When you go to your local home supply store to buy lawn fertilizer you will find several different types. Fertilizer will usually come in granular form or pellets or in liquid form. The liquid fertilizer is absorbed quickly and is usually absorbed by the leaves of the plant or in the case of lawn fertilizer the blades of grass. The granules or pellets are usually absorbed more slowly and supply nutrients to the roots of the grass.

Another thing you’ll notice when you purchase lawn fertilizer is that there will usually be a three digit number on the packaging. The numbers, separated by hyphens, represent the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the mixture. Nitrogen is a macronutrient that is a critical part of photosynthesis. Because of this, nitrogen will help keep your lawn looking nice and green. The phosphorus in your fertilizer helps plants to store and transfer energy and also promotes root development. Potassium is an integral part of many processes that happen inside plants from things like starch and protein production to water movement and enzyme reactions. As you can see, each of these lawn fertilizer components is very important and there are different mixtures available that can be purchased depending on the specific needs of your lawn.

When it comes to lawn fertilizer you will also have your choice between organic or synthetic fertilizers. Your lawn cannot tell the difference between a synthetic or an organic fertilizer because to your lawn it is all just chemicals. However there are some pros and cons to using the different types. A lot of people like to go with organic fertilizers because they are derived from plants and animals and are rich in nutrients. Unlike synthetic fertilizers which are made from petroleum or natural gas. Organic fertilizers can not only help your lawn get the nutrients it needs but can also help improve the quality of your soil. Organic fertilizers can also improve drainage and help minimize soil erosion as well as nitrogen and phosphorus runoff. The obvious drawbacks to organic lawn fertilizer are that they smell bad and they don’t offer the same consistency when it comes to the percentage of nutrients. You’re not always going to get the same balance of nutrients in each bag of organic fertilizer.

There are a lot of things to consider with regards to lawn fertilizer. Which type you need, how much you need, how to apply it etc. There are usually instructions on the packaging that will help you answer some of your questions and you can always consult an expert at your local home supply store to answer any additional questions you might have.

Anyone trying to maintain a healthy lawn may have to contend with some lawn diseases at some point. Diagnosing lawn diseases is not always easy because some of the symptoms are very similar from one disease to the next. One thing is certain and that is that it will be very easy to know when you have a problem, it’s just not always easy to know exactly what the problem is.

Some common lawn diseases are things like brown patch, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, slime molds, moss and algae, pythium blight, snow mold and there are many others. Although it’s not always easy to tell exactly which disease your lawn is suffering from there are a few things that cause almost all lawn diseases. Most of the diseases will be costs by either mold, mildew or some kind of fungus.

When it comes to lawn diseases prevention is the best medicine and proper maintenance will help you prevent many lawn diseases from ever occurring in the first place. One maintenance tip is to aerate your lawn occasionally. This will allow nutrients from fertilizer to get to the roots, helping to keep your lawn healthy. Aeration also helps with drainage so excess water will drain away rather than helping create an environment where mold and fungi can thrive.

Two of the most basic types of lawn maintenance include mowing and watering your. Do these properly and you can prevent a lot of lawn diseases. Mow your lawn only when it is necessary and make sure you mow it to the proper height. Also make sure your lawnmower blades are sharp because dull blades can damage the grass. When it comes to watering, try to water your lawn in the morning. Watering in the morning allows time for excess water to drain away and evaporate when temperatures get warmer in the afternoon. Watering in the evening can provide the cool, damp conditions that mold and fungi need to proliferate.

If you already have a problem with some type of lawn disease you may want to talk to someone at your local home improvement store or a professional landscaper to get some more information on exactly what type of disease of is and how you can treat it. Use the tips above to prevent these lawn diseases from ever happening in the first place and you should be able to enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn.

In the spring and summer months we need to water and mow our lawns fairly often. During the hot summer months the summer sun can scorch your lawn and there may also be a lot of foot traffic that compacts the soil. We wanted to give you some tips for fall lawn care because autumn is a great time to do some of your yard maintenance.

