Alexandria, Va. – January 27, 2012 – The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced that it has issued a Stewardship Plan for Outdoor Power Equipment to comply with the requirements of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment’s (MoE) Recycling Regulation.

To prepare for implementation in July 2012, outdoor power equipment manufacturers must immediately begin reporting estimates of their electrical-powered OPE delivered to Canada overall.

For a review of the current Stewardship Plan for Outdoor Power Equipment, go to: http://www.opei.org/library-documents/about-opei/OPEIStewardshipProgramOctoberFinal.pdf

For a list of common questions and answers, visit: http://opei.org/news/detail.dot?id=22466

Says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of OPEI, “We’ve been working hard to make this new government mandate as fair and non-onerous as possible for our members and non-members.  To that end, we’ve  selected a non-profit Canadian recycling and recovery vendor  to help streamline this process for manufacturers.”

Background

The British Columbia Recycling Regulation mandating manufacturer responsibility for product recovery and recycling includes outdoor power equipment.  On behalf of its members, OPEI submitted a Stewardship Plan for Outdoor Power Equipment on October 1, 2011 to the British Columbia Ministry of Environment for their consideration.  The development of this plan began in March of last year with the participation of the Canadian Task Force (CTF), consisting of 14 OPEI member company representatives, along with consulting support specific to this type of activity in Canada.

OPEI has selected Product Care Association (PCA) as the Canadian recycling and recovery project vendor.  PCA is a not-for-profit industry association that manages product stewardship programs for household hazardous and special waste on behalf of its members across Canada. PCA programs help protect the environment by diverting leftover and end of life products from landfills, waterways, and sewers.  PCA provides consumers with a collection system network for the products it manages.  The collected products are then reused or recycled where possible.

What do Manufacturers Need to Do?

A requirement of the regulations is to report Recovery Rates for each product category to the Regulation.  This Recovery Rate will be calculated as the percentage of product recycled compared to the product introduced into the market place.  This data must be collected periodically and reported to the Ministry of Environment annually as required by law.
1.      OPE manufacturers should contact OPEI to get a product summary spreadsheet.  Only one worksheet per company is required.
2.      Manufacturers will need to report estimates on Canadian sales of electrical-powered equipment by January 31, 2012 to Hargrove & Associates.
3.      Hargrove & Associates will also need the name, email and phone number of the company representative who will be the official contact for data.    Monthly data will be collected after this initial submittal of requested information.
4.       Companies that do not  participate in the OPEI Stewardship Plan for electric outdoor power equipment will have to interact directly with the Ministry of Environment to provide a compliant recycling program.

Further information can be found at the URLs above, by contacting OPEI at 703-549-7600 or by emailing Gerry Coons at gcoons@opei.org or Kristen Reamy at kristen@opei.org.

Hargrove & Associates is an independent third party contractor that properly manages sensitive information to protect the interests of the individual companies reporting this information.
About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 80 engine and equipment manufacturers worldwide in the utility, forestry, landscape, and lawn and garden industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

Complying with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment’s (MoE)

Recycling Regulation

Questions and Answers

Q:  Who must participate in the Stewardship Program?

A: The language in the regulation states that the “Producer” must participate.  In the regulation the “Producer” is defined as anyone from the OEM manufacturer through the distribution channel to the retailer that sells the product to the consumer.

It does not include component suppliers.

Q:  Why must we report sales of equipment?

A:  There have been changes in the Canadian government recycling requirements for electric products shipped to British Columbia, Canada.   OPEI, with the Canadian Taskforce of member representatives, is working to ensure its members fulfill the Producer requirements under Part 2 of the BC Ministry of Environment’s Recycling Regulation.

The information reporting is for number of units, not $.  Initially, this will be used to complete the details of the Stewardship Plan with regard to setting the environmental handling fees and budget planning.  It will also be used to report weights for calculating recycling recovery rates over time.
Q:  What information do you need reported?

A: An Excel form is available that asks companies to fill out information on retail outlets and distribution channels shipping or selling product in British Columbia.

Only one worksheet should be submitted per company and only for electrical-driven products.

Companies will be submitting sales estimates for each category of product sold in British Columbia, or Canada as a whole.

As the program continues, sales (shipments) into Canada will be reported monthly and used to calculate recycling recovery rates for the program.

Q: What if we only have Canadian sales, not broken out by province?

