develop a greener lawn. Another way to get greener is by planting certain species of plants that enhance the appearance of your rental house. Cliff Bressler of Nature’s Friends Landscaping suggests boxwoods, hydrangeas, and weigela as solid options for dwarf shrubs.

Native plants in gardening are growing in popularity, and they naturally require less maintenance and offer a more organic, relaxed landscape design.

For flowers, choosing perennials instead of annuals will also cut down on maintenance, as annuals will die out and require replacing seasonally.

Using a ground cover, such as an ivy, is another way to decrease the area to be mowed and maintained.

Weed Control without Using Chemicals

Although herbicides and pesticides do a good job of killing weeds and then preventing any regrowth, you can go chemical free and still eliminate weeds by using a barrier cloth. An organic, biodegradable barrier cloth is an effective weed deterrent when placed around vulnerable plants, as well as susceptible area of the yard where weeds flourish. Using a weed barrier is an effective anti-weed strategy for protecting annuals. Since barrier cloths require frequent replacing, you can expect to spend a little money to optimize the benefits of this landscaping tip for your rental home.

Mulch Your Way to a Better Lawn and Garden

Mulching delivers a powerful one-two punch for tenants to enhance the appearance of a lawn and garden. By adding mulch around plants, you prevent soil erosion and improve the retention of moisture for thirsty plants. Mulch also presents a finely manicured appearance for the lawn. Depending on your landscaping objectives, you can go with organic mulch such as cedar and cypress, or turn to inorganic mulch like rubber. Mulching offers an affordable way to improve the appearance of the entire property, while eliminating the use of harmful chemicals to fend off weeds and pests.

Add Tasteful Lawn Art

If it does not dominate the aesthetics of a lawn and garden, lawn art can enhance the appearance of your rental home. You want to stay away from eye-cringing artifacts such as gnomes and instead utilize natural resources like the sun to project more illumination off visually appealing objects. Adding a water fountain to attract birds or a statute to provide a temporary home for squirrels can increase wildlife activity.

Rock Out

Displaying a symmetrical formation of rocks brings a sense of design uniformity to any landscaping project. Rocks that encircle a large tree or lead up to a walkway can improve the look of a lawn and garden. Rocks also add a high degree of functionality when placed around a garden by helping the soil retain more moisture and nutrients.

Keep Water Flowing

Installing a sprinkler system sounds like a great idea, and even your landlord agrees it makes sense. However, the high cost of most water sprinklers makes installing a sprinkler system out of the question. Instead, you can keep the lawn looking green and the garden flush with colorful plants by following a consistent watering schedule. Watering is not as important during the rainy season, which runs from late October until early April.

With these nine landscaping tips for your rental house, you will assume a level of ownership that will make your landlord happy. It will also keep you active in the daily management of the rental property.

Tips on Maintaining a Fresh Green Lawn

Just in the USA alone, the percentage of people with a grass lawn is about 78%, but new research shows that the majority of those people lack basic lawn care knowledge, resulting in unattractive and unhealthy gardens, which, therefore, will take a bigger piece of the common homeowner’s salary, as well as more time and effort. The number one argument for unhealthy lawns is lack of time but, by following these simple tips and guidelines and by putting a little bit of effort and more regularly, you’ll be able to avoid opening your wallet when the situation gets too nasty to handle.

Three aspects will make or break a lawn – the weather, the soil and the lawn care. Unless you have magical powers or a machine that makes it rain, controlling the first one is out of the question. Most people already have a finished lawn, so choosing the type of soil is only an option for those who are still in the process of building a garden. That leaves us with the last one but most powerful – proper lawn care practices. In this article, we’ll offer you a variety of tips that will get you the lawn of your dreams, without breaking a sweat!

How to Mow Correctly

Mowing your lawn might look like an easy task on paper, but once you discover the harm you could be making to your grass, you’ll probably want to know a bit more on how to properly do it. These are the key aspects you need to take into consideration:

Mow High

No one enjoys extremely tall grass, but you should think twice before cutting it too short. This is how it works: if your grass is four inches tall, its roots are also four inches and if you cut it to two inches, its roots, over time, will also become two inches. You need a good root mass to avoid diseases, droughts and weed infestation, which means the taller the grass, the healthier the lawn.

Don’t Shock It

Cutting more than one-third of the height of your grass in on go will likely shock and stress it, making it more vulnerable to diseases.

