Green Earth OrganicsNatural Fertilizers

If you have an asphalt based driveway sealer than it is important to seal it every three or four years.  If you don’t you run the risk of water seeping into cracks and causing damage.  When you see a pot hole in an asphalt roadway this is exactly what has occurred.  Water seeped into the asphalt layer and caused failure.

This can happen in two ways, first, if you live in a northern climate where it freezes the water can actually turn into ice and expand.  When this happens it forces the crack open even wider.  This starts a domino effect where by the crack gets wider so more water enters and freezes making the crack wider again.

The second problem can occur whether you ever have freezing weather or not.  When the water seeps through the crack is will liquefy the substrate under the asphalt layer. This removes the benefit that this hard packed layer of gravel provides to keep the asphalt firm.  As cars drive over this spot they cause the asphalt cement bond with the aggregate (gravel in the mixture) to fail and thus you have a pot hole again.

Driveway Sealer Choices

For years, the best driveway sealer was coal tar.  This is a by product of the manufacture of coke which is used for making steel.  Coal, under heat and pressure, is converted to a more dense energy source and a liquefied hydrocarbon is left as a waste product.  This is coal tar. 

Coal tar works very well as a sealer because it is sticky and bonds with the existing surface.  The problem is, coal tar has a very high VOC (volatile Organic compound) rating.  These are the gases that are given off when the tar cures.  These are very dangerous and have been linked to cancer and respiratory problems.  Consequently, this product has been banned in many municipalities.

The next best driveway sealer is an asphalt emulsion.  It is much safer than coal tar but it does not last as long when applied.  Since the asphalt is emulsified in water, the water is what evaporates which means there are no VOC’s to gas off.  Since coal tar is no longer available this will probably be what you will need to use.

There is a third option that is just now coming on the market.  Latex based sealers are now being sold in many big box home improvement stores.  These products seem promising but they haven’t really been around long enough to really determine their longevity.

Lawn Maintenance: How to Get a Dark and Green Lawn

Want to know the secret to getting a lawn that’s dark and green? Of course, you do! Well here it is in two words: Iron Supplements. This is a common technique used by lawn care professionals. They not only use iron supplements to help give grass that nice deep, bluish-green color, but also use the supplements to help control the growth of moss. If you have the fescue or bluegrass species, you will find iron supplements to be particularly helpful.

Synthetic vs. Organic Iron Supplements

Iron lawn supplements falls under two categories: synthetic or organic. Just as in food and supplements for humans, anything organic will cost you more. Synthetic iron fertilizers usually come in the form of granules and spread over the lawn just like other fertilizers. It’s less expensive than an organic iron fertilizer and is fast acting so you should see results fairly quickly (within days). Because it is synthetic, if you use too much of this type of iron supplement, your lawn will turn gray. Also, it has been known to stain concrete driveways. You know that color on rusty iron fences? Well, the same thing can happen to your concrete walkways and driveways if you’re not careful when applying synthetic iron fertilizers. These are the downsides to the synthetic iron supplements.

Organic iron fertilizers, on the other hand, take longer to break down. But because they’re chelated, the grass can absorb the organic fertilizers more easily. They also contain other nutrients that are good for your lawn. And unlike its synthetic counterpart, you don’t have to worry about organic iron fertilizers staining your outdoor concrete areas.

Applying the Iron Lawn Fertilizers

As mentioned before, you need to be careful not to over-apply the supplements, especially the synthetic ones. Follow closely the directions on the package. Overdoing it is just as bad as having an iron-deficient lawn. Also, you should apply the fertilizer during spring time when the weather is mild, around 60 to 70 degrees.

Keep in mind that an iron deficiency may not be the real cause of yellowish-looking grass. So, before you jump to the conclusion that your lawn needs iron supplements, look for more likely sources first, like: Is your lawn getting enough water? Is the lawn lacking in some of the regular nutrients?

About the Author

Mike C. Palmer is a lawn and garden enthusiast. He blogs about lawn care tips and writes comprehensive reviews on lawn mowers.

Go here to read hundreds of unbiased reviews and complaints about lawn mowers, including those recommended by Consumer Reports => http://www.tigerfdn.com/consumer-reports-recommended-lawn-mowers.

Growing Wisdom: Fall Lawn Care

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What Type Of Lawn And Garden Tools Do I Need To Take Care Of My Yard

It does not matter whether you are taking care of a huge lawn or a small one you need the right tools to get the job done. Without the right lawn tools you are spinning your wheels so to speak and a small simple job can turn into a major ordeal.

The first must have items you will have a hard time doing without is a quality lawn mower and a weed eater. Depending on what type of yard you are taking care of you will need a variety of shovels, rakes, garden shears and numerous other small hand tools to get the job at hand done right. This article will discuss the various lawn and garden tools you are likely to need to make that yard of yours beautiful.

A lawn mower has to go on the top of your must have lawn and garden tools. Get as good a lawn mower as you can afford, as quality is important. Searching the Internet for reviews is a good way to find out which models the owners are most happy with. Keep the blades sharp and stay on top of the service and a good lawn mower should last you for many years.

A weed eater can cut your workload down a lot. These handy machines will get in the smallest corner of your yard and trim places your mower just cannot get into. I would shop at the same places where you purchased your lawn mower. Weed eaters come in all different sizes with a lot of different motors. You would be wise to weigh the size of the job with the size of your weed eater. If you go for the most powerful model it may be too heavy to carry around all day.

You may need to add an assortment of shovels and rakes to your lawn tool collection. Each yard is different so you will need to take a look around and purchase the tools you need to finish the jobs your yard requires.

A good set of gloves is essential for your hands comfort. Once you start cutting hedges or shoveling dirt you will find blisters forming on your hands. Do not skimp and buy a cheap pair of garden gloves. A good set that fits your hands will pay off in being able to work for longer periods of time with less discomfort.

Buying quality tools to take care of your lawn and garden is money well spent. You can think about this while you are setting around sipping iced tea and admiring your beautiful yard.

About the Author

For more information on lawn care and tools try visiting http://www.lawncareandtools.com/ where you will find lots of tips, advice and resources about topics such as learning how to clean garden tools.

Power Rake- What is it? What does it include?

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