Environmental Blog Page
By Sheryl Charvat, Environmental Champion since 1970
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HAPPY SUNSHINE, WELCOME MONTH OF MAY~!
The month of May brings loads of sunshine with it this year - amazingly warm!! In the Pacific Northwest this means everyone is immediately outside, smiling as we see gorgeous colors, flowers blooming and trees leafing out at last. Whew! I have already seen many people watering their plants, which may be necessary - especially for new plants. I also see people watering & fertilizing their lawns already, which of course seems like a terrible waste to us, especially since we know that it is nearly impossible to have a well groomed lawn here, particularly when you have pets. Last weekend all I could hear all weekend long was lawn mowers and besides the work (and noise!!) of lawn mowers, did you know that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the 54 million Americans who maintain their lawns with gas-powered mowers burn 800,000,000 gallons of gasoline weekly? That is a ton of gasoline, and so many gallons are poured directly into the dirt from spillage, & this affects our precious salmon streams too. So consider artificial grass lawns: they are practical, beautiful, and environmentally conscious. Read some of our testimonials for more about what our homeowners think of them.
Left is a photo of one of our rigs - wave to us as you go by :)
HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all moms!!
Left is a photo of one of our rigs - wave to us as you go by :)
HAVE A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all moms!!
APRIL SHOWERS BRING...........WELL, LOTS OF WATER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
Wow, it can be difficult to live with the copious amounts of water we have been experiencing since April began, and the upcoming week brings more and more rain. Every now and again the sun pokes out for just a few seconds and if lucky, we can see a rainbow.
I see the weird weather in the middle states and feel somewhat fortunate that we don't have snow, so can't complain.
But the rain wreaks havoc on plants when there is too much of it, even on grass trying to grow. It seems that no amount of new topsoil, plugging, thatching, feeding, weeding, re-seeding, and constant mowing will make it grow, particularly when pets add their own liquids to the rain. The Camellia tree seen in the "before" portion of the photo to the left was during a 3-day sun streak we had, the last of which managed a warm temperature of about seventy degrees, yay! But all too soon, the blooms were on the ground, where I had to snap a photo because they are still pink, the sun came out, and we were admiring our artificial turf lawn, which looked freshly mowed, we could walk on it and not slide into muddy patches, and we don't really do much at all to keep it looking this way. Artificial turf is definitely great for the Pacific Northwest climate!
I see the weird weather in the middle states and feel somewhat fortunate that we don't have snow, so can't complain.
But the rain wreaks havoc on plants when there is too much of it, even on grass trying to grow. It seems that no amount of new topsoil, plugging, thatching, feeding, weeding, re-seeding, and constant mowing will make it grow, particularly when pets add their own liquids to the rain. The Camellia tree seen in the "before" portion of the photo to the left was during a 3-day sun streak we had, the last of which managed a warm temperature of about seventy degrees, yay! But all too soon, the blooms were on the ground, where I had to snap a photo because they are still pink, the sun came out, and we were admiring our artificial turf lawn, which looked freshly mowed, we could walk on it and not slide into muddy patches, and we don't really do much at all to keep it looking this way. Artificial turf is definitely great for the Pacific Northwest climate!
MARCH: SPRING FORWARD!!
Here is a photo of our artificial turf putting green, just beyond the deck seen here, on March 22, 2013. Yep, that's right, it snowed about 3 inches--a bit unbelievable! Most of us are very ready for the end of winter, and now that DST is finally here, and we (eventually) see the sun again, we think of going outdoors more and well, some of us actually wash our cars again too (if you wash your car at home be sure to use a nozzle with auto-shutoff so you don't waste water). When we walk on our lawns and let our kids and pets out into the yard to play, we find that it's still pretty muddy out there and suddenly find ourselves in need of carpet cleaning... There is a solution to that, and yes it is artificial but it's no dream. Turf doesn't have to be difficult to grow, maintain, be clean and neat and still look and feel like natural grass. Most of our visitors, which frequently become our customers, cannot believe that our synthetic lawns are not "real grass". Best of all, no mud coming back in the house, no muddy clothes, or shoes, and no muddy paw-prints :) Artificial turf's benefits outnumber natural grass in so many ways. Look at some close up, feel it with your hands, and you will be surprised, I guarantee it.
FEBRUARY = A CONFUSING MONTH FOR PLANT LIFE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
Already half-way through the month of February, we see our plants bud and grow when the sun shines and it gets a bit warmer, then go back to "I'm freezing here!" mode, sometimes overnight. It's hard to protect plants from the back-and-forth of the "spring" months ahead. At least we know they will all be well-watered, as it does seem to rain nearly constantly. Oh well, if you live here, you know what is coming and that we live with nearly continuous gray. One recent customer was deciding between a patio, or a walkway of concrete block in their yard so at least they could walk through their grass yard without sinking in to their ankles in mud. When they found out that artificial turf is incredibly realistic, has a solid base that does not shift or move when walked upon, looks great, feels wonderful, and would eliminate the brown spots (eventually turning to mud) from their dog's liquids, the thought of green instead of gray.....was this, they wondered, truly possible or simply a grand dream? Turf, though - could they afford it? Would it last? Is it environmentally friendly? And would it be too expensive? For answers to these questions, have a look at our FAQ pages. And remember, artificial turf does not need to be mowed, ever! And in case you happen to live on the water, as shown in this photo - geese, coots, and other water fowl do not seem to enjoy synthetic turf as much as mammals do, so no more goose droppings and no more coots eating the grass to the roots, yay!
TAKES A LICKIN' & KEEPS ON.......BEING GORGEOUS (USABLE TOO!).
We were recently called to view this deep infill golf green because of record tide levels. The salt water had thoroughly drenched this golf green and the homeowners were worried the green may have been damaged. This golf green is over seven years old. When we arrived for inspection, it was in *perfect* working order! Not only did the salt water do zero damage, but with a little bit of care the green has been performing (as expected) beautifully and has many years of life left. Pride of workmanship creates these kinds of projects. IF they cost more upfront (most often they are very comparable), costs are easily recovered when the project can hold up to punishing conditions. It makes sense for synthetic turf to last--it's an investment after all. But, homeowners absolutely must select a well run company (one that has been in business long enough to support their warranties, no Chuck-in-a-trucks if you please) to install their projects if long-lasting results are the goal. And environmentally, this golf green has not been dumping or leaching chemicals into the water for these past seven years (imagine if it were regular golf green grass--gasp!) or so, and no one has put carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or spilled gasoline because it needed to be mowed. The homeowners are happy and so are we to see an older golf green in such lovely condition after so many years!