One of the first things you can start with is using an aerator. An aerator will remove plugs of soil from your lawn and will allow air, moisture and nutrients to get down to the roots. Some of the other fall lawn care tasks will depend on whether you have cool season or warm season grasses. With cool season grasses you will need to water your lawn. You won’t need to water as often as you do in the spring and summertime but there may be occasional dry spells in the autumn and you’ll need to make sure that your lawn gets enough water. With cool season grasses it is also important to fertilize. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 pound of nitrogen for every 1000 square feet of lawn. You can apply fertilizer a couple of times during the fall with your last application being done once your lawn goes dormant.

If you have a warm season turf grass you should probably avoid fertilizing in the fall. Another fall lawn care tip for people with warm season grasses is to adjust your lawn mower height for mowing during this time of year. During the fall you should increase the height of your mower by about 1/2 inch. Adjusting your lawnmower to the proper height may allow you to mow your lawn without the need to rake or bag the lawn clippings. You may have to mow a bit more often but if you only trim off the top inch or so the grass clippings won’t be much of a problem.

Another fall lawn care tip whether you have cool or warm season turf grass is to do a little re-seeding. The fall is a great time to add some seeds to any bare spots in your lawn. If you do add some seed, water gently making sure not to over water. Following these tips for fall lawn care will help your lawn stay healthy and look great all year.

If you’re trying to decide between a riding or push lawnmower the question really comes down to how big is your yard and how long does it take to mow it? There are some pros and cons to each type of lawnmower so you will have to examine those before you can decide which type it is right for you. However, if you have a very large yard a riding mower may be the only option because any other option would just take too much time to get the job done. If the size of your yard is sort of on the borderline between the need for a riding mower or a push mower there are some things you’ll need to consider to help you make your decision and that’s what we would like to go over.

The Pros and Cons of a Push Mower

Let’s start with the most obvious benefit of a push mower. A push mower is going to be considerably less expensive than a riding mower. A cheap push mower may cost you a little over $100 and an expensive push mower may cost several hundred. A riding mower on the other hand can cost several thousand dollars. Another benefit you’ll get with a push mower is maneuverability. It will be a lot easier to get up close to trees and other obstacles with a push mower than it would be with a riding mower.

The most obvious drawback to a push mower is that it is going to take a lot longer to mow a large area with this type of mower. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is because the deck size and the length of the blades in a push mower is a lot smaller. With shorter blades you will not be cutting as much grass at one time and you’ll have to make more passes to cut the same amount of grass. A push mower is also not going to be as powerful as a riding lawnmower.

The Pros and Cons of a Riding Mower

Of course some of the obvious pros and cons of a riding mower will be in direct contrast to what we mentioned above about push mowers. A riding mower is going to cost a lot more money but you will get the job done a lot faster because of its more powerful motor and its larger cutting deck. Another benefit of a riding mower is that it is going to be a lot less physically demanding. You don’t have to walk around your yard pushing the mower and it doesn’t take a lot of physical effort to drive a riding mower around your yard.

Another benefit of a riding mower is some of the attachments that are available for many models. You can get attachments that will help not only with mowing but also with mulching, hauling, bagging etc. A lot of riding mowers also have features designed for the comfort of the rider. Things like padded and adjustable seats, steering wheels that are designed to remain cool and comfortable, etc.

Making Your Choice

For the most part, the choice between a riding or push lawnmower will be an easy one. If you have a small yard it doesn’t make sense to buy a large, riding lawnmower. If you have a very large yard a riding mower would be the only option because a job that might take 30 minutes with a riding lawnmower could take several hours with a push mower.

If the size of your yard is somewhere in the middle, where it might be a little bit too big for a push mower but not quite big enough to justify the expense of a riding mower then your choice will be a little more difficult. You just have to figure out how much you’re willing to spend and how much time a riding mower might be able to save you. After weighing all of your options it should be easier to make your decision.

Lawn mower repair will be a fact of life for you if you use a gas powered mower. Small gasoline engines require a lot of maintenance and they will need repairs at some point, it’s just a matter of time. That’s one of the main drawbacks to gas powered mowers versus electric lawnmowers, gas mowers require a lot more maintenance and there are a lot more parts that could potentially break down and give you problems.

One of the first steps in lawn mower repair will be troubleshooting any problems that you have. For example, if your lawn mower won’t start you will need to figure out why it’s not starting and it’s always best to start by checking the simplest possibilities. Is their fuel in the tank? If so, has the fuel been sitting in the tank for a long time? If you are pulling your mower out of the garage for the first time after a long winter and the mower won’t start you may need to drain and replace the fuel. If your mower has fresh fuel but it still won’t start there may be an ignition problem or you may need new spark plugs. If you do need to replace your spark plugs take one of them with you to the hardware store so you can make sure you are replacing them with the right part.

