JOE WASHINGTON SHARES HIS HOME AND GARDEN TIPS FOR SPRING
SIMPLE WAYS AND COOL NEW TOOLS TO REDUCE YOUR BACKYARD DIY AND HOME FIX-IT WORKLOAD
Warmer days and shorter nights mean it’s time to get out garden tools, tidy up the yard and prepare your home for spring and summer use. In fact, creating a beautiful and comfortable outdoor living space has become a national obsession, according to Joe Washington, TV personality, home improvement expert and Master Gardener. Just in time to kick off the spring entertaining season, Joe gives us some affordable ideas to create or rejuvenate their own backyard oasis, outdoor living rooms or outdoor kitchens.
A GOOD PLACE TO START OUR SPRING LANDSCAPING
As spring approaches many homeowners will be in the market for their next mower and there’s a lot to consider when choosing what will power your lawn mower. Today’s gas-powered mowers can deliver twice the power and run three times longer than battery mowers. And when it comes to their lifespan, gas-powered mowers last twice as long as battery. Check out some of the latest innovations in gas-powered mowers from Briggs and Stratton, I wish these were around when I was a kid! In-Start allows for effortless starting with the push of a button. Mow N’ Stow allows you to fold the mower and store it upright for a 70 percent smaller footprint. Just Check and Add eliminates seasonal oil changes so you never have to change the oil. The Quiet Power Technology lets you work any time of day, making the mower up to 50 percent quieter. For more information, visit www.BriggsandStratton.com
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A LAWN MOWER
It’s important to get your mower serviced, because a bad spark plug in a small engine can cause difficult starts, poor engine performance and increased fuel consumption. That’s why I recommend that you can conquer any yard work with ease using Autolite Xtreme Start Iridium spark plugs. Autolite is the best in market for lawn and garden spark plugs, providing peak small engine performance. Iridium provides 26% quicker, more consistent starts. They also provide better fuel efficiency and longer life compared to copper. Autolite covers a broader range of outdoor equipment than its competitors. Save time and money by checking your spark plugs at the beginning of lawn care season. Changing your plugs is a cost-effective way to achieve more consistent starts, and you can save with rebates and a Three-Year Limited Warranty. Change the plugs on all your equipment, and solve faulty starts without having to pay mechanic. For more information, visit www.Autolite.com
TIPS FOR GIVING YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE A SPRUCE UP
Reviving your outdoor space for warmer weather doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Small things can make a big difference. A simple bleach solution with Clorox® Regular-Bleach2 can be used to treat mold, fungi and mildew on a number of items like flower pots, gardening shears, metal garden stakes and plastic patio furniture. All you have to do is apply a solution of a ½ cup of Clorox® Regular-Bleach2 with 1 gallon of water and let sit for 5 minutes. After rinsing, your outdoor items will be good as new! Here is another tip. If you drop ¼ teaspoon of Clorox® Regular-Bleach2 for each quart of vase water with your fresh flowers it will help keep the water clear and smelling fresh. With a couple cents worth of bleach, flowers can last longer and water doesn’t get funky as fast! Clorox Bleach can be found nationwide at grocery and home care retailers and for more information, visit www.Clorox.com
SECRETS FOR MAKING YOUR GARDEN GROW BETTER
The secret to making your garden grow all starts with the food for the plants. You have to give them the nutrients they need, which is why I recommend the new Miracle-Gro Performance Organics. It delivers the Miracle-Gro results you expect with the ingredients you want. The Performance Organics line gives consumers an organic gardening solution that achieves results on par with, or better than, conventional synthetic products. The line includes a container mix, in-ground soil, plant nutrition options and a garden feeder. These soils and plant foods feature a revolutionary blend of natural and organic materials and the soils contain a locally sourced, specially aged compost. This delivers up to twice the bounty for vegetables, flowers, and herbs, versus unfed plants. If you have this in your gardening routine, you will get some beautiful results. For more information, visit www.miraclegro.com