2013: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
The days are getting longer, and sometimes we even see the sunshine, whew. Cold days wreak havoc on plants of course, but luckily native plants are acclimated to our weather pattern and don't seem to suffer too much. Today we see temperatures in the twenties and see rhoddies leaves droop in anticipation of snow (that is unlikely to come at this point, we are actually headed for a few days of dry weather!). Dogs want to run and play outside and so do children once bundled up properly, and this play time can also be tough on lawns; as well as an ugly mess when everyone comes inside to warm up. Unless, of course, the lawn is synthetic--artificial turf lawns stay the same all year. And we found out that coots won't eat artificial turf either so if you are lake-side & have no grass left because of coot-looting of your lawn, consider switching. One customer recently had a hearty laugh with his neighbor when the coots came up to his new synthetic lawn and looked at it, went back into the water, and swam around to the neighbor's lawn. Guess who is next up for artificial lawn?
Any water loving, grass eating bird, like geese, don't like synthetic either so it's a great way to avoid the nastiness they leave behind!
Any water loving, grass eating bird, like geese, don't like synthetic either so it's a great way to avoid the nastiness they leave behind!
DECEMBER! REMEMBER, WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR.
And after the shortest day of the year, we get a few more minutes of daylight each day. Gives us something to look forward to on these dark & wet days. Do you find yourself walking around your grass lawn because it is so wet & muddy? Do your feet sink in to your lawn when stepping on it? Do your children & pets come inside with mud on their paws & feet? We can make a rule for our families to wipe their feet or remove their shoes, but it's harder with pets and of course they bring in the mud too. Which is one of the Big Reasons our customers love synthetic turf grass lawns! NO MORE MUD. As soon as the blades of the artificial lawn are dry, our synthetic turf can be walked on, played on, and used without any risk of sinking in to squishy mud. Lots of potential clients have called us recently to ask if it looks and feels like real grass (I think they may still be thinking of the first "Astroturf" fake grass). Many think that synthetic lawns simply must look terrible, or feel terrible, and that realistic looking fake lawns are nothing but a fantasy or a dream. Turf, though, has truly come a long way in its manufacture processes, and materials used (particularly true of U.S. manufactured turf). When people see our showroom, they are absolutely astonished that our lawns and artificial golf putting greens are the 'fake grass'. Need a Christmas gift for someone that has everything? Give us a call!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
So, no warnings or tips to avoid gaining weight during the Thanksgiving holiday here: we don't think it matters too much anyway. It's just one day. Instead I'd like to take this opportunity to not only wish everyone a terrific Thanksgiving holiday, but also to talk a bit about "Black Friday", which I most certainly wish had a different moniker like "Red Friday", or even "Red & Green Friday". As some of us stay tucked cozily at home watching either football games or running off the added calories from the food we consumed the day before, lots of us will be racing out for The Big Bargains. I know there is quite a movement, wholly supported by our company(!) to "buy local", or "buy American"--which can be tough in a difficult economy, or if a wage earner is laid off, or because the lure of super cheap prices creates an opportunity to have something we ordinarily might not be able to afford. So what is an American buyer to do? Environmentally, remember that goods must be transported--regardless of what they are--which means that imports do cost us environmentally with pollution from air freight and then trucking; so purchasing locally made products is always better. Next, we can all do our research to be certain of the origin of manufacture. Then we can make informed decisions. I personally am in the market for new "everyday" dishes and would not consider purchasing anything not made here in the U.S. I want them inspected for contaminants and I want to be 100% sure they do not contain lead that could harm my family. I know that this means I may have to pay more for them, so I started saving earlier and taking my time in finding the 'right' product. (And of course, we hope that families that are considering making the switch to synthetic turf grass lawns will do the same.)
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS: REMEMBER TO SET BACK YOUR CLOCKS.
The fall leaves are definitely falling. And now they are also wet. We had to set our clocks back one hour (we keep hoping DST will simply extend to year-round). I guess it 'feels' more like fall now that leaves are on the ground and the rain is here -- seemingly for good. This week we are expecting colder weather too. For those with natural lawns, you will probably want to keep your leaves raked so your lawn can recover from the devastatingly dry late summer/early fall weather (which we loved! Plants = not so much). And please consider using a rake or broom instead of a stinky gas powered leaf blower. Also please consider picking up the debris instead of blowing it into the street so the storm drains can benefit everyone in your neighborhood and avoid flooding.
Synthetic grass lawns need to be kept free of debris also, but only because it will help maintain their usability throughout the winter season and look beautiful. You can walk on synthetic lawns and feel firm ground beneath your feet any time, even in the wet weather. Paws stay drier and less muddy too!
Some say it is easier to keep leaves off regularly than waiting and getting them all at once. For me that's an individual choice. We compost our leaves and use the mulch to control weeds next spring and it works like a charm!
Stay warm and stay dry~!
Synthetic grass lawns need to be kept free of debris also, but only because it will help maintain their usability throughout the winter season and look beautiful. You can walk on synthetic lawns and feel firm ground beneath your feet any time, even in the wet weather. Paws stay drier and less muddy too!
Some say it is easier to keep leaves off regularly than waiting and getting them all at once. For me that's an individual choice. We compost our leaves and use the mulch to control weeds next spring and it works like a charm!
Stay warm and stay dry~!
OCTOBER 23, 2012. DRY SUNNY DAYS ARE GONE AND BTW, IS IT WINTER OR WHAT?
Unbelievably, our dry spell lasted about 90 days! And then it poured. And poured, and....well, you know. I can be The Weatherman, here is the forecast: "It's raining, it's been raining, and it's going to keep raining." This recent dry spell did seem to take a toll on plants and most of us let our natural grass brown out & die. Now it will be wet continuously and very hard to mow, but will likely find a way to grow anyway. I won't talk about water savings today but did want to remind homeowners with manicured lawns that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the 54 million Americans who maintain their lawns with gas-powered mowers burn 800,000,000 gallons of gasoline weekly. I guess some of that can be factored by weather but that's a LOT of gasoline! And so avoidable. Synthetic turf looks and feels just like a 'real' lawn, never browns out, never grows so you have to mow it, and always looks beautiful. As soon as the tips of the blades of 'grass' are dry, you can walk on it without squishing into mud too. See our "Turf Lawns" page for more information.
HAPPY 2012 FALL, HAPPY OCTOBER, HAPPY DRY DAYS WITH ENDLESS SUNSHINE!!
