There are many different types of ergonomic garden tools.  This article will cover a few of the most common ergonomic garden tools available, and will also mention a few things to look for when shopping for the tool that’s right for you.

Ergonomic Hand Garden Tools

In the smaller range of ergonomic hand tools, the most common design trait is a curved handle.  I’ve seen this design also called a radial handle.  Traditional hand gardening tools force you to strain the angle of your wrist downward as you grip and push the tool into the soil.  Ergonomic garden tools have a curved handle that looks like a pistol grip.  This allows you to keep your wrist straight and in-line with your forearm.   You than can make a much stronger fist and put more weight and strength into the tool without straining the joints or tendons of your wrist.

Another innovative design uses a straight handle shaft, about 12 inches long, that straps securely to your forearm, just below your elbow, and then uses a perpendicular grip handle at the level of your hand that you can grasp.  This is a great design for individuals that have some level of disability or suffer from arthritis, because you can make use of the strength of your entire arm, distributing the weight and force throughout, instead of on your wrist and hand.  You will also significantly increase the force of work you can exert on the garden tool.

Comfortable and Shock-Resistant Padded Handles and Grips

Another common feature in both hand-sized tools and full length tools is padding.  Padding allows you to form a tighter grip, because it is flexible, and it is much more comfortable to use and reduces the chances of blisters.  Padded handles also absorb some of the shock or vibrations associated with some of the movements you make with garden tools, which helps to prevent pain and damage to your hands, wrists, and elbows.

For instance, I remember using a flat bar to pull up tile that had very strong adhesive.  This is not a gardening example, but one that makes a good point.

I was hammering one end of the flat bar to get under the edges and to separate the adhesive, and using my other hand to hold the bar in place.  Well, first, a larger tool would have been the much better choice, and a tool with thick, comfortable padding would have reduced much of the energy traveling into my hands and wrists.  I remember feeling like I had sprained my wrist after about one hour’s work.  This could, and should, have been avoided with the use of a much better ergonomic tool.

Curved and Telescoping Full Length Handles

Two common designs for full length tools are curved handles, and handles that are length-adjustable through telescoping segments.  One common design looks like an “S” and it is used on snow shovels and scoop shovels.  The “S” shaped handle allows you to lift and push more easily, and it significantly reduces lower back strain.

Telescoping handles allow you to adjust the length for the type of work you are doing or for the height of the user.  Again, these help in reducing lower back strain and can also reduce fatigue in your arm muscles.

What to Look For

There are three things to look for when purchasing an ergonomic garden tool:  strength, weight, and quality construction.

1. Strength

Both the handle and tool head should be strong.  Some manufacturers use a lightweight steel shaft that is coated.  Others will use a professional grade fiberglass that is both lightweight and strong.  Strength and weight are key to good quality ergonomic garden tools.

2. Weight

As just mentioned, weight is an important factor.  There are designs that are both durable and very strong, but also light weight.  You do not want to work with a heavy tool.  Repetitive movements over a period of time will bring more fatigue and increase chances of injury if you use a heavy tool.

3. Quality Construction

Buying an 89 cent, two liter bottle of off-brand soda may be a good idea, but buying inexpensive, off-brand ergonomic garden tools is usually not.  Cheap metals, flimsy tool attachments, weak handles, etc., are factors you need to stay away from.  Pay for high quality and life-long warranties, and you will use your tools for years.

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Dan Fenstemaker is an ergonomic garden tools expert. For more great information on ergonomic garden tools, visit http://www.inteletool.com

If you go to a typical home and garden store, you may get the impression you need dozens of tools to keep your home in good shape.  After all, there are literally thousands of outdoor tools and other pieces of equipment for sale.  Well, you simply don’t.

I love to do small jobs that make a big difference.  Granted, some big repairs can’t be avoided, but I am going to give you what is probably considered the three most basic outdoor improvements you can make with the biggest return, and they require very few outdoor tools or no equipment.

Spruce Up Your Yard

1. Edging. With a decent manual or power edger, you can make your yard look noticeably nicer in just a few minutes.  Edging your sidewalks and driveway is one of those things that is so simple, yet makes such a great visual improvement.  Clean lines make a whole yard look cleaner and crisper, and the only thing you’re doing is clipping blades of grass in a straight line!

