Category: Tools

Which Lawn Care Method Is Best? Traditional vs. Organic vs. Hybrid

Whether one drives a hybrid car, buys locally-grown produce or simply separates their recyclables from the rest of their garbage, going green is on everyone’s mind. When dealing with lawn care and landscaping, that mentality has held true in a different way over the years as homeowners work to achieve a great looking lawns. As the green revolution continues to pick up steam, however, homeowners are reevaluating their past lawn care methods and opting to pursue more eco-friendly avenues. The number of organic products available is increasing every year but one has to wonder how they stack up to traditional methods.
Mantis® Tiller Aerator
Mantis Tiller Aerator
Attaches to Mantis 2-cycle, 4-cycle, and electric tillers Aerator cuts into the soil under your lawn with four sets of tempered steel blades to permit easy absorption of water, oxygen, and nutrients Dethatcher quickly removes the built-up thatch that can choke your lawn.		   One hundred-percent organic lawn care programs take a more holistic approach by using only products derived from natural sources and minerals to feed the soil. While this is a green approach, it can take much longer to produce results. This is where many consumers find themselves at a crossroads — they want to go green but they also want rapid results — which is why many have turned to hybrid programs which combine natural organic materials and synthetic chemicals. As the demand for greener practices continues to grow, lawn care providers like Plainfield, Ill.-based Spring-Green Lawn Care are offering organic-based hybrid programs to their clients with more regularity.

"If our clients want organic care for their lawn, we’re going to provide it to them in the most effective way possible and our Organic Alternative® option is the perfect blend of what our clients want as well as need," said Harold Enger, Spring-Green’s director of education.

“By using traditional lawn care methods as well as organic-based materials, our clients get the results they have grown accustomed to from Spring-Green.” Enger says only about 5 percent of customers currently use Organic Alternative but that number is increasing slowly but surely.

Since organic products alone can take longer to produce results, hybrid methods like Spring-Green’s expedite the greening process. Not long after the first application, soil structure will show a marked improvement as the organic amendments promote microbial activity, increase root growth and build drought resistance to reduce a lawn’s susceptibility to disease. And for issues like weeds, hybrid programs spot-treat the individual plants instead of spraying the entire lawn. "Using organic materials alone can prove quite cost prohibitive but hybrid programs are among the most cost-effective options out there for individuals wanting to introduce an organic element into their lawn care routine," said Enger. "If a client wants peace of mind as well as measurable results, this method is definitely the way to attain both." About Spring-Green Lawn Care Founded in 1977, Plainfield, Illinois-based Spring-Green Lawn Care has been delivering organic and traditional lawn and tree care services for 32 years. Spring-Green is one of the founding members of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA) and a partner of GreenCare For Troops, a program that provides free lawn and landscape services to military families nationwide. Spring-Green currently has nearly 120 franchises operating in 25 states and projections call for 12 new franchises in 2009. For more information, visit Spring-Green.com.
News Release: Plainfield, IL (PRWEB) June 4, 2009

categories Tools | admin | June 4, 2009 | comments Comments (1)

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Rescue Dad on Father’s Day with a New Tool Gadget

Dad’s really like having the coolest new gadget on the market and a tool would be a perfect gift for father’s day.
Plus there’s the added bonus that they might actually fix something with it.

Channellock 88 6-in-1 Rescue Tool
Designed for firemen, policemen and other first responders, the Channellock Rescue combines all 6 crucial tools: a slot for easy turn-off of gas shutoff valves, pliers with super strong grips, a heavy duty cutting tool, a pry bar for opening windows and doors, steel punch for shattering windows, and a spanner wrench designed for tightening and loosening hose couplings. While police and firemen will want to carry this tool everyday it’s also an excellent addition to any family’s emergency kit.
Sponsored By: Home and Garden Supermart

categories Tools | admin | May 30, 2009 | comments Comments (0)

Basic Safety Tips for Using Your Home Hand Tool Set

It doesn’t matter whether you’re working on your home, a motorcycle, a boat or a car, the basic hand tool safety is the same.

Screwdriver Safety Tips
1. Never use a screwdriver as a cold chisel, or for prying, punching, chiseling, scoring or scraping.
2. Make sure the tip fits the slot of the screw; not too loose or tight.
3. Never expose a screwdriver to excessive heat or cold.
4. Always discard a screwdriver with a worn or broken handle.
5. Never use a screwdriver on a workpiece held in your hand. A slip could cause serious injury.
6. Never depend on a screwdrivers’ handle or covered blade to insulate you from electricity.
7. Vinyl covered blades are intended only as a protective measure against shorting out components.

Pliers Safety Tips
1. Pliers should not be used for cutting hardened wire unless specifically manufactured for this purpose.
2. Never expose pliers to excessive heat. This may draw the temper and ruin the tool.
3. Always cut at right angles. Never rock from side to side or bend the wire back and forth against the cutting edges.
4. Don’t bend stiff wire with light pliers. Needle nose pliers can be damaged by using the tips to bend too large a wire. Use a sturdier tool.
5. Never use pliers as a hammer nor hammer on the handles. They may crack or break, or edges may be nicked by such abuse.
6. Never extend the length of handles to secure greater leverage. Use a larger pair of pliers or a bolt cutter.
7. Pliers should not be used on nuts or bolts. A wrench will do the job better and with less risk of damage to the fastener.
8. Oil pliers occasionally. A drop of oil at the hinge will lengthen tool life and assure easy operation.
9. Safety glasses or goggles should be worn when cutting wire, etc. to protect eyes.

Wrench Safety Tips
1. Select a wrench whose opening exactly fits the nut. If the wrench is not exactly the correct size for the fastener, it may damage the corners of the fastener, slip or break.
2. Always pull on a wrench handle and adjust your stance to prevent a fall if sudden release occurs.

119-Piece Multi-Use Tool Set
Drop forged carbon steel, polished and chrome plated tools in handy molded storage case Set Includes Pro style ratchet 3/8 drive ratchet 3/8 drive extension bar, universal joint, and 3/8 to 1/4 drive adaptor Two 3/8 drive spark plug sockets – 5/8 & 13/16 Sixteen 3/8 drive sockets SAE 3/8 to 3/4 and metric 11 mm to 19 mm Eight 1/4 drive sockets SAE 1/4 to 11/32 and metric 7 mm to 10 mm 6 heat treated adjustable wrench 5 cushion grip long nose plier 5 cushion grip diagonal cutter Ten combination wrenches SAE 3/8 to 5/8, metric 10 mm to 15 mm Three pro style high visibility screwdrivers – 1/4 x 4 slotted, #2 x 4 phillips, & #1 x 3 phillips Magnetic bit driver with 20 bits including slotted, phillps, star bits, robertson, and hex 8 wire crimper 12 volt circuit tester 44 wire terminals, 3/4 x 30 insulating tape, brass detail brush, and breakaway knife.
Sponsored By: Home and Garden Supermart

categories Tools | admin | May 24, 2009 | comments Comments (0)