If you've lived in the Pacific Northwest long, you know how strange it is to see leaves falling from trees and not instantly turn into a soaking wet & mushy mess, or roses that still have petals on them (pictured here are roses cut from my own garden, in October!!), or the sun shining every morning as you wake up. It's truly amazing!! We have been getting a lot of calls recently about brown lawn grass. Some customers have tried valiantly to keep their grass green through our unusual summer/fall dry spell, but find their dogs' use of their lawns add to the 'brown out' problems anyway. Many ask if there is a solution to (a) use less water, which is costly as well as wasteful, and (b) will artificial grass hold up to their dogs' liquids? The answer to both of these questions is a hardy 'YES.' Our artificial grass lawns hold up beautifully to both solids (which still need to be scooped) and liquids, which drain right through to the base beneath (see FAQ page for more on how synthetic grass lawns are constructed). Best of all, pets love 'fake grass', when properly installed and of a high quality (look for American made), as soft as it is realistically beautiful.
STILL ENJOYING DRY WEATHER, BUT CAREFULLY BECAUSE OF WILD FIRES.
The dry conditions that have kept us warm for nearly 2 months is still going strong. Looking outside of my window today I see the weird color of the sunshine through the smokey haze that has blown in from the fires that are consuming much of Eastern Washington. Our thoughts are certainly with families that live over there and are fearful for their homes and their neighbors.
Today I am grateful for the volume of trees in my own neighborhood, churning out oxygen!
One question we are frequently asked about our artificial turf--like the most recent project we finished shown here--a recently completed artificial grass lawn and putting green in Redmond--is if our artificial lawn grass or other turf products will catch on fire.
The answer is: well, not really but sort of. It melts.
Most of us have seen a plastic pop or water bottle thrown in a fireplace & watched as it curled and melted. Artificial turf acts similarly. It can be damaged but does not catch fire like regular grass. I haven't heard of artificial lawns that have been through a wild fire, if anyone has please email me & let me know what happened--not exactly an experiment I can try!
Today I am grateful for the volume of trees in my own neighborhood, churning out oxygen!
One question we are frequently asked about our artificial turf--like the most recent project we finished shown here--a recently completed artificial grass lawn and putting green in Redmond--is if our artificial lawn grass or other turf products will catch on fire.
The answer is: well, not really but sort of. It melts.
Most of us have seen a plastic pop or water bottle thrown in a fireplace & watched as it curled and melted. Artificial turf acts similarly. It can be damaged but does not catch fire like regular grass. I haven't heard of artificial lawns that have been through a wild fire, if anyone has please email me & let me know what happened--not exactly an experiment I can try!
WELCOME SEPTEMBER! DRY, WARM, PLEASANT = WOW!
We are ushering the month of September in with extremely dry conditions. Do be mindful of outdoor burning (and your neighbors will appreciate your efforts in this regard too), of throwing burning debris from your vehicle, and overuse of water. Our lawns are dry, dry, dry--we are about to hit a record number of dry days at SeaTac. While we love the sunshine, we see our poor gardens and lawns browning out. Of course it's important to water your plantings, vegetable gardens, and trees; it's also important to let the lawn go without watering. This precious resource is so much better allocated, even in our wet Pacific Northwest weather. Lawns will come back when the rain does.
Then again, if you'd like to have a lush, green, soft lawn all summer and forget about mowing, why not consider an artificial turf lawn? Save on water cost, enjoy the beauty, no pesticides going into the water table = a very environmentally friendly project. Pets love artificial grass and kids do too. And how much fun is this golf green to the left? Great for parties, adults and kids, all virtually maintenance free.
Oh and moms - remember, school is just around the corner so hang in there!
Then again, if you'd like to have a lush, green, soft lawn all summer and forget about mowing, why not consider an artificial turf lawn? Save on water cost, enjoy the beauty, no pesticides going into the water table = a very environmentally friendly project. Pets love artificial grass and kids do too. And how much fun is this golf green to the left? Great for parties, adults and kids, all virtually maintenance free.
Oh and moms - remember, school is just around the corner so hang in there!
AH, AUGUST: MILD SUNSHINE, SEAFAIR, BLUE ANGELS, COOL EVENINGS WITH SHOOTING STARS = WHAT A PLACE!!
August isn't my favorite month of the year just because my birthday happens to fall during August, there is just so much to appreciate around the Seattle area in August, and weather is actually included. Lawns tend to brown out during August and September here--that's where we come in, artificial grass solves the problem altogether and for good. There is nothing 'green', or environmentally friendly about watering a lawn. It is wasteful and unnatural in the extreme. With the center of our country literally burning up, I feel pretty guilty when I so much as water my pots of flowers.
An artificial lawn looks good 100% of the time, uses zero water even during the sunniest months of the year, and we carry specific types of artificial grass products that even feel like the 'real thing'. I particularly love when someone comes to preview our work and have expressed skepticism prior to their visit. I smile when I hear about The Skeptics because I already know what their reaction will be when they get here--they love the 'natural' look, the feel, the lack of maintenance, and the fact that they won't be wasting water all summer long while enjoying their lawns.
I enjoyed the shooting-star show from my artificial lawn last night (8/11)--and was not disturbed by bugs or slugs. A gorgeous evening and I simply walked outside and spread out on my lawn. No blankets or chairs necessary.
An artificial lawn looks good 100% of the time, uses zero water even during the sunniest months of the year, and we carry specific types of artificial grass products that even feel like the 'real thing'. I particularly love when someone comes to preview our work and have expressed skepticism prior to their visit. I smile when I hear about The Skeptics because I already know what their reaction will be when they get here--they love the 'natural' look, the feel, the lack of maintenance, and the fact that they won't be wasting water all summer long while enjoying their lawns.
I enjoyed the shooting-star show from my artificial lawn last night (8/11)--and was not disturbed by bugs or slugs. A gorgeous evening and I simply walked outside and spread out on my lawn. No blankets or chairs necessary.
JULY = SUMMER REALLY IS COMING...........HOLD ON...........YES IT REALLY IS!
Watching the rest of the country swelter in suffocating heat keeps us mindful of the Beauty of Rain and the Loveliness of Green. But we'd love some sunshine too!
