Home & Garden Blog » Gardening

Well my roommates and I decided to try saving a few bucks every month and promptly alerted our gardeners that we would not be needing their lawn mowing services until further notice. I am starting to think it was the dumbest way to save a few dollars. Turns out this lawn upkeep thing is much harder than I anticipated.

First things first, we needed to purchase our own lawn mower! We all pitched in and decided we could not afford or want to invest in a model worth more than 500 dollars, just in case this ended up being a short term money shaving theory.

So here are some lawn mowers I found for less than $500 dollars:

1. Poulan-Pro Lawn Mower

My first choice is this 21 inch high wheel, bagged, push mower from Poulan. Has 5 different height settings so you can spare your back and adjust the level of the handlebars to your optimal setting. Has an attached bag to collect the lawn debris and a 6.0 torque engine.

Plus it was $378.09 but is on sale now for: $266.64 (you save $111.45)

(click on image or link to shop or browse)

2. The Black & Decker Cordless Mulching Mower

This model has a 24 Volt Sealed Lead Acid Battery for Trouble-Free Cutting of Up to 1/3 Acre Homesites (grass conditions will effect run-time). Well here is a list of features:

- Rechargeable Battery Recharges to 60-70% in 4 Hours and to 100% in 16 Hours

- Hassle-free Starting With the Flip of a Switch

- One-touch Height Adjustment Adjusts All Four Wheels With the Touch of a Button
Folding Push-handle Has Adjustment Which Folds Down so Mower Stores in Less Space.

-2 Year Warranty and No Assembly required

Price $399.95 (but has a Free shipping coupon)

(click on image or link to shop or browse)

3. Black & Decker Mulching Electric Mower from Ace Hardware

Well first of all it’s electric, because who could afford a “gas” mower right now? Cuts a width of 18 inches, mulches your lawn debris and expels on the side. There is no side bag attached but I think the “mulching” feature pretty much takes care of that. I personally would like to collect and dispose of the debris but I may be wrong. The Black & Decker electric mower has a single lever height adjustment feature and a lifetime warranty for the deck.

Price $209.99

(to purchase, shop or browse click on the link or the image)

4. Black & Decker Electric Mower

Last but certainly not least is the Black & Decker Electric Mower!  Lightweight and easy to maneuve, this model is also electric. The one lever height adjustment lets you adjust all four wheels at once.

No gas, No tuneups, No oil … makes it super easy to maintain and start!

Price $159.99 

(click on image or link to shop, browse or purchase)

Well I hope these options prove useful to you if you are in the market for a new lawn mower or are planning on buying one for the first time like I was.  Happy Humpday Everyone!  

I have wanted a bird feeder since I was a kid and would watch episodes of Tweety Bird and Sylvester the Cat! Something about that tiny bird with the bad lisp just tickled my fancy.

Unfortunately as I have gotten older, I have decided that I really don’t care for the conventional wooden sort and was hankering for something prettier to adorn my garden.

Luckily I came across the Blossom Hummingbird Feeder from Best Nest.  The Parasol Blossom Hummingbird Feeder features 1 red flower feeding port and holds 19.5 ounces of nectar. The vibrant color of the reservoir and red feeding flower will attract hummingbirds to the feeder. The Parasol Blossom will surely add beauty and color to any backyard sanctuary. The reservoir and flower are carefully hand-blown from recycled glass. Each piece retains the individual artisanship of its creator. The feeder rests approximately 36″ from the ground on the included 42″ black metal garden stake.

Personally I think that the Blossom Hummingbird Feeder is beautiful and I can’t wait to spend Spring days or nights watching Hummingbirds feed!

Price - $49.99

To shop or purchase the Blossom Hummingbird Feeder, click here.  

If this particular style is not your favorite, check out these other discount bird feeders!  

Be the object of all your neighbor’s envy and affection with a large solar fountain pump adorning your garden.

Simply insert the large solar fountain pump into any fountain, and turn it into a fascinating shower of sunlight and water as jets shoot up to 62 inches in the air! No more worrying about electrical cords or replacing burnt out pumps. Recharges on its own when the sun shines, and turns off when the sun sets.

The solar fountain pump is sure to be a hit on the block and is definitely a real conversation starter. The pump includes:

• Maximum flow rate 10 Liters/Minute (approx 150 gallons/hour)
• 5 meter cable between solar panel and pump (about 15 feet)
• Can also be attached to a 110V power supply via AC/DC adapter (included)
• Includes nozzle accessories for maximum compatibility

Regular Price: $179.95 New Low Price: $149.95 (you save: $30.00)To shop or purchase the Large Solar Fountain Pump from Online Discount Mart, click here.

Need to trim the branches off your garden tree? Better yet, ever get the urge to don a mask and go on a killing spree? No? Just me huh? Well whatever your purpose, this cordless rechargeable chainsaw is a killer deal!

This Cordless Chain Saw will get the job done quickly and safely. Its 18V motor and rechargeable NiCad battery power the chain at 576 FPM to zip through branches with amazing ease. Also has double safety switch to help prevent accidents, safety nose guard design for anti-kick back and a lightweight outdoor tough design that weighs just 9 lbs. Battery charger included.

Usually cost: $269.99 at Heartland America sold for: $79.99

Limited time they are offering FREE shipping as well.

To shop for the Heartland American Cordless Rechargeable Chainsaw, click here.

To shop for more discount outdoor power equipment, click here.

