SPRING INTO GREEN WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Nationally Recognized Home Improvement Expert Offers Tips on Eco-Friendly Yet Cost-Effective Lawn and Garden Care
OAK BROOK, Ill. (April 6, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — Homeowners are becoming increasingly more aware of the need for eco-friendly home improvement practices, but are also very mindful of their tighter budgets. When it comes to sprucing up your lawn and garden this spring, there are plenty of ways to "green" your outdoor space all while saving you money.
"The seasonal lawn care tasks we've all grown accustomed to – mowing the lawn, watering plants and fertilizing – can actually be somewhat harmful to the environment over time," said Lou Manfredini, Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man." "There are many ways to balance a green thumb with a 'green' lifestyle using more eco-friendly methods."
Manfredini offers these effective and simple tips for your lawn and garden that will help you go green while saving green this spring.
- Use People Power: Consider hand tools and other human-powered equipment, such as push-reel lawnmowers, that requires little to no electricity or gas. While using these tools might take a bit more elbow grease, their impact on the environment is considerably less than the alternatives, and they're very budget friendly.
- Hoard H20: Use a barrel to catch rainwater and reuse it for your lawn and garden while reducing flow into the storm sewage system. This will also help to lower your water bill.
- Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labors: As consumers look for ways to save money and consume pesticide-free produce, the answer may be right in your own backyard. Grow your own vegetables or plant a few fruit trees and watch how much you can save by harvesting your own natural crops.
- Start From the Ground Up: Build healthy soil with organic material such as compost, which can be a simple blend of household, yard and garden scraps. Seventy percent of household waste, such as most food scraps and used coffee grounds, can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost that enriches soil and boosts plant growth. Plus, you'll save money by not having to purchase expensive, often harmful chemicals for your soil.
- Water, Water Everywhere: Over-watering is an all too common mistake many consumers make with their lawns and gardens. To avoid this crucial mishap, as well as conserve gallons of water, install a sprinkler timer. By regulating your watering schedule, you'll save water and money, all while giving your lawn and garden just the right amount of water it needs.
"Like many things in these tough economic times, going green outdoors all comes down to keeping it simple and making smart choices," explained Manfredini. "With a little time and a lot of TLC, your outdoor space will soon be ready for you to enjoy during the warmer months ahead."
To learn more about spring lawn and garden care, and for more eco- and budget-friendly tips and advice from Lou Manfredini, visit www.acehardware.com.
About Ace Hardware
Throughout its 85-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities. Last year, Ace ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores for the Second Consecutive Year," according to J.D. Power and Associates. With 4,600 hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of more than $12 billion, Ace is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and one in Shanghai, China, and its retailers' stores are located in all 50 states and 60 countries. For more information on Ace, visit www.acehardware.com.