As we approach the 4th of July (and Happy 4th of July to everyone!), we are told there really are sunny days coming, the day after the 4th - as usual. We will welcome the warm days of true summer as we send our kids and our pets outside to play. When they come back inside, we hope they won't be muddy from the over-saturated ground. It will dry out eventually--then it's time for watering. At the risk of repeating myself, watering a typical lawn uses 10,000 gallons of water per year to maintain (per lawn - yikes!!). And did you know that only 1% of the earth's water is fresh water? The other 99% is either salt water or frozen (source: EPA). There is nothing "natural" about a perfectly manicured lawn unless one lives in England and has sheep. Since that's not the case here, maybe check into synthetic turf--more and more people are making the conversion and no one looks back--they love not mowing especially!!
PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND VERY HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!
As we approach the 4th of July (and Happy 4th of July to everyone!), we are told there really are sunny days coming, the day after the 4th - as usual. We will welcome the warm days of true summer as we send our kids and our pets outside to play. When they come back inside, we hope they won't be muddy from the over-saturated ground. It will dry out eventually--then it's time for watering. At the risk of repeating myself, watering a typical lawn uses 10,000 gallons of water per year to maintain (per lawn - yikes!!). And did you know that only 1% of the earth's water is fresh water? The other 99% is either salt water or frozen (source: EPA). There is nothing "natural" about a perfectly manicured lawn unless one lives in England and has sheep. Since that's not the case here, maybe check into synthetic turf--more and more people are making the conversion and no one looks back--they love not mowing especially!!
PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND VERY HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!
JUNE = SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, RIGHT??
The photo shown here looks like a freshly mowed lawn. But it's not. It is firmer, drier (yes even here), and always, always looks like it does in this photograph. Imagine having an artificial turf lawn here in the Seattle/Bellevue/Issaquah/Mulilteo/Everett/Tacoma/Puget Sound Region that you barely have to care for at all--just enjoy. Remember, having an artificial lawn (and let's face it, there is really nothing "natural" about a perfectly manicured lawn to begin with) avoids all the toxins leaching from your lawn to the groundwater, the need to mow - with the associated gasoline spills and exhaust emissions, and of course the need to water the lawn is eliminated with the exception of plants and shrubs.
MAY = SUNSHINE AT LAST!!!
We are all relieved to see and feel this beautiful sunny weather after what seemed like a lifetime of rain, gray, and cold weather. Plants happily bloom and everyone heads outdoors. Those of us that have lived here a lifetime race outside and spend as much time out of doors as we possibly can. With any luck at all, this summer will be better than the prior three (being in a construction business, we are acutely aware of stubborn, rainy weather patterns!), with loads of sunny, warm, pleasant days. As we all know, the sunshine brings with it a new necessity - watering. It seems to take no time at all to dry out the garden beds and lawns. We are installing rain barrels at our home as a water-saver for our garden beds, but why water a lawn? There is absolutely no reason to water lawns, they go dormant & will come back in the spring. And if you want a lush, green lawn to play on every day; rain or shine, think synthetic! No watering, no mowing, no fertilizing necessary = pure enjoyment.
IT'S APRIL FOOL WEATHER TIME, CARRY YOUR JACKETS~!
So far, it seems as though April of 2012 has carried forward a lot of the, ah, wet & cold that was March. Although, on all 4 of the sunny days we've experienced so far, we seem to have had lots of people wanting to do away with their mud; paws and feet can carry a lot of dirt and bacteria into a household. A clean, well drained synthetic turf lawn area is a perfect solution for keeping houses clean while allowing children and pets to play outside during the short breaks of sunshine.....which should be coming more regularly as our spring progresses (fingers crossed). Here is the bonus for both the environment and you: no need to water when the rain stops! And no need to mow either. Spend time enjoying rather than working? Sounds like a great idea to me.
Leap into March!
First, Happy Leap Year! I hope some wonderful engagements came about on the 29th of February this year. Here we are in March and it is still cold and windy. My roses are totally confused, sunshine and warmth one day, snow the next. Yikes. I have been on a mission to save on power consumption this year, in spite of the cold winter, and have a few unusual tips that I'd like to share. First, I unplugged absolutely everything except lamps and certain clocks. I put all of our TV gear on power surge strips, that I turn off except while watching, and left the TIVO plugged into the wall so it stays on to accept programming. Televisions eat a ton of electricity when not in use. I also figured out how to power off the square on my microwave that tells the time - I read that we spend more on that screen being on constantly than we use for actual microwaving every year. I also bought a 'blanket' for our hot water tank (at a hardware store) and put it on myself, it was very easy (not attractive though...), and picked up some insulation that was 'cut & snap on' for my exposed hot water carrying pipes in our basement. I also bought a space heater for keeping the area we are in most of the evening warmer and turned down my thermostat (older gas furnace needs replacing but that will have to wait). Add an under-the-front-door double strip and *voila* -- I am thrilled to report I cut my winter month's power bills in half!! It was simple, saves power = good for the environment, and I love the money savings. The photo to the left is just to show another one of our projects recently completed. The homeowner is very happy.
February, Bye Bye Snow.
We may not get much snow here in the Pacific Northwest (other areas are not allowed to make fun of people slipping, sliding, etc. - we have HILLS here!), but when snow storms arrive, they sure can do a number on so many parts of our lives. Snow results in literally tons of dirt and sometimes even salt on the roadways, which wind up on our cars. Best bet is to wash that off as soon as possible. I like using rain barrel water for car washing. I wanted to show what our synthetic turf lawn looked like when the snow melted. The grass was immediately immaculate! No muddy or mushy spots, no brown from being covered - just lush, green, and firm enough for kids and pets to play on right away. If you are tired of mud, consider synthetic turf for areas that you would like to spend less time working on and more time enjoying. By the way, the lawn below is the same in the picture here to the left.
Happy New Year, 2012 = SNOW!!
Here is a photo of synthetic turf with snow on it - looks familiar, eh? In other words, it behaves similarly to regular grass, except that there is no MUD when the snow melts. Weight of snow is also not a problem, so no snow shoveling or blowing is needed. And speaking of shoveling snow - please do be careful about performing this arduous task. Anyone with a history of heart problems should of course be especially careful, as should anyone with a sedentary lifestyle. Although shoveling snow from your driveway is great exercise, it is very strenuous and extra tough because the air is so cold - the body works hard at continually warming the air coming in to the lungs. I know this is a bit off topic WRT environmentalism, but wanted to include this just in case the Puget Sound Region gets a lot of snow this year. Our Big Snow Months here seem to be January and February.....and occasionally in June! Well okay I can't remember if, in 2008, it actually snowed in June (but I think it did) - it was one of the coldest weeks in June ever recorded and I do remember that my roses were utterly confused!
December: Snow? Holidays!