Sometimes you will be able to get your mower started but it’s just not running properly. If the mower is running rough and sounds like it might be choking it might be time to replace the fuel filter. Over time dirt and debris can clog up the filter and your mower will not run as smoothly as it should. Replacing the filter is an easy job and will get your mower running properly again.

Sometimes lawn mower repair is best left to the professionals. If you have attempted to troubleshoot potential problems but you still can’t figure out exactly what the problem is you will need to take your mower in to a professional to get it fixed. It is important to get an estimate before any work is actually done. Sometimes it might be more cost effective to just purchase a new lawn mower rather than paying a lot of money to repair an old one.

You may have heard your doctor say that prevention is the best medicine and the same is true when it comes to taking care of your lawn mower. If you properly maintain your mower you can avoid a lot of problems and costly repairs in the future. The owner’s manual that came with your lawn mower should have plenty of tips for properly maintaining it. You want to make sure that there is always plenty of oil and that all of the moving parts are lubricated. After mowing your lawn you should clean the mower and remove any grass clippings because if moist yard clippings are left their it could cause corrosion and create problems in the future. It’s also important to keep the blades sharp and sharpening blades is a job that you may choose to do yourself or you may want to hire a professional.

Check your owner’s manual for any additional maintenance tips. Proper maintenance is the most important thing you can do to keep your mower operating properly. If there are some simple repairs that need to be done you might be able to tackle those yourself and if you do you need to hire a professional to do the repairs just make sure that the repairs are not going to cost more than the mower is worth.

Electric vs gas powered lawn mowers, which one is best? You will get a lot of different answers depending on who you ask. The fact of the matter is each type has its pros and cons and there is never one solution for any problem that is going to be right for everyone. However, with the technology for electric and even cordless lawnmowers improving you can make an argument that gas powered mowers are not the best option.

The main benefits of a gas powered lawnmower are that they are generally more powerful than electric mowers and that you don’t have to worry about plugging in an extension cord (and possibly mowing right over your extension cord). The main problems with gas powered lawn mowers are that they require a lot of maintenance, mainly adding oil and gas, and that they are loud and create a lot of pollution. A lot of people are willing to put up with these drawbacks so that they don’t have to bother with extension cords. If you are concerned about the environment however the problem with pollution may be worse than you think when it comes to gas powered lawn mowers.

A statistic that might be shocking to you is that a two-stroke engine in a gas powered lawnmower can create as much as three times the amount of pollution created by an automobile. To be fair you probably drive your car for 5 to 10 hours in an average week and you may only use your lawnmower for about 30 min. per week. However, you can clearly see that mowing your lawn on the weekend would be equivalent to driving your car for a couple of hours when it comes to the amount of pollution that it creates. Another frightening statistic about gas lawnmowers is regarding the use and misuse of gasoline. The EPA estimates that approximately 17,000,000 gallons of fuel is spilled each year when people are refueling their lawn equipment. This spilled fuel contaminates the soil, leaches into the groundwater and evaporates into the air. 17,000,000 gallons of fuel is quite a bit and to put it into perspective when the Exxon Valdez disaster happened it spilled an estimated 11,000,000 gallons of fuel.

For anyone that is concerned about the environment an electric lawnmower is the clear winner when talking about electric versus gas powered lawn mowers. If the extension cord is a big issue for you there are battery-operated cordless lawnmowers on the market today that offer a good alternative. The problem with cordless lawnmowers is that the batteries are heavy but a lot of these lawnmowers have powered wheels that assist you when you are pushing the mower around your yard. Electric lawnmowers whether corded or cordless are not only much better for the environment but they operate quietly and they require very little maintenance. You may have to clean some grass away from the blades once in a while but you don’t have to worry about changing spark plugs, changing the oil, topping off the gas tank etc.

