From Eveningsnews.com

Lawns and Gardens
Cut Yard Maintenance Time in Half with Helpful Tips
By
Mar 31, 2008, 20:40


(ARA) – With winter giving way to spring, thoughts are likely turning to the untouched lawns or gardens as homeowners prepare for another year of backyard chores.

The beautiful lawns and gardens of years past were a result of weekends spent grooming the yard instead of spending time with your family or at the golf course.

But, that does not have to be the case much longer.

This year, find new ways to save time when it comes to lawn care so you can make time to spend with family, friends or favorite hobbies.

* Use a Lawn Tractor

Upgrade to a riding lawn tractor equipped with top-of-the-line features to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The Cub Cadet Time Saver i1000 series lawn tractors combine the ease of traditional tractor steering and control with zero-turn maneuverability.

With the i1000, you can tackle hills, maneuver easily around trees and obstacles, and use optional attachments. All of which are an industry first.

Says NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, “With my busy race schedule, I can get on my Cub Cadet i1000 and mow my lawn in no time. One of my favorite features is the steering wheel because it allows it to maneuver like a car and it’s less intimidating for beginners and just as fun for veterans.”

Biffle continues, “Now that I spend less time cutting my grass, I’ve got more time to drive my utility vehicle.”

* Invest in a Garden Tiller

Another area where you can save time is in the garden. If planting a vegetable or flower garden is on the agenda once spring arrives, a good tool to have is a garden tiller. A motorized tiller will get the job done in a fraction of the time compared to the old fashioned rake and hoe.

The size of a garden is crucial in the choice of a tiller. Smaller vegetable and flower gardens may call for a two-cycle engine. However, a tiller with additional horsepower will be more efficient for a larger garden as it allows the user to dig deeper and move on to other chores.

* Mulch Between Your Beds

And, once the garden is tilled, create beds where the seeds and plants will ultimately end up, and put down mulch between the rows. Laying down landscape fabric on the beds themselves and cutting out holes where the seeds and plants go will also keep your beds weed-free and eliminate a tedious task.

* Install an Automatic Sprinkler System

Watering your grass is one of the most crucial lawn care chores and can be the most time-consuming. With an automatic sprinkler system, there will be no more over-watering or spending the weekend moving the sprinkler around the yard to ensure equal coverage.

Once installed, it requires only minimal maintenance like checking the sprinkler heads each year to avoid clogging.

While consumers can usually self-install these systems, it may best be left to the experts as this investment is worth getting it right on the first try, which will save time in itself.

Investing in these garden and lawn care tools will save you time this season. You can find the Cub Cadet Time Saver i1000 Lawn Tractors, as well as many of these other products, at The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Company and Independent Retailers. For additional information on the Time Saver Series, visit www.missingweekend.com.

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