As we all 'wind up' for the frenzy of the upcoming holidays - Christmas followed by the New Year, we can all do our part to keep our own waste at a minimum. I like to watch for too much packaging, and frequently ask if I can leave it with the store for recycling. I have one cookie recipe that calls for egg yellows only, so I use the whites (which can be frozen) in other recipes.
We have all heard about the current trend to "buy American" this Christmas, to support our fellow Americans and keep our economy strong. We are very proud to say that we offer American made turf, manufactured by Americans at textile mills located right here in the U.S. of A. Key words when seeking American made turf (which generally does not cost more than imports) are: "at textile mills located ___." It can be easy to become confused about this, so we like to provide correct terminology so our customers can be certain while shopping. We have many clients that have purchased synthetic lawns or putting greens for that special someone - talk about a unique gift!! We have an excellent package that can be wrapped & put under the tree as well - for that person that 'has everything', a synthetic turf putting green or no-mow, no-mud lawn would certainly be a unique gift!
We have all heard about the current trend to "buy American" this Christmas, to support our fellow Americans and keep our economy strong. We are very proud to say that we offer American made turf, manufactured by Americans at textile mills located right here in the U.S. of A. Key words when seeking American made turf (which generally does not cost more than imports) are: "at textile mills located ___." It can be easy to become confused about this, so we like to provide correct terminology so our customers can be certain while shopping. We have many clients that have purchased synthetic lawns or putting greens for that special someone - talk about a unique gift!! We have an excellent package that can be wrapped & put under the tree as well - for that person that 'has everything', a synthetic turf putting green or no-mow, no-mud lawn would certainly be a unique gift!
11-11-11 - HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!!
I'd like to take today to deviate slightly from my general environmental blogs to thank all of our Veterans that have given part or all of their lives in service to our country. I am very proud to say that we employ a 6-year Marine Veteran, in fact I am proud to know him! We are grateful to all Veterans, we honor you today and in our hearts, every day.
And since it's 11-11-11, everyone make a wish!!
And since it's 11-11-11, everyone make a wish!!
OCTOBER.......MOCTOBER?
Yes we do know rains are coming. Storms, leaves, cozy fires in the fireplace. Soon we will lose Daylight Savings Time (November 6th this year) but for today and this week -WOW! Gorgeous sunny days. Yesterday it hit around 70, in OCTOBER! Many begin thinking about winterizing their lawns and this is a good idea to do. Pruning, tree planting, many outdoor tasks to still get done before we head indoors for the winter. Keeping leaves off of lawns is very important when they are natural grass, not as much so for synthetic. While you would not want to leave four or five inches of leaves piled high on your synthetic lawn to turn into a goo, leaves do not kill the grass underneath when the grass is synthetic. Most of our customers love the look so much of having that 'perfect' lawn all year that they keep them free from debris anyway. On a dry day, an electric vacuum will do the job and no blower (hence no exhaust, no gasoline spills, etc.) is even needed.
SEPTEMBER: PROOF THAT THE SUN ACTUALLY DOES SHINE HERE!
We were beginning to wonder, would the rain ever quit, would the sun ever shine this summer? Finally we had sunny and temperatures over 80 - a record setting 9 days in fact. I think most contractors and painters tried to fit 356 days of work into those 9 days. Did your lawn die out during the 'drought'? If you had to water your lawn, maybe it's time to think about synthetic. Please check out some of our 'before' and 'after' photos on our lawns page, the transformation can be quite dramatic. Bonus score is zero mowing! The photo shown here is one example and the homeowner is thrilled with the softness and beauty of her new lawn. Please go to the Lawns page for a larger photo of the one shown here on the left.
AUGUST: Is Summer Here Yet??
Well, mostly. We have not had very many days of really warm weather. I guess long-time 'Pacific Northwesterners' are not only used to this kind of summer weather, but we actually kind of like it. It's cool in the evenings and nice during the day - not too hot (no frying eggs on dashboards here). No need for air conditioning, but we are getting into watering weather--yes the rain finally did stop for more than a day or two. I have had to water my rose bushes (at last!). But we don't water lawns. Some people can stand to let their lawns brown out completely and not be bothered at all, while others like the soft green blades of grass under their feet when they venture into their yard, for themselves, their children, and/or their pets. For those that do not want to water but want the lush lawn, think synthetic. It's wonderful in the summer and can be enjoyed the moment the rain stops!!
Happy Fourth of July!
Hope everyone got to celebrate the 4th of July safely, sanely and maybe even in nice weather. While the current rainy pattern we have sustained throughout all spring and summer so far does make watering lawns and plants easy, it also allows for runaway moss. You've noticed? Yeah, like that. Rather than play the moss-control game, which often feels like a losing battle, why not give synthetic turf a try? Best of all: no mowing, no weeds either, and no spraying involved~! Whether a small patch of lawn or a huge, rolling estate lawn, nothing looks as beautiful as freshly mowed, perfectly green and weed-free lawn-grass. We can help you accomplish this show-lawn without the mowing, the water-waste, the exhaust, the spilled gas and oil, the pesticides--oh and moles don't care for it much either.
June: Full Lunar Eclipse, Summer Solstice, Rain.
Personally, I really look forward to the extra light the longest day of the year provides, and generally the months of summer, to enjoy the out-of-doors as late as 9:30 at night - or even longer. This year I don't know how many of those we will have with the rain, the gray, and the damp. When the sun finally pokes through the clouds around here, people want to get outside in their yards; yet when they do they're finding a muddy mess! Having a synthetic lawn or putting green allows families to get outside any time the weather breaks and enjoy it while it lasts. Later, when the rain stops (it does! it does stop! it will stop!), instead of a browned out lawn or wasting a lot of water trying to keep lawns green there is still a beautiful green lawn or golf green to enjoy. We have enough gray & brown - enjoy the green :D
Happy May, Again....Already???
What happened to April? Well, it rained - all month long. Coldest April on record, 2011, and I think probably the record for wet too - for the Puget Sound Region. So we will hope for better weather in May. This little darling puppy is sitting on synthetic turf and loving it, I had to include this picture because of his happy little face~! When preparing lawns for spring and summer use, most people put 'Weed and Feed' or similar products on their lawns to keep the beautiful grass and hold back moss and weeds. And May is the Month of Green for sure when it comes to lawns. But consider, whatever you put on your lawn generally contains toxins, and actually does run off into storm drains, soak into groundwater, etc., because of the copious amounts of rain we get each year. We are getting lots and lots...........and lots of calls from parents and dog owners that are tired of mud and runaway moss. After converting to synthetic they are always thrilled. And less environmental pollution is a definite side bonus score. Just ask this little puppy here if he likes it, he will tell you, "YES!!!!"