When trying to decide between electric vs gas powered lawn mowers there are pros and cons on both sides but it is our opinion that the pros greatly outweigh the cons for electric lawnmowers and a little extra power in the gasoline lawnmowers is not enough to justify all of the problems with maintenance and especially the pollution you get with gas lawnmowers.
]]> http://www.lawnmower-reviews.com/electric-vs-gas-powered-lawn-mowers-some-facts-to-help-you-choose-the-right-one/feed 0 http://www.lawnmower-reviews.com/scotts-2000-20-20-inch-classic-push-reel-lawn-mower http://www.lawnmower-reviews.com/scotts-2000-20-20-inch-classic-push-reel-lawn-mower#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 17:42:32 +0000 http://www.lawnmower-reviews.com/?p=83 The Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower is an affordable mower that is light weight, easy to maneuver, and anything that doesn’t use gas or electricity, is also environmentally friendly.

The wide 20 inch cutting blade will help you get your lawn mowed faster with fewer passes.  The blades are made of heat treated steal and ball bearings give it a very smooth rotation for easy, precision cutting.  The dual wheel tracking features two 10 inch composite wheels and two 6 inch tracking wheels for better maneuverability and the loop style handle with foam grip gives you added comfort while you’re out there getting your lawn mowed.

Amazon.com has the best price for this mower. Click here to check it out.

Product Features and Specifications

• Product Weight: 35 pounds
• 20-inch reel mower with 10-inch dual tracking wheels and rugged radial tires
• 9 grass heights to choose from (1-3 inches) controlled by quick-snap height adjusters
• 5 heat-treated, steel blades;
• Includes mower, handle, composite wheels
• 2-year warranty

The Reviews

The reviews for Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower are quite good.  A lot of people feel good about the fact that they are mowing their lawns without using electricity, or worse yet, a big, polution spewing, gasoline mower.  Although this mower is people powered many reviewers commented that it was quite easy to operate.

There were several features that reviewers of the Scotts 2000-20 20 liked.  The height adjustment is located close to one of the rear wheels and is very easy to access.  Just push a lever and you can slide it to the correct height.  Each height level is clearly marked.  The mower cuts very smoothly and the blades spin well with minimal force from the operator.

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This mower is not for everyone however.  This mower weighs 35 pounds which is fairly lightweight but may be a little more difficult for some people than a smaller, lighter lawn mower.  If you don’t mow your lawn frequently enough and it gets a little too tall it might be difficult to trim, although another reviewer did say that they have let their lawn go a couple of times and even when the grass reached about 6 inches in height the mower still handled it fairly easily.  With that being said, it’s obvious that a lawn mower that is powered only by the person pushing it is going to require a bit more physical effort than either an electric or a gas mower.

Overall, the reviews for the Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower were very positive so if you are looking for an environmentally friendly lawn mower, this would be a good choice.

Lawn Mower Reviews

Check out the Earthwise 50120 on Amazon.com. They have the best prices on lawn mowers since they sell so many of them.

The Earthwise 50120 Electric Lawn Mower can also handle rough, uneven terrain very easily with its 7 inch front wheels and 8 inch rear wheels all of which feature ball bearings for longer life and improved maneuverability.  Adjusting the height with this board is also very easy and can be done by using a single letter to choose one of seven height positions from 1 1/2 inches to 4 inches.

The V-handle with a cushioned grip is built for comfort and also folds down to make storing your lawn mower much more convenient.

Product Features and Specifications

• Item Weight: 66 pounds
• 20″ cut width
• 12 amp motor
• Steel deck
• Single Lever Height Control
• Comfort “V” Handle, with Cushion Grip, Soft Touch Operation – with Easy Fold Handle
• Handle Mounted Safety Blade Control
• 7 Inch Easy Roll Composite Wheels
• No Tools Required – Hand Tighten Assembly

The Reviews

The reviews for the Earthwise 50120 Electric Lawn Mower are very positive.  The overwhelming majority of the reviews posted online were from people that gave this mower very high ratings.  The assembly of this mower couldn’t be simpler.  Just take it out of the box and attach the handle.  Many reviewers agree that the Earthwise 50120 has plenty of power even for cutting long, somewhat damp grass.  Not only is it surprisingly powerful it is also very quiet.

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Easy assembly and plenty of power are just the beginning.  This mower is also ergonomically designed so that it is very comfortable to work with and easy to maneuver.  The wheels roll very smoothly and the height adjustment is quite easy.  Most of the people that have used and reviewed this mower agree that it is a great product and some have even said that it was better than they expected.  After researching the reviews the Earthwise 50120 Electric Lawn Mower gets our recommendation.

