Outdoor Tool Bargains

Tips on Buying a Snow Blower

• How much snow do you usually get in a storm? If it's only a few inches, you'll be fine with a light and compact electric snowblower; for up to 8 inches, you'll want to upgrade to single-stage gas; for really heavy-duty jobs like more than a foot of precipitation or wet snow, only a double-stage gas unit will do.
• Don't be dazzled by horsepower. More muscle doesn't always mean better clearing, but it can translate into a heavier machine.
• Handle the device in the store. Comfort is important, so you'll definitely want to check out a sample before you buy.
• Some features to look out for: headlights (good for working at night or on overcast days), variable speeds (to help prevent clogging), and electric starting (so you're not tethered to a cord).

 Read More →

Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP Judged the Best two-stage gas snow blower

Reviewers at ConsumerSearch.com judged Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP to be the best single-stage gas snow blower. Here is some of what they had to say.

 Read More →

Toro Power Clear 210R 38587 Judged the Best Single-stage gas snow blower

 Read More →

WORX TriVac WG500 12 amp All-in-One Electric Blower/Mulcher/Vacuum

The WORX TriVac All-in-One Compact Blower/Mulcher/Vac has the versatility to change jobs with just the flip of a switch. Because there are no tubes to switch between tasks, you can blow away debris at 210 mph, then easily change to vacuuming dry leaves at up to 14 gallons per minute in seconds. The angled nose and comfortable handle make operation of the TriVac easy enough for any user. And with its powerful 12 amp motor, this tool makes an efficient, alternative to gasoline-powered tools.

 Read More →

Toro Super 12 amp 2-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum

With a two-speed motor, the powerful Toro Super 12 Amp electric blower/vacuum delivers up to 230 mph of air speed. Compact and well-balanced, this blower/vacuum is comfortable to use and easy to maneuver. It requires no tools to change from blowing mode to vacuum mode. As a leaf shredder, this tool reduces 10 bags of leaves to one bag. Featuring an exclusive cord-lock system, it holds the power cord firmly in place so the extension cord will never come unplugged from the unit during use.

 Read More →

Toro Ultra Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum

Toro Ultra Variable-Speed Electric Blower/Vacuum
Powerful and effective, the Toro Ultra 3-in-1 Blower, Vacuum, and Leaf Shredder makes completing yard work fun and easy. With air speeds up to 235 mph, this electric blower nevertheless is lighter, quieter, and cleaner than similar gas blowers. And with a sleek, ergonomical design, it's a tool that is easy to use and will grab your neighbors' attention.

 Read More →

What type of lawn mower is right for you?

The video below, from Consumer Reports should be helpful in deciding which lawn mower is right for you. Consumer Reports has tested 50 lawn mowers, both gas and electric, and can help you buy the right one for your yard.

 Read More →

Recovering From a Wicked Winter’s Wreckage

Homeowners' To-Do Lists Grow as Snow and Ice Retreat, Revealing Damage to Yards and Gardens

 Read More →

What to Look for in a Mini Tiller

When you are looking for a mini tiller, what features should you consider? It all depends on how you plan to use your tiller!
Gardening tillers are primarily used for busting sod soils. When you are specifically working a smaller garden area or space, mini electric tillers are deemed as better tillers compared to full-sized tillers. When considering on what to look for in a mini tiller, there are a few primary features you would need to think about. The first thing is to determine how your tiller will be powered. Tillers are either electrically or gas powered. Once you’ve decided, there are still small features and important notes on what to look for in a mini tiller which can make your soil busting job more efficient than usual.

 Read More →

Spring Garden Tasks

Spring is a time of renewal and new life. The small tender shoots of new plants are making their way through the damp earth. The air is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. Spring is a wonderful time to get out in the garden and dig in the dirt. There is nothing like spending a day working in the garden to help you recharge after a long winter!
Spring is a time for preparing the yard for the coming garden season. If you want to have a beautiful and fruitful yard and garden you need to start working on it as soon as the weather permits. You don’t want the leaves and decaying plants from last fall to hinder the new growth of the spring flowers!
The first thing you will want to do is remove all the debris from your yard and garden area. Even if you took care to make sure all the leaves and dead plants were taken care of last fall, there are a few that seem to show up during the winter. Those last leaves that don’t fall until the snow flies, debris that may have blown into your yard during a storm, all of these things need to be removed.
Use a small hand tiller or rake to remove leaves and other garden waste from around shrubs and flower beds. You can also use the hand tiller to gently loosen the top layer of soil so that the ground can breathe. Take care around areas where you have planted bulbs so you don’t disturb the tender shoots.
Take a look at your lawn. Is there a buildup of thatch? If so, you will need to rent a power rake or hire someone to dethatch your lawn. You may also want to consider having your lawn aerated, especially if you have a creeping grass such as Bermuda or Kentucky Blue. Even if you don’t have a buildup of thatch, it is a good idea to give your lawn a good raking in the spring. Raking will allow you to remove any grass that has died over the winter, fluff up compacted areas, and identify areas that may need reseeding.
After you have raked, dethatched or aerated your lawn, apply a spring fertilizer. Most experts recommend a light fertilizer in the spring and you can find fertilizers that a specifically formulated for spring use. Check with your local garden center to find the one that is right for your area.
Prune if needed. Many shrubs and trees benefit from a spring pruning, but make sure you know the requirements of your plants. Blossoming shrubs that bloom on old wood should be pruned after they blossom. Lilacs are a good example of this type of shrub. They bloom on the wood that grew during the last growing season. So, if you pruned a lilac bush in the fall or early spring, you won’t get any blossoms. Shrubs like rose bushes bloom on new wood and benefit from a good pruning in the spring. A rose bush will have healthier blossoms and more of them if you remove about one third of the bush in the spring.
Springtime is a time of renewal and new life. By spending a little time preparing your yard as the days get warmer, you will have a beautiful and bountiful garden all summer long.

 Read More →