March-ing....in mud~!?!
No one that lives here needs me to tell them how incredibly wet it's been. We are fighting mudslides all over the region, uprooted and blown down trees, flooding, and every other water problem there is. While we avoid the hot humid summers and 30-feet-of-snow winters in the Puget Sound Region, we do have our own set of climate conditions to contend with, and too much water is certainly one of them in the spring....and fall.....and winter, even sometimes in the summer. Kids and pets want to go outdoors the moment the sunshine pops out; and then come back inside muddy and wet, wet, wet. And just when you think that's the trouble....listen to this: Did you know that homeowners apply some 4 million gallons of pesticides to their lawns and gardens per year - and some of that winds up in our water supply? With so much rain around here, that is a lot of pesticides in our rainwater. Yikes. Skip the mud, save the pesticide and get synthetic (artificial) turf for your lawn. You'll never look back!!
February Snow, & A New Kind of "Green".
Just when we thought we were out of the woods and going to have a mild weather winter, we are currently experiencing record low temperatures and yes, the dreaded "s" word, more snow. March is just around the corner, and should be better.
I wanted to mention one of my recently learned 'fun facts' - about how we think of environmentally friendly products. Many think of synthetic turf as inferior to natural grass lawns, since it is not a living, breathing, oxygen making plant. While that part is true, consider this: Homeowners use up to ten times more toxic chemicals per acre than farmers! (Curiosity Quest, 2010) Replacing a natural grass lawn (that is likely muddy and mossy around here....) with synthetic turf is a great way to lower personal carbon footprints, and enjoy a perfect lawn year-round in the bargain~!
I wanted to mention one of my recently learned 'fun facts' - about how we think of environmentally friendly products. Many think of synthetic turf as inferior to natural grass lawns, since it is not a living, breathing, oxygen making plant. While that part is true, consider this: Homeowners use up to ten times more toxic chemicals per acre than farmers! (Curiosity Quest, 2010) Replacing a natural grass lawn (that is likely muddy and mossy around here....) with synthetic turf is a great way to lower personal carbon footprints, and enjoy a perfect lawn year-round in the bargain~!
Happiness = Mild Weather.
When watching the news I am glad for our gray (even occasionally blue) skies and lack of foot after foot of snow. Our relatively mild weather truly is easier on everyone that lives here.
With Spring and Summer right around the corner, I thought I'd share a few statistics with you: As of 2011, the total estimated amount of synthetic turf installed in North America conserves more than three billion gallons of water, significantly reduces smog emissions, and eliminates close to a billion pounds of harmful fertilizers and pesticides (citation from Synthetic Turf Council)! As you can imagine, we are proud of our own small contribution to this savings and strive to continue to spare our environment.
Remember to come see us at the Seattle Home Show for more information (and see our home page for a discount to boot!).
With Spring and Summer right around the corner, I thought I'd share a few statistics with you: As of 2011, the total estimated amount of synthetic turf installed in North America conserves more than three billion gallons of water, significantly reduces smog emissions, and eliminates close to a billion pounds of harmful fertilizers and pesticides (citation from Synthetic Turf Council)! As you can imagine, we are proud of our own small contribution to this savings and strive to continue to spare our environment.
Remember to come see us at the Seattle Home Show for more information (and see our home page for a discount to boot!).
2011 Happy New Year!
A new year and a new decade. I say good bye and see ya to the last decade and welcome the new with open arms and an open heart, and I hope you do too. With all of the snow some of us have had (we had a bunch!), lots and probably most homeowners are not thinking about what is going to be best for their lawns in the spring and summer. But winter time can be an excellent opportunity to convert muddy, natural grass lawn to synthetic and save a bundle of maintenance in the spring and summer. Added bonus is you get to use your yard in the winter and the synthetic turf is not harmed by snow covering. When it melts, send the kids & puppies out to play!
November Snow.................and ice..............and wind............oh, my!
November 29, 2010
First, Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope you ate too much, slept a bunch, and hopefully had fun with relatives - none of whom asked, "What do you mean by that?" Also that you made it to Grandma's through the white and drifting snow.
While beautiful, snow can wreak havoc everywhere, from traffic jams that last 8 to 12 hours to crushed lawns, to shoveling driveways and power outages. Before you get out your power hungry and loud generator or snow-blower, ask yourself if you can wait--after all our weather warms up and rains just about every other minute here. Maybe you can just scoop away where your tires need traction in your driveway, and maybe you can enjoy the ambiance of candles enjoy a nice roaring fire, and keep your perishables outside. And no need to blow snow off of your lawn (especially synthetic, which pops right back up looking like a natural-but-best-in-the-world-lawn!) since it will melt eventually and really doesn't damage grass. Do brush off huge accumulations of snow from delicate trees or shrubs that seem to be weighted down to keep them from breaking. Interesting side note: Native plants such as rhoddies, azaleas, and camileas naturally droop their leaves to allow the snow to slip off of them when its coming.
Anyway stay warm as you prepare for the upcoming holiday season and consider purchasing a living Christmas tree, to be planted in your yard.
First, Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope you ate too much, slept a bunch, and hopefully had fun with relatives - none of whom asked, "What do you mean by that?" Also that you made it to Grandma's through the white and drifting snow.
While beautiful, snow can wreak havoc everywhere, from traffic jams that last 8 to 12 hours to crushed lawns, to shoveling driveways and power outages. Before you get out your power hungry and loud generator or snow-blower, ask yourself if you can wait--after all our weather warms up and rains just about every other minute here. Maybe you can just scoop away where your tires need traction in your driveway, and maybe you can enjoy the ambiance of candles enjoy a nice roaring fire, and keep your perishables outside. And no need to blow snow off of your lawn (especially synthetic, which pops right back up looking like a natural-but-best-in-the-world-lawn!) since it will melt eventually and really doesn't damage grass. Do brush off huge accumulations of snow from delicate trees or shrubs that seem to be weighted down to keep them from breaking. Interesting side note: Native plants such as rhoddies, azaleas, and camileas naturally droop their leaves to allow the snow to slip off of them when its coming.
Anyway stay warm as you prepare for the upcoming holiday season and consider purchasing a living Christmas tree, to be planted in your yard.
October = Lots of Leaves.
October 10, 2010 (That is, 10-10-10 !)