Sharpen your Blades

If you mow with a dull blade you will get ragged tips, which will brown much faster and, again, will become more vulnerable to diseases. In order to avoid that, we recommend that you regularly sharpen your blades with the adequate equipment (can be done manually or with a grinding machine).

Be Creative with Your Mowing Patterns

If you keep mowing the same way, every time, the wheels of your lawnmower will keep running over the same areas, which can cause bald spots and weaken the grass. Switch it up a little once in a while to avoid this.

Mulching is Caring

Mulching is a fundamental task in lawn care, even though we think that most people never heard about it. Mulch can be a variety of materials that, layered above your grass, have various beneficial properties – conservation of the soil’s moisture, improvement of its fertility, an increase of its overall health, a decline of weed’s growth and a more beautiful and greener lawn. Even though there are tons of lawn mowers out there, only a few are capable of mulching and able to deliver great results, be sure to read this guide to discover the best ones on the market.

Because pesticides and chemicals can be harmful to the environment, to you and to your family’s health, the more common material for mulching is the freshly cut grass clippings. Even if you bag them and apply them later you’ll lose large amounts of nitrogen – perfect for fertilizing and maintaining biological activity in the soil. Still, we recommend using some kind of fertilizer, at least once a year, in the late spring and fall.

You should also ask a lawn care professional to test your soil’s pH balance and, if wrong, what to do to correct it.

Water It: Not Too Much, Not Too Little

Watering your lawn depends on a variety of aspects, like the weather, the soil and the humidity in the air. You should start by reading about those in your area, but we can give you some tips that will work for the majority of lawns.

Especially during dry summer months, we recommend you watering your lawn a few times a week, with one to one and a half inches of water (except if you just planted your seeds – if so, twice a day is ideal). The best time to do it would be in the morning – a good excuse to get up early and enjoy the sunlight! It goes without saying, but don’t water your lawn when it’s raining, as overwatering can cause your roots to rot.

There’s an old trick, still used today, to better control your irrigation system. Set some old tuna fish cans around your lawn and when they fill up, check the time the sprinklers were on – that’s the minutes you should set them, every week (they will usually fill between 30 minutes and an hour). Also, if you see a couple of them not filled, your irrigation system is not properly calibrated and is unevenly watering your lawn.

Lastly, never use hot water! Some people use water tanks that are left in the summer’s warm, which can be enough to scold the tips of the grass.

Aeration Might Be Necessary

If you’ve got a compacted, poor or clay-heavy soil, aerating your lawn, once a year, could save it from big problems. That’s also a good idea if you notice that there’s a lot of foot traffic or big equipment rolling around on it. How to aerate it, you ask? Easy! Even though there are specialized machines for it, a simple pitchfork can do the trick. Start by normally mowing your lawn. After that, stick the pitchfork’s teeth, full length, on your grass and repeat it in four to six inches intervals (works best if the soil is a bit moist, after raining or having been watered a couple of hours before). Then, work by rows, till you’ve done it on your full lawn. Lastly, turn your sprinklers on so the water can penetrate the root zone.

Final Thoughts

A lawn is, usually, the first thing that stands out in a house and who doesn’t enjoy making good first impressions? With these effortless tips, you can have a beautiful and elegant yard, almost taken out of a movie, without breaking the bank and without a ton of effort. Thanks for reading and as enjoy your gorgeous lawn!

How To Use an Edge Trimmer Safely

Whether you’re operating an old or new trimmer, its important you learn how to operate them safely. Trimmers are easy-to-use, but you’ll need to change the string fairly frequently, and maintaining them will ensure they last for a long time.

Additionally, it's important to pay attention to the safety features before diving in to using it.

First, you need to follow the user guide (mentioned below) before proceeding to the actual use and operation of the machinery. This is very important as any misstep may lead or cause physical injuries.

Secondly, after using the edge trimmer, it is important to remember that it should be stored in a safe place. As with any sharp devices, there is a chance children could get into it if not stored properly.

Lets get into the process of operating your new edge trimmer safely.

Before Using

Before operating the device, make sure to review the product’s guidelines and safety procedures. This is very important as one misstep can lead to serious injuries. Here are a few other important check points:

You should inspect the device for damages and check whether the sharp edges and cover are secured properly.