A:  We have agreement in our plan to represent British Columbia sales as a percentage of all Canadian sales; this being 13 percent for British Columbia.

Q: How will the recovery rates be determined? Why must recovery rates be determined?

A:  A requirement of the regulations is to report Recovery Rates of product subject to the Regulation.  This Recovery Rate will be calculated as the percentage of product recycled compared to the product introduced into the market place.

The estimates of recoverable OPE are relatively small compared to other stewardship programs. The OPEI-CTF estimates that approximately 30,000 electric-powered OPEs are retired every year in British Columbia, or approximately 150 to 200 tonnes.

Q:  How will the recovery rates be determined?

A: Data will be collected and reported to the Product Care Association (PCA) by the steel recycling companies as to the amount of outdoor power equipment collected for recycling.  The amount of product introduced into the market will be reported monthly to PCA.  PCA will use this data to calculate the recycling rates.

Q:  What about fuel powered products?

A: The Stewardship Plan requires a two-year study of fuel (gas) powered products to analyze the level of existing recycling rates and the potential for these products to be disposed in landfills.  This study will commence in 2013.

Results of this fuel-powered products study will be used to determine if any regulatory action is warranted for these products.

Further information on fuel-powered products will be communicated at a later time.

Q:  Will an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) be imposed on fuel-powered products?

A: It is not the intent of the Stewardship Plan to impose an EHF on fuel-powered products.  The EHF will be collected on electric products only.

Q:  Who will collect the EHF?

A: The EHF will be collected by the retailers at the point of sale to the consumer.  The EHF will show on the sales ticket as a separate item.

The EHF applies to all battery and corded outdoor power equipment.

Q:  Why should we provide a list of Retailers, Dealers, Distributors, etc?

A: The Retailers, Dealers and Distributors have a responsibility to charge, recover and submit the EHF to the Program.  To protect our Retailers, Dealers and Distributors and to insure they operate properly within the regulatory requirements, we must communicate to them the information they require to comply with the requirements of the program.  This includes having the proper rate structure for the EHF and insuring they properly implement and submit these.

Alexandria, Va. – January 24, 2012 – This year’s winter season may be off to an uneven start, but winter storms and other natural disasters and emergencies can take homeowners by surprise anytime.  The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an association representing outdoor power equipment, utility vehicle and engine manufacturers and suppliers, recommends that homeowners have certain equipment on hand to cope with unexpected weather or public health emergencies.

First aid emergency kits and general preparedness kits for power outages and flu outbreaks are commonplace. But, OPEI’s Kris Kiser, President and CEO, recommends that homeowners “make sure they have a basic assortment of outdoor power or utility equipment on hand to stay safe and self-sufficient during an emergency.”

The equipment checklist below helps homeowners assess their preparedness for an unexpected weather event or other emergency – and offers some safety tips:

1. Pole saws or pruners can help clear away dead or damaged limbs near your home or on your driveway. Make sure you always keep a firm footing on the ground when using such equipment. Do not use a ladder, and stay away from electrical conductors.
2. A chain saw can help clear away trees and more massive limbs, but first read and understand the instruction manual and ensure equipment is in good condition. Do not work around power lines, since they can be the biggest threat to safety.
3. Power generators can keep the lights on, refrigerators running and water flowing in an emergency.  Do not operate power generators, however, in enclosed areas. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can become concentrated in enclosed areas and cause serious injury or death.
4. Snow throwers/snow blowers come in handy for significant snow events and are easier than shoveling for those who have medical conditions.  Be sure to read your operator’s manual and dress warmly to guard against exposure.
5. Chippers and shredders help ease the physical hardship of post-storm cleanup.  Keep bystanders, pets, and children at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop the machine if anyone enters the area.
6. Utility vehicles may seem like a luxury, but if you are in storm-prone areas of the country, they can be an important piece of equipment to help move branches, haul sandbags or maneuver through areas inaccessible to other vehicles.

Editors’ Notes: Consumers may find a list of safety tips for outdoor power equipment athttp://www.opei.org/education/safety/.  For a gallery of equipment photos, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/75023139@N03/

About OPEI

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more than 80 engine and equipment manufacturers worldwide in the utility, forestry, landscape, and lawn and garden industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of safety standards. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org.

