|
Basics of Landscape Design
George W. Vanderbilt knew exactly how to design the ultimate landscape at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC--hire Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture in America to do it. While it's unlikely that the average homeowner has the...
Choosing Roses For Your Landscape
Roses have long been a favorite among all types of gardeners,
and roses continue to enjoy great popularity today. In addition
to their beauty as cut flowers and in bouquets, roses are among
the most useful and attractive flowers to grace the...
Creating a Budget for Your Landscape
Any landscape project requires planning, especially if money is an object, as it is for most people. Creating your landscape budget will help you figure out how much you can spend on building your landscape, and it will help you make an...
Do It Yourself Landscape Design - Where To Begin
There's an old saying that states something like - "Getting
Started Is Half Finished". And so many times I find this to be
true as I see do it yourself landscapers struggle to find their
initial design idea. However, once they establish a...
What's Underfoot? A Quick Guide to Patio Surfaces
Patios and terraces have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether a Parisian courtyard or a rooftop alcove, only porches and sunrooms beat out these paved (or semi-paved) retreats in a recent survey of my readers as the most ideal outside...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spring into Lawn Mowing
Ahh. Spring arrives with the beautiful twittering of birds preparing their nests for the unborn. What - can't hear them? The low rumble of lawn mowers not only drowns out natures' symphony, but also disturbs skittish wildlife and sleepy neighbors.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some older gas-powered lawn mowers produce in one hour as much air pollution as a new car does in 11 hours. Lawn mowers newer than 1996 have to comply to new exhaust emission standards, which is a fantastic place to begin. However, these standards are not yet satisfying for the health of the world.
Gasoline-powered mowers produce a cut that results in greater water loss and increased disease problems in lawns. Although many are now made with 4-stroke engines (much less polluting than 2-stroke engines), they still produce emissions.
There is a returned interest in push mowers due to environmental awareness of gas engine pollution and electricity use. Typically, crowded cities are resulting in smaller lawns, reducing the need for large, heavy mowers. Push mowers are light and easy to operate and, being much smaller, take up less storage room and do not pollute. These mowers are actually quite cheap and many stores are rising to meet the increased consumer interest. We have read that 7-blade models are considered better than 5-blade models.
There are other choices on the market than electric, push and gas lawn mowers. There are solar-powered models, too. We read of one featured in Omni magazine that operated on its own, traveling the entire lawn area during the day and resting at night. It
looked to be about the size of a vacuum power-head. Apparently, a special fence is used to keep it within the lawn boundary and there is a built in alarm to prevent theft.
Old defunct lawn mowers that are not operating still have some use. Remove the blade, motor, cords, wires and gas tank, leaving the four-wheeled caddy and its push handle. Secure a box to this and create a wheeled cart that is perfect for harvesting or toting material around the property.
The metal frame of most lawn mowers is recyclable and its' wheels are often prized by workshop-creation crafters. The motor and remaining parts might also be appreciated at a repair shop where they could be reused.
There are alternatives to traditional grass, from wildflower mixes to low-growing ground covers, which rarely need mowing. Landscaping a portion or the entire area with drought tolerant, wildlife supporting plants is a very environmentally active engagement that either eliminates or reduces mowing needs. And really, who couldn't use a little more time on their hands?
So get your exercise, reduce air and noise pollution; save yourself some money and have a healthier lawn. Or let the sun run the mower for you. Either way, the world will breathe a little easier and maybe you will hear a songbird or two.
About the Author
-- Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept of their book, Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions for the individual to reduce waste and better manage resources. A guide for anyone concerned about their impact on the environment. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)
|
|
|
|
|
| Landscaping Ideas | Landscape Design | Landscaping Pictures |
| Information for homeowners on hardscape and softscape elements in landscape design. Includes a chat room and forum. |
| landscaping.about.com |
|
| Gardening - Landscaping |
| Design a landscape that works best with your yard, deck and home. |
| www.homeandfamilynetwork.com |
|
| Gardening |
| Find all the information you need to plan and design a beautiful garden for your landscape. Get zone maps, garden plans and the plant and flower index to ... |
| www.homeandfamilynetwork.com |
|
| Landscaping - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an ... Landscaping also refers to building a model landscape such as model train ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| Landscape architecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| The activities of a landscape architect can range from the creation of ... Landscape designers, like garden designers, design all types of planting and ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| Gardening Landscaping & Design - Landscape Gardening for Patios ... |
| Learn more about landscape gardening and design for patios and decks from Home & Garden Television. |
| www.hgtv.com |
|
| EERE Consumer's Guide: Landscaping |
| On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings ... Use energy-efficient landscaping strategies based on your regional climate. ... |
| www.eere.energy.gov |
|
| Planning the Home Landscape |
| Advice and tips for planning, preparing, and constructing a new landscape area. |
| aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu |
|
| Landscaping Ideas, Designs, Pictures and Plans for the Home. |
| Respond?s community provides landscaping ideas for the home. Find landscaping designs, pictures and plans to help you design the best landscape for your ... |
| landscaping.respond.com |
|
| Landscape Design Services and Earth-Friendly Garden Products for ... |
| Landscaping resource for the do-it-yourself homeowner featuring interactive online landscape design. |
| clearwaterlandscapes.com |
|
| Landscaping & Design |
| Turn your yard into a spectacular showpiece, whether you're planning all-new landscaping or hoping to update a flower bed. |
| www.bhg.com |
|
| Great Lakes Environment: Greenacres-Green Landscaping |
| A key source of Great Lakes environmental information. |
| www.epa.gov |
|
| Landscaping - Outdoors - homesite.com.au |
| Landscaping - homesite.com.au, Australia’s No.1 home and garden web site. |
| www.homesite.com.au |
|
| H2ouse.org : Tour : Landscaping |
| Attractive gardens and landscape add to the value of your home and bring ... Upgrade the look of your landscape by learning the how-to's of proper lawn care ... |
| www.h2ouse.org |
|
| Landscapers | Landscaping |
| Get matched to local Landscape, Decks and Fences contractors for your home improvement projects. ServiceMagic's network of Landscape, Decks and Fences ... |
| www.servicemagic.com |
|
| Complete Landscape Design for Do It Yourselfers |
| Do it yourself tips, tricks, guidelines, and resources for home landscape design. |
| www.the-landscape-design-site.com |
|
| Landscaping Ideas | 2854 + Landscaping Pictures |
| Landscaping Ideas To Make Your Homes Beautiful. ... Click here to access all 4290+ landscaping photos, and get instant access to valuable savings coupons to ... |
| www.landscapingideasonline.com |
|
| Landscaping for Energy Efficiency |
| Are you looking for cost-effective yet eye-pleasing ways to lower your energy bills? Planting trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and hedges could be the answer. |
| www.pioneerthinking.com |
|
| Edible Landscaping Online |
| Only the most productive disease resistant varieties make it onto the approved list here at Edible Landscaping. Our plants are guaranteed to arrive healthy ... |
| www.ediblelandscaping.com |
|
| Free Landscaping Ideas, Landscapes, Front Yard, Garden Landscaping |
| Landscaping ideas that transform your boring, unattractive yard into the picture perfect oasis you've always dreamed of. Find out h... |
| www.greatlandscapingideas.com |
|