Don’t operate the trimmer with the underside exposed. You always want to have the bottom of the trimmer facing down for your safety.

If the trimmer is electrical, make sure you are using a heavy duty extension cord to operate it. If you are using a lightweight cord, there is a chance that the trimmer could accidently cut through it when being used.

If any of the parts are damaged or broken, it is best to return your product and have it replaced with a new one.

This inspection process keeps you safe, but it also keeps the machine operating smoothly. Trimmers can jam frequently, and a lot of that can be prevented through this pre-use inspection.

Safely Using Your Trimmer

Once you’ve finished your inspection, here are the steps to safely operating your lawn trimming machine:

Make sure you wear the following items before starting the device: safety goggles, long pants, closed toe and sturdy shoes.

You must inspect your work area and make sure that there are no pieces of loose objects around like stones, metal, etc.

The edge trimmer should be operated with its cutting head below the user’s waist. Avoid overreaching while the edge trimmer is still on.

Don’t operate an electrical trimmer in the rain. Generally speaking, the process will be a lot easier in dry conditions, so that the trimmings don’t stick together and clog your machine.

When trimming grass near trees with low hanging branches, be careful not to hit your head. It is easy to do when you are staring down, and you can hurt your eyes if not careful.

If you need to make adjustments to the device’s mechanical and maintenance components, make sure to power off and disconnect the electric cord to avoid any injuries.

After each use of the edge trimmer, place it in a secure place and not within reach of children.

Lastly, the device should also be maintained according to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines and instructions. Some of the maintenance you will need to do is: cleaning, lubricating and proper storage of the edge trimmer.

Conclusion

Edge trimmers are fantastic tools for maintaining your yard and lawn. While they look pretty safe and easy to use, there are a few safety precautions you need to follow to operate them safely. Once you observe these, though, you’ll find that this tool is an easy-to-use machine that will keep your lawn looking good.

Purchasing A Cordless Lawn Mower

Do you find that mowing the lawn on a weekly basis is more of a task than something you enjoy? It might be time to switch up how you are mowing your lawn. Whilst petrol mowers do still have a use, especially for larger properties and land, if you have an average sized garden, why not make your life easier? Battery powered technology has come a long way over the last 10 years and that is no different for cordless lawn mowers. Many are now better than their gas guzzling counterparts and the benefits of cordless don’t stop there! Follow our 7 things to consider before you buy a cordless mower and you may well decide that it is time to make the switch!

Weight

Even though you are still pushing around a motor, a battery powered mower is far lighter than a gas powered equivalent. Because of the weight difference, they don’t use as much energy, so the units tend to be smaller than their gas guzzling counterparts. This also makes them cheaper to run because you are using your electricity to charge the batteries rather than purchasing fuel. This can also help you get a better cut and finish of your lawn, a gas mower is more likely to get bogged down due to the weight, so why not look to decrease this risk?

How Big Is The Area You Need To Cut?

If you have a large paddock, then a smaller cordless mower may not be the one for you. The smaller units won’t have the same power capacity as the larger units and may run out mid chore. There are now many battery cordless mowers that can have the same runtime as their petrol equivalent, so just because you have a big area doesn’t mean you can’t have a cordless lawn mower. You can simply have one battery on hand if the other one runs out, that way you don’t need to stop cutting in order to recharge it, this is far more convenient than having to fill up the petrol tank halfway through.

What Are The Run Time and Power Options?

You may struggle to find equal power between a gas and a battery powered, unless you are looking for larger units. If you need a large power mower, then dual systems are the one for you! That way you can have one battery on charge whilst the other one is working in the mower. You also need to factor in run time, if you have a large garden or a paddock, chances are a 30 to 45 minute run time across one battery won’t be enough. If you have a small garden this cycle will be ideal

Charging Time

Charing time is a big factor when you are looking to select a cordless mower, you want to make sure that you are selecting a product that gives you the fastest charge time possible. If you are considering a unit that only has one battery, make sure the charge time is fast so that you don’t have to wait too long to finish the job you started.

Battery Charge Indicator

There is nothing worse than starting a job only for the battery to die mid cutting and realise that you in fact forgot to charge the battery. Look for a cordless mower that has a battery charge indicator on it. That way you will know how much charge you have left and if you have forgotten to charge the battery from your last use, you can pop it in the dock and start mowing once it has reached 100%.