Tools needed?  A lawn edger.  And you can spend as little as $20 or up to $400 for a new one.  For twenty bucks and about 10 minutes, your yard can look much more manicured than ever before.

Better yet, buy a weed whacker that can both edge your walks and driveway and also trim high grass along fences and brick work.  It’s that easy.

2. Weeding and Trimming. Another yard-sprucing-up technique is simple weeding and trimming.  When you hear this, you may question the word “simple” as you conjure up negative pictures of big, time consuming jobs.  But, actually, if a little weeding and trimming happens each week, you very seldom, if ever need to experience long, hard work.

The key is to do a little bit a lot of times.  Yep.  That’s the key.  When a yard or landscaping bed is overgrown with weeds, you’re in for some work, but if you pull just a few weeds out each week, there are far less to pull, and they come out easily because they haven’t had time to grow deep, tough roots.

Trimming can also be easy if you don’t let hedges, bushes and trees get out of control.  It’s amazing how the identical home can look amazingly better with well trimmed bushes and shrubs.  It not only makes your landscaping look better, it makes the whole house look better.  Well maintained landscaping somehow transfers to the actual house.  It’s that simple.

Tools needed?  Not much.  There are a few variations on the standard hand-tool weeder, and you can spend as little as $5 and up to $30.  Newer “twister” designs and even stand-up designs with foot plungers make weeding easier, and will cost you just a little more.

For trimming, you have a whole host of options, but you don’t have to spend a lot.  Basic pruners and clippers are inexpensive, and again, the key is to keep on top of the growth.

De-Clutter Your Yard

I’ve always been amazed how the beauty of a property can be improved by simply keeping it clean and clutter free.  Garden hoses, yard knick-knacks, and other stuff lying around makes a yard look cheap and poorly maintained.  Even simply sweeping or blowing away leaves, clippings and other debris makes a driveway, garage floor or sidewalk surprisingly more beautiful in just moments.

Tools Needed?  Well, you might invest in a decent quality gas blower.  I did almost 20 years ago (won’t mention the brand, but my father-in-law convinced me to buy good quality and I’m really glad I did.)

Even if I barely move anything in my garage, just taking two minutes to blow out dust and leaves off the garage floor makes the whole thing look better.  And taking three minutes to blow the grass clippings and other stuff off my driveway and sidewalks does the same thing.  A good blower can cost you $300 or more, but like I mentioned, I’ve had mine for twenty years and I love it.

Other than a blower, de-cluttering your yard just requires you and maybe a broom.  And, as you can see from above, edging, trimming, weeding and basic de-cluttering takes surprisingly little investment by way of outdoor tools and equipment, so save your money, consistently put in little bits of labor, and you will keep your yard both beautiful and inviting to everyone passing by.

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Dan Fenstemaker is an outdoor tools and equipment expert. For more great information on outdoor tools and equipment, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

Recently, there have been a couple of new outdoor tool designs that are multi-functional, because they incorporate various interchangeable tool heads and an adjustable telescoping tool handle.  They really are must-have tools, because they are heavy duty and well built and will allow you to do many different jobs with a single tool.

An Interchangeable Telescopic Construction Grade Tool

The key to purchasing a multi-functional tool is the construction quality.  Any “one-tool-does-all” design built with weak, low-grade steel, flimsy tool head attachments, and easily broken locking rings is not worth the money you pay for it.  Find a manufacturer that builds a true “construction grade” tool, and it will last for years.  Construction grade should mean it stands up to the demands professional contractors put on their equipment.  It should feel very solid and there should be no slipping or unwanted loosening.

If tool heads are loose, begin to rotate when you put them to use, or bend and break, you will realize you have wasted your investment.  So, another key when purchasing a multi-functional outdoor tool is the kind of tool attachment and locking mechanisms used in the handle’s construction.

Tool Head Attachment and Locking Mechanisms

A solid, construction grade tool, will have an inner locking mechanism that will allow the user to stop the telescoping extension of the pole handle at any place they want it to.  The inner locking mechanism and the outer band should be heavy duty, solid, and easy to manipulate.  The high quality, construction grade, designs will actually have a solid “click” when you lock them, and they will not require the user to tighten and un-tighten a threaded ring every time you adjust it.  These types of designs are cumbersome and break under regular use.

