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Choosing The Best Lawn Mower

You have finally made the big move out of an apartment in the city to a home in the suburbs. You love your new home with your own space outside. The trees and flowers are growing nicely, but there is one problem, management has not cut the grass in weeks. You suddenly realize, you are management and it is time to get a lawn mower.

There are several types of lawn mowers available and what you choose depends on where you live.

If you lawn is small, you may be able to get away with a manual lawn mower. They are very quiet to operate and require no fuel or power. They do require that you supply all the energy needed to mow your grass. These mowers are some of the most gentle at cutting grass available. You may need to mow more than once a week during the growing season as these mowers do not do well with tall grass.

You move on to look at the gasoline mowers. They require somewhat less energy to push through the grass and do a good job at cutting grass. They do require the strength to pull a rope for starting which can be a problem for some people. Most find it pretty easy to start these machines.

These gasoline mowers come in various cutting widths, usually between eighteen and twenty two inches. While the smaller mowers are the easiest to push, the larger ones cut the grass at a quicker pace.

To make the job even less work, you can choose a self-propelled mower. These mowers use energy from the gasoline motor to power the wheels. All you have to do is walk behind and steer the mower.

Some subdivisions have rules regarding the use of gasoline mowers and due to the noise level that they produce require residents to choose electric mowers. Electric mowers are lighter in weight and much quieter to operate than gasoline mowers. In addition, the operator does not have to use a pull rope to start the mower. Once it is plugged in, just turn on the switch and the mower is working. The major disadvantage is that they have to have a long extension cord to operate. If you are using an electric mower, be sure that you do not mow over the cord.

For very large lawns you may need a riding lawn mower. These mowers cut up to fifty inches with one pass. Lawns mowed with riding mowers are very smooth in appearance that is not possible with other lawn mowers. You will find optional equipment for these mowers such as small trailers that can be used for transportation of landscaping materials instead of having to use a wheelbarrow. Riding mowers are the most expensive of the mowers.

With a home in the suburbs, you have new responsibilities and one of those responsibilities is the care of your lawn. Mowing the grass is a regular weekly task that will take time out of you schedule. Many homeowners find that a beautiful lawn is a source of pride and they come to enjoy the care that goes into keeping that lawn green and looking great.

September 23 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »

How to Wire a Bonsai

The technique of wrapping copper or aluminum wire around the branches or trunk of a bonsai tree to shape it is called wiring. In order to create basic bonsai styles, you must wrap the trunk and branches with the proper thickness and length of wire. The formal upright style requires no wrapping, but the cascade shape involves many months of considerable training.

You must be very cautious when you are applying wire to the trunk or branches of a bonsai tree due to the stress it causes. Improper technique could easily lead to broken branches or even worse, a damaged trunk that causes the tree to perish. You can also wrap it too forcefully or even at the wrong time of year. This can cause lasting damage to the tree, or might even kill it outright.

You ought to give yourself some wiring practice sessions using something like a plain wooden pole before actually working on your bonsai. This will assist you in getting a feel for the wire and will help you develop the dexterity necessary to wrap a branch while holding it. As soon as you are at ease hanging on to the branch one-handed while wrapping with your other hand, not pulling or bending anything expect the wrapped section, you can then move ahead to the bonsai tree.

The first thing that you have to do is choose which wire will work best. Copper and aluminum are the two favorite alternatives, although copper is thought to be more attractive during the extended training period. When wrapping a bonsai, use annealed copper only, as steel wire is toxic to a few species. Novices find it easier to use aluminum since it isn’t as difficult to bend. Copper wiring tends to be a bit stiffer, however it can also scar the bonsai if you don’t apply it with care. Using wire that is one third as thick as the branch it’s going to wrap is a basic rule with which to begin.

Strategically placed little stresses along the tree trunk or branch are what permits the wire to change the shape of the tree. So, in order for the tree to change its shape and not the wire, the wire needs to be more powerful than the branch or trunk.

To develop the dexterity needed to wire a bonsai tree you should practice wrapping on a tree branch of similar species. Try out various thicknesses on tree branches from the same species prior to using them on the bonsai tree that you’re training. For doing the full tree a number of different thicknesses will be needed and you should practice using each and every of them.

Wiring a bonsai is a skill that requires a lot of patience in order to master. Do not be discouraged, though, because if you’re willing to take the time you can learn how to do this, and you’ll be so pleased with the results.

September 22 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »