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PAGE 6
Going 'Green' For
Home Improvement
(MS) - Environmentally friendly, or "green," prod
ucts and practices can make your home healthier
and more comfortable. Here are some suggestions.
■ Local building materials. One of the simplest
ways to go green is to look for building materials
that are indigenous to your area. For instance, use
stone that is quarried locally.
• Bamboo and natural cork flooring. One environ
mentally friendly and aesthetically appealing home
improvement option is to install bamboo flooring.
These renewable, fast-growing woods are long-last
ing and naturally termite-resistant. They come in
many different styles and colors.
• Natural fabrics and carpets. Fabrics with natural
fibers and natural dyes, such as undyed cotton and
natural hemp, won't off-gas - in other words, release
toxic gases tnat can affect indoor air quality.
• Non-toxic paints, stains, sealants and glues.
Look for products that are low in volatile organic
compounds, or VOCs. Check a product's label for
VOC information.
• Energy-efficient lighting. The use of low-voltage
lights and newly developed fluorescent lights can
help reduce energy use.
• Energy Star appliances. When replacing wash
ers, dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers, look for
products with the Energy Star label, which use less
energy and help reduce energy costs.
These are relatively simple improvements, but
there are more complex improvements you can make
to your home that will yield impressive results. For
instance, you can heat your water using a solar en
ergy system, install energy-efficient windows, up
grade your home's insulation, and choose roofing,
siding or decking products made from composite or
recycled materials.
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Kevin Sullivan You Can Feel The Difference!
YoUrTr<me Comfm SpecMS> Residential & Conunerdal - Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Revive Your Lawn
With Terrific Tins
From Landscaping Expert Warren Schultz
(NAPS) —It's the perfect time to think about get
ting your lawn in shape for the lawn care season.
Warren Schultz, author of "A Man's Turf: The Per
fect Laum, " and MTD Products Inc, the manufac
turer of Yard-Man by MTD lawn care equipment,
have created a handy guide for lawn owners.
"Consumers should make sure right now that
they have the right equipment and know-how, if
they want to improve and beautify their lawn this
year," says Schultz.
A HELPFUL GUIDE TO A BEAUTIFUL
LAWN
Mowing the lawn is more than a Saturday
morning ritual
"Too often homeowners view lawn mowing as
a chore to hurry through, not realizing different
lawns require different methods," says Schultz.
• Only use a riding lawn tractor for yards that are
one acre or larger, and a push mower for smaller
lawns. The Yard-Man by MTD 559 K is an example
of an easy-touse self-propelled mower that has a
2-in-l system to mulch and bag.
• Make sure you know what type cff grass you
have, because each species requires a different
cutting height—from 1" to 3". Cool-season grass
es, such as Kentucky bluegrass, grow upright
and require a higher cutting height. Warm-season
grasses like Bermuda grass require a lower blade
height setting.
• Avoid sharp turns, which can scalp your lawn.
The Yard-Man by MTD D6O4G riding lawn trac
tor has a TightTurn® capability that provides in
creased maneuverability around trees and flow
erbeds.
• Sharpen or replace your mower blade every
two months.
• Mow only when grass is dry and never remove
more than one-third of the grass blade.
The importance of mulching
"Mulching may seem like a hassle, but in the
long run it helps the environment, and the health
and appearance of your lawn," says Schultz.
• Mulch the grass clippings to improve the fertil
ity of the soil and the color of the grass. A mulch
ing mower such as the Yard-Man by MTD 979 L
with a Supreme MulchTM, 21" high vacuum deck
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(478) 987-5302
515 Gray Rd. * Pern, GA
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provides finely cut clippings, which rapidly de
compose.
• If you don't mulch regularly, fertilize your
lawn one or two times per year.
Watering is a Science
"A common error in lawn care is over or under
watering," according to Schultz. "Knowing how
much to water, and when, is one of the most im
portant steps for a beautiful lawn."
• During the driest period of summer, apply 1"
of water every week in the early morning.
• Most sprinklers need to run approximately
four hours in one spot to provide 1" of water.
• If water runs off the lawn before 1" is applied,
turn the sprinkler off, let the water soak in, then
continue watering.
Appearance is everything
"Landscaping is a fruitless effort unless you take
the time to
save your grass from growth stunting debris like
leaves and sticks," advises Schultz.
• Try using one machine that has chipping,
shredding and vacuuming capabilities, such as
the Yard-Man by MTD 020 D for quick and easy
maintenance.
For more tips on how to keep your lawn look
ing its best, check the Yard-Man Web site at www.
yardman.com. For the complete story of the
American lawn, look for A Man's Turf: The Perfect
Laum at your local bookstore.
2006 SPRING HOME & GARDEN
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