With winter on the doorstep these above seasonal temperatures in Southern Ontario have extended the season for property maintenance professionals. I know we have been able to get in a few extra jobs here at Murphy Property Maintenance. Waking up this morning to temperatures above 12C and yesterday topping at 14C really gives the feeling of spring rather than being a few weeks away from ‘winter’. By all means we are not complaining…it is nice not to have to bundle up everyday; dress like a Canadian

Mother nature is just late with the snow and it will soon be here. Our snow removal equipment is looking excited to get out and start working.

I know the weather is seasonally above average in Winnipeg as well. How is the weather where you are? Have you noticed above seasonal temperatures? How is it affecting your business?

Explore MTD’s lawn mower history graphic and see how lawn care has evolved from the original mower – the goat – to sophisticated machines.  In addition to the history and invention of the lawn mower, learn facts about the differences between gas and electric mowers and the environmental benefits of a manicured lawn.

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs CARB Enforcement Reforms into Law, Announces CERT
–SB1402 passed both Senate and Assembly with unanimous, bipartisan support–

Alexandria, VA – September 30, 2010 – Californians for Enforcement Reform and Transparency (CERT) today announced that on September 28, 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB1402 into law. SB1402 immediately requires the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) enforcement program to be transparent, consistent and fair. CERT members applaud the Governor for signing this good government bill into law.

Former CARB Chairman and CERT member, John Dunlap, said, “We’re glad to see the bill signed so quickly and look forward to working with CARB to implement this bill. These reforms will help change the perception that CARB’s penalties are arbitrary and inconsistent, which will help restore the faith of the California business community.”

CERT is a diverse group of industries and trade associations with the goal of working cooperatively with CARB to enhance its compliance and enforcement programs.

“OPEI is pleased to see this important measure become law,” said Kris Kiser, EVP at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “OPEI looks forward to continuing its long-term partnership with CARB and the US EPA to create a transparent, fair and even playing field where there is strong enforcement against gross violations from non-compliant products.”

Senator Dutton, the incoming Republican Senate leader who drafted and sponsored the legislation, stated, “CARB holds businesses accountable when they violate the California regulations they oversee. The problem is that there was nothing that held CARB accountable in how the penalties were determined or the reason for the violation. This important piece of legislation is a significant step in the right direction in showing the business community that the State of California is willing to work with them.”

CARB is charged with attaining and maintaining air quality standards in the State of California, which includes the enforcement of air quality standards. Currently, it is not clear whether and how CARB applies criteria or policies when it assesses penalties. This resulted in a subjective, ad hoc enforcement program that did not clearly or consistently distinguish serious violations that harm air quality from minor administrative glitches.

With the exception of a formal penalty policy, which CARB is required to publish by March 1, 2011, SB1402 takes effect immediately. The new rules will require CARB to:

· provide a clear explanation of how penalties are assessed on a per-unit basis,
· develop a written, consistent penalty policy that ensures the largest penalties are imposed on serious violations that adversely impact air quality (due March 2011), and
· report those penalties to the Legislature annually.

For more information on CERT and its positions go to www.certreform.org.

Members of CERT are: American Home Furnishing Alliance; California Chapter of the American Fence Contractors Association; California Dump Truck Owner Association; California Motorcycle Dealers Association; California Moving and Storage Association; California Retailers Association; Construction Industry Air Quality Coalition; Engineering Contractors Association; Flasher/Barricade Association; Independent Waste Oil Collectors and Transporters; Marine Builders Association; Moving and Storage Association; National Marine Manufacturers Association; Outdoor Power Equipment Institute; Sand Car Manufacturers Association; Southern California Contractors Association; California Manufacturers and Technology Association.

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Seeks Correction and Public Disclosure of
Significant Computation Error in AGU and UC-Irvine’s Recently Released Urban
Turf Report; Correction Shows Turfgrass is a Positive Sequester of Carbon

Alexandria, VA – February 15, 2010 – The  <http://www.opei.org> Outdoor
Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) today announced that Dr. Amy Townsend-Small
of University of California – Irvine (UC – Irvine) acknowledged a
computation error of carbon used to maintain turf in the recently released
UC-Irvine study published January 19, 2010, titled “Carbon Sequestration and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Urban Turf.”  With the error corrected,
ornamental grass is in fact shown to be a net sequester of carbon even when
inputs are accounted for in grass maintenance.  The correction has been
submitted to the American Geophysical Union (AGU) who published the paper.