Available Tool Heads

Some of the tools available with multi-functional outdoor tools are leaf rakes, bow rakes, garden shovels, spades, hoes, tree saws, scoop shovels, and other specialized tool heads.  So, a high-quality, adjustable tool handle that works with several tool heads will allow the user to do many jobs with a single tool.

Benefits

Having this type of tool saves a lot of storage space, makes the tool really easy to transport (some come with their own storage pack or even a pack back), and allows the user to complete a wider range of jobs than ordinary garden tools would allow.

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Dan Fenstemaker is an outdoor tool expert. For more great information on outdoor tool, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

Though you may think to yourself, “duh, isn’t that awfully simple,” there are two ways to make outdoor trimming easier and faster that many of us forget about.  The result is more work, more time spent, and more frustration.  Follow these two easy basics and getting your outdoor trimming done will be faster and easier.

1. Always Keep Your Trimming Tools Sharp

If you regularly sharpen the cutting edges of your various outdoor trimmers (ie. bypass shears, anvil shears, lopping shears and hedge shears), completing your trimming work will be substantially faster and easier.

To Sharpen Your Hedge Shears: Simply hold your clippers in an open position, above your vise with blades spread apart and cutting edges up, and sharpen the blade that has its’ beveled edge facing you.  Use a grinding bit (a Dremel #932 Grinding Stone works well), and grind from one end of the blade to the other.  You do not need to apply a lot of pressure as you grind.

Be careful not to change the bevel angle as you sharpen, and if you sharpen your blades regularly (usually once a season is enough unless you do quite a bit of trimming), trimming your hedges will be a lot easier.

To Sharpen Your Bypass Shears: You can use a grinding wheel on bypass shears, but a more precise method that may allow you to have a cleaner, sharper edge is to use small diamond-embedded files.  One coarse file and one that is fine.  Practice drawing the entire length of the file along the edge of the cutting blade, and again, make sure to follow the same bevel angle that already exists on the blade’s edge.

Sharpening the cutting edges of anvil shears and lopping shears can be done basically in the same fashion as discussed above.  One trick to help you know you are grinding at the same bevel angle is to first color the entire beveled edge with black marker.  If your grinding is leaving portions of black remaining on the edge, you know you need to adjust the angle of your grinding or filing.

2. Always Clean Your Tools

Removing dirt and other debris from your outdoor trimming tools helps prevent rusting, helps keep them sharp, and allows the cutting movements to flow easily.  Dirt and dust can attract and hold moisture, so letting them sit on steel surfaces will eventually lead to rusting.  Also, if there is dirt or granules of sand or other material on the cutting blades, each time the blade moves along the surface of the other, the cutting edge will become duller.

You can clean your tools by using kerosene or WD-40 and a Scotch Pad.  If there is build up of rust or other gunk, first soak the blades with the lubricant for about one minute and then scrub them with steel wool.  After the buildup is removed, use the finer Scotch Pad to finish rubbing the blade surfaces.

Also, after every use, make sure your tools are dirt free and completely dry.  A quick spray of WD-40 over the steel and the handle will help remove dirt and also leave a thin protective layer.  Linseed oil is also great for a wooden handles.  Just rub a little in when you’re done.

So, if you take a few extra minutes to practice these two outdoor trimming tool basics, you will keep your tools in great operating condition, allow them to last you a long time, and you will save a lot of time and effort each time you trim.

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Dan Fenstemaker is an outdoor trimming expert. For more great information on outdoor trimming, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

There are many different designs of outdoor trimmers, and I will discuss the different power options that are currently available.  It’s important to think about the trimming and cutting needs you have and then keep in mind the advantages and disadvantages of the types of outdoor trimmers available.

Electric Outdoor Trimmers with Power Cords

The main advantages of electric outdoor trimmers with power cords are price, maintenance, weight and noise level.

Typically, though not always, electric outdoor trimmers with power cords are the least expensive models available.  Electric trimmers usually require less maintenance and weigh significantly less than outdoor trimmers with gasoline engines.  Electric outdoor trimmers are also much quieter to use and they are better on the environment than gasoline.

The disadvantages of electric outdoor trimmers with power cords are restricted distance of use, lower strength than gas powered units, and the possible danger of cutting the power cord.  The maximum cord length to use with an electric trimmer is 150 feet.  The longer the cord, the more resistance there is in the current, which reduces voltage that can be hard on the electric motor.