Lawn Mower Reviews | Electric Lawn Mowers

You won’t have the noise, pollution, maintenance or any other problems associated with gas mowers but you will still have plenty of cutting power with the powerful 24 volt battery.

Amazon.com has the best prices on all lawn mowers including the  Earthwise 60120. Click here to check it out.

The composite seven inch front wheels and oversized 9 1/2 inch rear wheels with ball bearings allow you to navigate difficult terrain easily.  The cushion gripped V-handle helps give you greater control and maximum comfort.  A single lever height control makes changing the blade height quick and easy and the Earthwise 60120 is very versatile with the ability to bag, mulch, or side discharge your lawn clippings.

Product Features and Specifications

• Item Weight: 100 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 105 pounds
• Single Lever Height Control 1-3/4-Inch to 3-3/4-Inch
• Easy On & Off Mulch Plug – Grass Catcher – Discharge Chute
• Handle Mounted Safety Blade Control and Safety Key
• Comfort “V” Handle, with Cushion Grip, Soft Touch Operation – with Easy Fold Handle
• Ball Bearing Wheels – Rolls Easy – Last Longer – 7 Inch Front and 8 Inch Rear

The Reviews

The reviews for the Earthwise 60120 20-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower are mostly good.  The mower is powerful enough to trim even neglected, overgrown lawns.  There is more than enough energy in one charge to mow most lawns and battery removal is fast and easy, 1 click and the battery comes right out.  You can either charge the battery while it’s still in the mower or take it out and charge it indoors.  It has a nice wide cutting path and very simple height adjustment.

The main problem with the Earthwise 60120 is the charger.  One reviewer called the charger the “achiles heel of this otherwise excellent mower”. The charger is not a smart charger and must not be charged for more than 24 hours at a time.  It would be much more user friendly if the charger simply shut off when the battery was fully charged.  Another draw back that was noted by a few reviewers was that the handle does not fold down for quick and easy storage.  It can be removed with the knob screws but a foldable handle would be much easier.  The biggest drawback would probably be the weight.  At 100 pounds it might not be the easiest mower for some people to maneuver although the wheels and ball bearings help quite a bit.

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The positive reviews for this mower greatly outweighed the negative and the few drawbacks to this mower don’t seem like they would be a deal breaker for most people.  According to our research the Earthwise 60120 Cordless Electric mower seems like it would be a great choice.

Lawn Mower Reviews | Electric Lawn Mowers

Amazon.com has the best prices on all lawn mowers including the Huasqvarna 7021. Click here to check it out.

The Husqvarna 7021P is powered by a premium 5.5 hp  Honda engine that gives you smooth, efficient operation.  The rear wheels on this mower are 12 inches in diameter and the double ball bearings help this mower to move smoothly over any surface.  The handle height is adjustable for comfort and the handle also folds down for easy storage.

Product Features and Specifications

• Shipping Weight: 78 pounds
• High-spec Honda engine.
• All homeowner walk mower models come complete with mulching, rear bag, and side discharge capabilities.
• For simplified transport and storage.
• Powerful and easy starting.
• Increases maneuverability in a variety of terrain.

The Reviews

The reviews for the Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch 160 cc Honda GCV Gas-Powered Lawn Mower are mixed.  There were actually very few reviews online but of the ones that we were able to find some people loved it, some hated it, and some were right in the middle.  The positive reviews say that this mower is light weight and able to power through just about anything, tall grass, tough weeds, etc. People commented on how smoothly this mower moves and that it is easy to maneuver.  One reviewer said that they looked at every mower available under $300 and that this one was the best.

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However, not all of the reviews were so positive.  One reviewer called the Husqvarna 7021P the worst product ever and went so far as to say “Consider suicide before adding this junk to your life – and all the terrible frustrations it brings with it”.  That may be a little extreme but it’s clear that this particular reviewer was not happy with their purchase.  Another reviewer shares that sentiment saying that “this mower just fell apart – piece by piece things fell off”.  Another reviewer said that this mower only lasted about two weeks before it just stopped working all together.

The reviews are mixed for this mower but there are many others on the market with much better reviews so our advice is to look for something else and not take your chances with this one.

Lawn Mower Reviews | Gas Powered Lawn Mowers