Upon review of the report, various flaws were discovered, including one
significant math error that was made in computing the carbon consumed during
mowing.  The carbon from fuel consumption was multiplied by 12, one too many
times, to convert from monthly to annual data.  The error was not caught
during the peer review process prior to publication of the paper by the AGU.
When the computation is corrected, turfgrass actually is a net sequesterer
of carbon dioxide, reversing the conclusions of the original report that was
widely reported in the media.

“Blaming grass for contributing to global warming is a non-starter when you
look at the facts.  The grass in your backyard is working hard to keep us
cool, soak up carbon, capture particulates, produce oxygen, capture rain
water and reduce run-off.  We need to focus on the right plant in the right
place and on management practices that maximize the environmental benefits
potential of turfgrass,” said Kris Kiser, Executive Vice President of OPEI.

Kiser added that, “While the UC-Irvine study, rightly so, highlights that
mismanagement of turfgrass can occur via excessive fertilization and
irrigation, and inefficient maintenance practices, the focus should be on
proper management techniques.”  OPEI stressed that proper management
techniques can minimize carbon emissions and maximize the benefits of carbon
sequestration in turfgrass; for example, proper selection of turf based on
climatic region (drought resistant species) and leaving grass clippings on
the grass to serve as a natural nitrogen fertilizer.

OPEI also noted that the UC-Irvine study did not acknowledge the dramatic
reductions of emissions and fuel use profile for today’s gasoline and diesel
equipment, nor did the study disclose what model equipment and corresponding
fuel use numbers were used.

Mowers and outdoor power equipment today are the cleanest in history and
fully regulated by the U.S. EPA and California’s Air Resources Board since
1997.   EPA Phase 3 and CA Tier 3 compliant product are 90 percent cleaner
than pre 1997 models. Coupled with improvements in emissions, there have
been substantial improvements in mower fuel efficiency.  Additionally,
outdoor power equipment manufacturers have introduced a number of electric,
battery, biodiesel, gasoline-electric and diesel-electric hybrids, propane,
CNG, solar and other alternative fueled products with corresponding
reductions  in carbon output.

Other issues found with the UC-Irvine urban turf study:

.         The paper uses a technique (passive flux chambers) that is often
inaccurate in measuring surface flux because it is not clear that what is
being measured is at equilibrium.

.         The UC-Irvine study focused on one urban center in Southern
California.  Management techniques across the country are variable and
therefore, can’t be applied broadly. Future studies should look at sites in
other parts of the country.

.         The UC-Irvine study did not measure actual inputs of water and
nutrition but made estimates based upon standards or agriculture averages.
Future studies should measure actual inputs or use the best available
technology to estimate inputs of water and fertilization.

To learn more about the carbon sequestration benefits of turfgrass, see the
paper, Technical Assessment
<http://www.opei.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/1438>  of the Carbon
Sequestration Potential of Managed Turfgrass in the United States by Dr. Ron
Sahu.

About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

OPEI is an international trade association representing the $15 billion
landscape, forestry, utility and lawn and garden equipment manufacturing
industry. OPEI is a recognized Standards Development Organization for the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally
through the International Standards Organization (ISO) in the development of
safety standards. Founded in 1952, OPEI represents and promotes the outdoor
power equipment industry before federal, state and international legislative
and regulatory bodies. For more information on OPEI, visit
<http://www.OPEI.org> www.OPEI.org.

##

Kris Kiser

Executive Vice President

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

(703) 549-7600

KKiser@OPEI.org

By Kris Kiser, Executive Vice President at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is positioned to protect water in all forms, from ground water to underground sources to water coming out of the public’s tap. WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the EPA, was set up to work with local water utilities, product manufacturers, and retailers on the use of water-efficient products and practices among consumer and commercial audiences. Reinforced through a ‘WaterSense’ label, WaterSense, according to the EPA, “helps consumers easily identify water-efficient products in the marketplace.” WaterSense engineering standards for low flow toilets, shower heads, irrigation equipment and other engineered products are practical and measurable.

However, a disturbing development has taken place in the WaterSense program that threatens to undermine the very water quality standards the agency was established to protect and potentially undermine the well-deserved value of the WaterSense label.

Under its WaterSense new home specification, EPA developed and released draft specifications for new home construction. Home builders that follow the specs will be able to market a ‘WaterSense ®’ home. The draft specs include restrictions on the amount of turf grass that can be used on a home site. These specs are intended for implementation nationwide, border to border, coast to coast – with no exceptions. These specs do not take into account the fact that homes built in Seattle versus Oklahoma City are erected in vastly different climates.