I can already hear the blowers going nearly constantly. Between one neighbor and the next, there's a whole lot of blowin' goin' on! A great way to lower our carbon footprint is to stop the blowing and get out with a rake! Great exercise, no pollution, no noise, and more precise. It is, of course, important to keep leaves off of real grass but with synthetic, there is nothing to die underneath so you can vacuum up the leaves or sweep them up whenever it suits you.
I can already hear the blowers going nearly constantly. Between one neighbor and the next, there's a whole lot of blowin' goin' on! A great way to lower our carbon footprint is to stop the blowing and get out with a rake! Great exercise, no pollution, no noise, and more precise. It is, of course, important to keep leaves off of real grass but with synthetic, there is nothing to die underneath so you can vacuum up the leaves or sweep them up whenever it suits you.
September: Back to School and Back to Mud.
September 14, 2010
This little cutie belongs to a customer. She looks, in this photo, as though to say, "Hey, you put this mud here, can I help it if I got it on my face?"
If you have a muddy yard from our freakishly (even for here) wet weather, we are here to help. But there's more, it's good for the environment too: Did you know that, according to the U.S. EPA, a traditional gas-powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars, each driven 12,000 miles? It is also estimated that 17 million gallons of fuel, mostly gas, are spilled in the U.S. while refueling garden equipment. Enough said!
This little cutie belongs to a customer. She looks, in this photo, as though to say, "Hey, you put this mud here, can I help it if I got it on my face?"
If you have a muddy yard from our freakishly (even for here) wet weather, we are here to help. But there's more, it's good for the environment too: Did you know that, according to the U.S. EPA, a traditional gas-powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars, each driven 12,000 miles? It is also estimated that 17 million gallons of fuel, mostly gas, are spilled in the U.S. while refueling garden equipment. Enough said!
August = One Dry Puppy!
August 14, 2010
We know you are tired of paying your water bill each month, trying to keep up with the dry weather. Which is just wrong after the incredibly wet spring we've had. About the only plants that grow well without water in the heat seem to be dandelions and possibly morning glory and non-native blackberry vines. Oh and thistle. Yikes.
If you would prefer to stop all the water waste and still have a beautifully green lawn, take a look at synthetic. It's newer and better than ever before with the addition of thatch and other colors. Seriously you cannot tell it isn't real grass even when you are standing on it.
No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed either = bonus score!
Also, if you are reading this and looking at our photos, you can tell we love golden retrievers ;)
We know you are tired of paying your water bill each month, trying to keep up with the dry weather. Which is just wrong after the incredibly wet spring we've had. About the only plants that grow well without water in the heat seem to be dandelions and possibly morning glory and non-native blackberry vines. Oh and thistle. Yikes.
If you would prefer to stop all the water waste and still have a beautifully green lawn, take a look at synthetic. It's newer and better than ever before with the addition of thatch and other colors. Seriously you cannot tell it isn't real grass even when you are standing on it.
No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed either = bonus score!
Also, if you are reading this and looking at our photos, you can tell we love golden retrievers ;)
Are we there yet?
July 13, 2010
Maybe you've already been on your vacation, and now you're back until the next camping trip - wondering what to do with the kids for the rest of the summer. If so, you are probably also lamenting about the Rain That Will Not Stop (except for 3 days, when it went from the fifties to the nineties...that was interesting - and confused my already confused plants to a pinnacle of weather-weariness, not sure the tomatoes will recover). You know that your little darlings need to be outside more but you are tired of the muddy tracks after they've been playing outside, right? Give synthetic turf another look. It is affordable, clean clean clean, beautiful, and so easy to care for. It's soft for little feet (or paws!) to walk and run on too. And did I mention easy? Yeah, no more mowing - have a nice glass of iced tea (or hot tea if it's in the fifties) and put your feet up - and feel good about all of the water you are saving -- your carbon footprint just got smaller.
Maybe you've already been on your vacation, and now you're back until the next camping trip - wondering what to do with the kids for the rest of the summer. If so, you are probably also lamenting about the Rain That Will Not Stop (except for 3 days, when it went from the fifties to the nineties...that was interesting - and confused my already confused plants to a pinnacle of weather-weariness, not sure the tomatoes will recover). You know that your little darlings need to be outside more but you are tired of the muddy tracks after they've been playing outside, right? Give synthetic turf another look. It is affordable, clean clean clean, beautiful, and so easy to care for. It's soft for little feet (or paws!) to walk and run on too. And did I mention easy? Yeah, no more mowing - have a nice glass of iced tea (or hot tea if it's in the fifties) and put your feet up - and feel good about all of the water you are saving -- your carbon footprint just got smaller.
Pet Owners' Doody Duty...
June 18, 2010
This month was supposed to kick off summer but instead seems to be simply, well, wet all of the time. No matter who takes care of your dog's "hazards" in the yard, most likely the material is put in a plastic bag and tossed in the garbage. This is, of course, responsible in that the waste is being properly collected, and disposed of, but consider where it winds up once the garbage goes off each week in the truck. Our landfills are filling up with our pets' waste material. Alternatives are so simple and cheaper - better for the environment in every way. Simply scoop and flush (and yes, this is super easy when it's scooping off a synthetic turf lawn). Flushing is the appropriate way to dispose of animal waste, just like human waste. There are even disposable plastic baggies for when Rover does his daily on a walk. Now, if we could just train them to use the toilet.....
This month was supposed to kick off summer but instead seems to be simply, well, wet all of the time. No matter who takes care of your dog's "hazards" in the yard, most likely the material is put in a plastic bag and tossed in the garbage. This is, of course, responsible in that the waste is being properly collected, and disposed of, but consider where it winds up once the garbage goes off each week in the truck. Our landfills are filling up with our pets' waste material. Alternatives are so simple and cheaper - better for the environment in every way. Simply scoop and flush (and yes, this is super easy when it's scooping off a synthetic turf lawn). Flushing is the appropriate way to dispose of animal waste, just like human waste. There are even disposable plastic baggies for when Rover does his daily on a walk. Now, if we could just train them to use the toilet.....
Happy May!
May 13, 2010
With May comes the drudgery of mowing. Well, most of the time anyway. For some of us, there is no mowing (exhaust fumes, fuel usage, noise pollution and.........well, sweat!). And no weed spraying. And no fertilizing. No frustrating moss. And no watering. Eliminating all of these helps reduce carbon footprints, and saves money over the long term -- all the while enjoying the beauty of a freshly mowed lawn. But.........synthetic! Plant lots of trees and shrubs around the synthetic lawn to further enhance the beauty of your yard and reduce carbon footprint even further.