Gas powered units can be substantially stronger than electric units, so electric units are better for smaller, light-duty jobs.  You also need to be conscious of where you are dragging the power cord and avoid tangling or slicing the cord accidentally.

Electric Outdoor Trimmers with Rechargeable Batteries

Electric outdoor trimmers with rechargeable batteries are also much quieter than gas powered models, but they weigh more than power cord units because of the added battery weight, and they usually aren’t as strong as power cord models and typically only work for about 30 to 45 minutes before needing to be recharged.

Like power cord units, they are better for the environment, and the main advantage over electric models with power cords is the unrestricted distance you can travel with your trimmer.

Gas Powered Outdoor Trimmers

The clear advantage of gas powered outdoor trimmers is the power.  Gas powered models can tackle tough trimming jobs and you can move through your work much more quickly.  The most obvious evidence for this is the fact that you don’t see professional crews using electric units.  They put many hours of work in, tackling tough, large jobs, and they want to work quickly and efficiently.

If you have a large property and do a lot of trimming, gas powered models are your best bet, but the main disadvantages are the noise, the fumes, and the extra work that gas powered engines require.

Propane Powered Outdoor Trimmers

I have even seen propane powered units on the market.  These units are for the environmentally sensitive users who also want the mobility and unrestricted movement of not having to use a power cord.

The main disadvantage of propane powered designs is keeping propane canisters in stock.  They can run up to $5.00 per canister, and you cannot re-fill the canisters, though they are recyclable.

There are also other cool features and designs you may consider when purchasing outdoor trimmers.  Some have adjustable handle lengths and interchangeable head capabilities that allow you to turn your grass trimmer into a hedge trimmer, or pole saw, or even a mini garden cultivator.

Think about the trimming needs you have, do your homework on what’s available, keep the advantages and disadvantages of the various designs in mind, and remember to buy a good quality outdoor trimmer that will last you for years to come.

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Dan Fenstemaker is an outdoor trimmers expert. For more great information on outdoor trimmers, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

Got a guy in your life that loves cool tools?  Does he love cool gadgets?  Well, it can be a challenge to buy for a guy like this, because he won’t use junk and he also seems to have one of everything he needs.  Well, here’s the Key to thinking about cool tools as you try to find a great gift for the man who has everything.

KEY:  A lot of times, the coolest new tools are the ones that bring innovative changes to the old, already known and trusted classic tool designs.

In other words, there’s not that much new under the sun.  Tools still need to do the same things he’s always needed them to do.  They need to pull, pound, screw, rake, grab, cut, dig, etc.  And, frankly, no matter how new and innovative a new tool product is promoted as being, if it compromises on the basic functions he needs it to perform, he may thank you for the “thoughtful  gift”, but he ain’t really gonna use it!

So, if a tool designer can keep the simplicity, versatility and strength of a tool (which are always characteristics of great tools), but modify it to make the tool more versatile, or easily used, or easily stored without compromising on its’ tried and true features, you got yourself a very cool tool that your tool lover will use for years.

Quality Multi-Functional Designs (Interchangeable Telescopic Construction Grade Tools)

A class of cool tools that is worth checking out includes designs that allow one tool, with interchangeable attachments, to perform many functions.  But, again, the key to selecting the right multi-functional tool is to find one that performs each basic function as well as the original single purpose tool does.

For example, if the promotion of a tool says something like “and it works like a hammer, too!” and the “hammer” attachment feels like trying to hammer with the handle of a screw driver, then what’s the point of trying to hammer with it?  It’s really just a gimmick, and anyone who does any regular work with tools won’t bother with it.

But, there are quality products on the market that truly are versatile because they are multi-functional, very strong, and they perform each function properly.

For Garden and Lawn Enthusiasts

For garden and lawn care enthusiasts, I have seen multi-functional designs that include a very well built, heavy duty, telescoping handle with professional grade tool heads that can be interchanged for multiple purposes.  They include various shovel, rake, saw and broom tool heads, and they’re really great.  They save space, can be transported easily, and tool lovers think they are really cool.

Look for designs with a solid, comfortable handle equipped with a high quality tool head mount and heavy duty locking rings. There are poor quality telescoping handles on the market that are flimsy and weak, and even worse, the locking mechanisms that hold the handle length in place and the tool heads secure break easily or are really hard to maneuver. You sure want to stay away from these!

