Lawns | The Lawn Blog

Eco-Friendly Lawn and Garden Tips

May 7th, 2008
Filed under Environment, Lawns, Plants

Spring is a great time to explore how we can be greener in all areas of our lives, including our lawns and gardens. Making simple, but different choices with lawn care products can make a positive impact on the environment and the way we live. Here are some easy tips on how you can become more eco-friendly this spring.

* Use mulch to help conserve water outdoors and improve your drainage. One of the best eco-friendly products is Vigoro Rubber Mulch, an innovative, non-toxic mulch made from 100 percent recycled rubber tires. The mulch maintains its color for 12 years, so there’s no need for annual mulching.

* Look into switching out fertilizers and pesticides that can be hazardous to your health and the environment. Dynamite Organic All Purpose Plant Food is the only OMRI-certified (Organic Material Review Institute) plant food guaranteed to last up to three months, reducing the need for frequent applications. Scotts® Organic Choice Soils & Fertilizers offer a few other options. Scotts® Organic Choice Potting Mix is made of sphagnum peat moss and composted bark fines, and the natural ingredients deliver twice the growth of ordinary potting soil. Scotts® Organic Choice Lawn Food is made from chicken litter and feather meal nutrients, so it is 100 percent safe for the home.

* Avoid that stack of plastic garden pots we seem to end up with each spring and try using potless plants. The new PotLess Plants in Biodegradable Containers allow you to plant the container right in the ground. The container decomposes as the plant grows.

* Finally, be smart about waste disposal. A lot of retailers are offering lawn bags to help clean up your yard mess. This year, try Biodegradable Lawn & Refuse Bags that ensure lawn clippings and yard waste will decompose and not create more trash for the environment.

These products can all be found at your local The Home Depot store. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Home Depot
2 Comments »

Profiling - LawnGuru.net, Starting and Running a fun, profitable lawn care business

Ken LaVoie, owner of LawnGuru.net has written a very informative, eye-opening and honest (with himself and the business) book on how to start and run a successful lawn care business. Here is what some people have to say about his book:

“Ken,
My association with you has tripled my business and moved me ahead at LEAST 3 years from where I’d be if I did it all alone. Using the techniques in the Lawn Guru program have definitely saved me time, frustration AND MONEY! Thank you!

Jeremy Mushero
JM and Sons Lawn Specialists”

“Hi Ken,
I really liked your book. I think it hit home and the more others know about it the more they will read it.

Steve”

“Awesome book for beginner, Highly recommended and VERY reputable and Honest

Jim”

“Start your own amazingly profitable lawn care business” is the title of the book and it is one of The Lawn Blogs must reads. There are a lot of books on this topic out there but only a few can capture its reader. This book when you start to read it you want to finish it…you are able to take something with you, and apply it to your business. Great job Ken! We look forward to any future works.

Starting and Running a fun, profitable
lawncare and landscape business
Make $60-$80 per man hour doing what you love

This book and accompanying program will teach you step by step how to start a PROFITABLE lawn care business OR overhaul your exising one and create an above average income with benefits like health care, retirement, TIME OFF, and tax benefits, and increases your abilities as a lawn care business person and leader in your field. I believe that this program will save you YEARS of painful, expensive trial and error and get you on the road to BLAZING success quickly and with lightening effectiveness.

Right now I am offering HALF OFF either the ebook or the ebook and accompanying program. Go to www.lawnguru.net and choose your option from the menu on the left (after reviewing the site of course!) - then use THIS coupon code on checkout:
C7815

Cheers and send me your questions at ken@lawnguru.net

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How to Choose a Lawn Shape

January 25th, 2008
Filed under Lawns

I found this neat article on http://gardendesign.gradinamea.ro.

The best shape for your lawn is determined by its use, the landscape, appearance, and your desired maintenance level.

gazon 1

gazon 2

Design for Your Needs
The most important factor in determining the best shape for your lawn is the way you plan to use it. If the lawn will be for recreation and entertaining, it should have a large, open area, such as that provided by circular and rectangular shapes. Most lawn sports, such as croquet, badminton, volleyball, putting, and boccie ball, also require an open space; most need a playing area.

The landscape also plays a role in the shape of the lawn. Some of the most interesting lawn designs trace the shadow patterns of the house and trees during the growing season. Although some types of grass tolerate shade, most require at least six hours of sun a day. In boggy or rocky areas or those with shallow roots from nearby trees and shrubs, the soil and terrain can be modified to handle turf, or the lawn should be located elsewhere.

If your primary concern is appearance, the site itself will present the primary limiting factors. You might choose a geometric shape to project a strong sense of order, control, and formality. Open or free-flowing shapes are more playful, relaxed, and natural.

Considerations when estimating maintenance are the total number square feet to mow and the total number of linear feet to edge. Undulating lines increase the amount of edging and trimming that is required.

Four Basic Shapes

Circular The most formal lawn shape, a circular lawn makes a strong visual statement. Level circular lawns are well-suited to entertaining. When laying out a circular lawn, it is worth taking the time to get the circles perfect. If this style appeals to you, you might also like ovals and half circles.
Rectangular Rectangular lawns lend themselves best to recreation. A rectangular lawn can be seen in one glance. This lawn shape is more suited to a formal than a natural garden. Ease of maintenance makes rectangular shapes an attractive choice. Different mowing patterns add a creative touch.
Open The open lawn is the most relaxed shape. Gently flowing lines have a soothing effect on the eye and the mind and fit well with an informal garden. This type of lawn often results when you allow the shade patterns of trees to determine the shape of the lawn. Open-shape lawns are suitable for recreation and entertaining.
Free-Flowing Free-flowing lawns are ideal for creating pocket gardens. This free-flowing lawn provides five different garden areas. This shape has the added benefit of illusion; not allowing the eye to see all the lawn at once draws a person into the garden, adds mystery, and may make the garden appear larger. Be aware of how much edging is required with this shape.