Under current specs, no allowances for regional differences in climate or turf species exists; new home sites will be limited to 40 percent grass use on the site’s “landscape-able” area. It is a one size-fits-all specification. This means the amount of grass that can be planted on a Portland, OR home site would be the same as a home in Las Vegas. Imagine a Tucson desert landscape in Seattle and Boston neighborhoods. And, this also means, extreme desert locales would be allowed 40 percent turfgrass use on a home lot where it should not be used, requiring massive watering.

Our country is simply too large and complex, climate-wise, with multiple climatic zones for a single-national government standard on grass use for home lawns.

Yes, water should be used in a responsible manner. Lush green lawns of Kentucky Bluegrass may not be appropriate for desert landscapes and the landscape industry should work toward best management practices that support maximizing environmental benefits in a conscientious manner. The key is to plant the right plant in the right place to maximize its environmental, lifestyle and economic benefits, not eliminate them.

But, with these specs, the EPA singles out turfgrass as environmentally harmful, unfairly labeling it as a “water hog,” despite the fact that drought resistant turfgrasses are widely available in addition to the existence of large areas of the country that do not have rainfall or water availability issues.

Further, the myriad environmental benefits of turfgrass are ignored under these specs—from its well-documented carbon absorption and sequestering properties to superior water filtration, from its runoff and erosion control capabilities to dust and particulate matter capture properties, from its ability to combat the heat island effect to cooling our urban environments. These benefits –along with significant lifestyle benefits associated with a home’s yard for family use and pets — are somehow completely disregarded.

Yet, despite these facts, the EPA continues to declare war on turfgrass through such erroneous specs as the current WaterSense program promotes — even recommending mulch and artificial turf over grass green space. (Mulch and plastic grass do not filter air, remove water pollutants, produce oxygen or sequester carbon dioxide. How is this better?)

Plants are real, living things not engineered or manufactured to a specific standard. But, rather, they are ever changing and adaptable to variable climatic conditions. And, managed responsibly, have enormous benefits.

EPA has held several public hearings on its WaterSense new home specification, where these landscape criteria have come under attack as being arbitrary, non-responsive to local and regional variances and not based on science. Turfgrass utilization has not been evaluated in a holistic environmental assessment. Yet, while the agency has altered the draft specification to reflect other industries’ concerns, the turf restrictions remain in place. EPA plans to finalize its WaterSense new home specification in November of this year.

If these criteria are adopted in their current form, they will have adverse environmental, lifestyle and economic consequences, and may actually create scenarios that use more water (not less) and severely depress jobs in a host of businesses involved in the $150 billion a year lawn and landscape industry.

In its current form, the landscape criteria of the EPA’s WaterSense program, which limits the amount of turfgrass on every home built in the United States, is simply bad public policy that will produce negative outcomes for our environment and will eliminate the green jobs for which the current Administration has been vocally supportive.

Kris Kiser is the Executive Vice President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). OPEI is the international trade association representing the $15 billion landscape, forestry, utility and lawn and garden equipment manufacturing industry.

What you can do about EPA’s “WaterSense” Program

OPEI, the National Turfgrass Federation, and other interested parties have submitted comments to EPA, have testified at hearings, and have met repeatedly with agency staff on our concerns. These actions, while necessary, have not been productive with the agency.

However, the numerous inquiries the agency has received from Members of Congress about the specification’s draconian treatment of turf – the singling out, in effect, of this one type of groundcover — has earned the attention of EPA. These inquiries were prompted by letters and phone calls from constituents whose livelihood depends either directly or indirectly on turfgrass or from those who seek to maintain the lifestyle and holistic environmental benefits associated with home lawns.

We urgently recommend all interested parties to write to their congressional representative and Senators asking him or her to raise these issues with EPA and ask that the agency set aside the WaterSense outdoor landscape criteria for now, evaluate the science, and work with stakeholders to improve the product. Contact information for your representatives can be found at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov or you can contact Kris Kiser at OPEI at kkiser@opei.org.

Remind lawmakers that when properly managed and maintained, the benefits of turfgrass are multifold:

Captures Water Runoff and Dust

• Turfgrass does an excellent job of capturing water runoff and lessening dust and particulate matter pollution, versus alternatives such as hard surfaces, mulched areas and impervious or bare surfaces.

