One of the lawn mower repair methods we don't recommend here at BobVila.com is taking out a shotgun and blasting it. Unfortunately, an apparently inebriated Keith Walendowski of Milwaukee, Wis., didn't heed these words of wisdom. The 57-year-old man became angry at his lawn mower, shot it and now faces a possible six years in prison for possessing a short-barreled shotgun and disorderly conduct while armed. Takeaways? Don't fix things while drunk. Don't use firearms to fix things.
I've written about the growing popularity of chlorine-free swimming pools before. Now, TheDailyGreen.com has a photo collection of 23 breathtaking natural swimming pools to inspire you to join the movement. Natural pools, if maintained properly, use almost no chemicals and behave more as mini-ecosystems. They require less maintenance and don't cost significantly more than conventional pools to install.
Have you ever wished the yard would cut itself? Now it can with an auto-mower from Husqvarna. This simple but expensive mower has several amenities that take the work and worry out of cutting your lawn. The only step you have to take is to plant a wire around the perimeter of the yard. From there, the auto-mower stays inside the wire, cutting at a pace of 1,000 square feet per hour. It has bump detection in case it runs into anything, and it will even return to its docking station and re-charge itself when the batteries are low. It’s so easy that your neighbors will be tempted to “borrow” it as much as possible. That’s not a problem, though, since you have to type in your own personal PIN number to activate it.
Who likes poison ivy? Nobody, right? Actually, Umar Mycka, a horticulturalist at the Philadelphia Zoo, has reason to be growing quite fond of the rash-causing weed. He has started a business removing poison ivy for people who are itching to get rid of it. He is getting plenty of requests, too. A recent study at Duke University shows that rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere cause the weed to grow more vigorously, and they may eventually cause a more toxic form of poison ivy resin to be formed. Even now, an acute case can require steroids or hospitalization. Most people who contract the rash simply did not look out for poison ivy. Keep an eye on what you are touching and wear appropriate clothing if you’re going to be out in weeds or the woods.
Do you have a black thumb and limited space for a garden like me? If so, you need to look to this Daily Green article. It's got six plants that even the gardening-inept can handle.
1. While herbs need sun, parsley and mint can handle partial shade. 2. Cherry tomatoes need a sunny spot, a whiskey barrel-sized container and a five-foot support. 3. Dwarf evergreens require much less labor than bonsai trees. Keep them out of direct sunlight. 4. Coreopsis, a sun-loving perennial for a window box. 5. Coral bells do best in partial shade. 6. Sedum is a drought-resistant and overall trouble-free plant.
Please keep in mind, these plants aren't miracle workers and they need to be watered regularly.
Home improvement projects are great. After all, who wouldn’t want to improve the beauty and value of their home every once in a while? The trouble is, updating a home can really put a dent in your bank account. Making an educated and economical decision is everything when it comes to home improvement. Here are seven smart home improvements provided by one of our favorite blogs, the Money Pit:
1) Replace kitchen countertops (Recycled and composite surfaces are available) 2) Remodel your bathroom for comfort and safety 3) Paint! 4) Construct a deck or patio 5) Improve your front yard landscaping 6) Improve your home’s energy efficiency 7) Organize your home
These steps are both easy to do and cost efficient. Each one can be completed for under $1,000. So, whenever you are ready to take your home to the next level, remember these seven tips. Your home will be forever grateful.
When I think of patio covers, I think of a small patch of shade that will be used a few times each summer. Solara’s patio covers do so much more than that, though. The biggest improvement is that you can open and close this cover much like window blinds. Each of the louvers can be angled (via remote control) anywhere from 130 degrees to completely shut at 0 degrees. It is also divided into two sections. While one section is open for grilling, the other can be closed for sitting. Solara’s patio covers are also made of recycled aluminum, making them easy to maintain.