So, do your homework, find a design that allows for interchangeable, construction grade tool heads, and a solid telescopic handle, and you have a very cool tool for the man who loves them.  He will end up using it for years!

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Dan Fenstemaker is a cool christmas tools expert. For more great information on cool christmas tools, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

There are three common types of outdoor shears that are really helpful in yard maintenance.  I will discuss only hand-tool models in this article, avoiding power tools.  When you are considering what shears to purchase, you should first think in terms of the types of work you expect to do, and after that, think in terms of weight, comfort and price.

Lopping Shears

Lopping shears have long handles, require both hands to operate, and are more heavy-duty than other single hand shears or hedge trimmers.  They are great for thicker branches, and can typically cut diameters up to about 3 inches.  They can have scissor type cutting ends similar to hand held bypass sheers, or they can have the single blade anvil-type cutting ends.  The strength and length of the long handles allows for good leverage, which means making powerful cuts is easier.

If you purchase the anvil design, know that the cut typically will be more like crushing or pinching the branch first, and then severing it.  In other words, green branches will usually be crushed on one side and sliced on the other, which can create a more damaging cut.  Anvil designs, as a result, work really well for cutting dead branches.

Scissor-Type or Bypass Shears

Bypass Shears work like scissors and are really good for precision cutting and closer cuts.  The profile of the cutting blades looks like a smiling duck bill with an upper blade with a convex curve slicing past a lower blade with a concave curve (sometimes the lower blade is straight).

This cutting blade design allows you to make easy, clean cuts of branch diameters of almost 1 inch.  They are smaller, lighter, and very easy to carry with you, so they tend to be the most widely used type of shears.  Quality steel and good craftsmanship are the keys to Bypass Shears and other outdoor shears, so don’t compromise quality because of price.  If you’ve ever used cheap, easily dulled bypass shears, you know difficult and exasperating pruning can be.

Hedge Shears

Hedge Shears are basically just that.  Hedge Shears.  They really can’t be used for anything else, but they have long blades, cut multiple, small branches at a time, and are great for pruning and shaping your hedges.  Because of this, they are an outdoor shear essential.

Believe it or not, a high quality, well lubricated, and well sharpened pair of hedge shears will cut almost as fast as power hedge clippers and you don’t have to worry about dragging an electrical cord around with you.

If you own quality lopping, bypass and hedge trimmers, you will be able to handle about 90% of all your trimming needs.  You may also want to check out the various tree trimmers on the market, as well, if you want to reach high distances without a ladder.  Remember to buy well made outdoor shears, keep them in great shape, and they will last for many years.

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Dan Fenstemaker is an outdoor shears expert. For more great information on outdoor shears, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

Building your own brick or tile patio will save you hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did the job yourself.  There are a number of things to think about when designing and building your own patio, so check the internet for helpful sites.  I have found several websites that provide good tips and instructions along with great visuals to guide you along.

But, one thing that’s a bit harder to find is a list of the basic tools you may need to complete the job.  Please note this may not be a complete or comprehensive list, because there are differences in patio design that require different patio tools, and I may also have simply forgotten a thing or two.

Save Yourself Unnecessary Frustration

Needless to say, there is nothing more frustrating than having to make an unplanned trip to the hardware store right in the middle of trying to complete one of the construction steps because you forgot to get a needed patio tool.

Use the following list to get started, and as you plan and design, think about any additional tools you may need.  The key is to have as complete a list as possible, and to then have your tools available and laid out when you begin the job.

List of Patio Tools

- Safety Glasses or Safety Goggles (very important when cutting, splitting, sweeping, tapping, etc.)
- Measuring Tape
- Knee pads
- Work Gloves
- Wheelbarrow or Hand Truck
- Easy-to-read Level (the longer the better for speed and accuracy)
- Broom (for clean up and working sand into the paver joints as you complete the job).
- Basic Shovel
- Masonry Saw or Brick Saw (you can rent this so make sure one is available.  You can also use a circular saw with a diamond chip blade.)
- Screed Board (you can make one with a 2 by 10 board.  Use guides on each end and then drag screed board to level the sand or gravel base you are preparing)
- Hand Trowel (used for spreading sand or gravel, adjusting pavers or tiles, scraping excess sand from edges, etc.)
- Vibrating Plate Compactor (to press tiles/pavers down and level them.  Great for larger jobs)
- Hand tamper (for small jobs, a hand tamper is enough.  You can even make your own with squares of plywood nailed together into the end of a 4 x 4).
- Pry bar or flat bar to adjust joint alignment by adjusting pavers or tile
- Mason’s trowel or ice scraper tool (to pack sand tightly into the joints once patio is completed.)
- Hammer and wide Mason’s Chisel (for basic crosscuts on final end pieces.)