According to a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) 2006 Publication, turfgrass decreases dust emissions and for controlling soil erosion, a live, functioning grass cover, including urban lawns, is a cost-effective option, since a grass root system is one of the most effective in soil stabilization because of the fibrous, dense character of its roots.

Lessens Heat Island Effect

• Turfgrass lessens the “heat island” effect, especially in urban areas. Urban areas generally have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas, well known as the urban “heat island” effect. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that “the annual mean air temperature of a city with 1 million people or more can be 1.8–5.4°F (1–3°C) warmer than its surroundings. In the evening, the difference can be as high as 22°F (12°C).”

Captures, Stores Carbon in Roots

• Properly managed turf areas are significant carbon sinks. When kept in a growing state, carbon sequestration in turf areas can range anywhere from four to seven times the carbon emissions, according to a report, Technical Assessment of the Carbon Sequestration Potential of Managed Turfgrass in the United States by Dr. Ranajit (Ron) Sahu. See study at: http://www.opei.org/ht/d/sp/i/1428/pid/1428

Boosts the Oxygen Footprint

• Turfgrass can boost your oxygen footprint. Compared to bare ground, non-green areas, and lawn substitutes, such as painted concrete or even artificial turf, actual grass and green areas generate oxygen. For example, a turf area 50′ x 50′ produces enough oxygen to meet the everyday needs of a family of four and each acre of grass produces enough oxygen for 64 people a day. (Source: http://www.turfgrasssod.org/lawninstitute/environmental_benefits.htm)

I was sent this video about a propane powered line trimmer. Check out the video and let me know your thoughts.

Your backyard is your own personal sanctuary. It is a place where you can relax and take some much needed time to reconnect with nature. You want your backyard to be as visually appealing as possible, while also insuring that it is environmentally friendly. You, your children, and even your pets need a clean and safe outdoor space where that they can enjoy nature as well as exercise. It is as essential that your yard be as clean and safe as it is green.

For starters, make sure to only apply eco-friendly fertilizer to your lawn and gardens. If your plants are growing in quality soil, then you will require fewer pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals. This will also help reduce the risk of dangerous chemical run off when it inevitably rains. If you mulch your yard twice a year, then you will create stronger plants that are more resistant to bugs and other such pests.

You should also refrain from over watering your lawn. Wait until your lawn looks like it’s beginning to dry out before you begin watering. People have a tendency to water their lawn often and with little water. If you water your yard rarely, but deeply saturate the soil, then your grass will build stronger roots which will help protect it in the long run. The stronger your grass, the less susceptible it will be to weeds.

Invite some woodland creatures to spend time in your eco-friendly yard with you. Add bird feeders, fountains, ponds and other items that will attract birds, frogs, squirrels and other friendly wildlife. You can enjoy their company, while also giving them a clean and safe place to congregate. Having an eco-friendly yard means your yard is friendly to all forms of nature.

Once you’ve created a space that’s green, then you can start adding your own personal touch. Add patio furniture, eco-friendly BBQ grills, or a hammock. Now you can share your yard with Mother Nature while including a few creature comforts of your own. Creating an eco-friendly backyard can be a fulfilling endeavor in so many ways. Not only are you creating a great place for you and your family to enjoy, but you are also doing your small part to help the environment for years to come.

Irrigation and How to Conserve Water
By: Lou Manfredini

In today’s changing world, many of us are beginning to think more about how much water we use on a daily basis. I’m Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and here are some tips on how to conserve water in your lawn and garden.

The Lawn

I think the biggest mistake that most people make is overwatering. Overwatering not only wastes water, but it is bad for your plants. It really depends on where you live and the weather, but the general rule is to give anywhere from 1 to 2 inches of water a week to your lawn. You can measure the amount of water you give by the length of time that you run a sprinkler. Most sprinklers will give you that conversion information on their packaging, but you can also attach a water timer to your spigot that will turn it off when enough water has been given.

Another quick tip – Did you know that the best time to water is in the evening so that the water has a better chance to seep into the soil before the sun can burn it off.

The Garden

When it comes to the garden, a good soaking once or twice a week, depending on the type of flowers and plants you have, can usually sustain your flowerbeds and gardens. You can do this by hand or with a gentle sprinkler. You definitely don’t want to overwater your garden because doing so can breed disease and fungus among your plants. Just like with your lawn, you’ll want to water your garden in the evening to allow the water to seep in.

If give your lawn and garden the right amount of moisture you’ll be able to keep it looking green and healthy. Just think of how envious your neighbors will be!