You would never dream of gardening without protective gloves, yet far to often gardeners forget to protect their neck and face and skull from the hours of exposure to harmful UV rays. Many gardeners use sunscreen, which is great! However purchasing a quality gardening hat is quicker to apply, stylish and a must-have for die hard gardeners.

The featured gardening hat from Park Seed offers the maximum Ultraviolet Protection Factor available (UPF of 50) and is made entirely of grosgrain ribbon. The wide brimmed hat collapses completely for easy storage in your apron pocket or storing it in your potting bench. Give it a shake and it re-shapes itself!

One size fits all, and you may find you love how it looks and feels so much that you wear it far beyond the garden gate! This hat was recently selected as “Oprah’s Favorite” in O Magazine.

Gardening Hat from Park Seed - $29.95

(click on any of the links in the post to shop or purchase the Gardening Hat from Park Seed)

There is nothing quite as tranquil and beautiful as a Japanese themed garden! Check out the following exotic and tropical plants you can purchase to add a touch of the orient to your home and garden today. With its beautiful braided trunk, the Asian money tree is not only of unique visual interest, but some believe that good luck follows with each unfurling leaf. The large tree has bright-green leaves and a substantial trunk with a visual creativity that is offset by the square, white ceramic pot.

The Large Traditional Money Tree featured is offered by Red Envelope and retails for $65.00!

Upgrade the energy of your home, your luck and your life with this auspicious plant. In Feng Shui philosophy, the lotus bamboo is believed to bring prosperity and blessings. It is named for its leaves, which form the shape of the inspirational lotus flower, signifying purity, peace and the higher spirit.

Sold exclusively at Red Envelope, The Lotus Bamboo Traditional Plant retails for $38.00!

Practiced for centuries in China and Japan, the art of bonsai captures nature’s beauty in a confined space. Not your traditional bonsai tree, the exotic, tropical Sago palm brings a bit of paradise down to earth. This plant is easy to care for, the miniature version adapts to indirect light or full sun and needs only occasional watering.

The Palm Bonsai Exotic Tropical Plant is sold for $50.00, at Red Envelope.

Durable and beautiful water lilies, with a floating arrangement of three lilies grouped together. A lovely way to add bold color to your pond. Free weight and green anchoring line included.

Water Lily Cluster costs $10.39 at Drs. Foster & Smith.

Hopefully these plants inspire you to create a little piece of tranquil heaven on earth, a remote respite where you can de-compress and center your Zen!

To shop for more deep discounts on Plants and Seeds, click here.  

Take advantage of huge savings and deals at After Christmas Sales! As an example, Wrapables.com one of my favorite sites is having a Year End Sale that offers up to 55% Off merchandise.

The featured Indoor Gardening Tool Set is currently on sale, originally sold for $24.95 it is currently on sale for $14.99!

House all your gardening necessities in this durable and thrify garden tote tool set. This small gardening dynamite includes a pruner, snips, rake, trowel, shovel, and glass spray bottle. The canvas tote has a reinforced bottom and it has brass grommets, elastic tool bands, and an eight-pocket capacity. Perfect for tending to small gardens and indoor plants.

To purchase this Indoor Gardening Tool Set, click here.

To shop for deep discounts on assorted Garden Tools & Garden Supplies, click here.

A wintry storm caked the center of the nation with a thick layer of ice Monday, blacking out more than 600,000 homes and businesses, and more icy weather is on it’s way.

Try not to let the imposing weather dampen your holiday mirth, clear your pathways and driveways with quality snow blowers and snow throwers.

I decided to feature the top rated Yard Machines 3.5 HP Snowthrower at Ace Hardware. The HP snowthrower clears the pavement, is lightweight, maneuverable, and throws snow far and where you want it. According to the reviews its best for driveways and for clearing your pathways. Not super heavy duty but good for domestic use.

Here come the specs:

* Power System: Gas
* Engine Horsepower: 3.5 HP
* Clearing Path: 21 in
* Intake Height: 11 in
* Start: Manual
* Stage: One
* Model: 31A-240-800
* Additional Features: 2-cycle Tecumseh engine, 7″ x 1.5″ tires

Retails for $319.99

Bonus from me to you!

Utilize coupon code ACEMC75 at checkout to get $15 off of purchases of $75 dollars or more at Ace Hardware.

Expires in 19 days (12/31/2007)

To purchase the Yard Machine 3.5 HP Snowthrower, click here.

For more coupons and bargains for Ace Hardware, click here.

The key to all great cooking is the freshest ingredients! So why not grow your own herbs on your kitchen counter top? This Italian Herb Garden that is sold exclusively at Red Envelope features basil, oregano and chives. It would make a delicious gift for friends and family who would appreciate the use of fresh herbs in their culinary delights.

This sweet deal also includes 3 glazed ceramic containers decorated with herb illustrations and premium seeds and soil. Honestly they couldn’t have made it any easier for us, if they slowly S-P-E-L-L-E-D it out. Oh wait a minute it comes with step by step instructions! I am officially all out of excuses.

Retails for $29.00

To purchase the Italian Herb Garden House Plant, click here.

To save money on more House Plants, click here.

Honestly this is one of the coolest and most inventive stories I have read in a mighty long time, please read about eco-architect Mitchell Joachim’s visionary ideas about how to grow living treehouses from ficus molded around frame structures. Displayed below is a video from Mitchell Joachim explaining the details of how they work. Joachim does better justice to his imaginative ecological designs than I am able to do in a mere post, so if you have any interest in living tree houses (and you should), check out the video below.

YouTube - Watch VIDEO: Grow a Treehouse with TerreForm

To read more about “Living Treehouses”, click here.