Again, this may not be a complete list of everything you’ll need, but it’s a great place to start.  Remember, thinking through your job and having all the right tools available really helps to make the job go faster and makes it a lot more enjoyable.

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Dan Fenstemaker is a patio tools expert. For more great information on patio tools, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

Outdoor DIY projects can be easier and less expensive than many people think.  They can also make your home safer and increase its’ value.  You can complete many small-scale outdoor DIY projects in a single day, and completing something that adds visual beauty brings immediate satisfaction.

Here are a few easy outdoor DIY projects that just about anyone can complete:

Yard Trimming

Trimming hedges, bushes and tree branches can make a big difference with relatively low levels of effort.  Though many consider this a summer project, trimming high bushes and trees can be a lot easier and safer in the colder months of Fall.  If you have a warm weekend after the leaves have fallen, trim that unruly bush or the low-hanging branches of the tree that’s near your driveway or too close to the house or power lines.  With the leaves gone, getting to and cutting branches is easier.  Your cuttings will also weigh less because the weight of the leaves is gone.

Spruce Up Your Entryway

Another great outdoor DIY project is simply repainting your front door. This makes a big visual difference with very little expense or time.  Replace your old lock and door knob with something more classic or substantial looking, and the whole feel of your home changes instantly.  Also, painting the door frame and threshold makes the whole entryway feel new and crisp.  Again, the cost of paint and door knobs is inexpensive, and you can complete the entire job within a few hours.

Add a Few Shrubs

Many homes can be transformed with the presence of green, leafy growth around the home’s foundation.  If lower level brick or cement foundation surfaces are blemished and old looking, adding shrubs can add beauty and also hide the unsightly blemishes, so it makes the list for outdoor DIY projects that help out a lot.

Wash Your Windows

As simple and inexpensive as this is, many people leave their windows dirty for months, if not years.  One reason for this may be that windows usually don’t get dirty quickly.  Dirt and streaks build up unnoticed, so you slowly get used to the dirty windows and the decreasing amount of sunlight that’s getting through.  When you give your windows a good cleaning, your rooms are sunnier and transformed instantly, and viewing things outdoors through the windows are prettier and crisper.  Again, cleaning windows cost almost nothing except for your time and energy, but it makes a big difference in your home’s beauty and maybe even your mood!

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Dan Fenstemaker is a outdoor diy expert. For more great information on outdoor diy, visit http://www.inteletool.com.

Planning and planting a garden is easier than you may think, and fresh grown vegetables, herbs, and flowers are great rewards that are worth a couple weekends of getting your garden underway.  Below are a few basic tips to use around your home and garden.

1. Before you begin to dig up a place in your yard for your garden, decide how much work you want to put into gardening and how big of yield you hope to harvest.  If you just start tearing up yard, you may end up with too much garden and wasted space.

2. Many will till their garden twice before planting.  The first till is to break up and loosen hard soil to about 12 to 14 inches of depth.  The second should till compost and fertilizer into the soil.

3. Depending on your soil type, mix in compost material and possibly peat moss to add nutrients and to aid in water absorption and drainage.

4. Keep soil around the base of plants loose to aid in water and nutrient absorption.

5. Watering more deeply allows longer periods of time between watering. If it is sunny and hot, water in early morning or at night.  There is less water evaporation at these times which allows water to soak into the soil.

6. For lawn care, one deep watering is better than watering lightly several times.  In normal summer conditions, lawns need about one inch of rain per week.

7. To help keep water from evaporating from lawns, keep lawns cut at about two inches, or so.  Not gathering grass clippings will allow for natural compost to develop which adds nutrients to the soil of your lawn.

8. To slow evaporation from your garden, put a couple of inches of mulch on the surface of the soil.

These are basic home and garden tips that can be used in most climates and regions of the country.  Your local home and garden professional can also give you helpful tips, especially those that may particularly apply to the local area in which you live.

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Dan Fenstemaker is a home and garden tips expert. For more great information on home and garden tips, visit http://www.inteletool.com.