Battery availability

Make sure that the mower brand you are buying has the option to purchase one or more separate batteries at a reasonable price. You don’t want your battery to fail only to find out that separate batteries aren’t available or worse, that replacements cost more than the mower!

Maintenance

If you have been using a gas-powered mower, you will be used to the additional costs of having to maintain one. Consider the maintenance aspect of this when you are looking at an electric mower. They don’t require the same level of maintenance as gas powered mowers, the don’t require filters or additional purchases like oil and pull strings, so they can save you money in the long run!

Final Thoughts

There are so many different aspects to consider when you are looking to make a change to a cordless lawn mower. Most people will have an average sized garden where a standard battery cycle and charge time will be enough to cut the lawn to a good standard. If you have a larger garden or a paddock, it may be worth looking at dual battery options to make sure you can finish the job once you have started it. Overall cordless mowers are better for you and the environment than the gas equivalent, they are lighter, quieter and don’t use as much energy as gas powered, so not only will your bills be improved, you may not feel mowing in your back the next day! Follow our considerations to help you select the best lawn mower for your garden.

Four Reasons to Choose Professional Perth Landscaping Design

When you think about garden design in Perth, it’s likely that you’ve considered hiring a professional landscaper. Some people opt to go it alone, but let’s face it, getting a garden to thrive here in Perth can be a real challenge. We’ve all see the lush lawns and perfect gardens, but it’s hard to achieve those results without expert help. In this article, we will look at four reasons why you should consider a professional landscaper for your lawn and garden needs.

1. Adding Value to Your Home

You may not realise it, but a well manicured lush lawn and beautiful, healthy garden can add a great deal of value to your home. Besides the obvious kerb appeal to draw potential buyers in, it’s estimated that a great garden could increase the property value by 10-12%. The opposite is also true; a garden that’s poorly maintained can shave a similar amount off the price that you could expect to get when you sell your home. These sorts of results can only be achieved with professional landscaping, so if you want to sell your home for the best price, this is a cost effective investment that delivers a great deal for the modest outlay.

2. Improving Kerb Appeal

We touched on this above; a well turned out garden will certainly draw a great deal of attention from your neighbours. Many people focus purely on a lawn because it’s so hard to get a lawn looking lush and thick here in Perth. However, there are other areas that will draw admiring glances from visitors and potential buyers alike. Flower beds, shrubs, and ornamental trees all act as a wonderful accent to a well maintained garden.

3. Create a Tranquil Space

Our modern lives are hectic, and it’s important to have a place where you can relax. A well designed and regularly maintained garden will undoubtedly fit the bill if you need to wind down after a hard day. Being in and around nature is a proven stress reliever, and it’s even better if all the hard work is done for you by a professional landscaper. If you already have a garden that you don’t enjoy using it can be easy to become despondent about spending time outside. However, you may be surprised to learn that even the most unloved garden can be brought into full bloom with some expertise and hard work. So, don’t suffer in silence, hire a landscaper, and start enjoying your garden again.

4. Improving Energy Efficiency

Many homeowners are unaware that a professional landscaping service could actually improve the energy efficiency in their homes. If you get a professional to work with you on your gardening plan, they can make some excellent suggestions to improve energy efficiency. As an example: a set of trees could be planted to provide shade to windows and provide some passive cooling for your home.

5 Best Commercial Weed Eater Reviews that Guarantees Obvious Reduction in Weeks

The presence of weeds is irritating because of so many reasons. Number one, it destroys the appearance of our lawn. Next, it caters pests and organisms that can cause plant disease. Last but not the least, weeds are expensive – it will take up your time, effort and money.

Since weeds are a common problem and using non-chemical products are highly recommended, the next question would be: what amongst the available best commercial weed eaters in the market should I buy?

Let us take a look at this comparison table so you can have a preview of the products we’re about to evaluate.

And without further ado, let me present to you the…

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Best Trimmer Line Reviews for Easy & Effective Weed Cutting

A properly landscaped garden is such a pleasurable sight. I understand the fact that not everyone understands how tedious it is to maintain it as such. You will have to make use of many tools like pruners, cutters, and trimmers with the best string trimmer head. I know how frustrating it is when you ran out of those helpful strings, and that is why today, I will help you by giving the best trimmer line reviews.

Here’s a quick preview of the products I have studied.