Lawn-Boy experts offer some tips on mowing

Lawn-Boy experts offersome tips on mowing
Mowing the lawn is an endless, thankless job. So here are a few simple tips to (maybe) ease the chore, from the experts at Lawn-Boy:
UOnly mow when the grass is dry. If wet, the grass clippings will clump and require raking.
UChange your mowing patterns. This allows grass to grow in various directions. Otherwise, your grass will eventually flatten out.
UMow with a sharp blade. A dull blade shreds grass and causes it to dry out. Sharpen the blade after every 10 hours of use.
UNever cut more than one-third of the height of the grass. Mow more and you risk damaging the grass plants.
UDon't bag your grass clippings. Left on the lawn, they generate nitrogen and nourish your lawn.
Visit www.lawnboy.com on the Web for more tips.
Garden Accents linefeatures pools, birdbaths
Thinking about adding a water fountain to your garden, but afraid of the cost? You'll find sophisticated half-reflection pools with decorative spouts, whimsical birdbaths and ceramic flower-bed fountains that recirculate water from an underground pump, all in the new Garden Accents line by Beckett. Items cost from $49 to $169.
As well as being affordable, the fountains are lightweight and weather resistant. Portable and designed for small spaces, they can be used indoors or outdoors. The Lighted Column Fountain with stained glass ($129-$159) stands slightly more than 2 feet high.
Garden Accents fountains are available at Lowe's, Home Depot and other garden centers.
For more information, visit www.888beckett.com on the Web or call (888) BECKETT.
Web site has gift ideaswith easy delivery
Despite its name, the Lemon Bonsai is no lemon. This adorable tree ($54.99), available through 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, sprouts new leaves, lightly scented blossoms and miniature lemons each year. It's just one of the cute gift ideas from the Web site, which offers the convenience of same-day or next-day delivery.
There's also the Mini Bamboo Trio ($26.99), which comes in three miniceramic planters. The plants are said to bestow good fortune, wealth and longevity on their owner. Or there's the Memory Garden Bouquet ($69.99) with a half-dozen roses in a lilac vase. You'll also find an array of treats and other goodies, including the Gourmet Gift Crate with Checkerboard ($89.99), offering gourmet snacks (and checkers) inside a wooden crate with checkerboard lid.
To order or shop for other items, visit www.1800flowers.com. Or call (800) 468-1141 for information.
Toolbox Vac comeswith ample storage
A vacuum-toolbox combination seems an invention long overdue. But alas, Eureka has created a Toolbox Vac.
The new Eureka Toolbox Vac offers a powerful (6.0-amp motor) vacuum with five-foot hose and attachments, crevice wand and dusting/upholstery brush that all fit within the toolbox lid. The vacuum also serves as a power blower. Within the main toolbox compartment is a 110-volt auxiliary power outlet, a tool tray and ample space for storage.
The Eureka Toolbox Vac retails for $69.99 and is available at area home stores. For more information, call (877) 270-9289.
New vinyl windowsbring woes over white
Q. We just installed new vinyl windows and a new steel front door. They are white, but our woodwork is antique white. Would it be better to repaint the woodwork white?
A. Probably not, said interior designer Jim Warner of J.D. Warner Interiors in Stow, Ohio. The white used in vinyl windows tends to be harsh and almost clinical-looking, he said, so you wouldn't want to use the same color throughout your house. The door can be painted, so that's not as big of an issue.
If you don't think your current trim color goes well with your new windows, one option is to use a window treatment such as a blind or shade to cover the window frames, he said. Another is to repaint all the woodwork in your home with a beige or off-white that's a better complement.
Choosing a paint color is tricky, however, because off-whites all have different colors as undertones. You want to choose one that complements the colors used throughout your house. Because woodwork is highly visible and this is a fairly extensive project, it might be worth hiring an interior designer to help you choose the right color.
Software will helpin home remodeling
Seems there are software programs for just about everything. Even home remodeling.
The new CD-ROM 3D Home Design Suite Professional 5 lets users design, decorate, budget and visualize home improvement projects on the computer. Offering a comprehensive list of materials and working within an individual budget, the program even estimates further expenditures.
So if you're thinking of remodeling the kitchen, building a new garden, updating windows, replacing the roof, installing a new driveway, or creating a dream house from scratch, the program will help you plan it all.
The CD-ROM retails for $89.99 and is available at electronics stores or at www.broderbund.com. Call (800) 395-0277 for more information.
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