With May comes the drudgery of mowing. Well, most of the time anyway. For some of us, there is no mowing (exhaust fumes, fuel usage, noise pollution and.........well, sweat!). And no weed spraying. And no fertilizing. No frustrating moss. And no watering. Eliminating all of these helps reduce carbon footprints, and saves money over the long term -- all the while enjoying the beauty of a freshly mowed lawn. But.........synthetic! Plant lots of trees and shrubs around the synthetic lawn to further enhance the beauty of your yard and reduce carbon footprint even further.
Moss and Weeds, YIKES!
April 13, 2010
We had a dry January this year but plenty of wet weather to foster moss growth. Lots and lots of moss. Weeds are a constant battle, as any gardener can attest to. Many of our customers ask us for a natural approach to killing weeds that they cannot or don't want to pull. Vinegar is said to kill weeds, and is more natural than chemicals. Just pour straight vinegar in any spray bottle and let 'em have it. Be wary of the spray, it will probably kill grass & flowers too. To control moss, we frequently recommend Yardiac, an organic company that produces many great products for the environmental gardener. Both moss and weeds will grow in synthetic turf, by the way (is there anything moss won't grow on around here??), as the finishing step includes a sand-like material that is also growing medium (in other words, moss & weeds will grow in sand as well as dirt, hence "growing medium").
We had a dry January this year but plenty of wet weather to foster moss growth. Lots and lots of moss. Weeds are a constant battle, as any gardener can attest to. Many of our customers ask us for a natural approach to killing weeds that they cannot or don't want to pull. Vinegar is said to kill weeds, and is more natural than chemicals. Just pour straight vinegar in any spray bottle and let 'em have it. Be wary of the spray, it will probably kill grass & flowers too. To control moss, we frequently recommend Yardiac, an organic company that produces many great products for the environmental gardener. Both moss and weeds will grow in synthetic turf, by the way (is there anything moss won't grow on around here??), as the finishing step includes a sand-like material that is also growing medium (in other words, moss & weeds will grow in sand as well as dirt, hence "growing medium").
Spring, Sprung, Sprang...
March 20, 2010
Spring brings a bit of warmth and bright relief from the gray days of the Pacific Northwest. But while most of us crawl from our homes and say a huge, "Ahhhh," some come out to say "Ah-CHOO!" Allergy season begins with the budding beauty of spring. And grass allergies can be among the nastiest, as those that have them can attest to. We all love a beautiful lawn, but mowing can be impractical for some - and that is a good place for synthetic lawns to take over. Bonus points for lack of mower emissions, fertilizers, pesticides, and water conservation (this last especially since they are already talking about drought for the 2010 summer season).
Spring brings a bit of warmth and bright relief from the gray days of the Pacific Northwest. But while most of us crawl from our homes and say a huge, "Ahhhh," some come out to say "Ah-CHOO!" Allergy season begins with the budding beauty of spring. And grass allergies can be among the nastiest, as those that have them can attest to. We all love a beautiful lawn, but mowing can be impractical for some - and that is a good place for synthetic lawns to take over. Bonus points for lack of mower emissions, fertilizers, pesticides, and water conservation (this last especially since they are already talking about drought for the 2010 summer season).
See and Buy = Cut waste!!
February 3, 2010
In recent months we have replaced an extraordinary number of synthetic turf projects—creating an enormous amount of wasted materials (not to mention consumer’s money). In these difficult economic times, many businesses are expanding their services into new areas. This is reasonable of course. The problem arises when an installer lacks the experience and knowledge to work with synthetic turf. Please “see before you buy” and follow through by viewing a completed project on location. Photographs are not enough, because you won't know who actually performed the work. Our projects are competitively priced and stand on their own with regard to value, quality and durability. Save yourself time, money and reduce your footprint by buying only once.
In recent months we have replaced an extraordinary number of synthetic turf projects—creating an enormous amount of wasted materials (not to mention consumer’s money). In these difficult economic times, many businesses are expanding their services into new areas. This is reasonable of course. The problem arises when an installer lacks the experience and knowledge to work with synthetic turf. Please “see before you buy” and follow through by viewing a completed project on location. Photographs are not enough, because you won't know who actually performed the work. Our projects are competitively priced and stand on their own with regard to value, quality and durability. Save yourself time, money and reduce your footprint by buying only once.
Fall = Clean up time.
November 30, 2009
Fall, ah, the colors, the leaves, the..........rain. We have plenty of water now! A critical part of spring blooms is controlling the fallen leaves now. Most leaf blowers and mowers have mulching capability and the mulch can be used to keep plants, such as roses, protected from freezing. Reuse and recycle, and reduce waste! Hope everyone has a great holiday season!
Fall, ah, the colors, the leaves, the..........rain. We have plenty of water now! A critical part of spring blooms is controlling the fallen leaves now. Most leaf blowers and mowers have mulching capability and the mulch can be used to keep plants, such as roses, protected from freezing. Reuse and recycle, and reduce waste! Hope everyone has a great holiday season!
New Puppy! by Megan
September 2, 2009
I just brought home my first dog ever. She is a 7-week old Golden Retriever pup. We also coordinated bringing her home with the installation of our new synthetic lawn back yard, and she LOVES IT! There is no mess and no burn out spots to re-seed or fertilize. It is especially nice because she isn't bringing in a muddy mess on her feet every time we take her out to play. That being said, I can tell you that even with the beautiful and easy to maintain lawn, and her clean little paws running back into the house a puppy is a TON of work! We take her out at least twice during the night and she is really starting to get the hang of that routine. Also the turf drains so any liquid (even from puppies) goes right through the turf and is gone. Clean-up of her puppy "surprises" has also been a breeze and the turf remains the same green consistently. Just wanted to share the fun news!
I just brought home my first dog ever. She is a 7-week old Golden Retriever pup. We also coordinated bringing her home with the installation of our new synthetic lawn back yard, and she LOVES IT! There is no mess and no burn out spots to re-seed or fertilize. It is especially nice because she isn't bringing in a muddy mess on her feet every time we take her out to play. That being said, I can tell you that even with the beautiful and easy to maintain lawn, and her clean little paws running back into the house a puppy is a TON of work! We take her out at least twice during the night and she is really starting to get the hang of that routine. Also the turf drains so any liquid (even from puppies) goes right through the turf and is gone. Clean-up of her puppy "surprises" has also been a breeze and the turf remains the same green consistently. Just wanted to share the fun news!