Greenegarden.orgEco Friendly Gardening Information

If you live in a condo or maybe just have a little postage stamp size lawn, you certainly don’t need a gas trimmer. Why it will take you 2x longer to start the thing than it would to mow and weed eat your entire lawn twice! I know I’ve struggled for close to an hour trying to start these POS gas trimmers.  So why bother with gas? There are now great choices for those  looking to go “green”  or simply make things easier.  The great thing about small properties, is that you don’t need a lithium trimmer either. A Ni-Cad will work perfectly fine as a single charge will be more than enough to complete the job. Here are some excellent battery operated trimmers for light duty for under 50 bucks.

Toro 51467 8-Inch 12-Volt Cordless Electric Trimmer

Toro 51467 8-Inch 12-Volt Cordless Electric Trimmer Shop At Price Starting at $47.00 Customer Reviews

About the Toro 51467 8-Inch 12-Volt Cordless Electric Trimmer:This little Toro was built for small property owner in mind. Weighing in at only 9lb, it’s very easy to maneuver .  The 12V battery will give you about 35-40 min of run time. From experience, this is more than enough time to finish a small lawn and it’s probably faster than it will take you to fire up the gas trimmer.

Features:

• Bump and feed line advance for continuous cutting
• No tools for assembly or spool replacement
• Stationary, ergonomic handle for improved balance making trimming more comfortable
• Large snap-on shield for improved protection from debris
• Rechargeable battery – charger light turns from red to green when trimmer is ready to use.

Earthwise CST12010 10-Inch 12 Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer/Edger

Earthwise CST12010 10-Inch 12 Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer/Edger Shop At Price Starting at $49.99 Customer Reviews

About the Earthwise CST12010 10-Inch 12 Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer/Edger:The  Earthwise CST12010 makes for an excellent small property trimmer.  The 12v Ni-cad battery will give you about 35-40 minutes worth of run time. This is more than enough to complete a small job. It’s got plenty of power to make short work of your little lawn. Bumpless line feed is very nice too. For under 50 bucks, you cant go wrong with this one.

Features:

• 12 V / 1.7 AH Ni-Cad Battery
• Auto Single Feed .065 Line
• Edging Function / Rotating Upper Handle
• 3 Position Adjustable Cutting Head Angles (0-Degree – 30-Degree – 45-Degree )
• Flip Down Edge Guard

Earthwise CST00012 18-Volt 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer

Earthwise CST00012 18-Volt 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer Shop At Price Starting at Customer Reviews

About the Earthwise CST00012 18-Volt 12-Inch Cordless String Trimmer:The Earthwise has more power than all the other trimmers featured. It does have a NiCad battery but that’s not a bad thing when you have a small lawn.  Another plus is that it’s relatively light weight, weighing in at around 8 lbs. Overall, a great trimmer.

Features:

• 18 volt motor
• 12-Inch cut width
• 18 volt NiCad battery and charger compatible with other Earthwise 18 volt tools
• Telescopic handle
• 3 position adjustable cutting head with flip down edge guard

The Ryobi P2002 is one of the few, if not one of the only  lithium trimmers available from the big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes. This is a nice trimmer for home owners with smaller properties or those who don’t require heavy trimming.   Features include auto line feed, easy start motor  and horizontally swivel head. That being said, it does have some drawbacks compared to some of the higher end 18 volt lithiums available online.

View other 18V Lithium Trimmers

Operation

Like most lithium trimmers, the Ryobi is quite easy to operate. Simply press the safety button and squeeze the trigger.  Though it is much easier to start than those painful pull start trimmers, the safety button is in a bit of an odd position for righties and must be pressed with your pointing finger instead of your thumb. This gets a bit fatiguing on your finger when you start/stop a few times which is required for line feeding.  It would have been nice to have the button on the thumb side (for right handers). Lefties will not have a problem with this.

One of the nicest things about this trimmer is the no bump head. Simply start/stop the trimmer and the line automatically feeds. What’s great about this mechanism is that the spools are prewound so replacing the string is extremely easy. No more of that awful winding which never quite turns out and constantly jams your line feed on traditional trimmers. That being said, it does add to the operating costs as each spool is about $4 and are sold in packs of 3 for around $12-$13.  Of course you can also wind your used spools with new string if you prefer.

Handling the trimmer is pretty easy as it is lighter than your typical gas trimmer.  Having said that, this trimmer is still relatively heavy when compared to other 18v trimmers that weigh considerably less.  The telescoping pole is quite nice and easily adjusted by twisting 2 screw adjusters on the pole. Very nice feature for those of us who are vertically challenged.  The last feature of note is the  vertically swiveling head. A nice thought but not very functional as the range is quite so it does not offer much by way of functionality.

Operational wise, the Ryobi is not bad though it does leave a few things to be desired, primarily the safety button, weight and the useless swiveling head. The Safety button will prove to be very annoying to right handers. The weight might prove to be an issue for those looking for something that is light weight especially when trimmers like  Worx GT only weight in at 6 lbs yet only cost about $30 more.

Power

The P2002 has plenty of power for the average home owner.  Goes through regular grass quite easily as you would expect. However, if you have heavy weeds or Johnson Grass issues, the Ryobi will have a bit of an issue. It will go though them but battery life will suffer.  You may want to consider a 20V trimmer if heavy weeds, over grown areas,  or Johnson Grass are issues on your property.

Battery and Charging

Battery life on the P2002 is pretty good provided you keep to light duty.  About 45 minutes is the limit on a full charge when doing light or average weed eating. If you have really heavy weeds or over grown areas, run time may be as little as 15 minutes or less as it has to work extra hard on getting through the heavier stuff.

Like most lithium powered devices, charging is relatively quick when compared to older NiCd technology. This one comes with a very nice charging station that will charge the standard battery in about 1 hr.

One of the highlights of the P2002 is the One+ feature that allows you to use the battery on other Ryobi One+ products.  So if you have other One+ tools, then you may want to consider the P2002.

Conclusion

The P2002 is a a decent performer. There are a few things that could be better like the weight and safety button but all in all most will find this an adequate trimmer. Having said that, unless you are in a pinch for a replacement and need a new trimmer ASAP from the store, I would recommend passing on this one and going for one of the the higher end models available online  such as the Worx GT which  is a far superior and lighter unit yet only costs an extra $30.

With mowing season just around the corner, there is no doubt that many homeowners are in the market for a new lawnmower to replace their old rusty gas models. Whether you care about the environment or not, an electric lawn mower is truly better than gas for the average homeowner with a lawn size of 1/4 acre or smaller. Eliminating pull starts alone is well worth the switch. The question is, how do you find a electric mower that is equivalent to gas in terms of power and price? Below are some excellent cordless mowers that fit this criteria:

Earthwise 60020 20-Inch 24 Volt Cordless Electric

Earthwise 60020 Shop At Price Rating: $270.00

The Earthwise 60020 is a powerful 24 volt cordless electric with plenty of juice for the average lawn. Just as with a regular gas mower, you get 3 in 1 flexibility with either rear bag, side discharge or mulch settings without having to buy extra parts. The 60020 is much lighter than your run of the mill gas mower so it is very easy to push and maneuver. Of course you will also enjoy the silent to noxious fume mowing electrics offer.

If run time is your concern, no need to worry with this model because the average run time is 45-60 minutes, more than enough to finish the job. Best of all, this model is quite affordable and is equivalently priced to your average gas mower.

Haussmann CLM46NU 19 inch 24 volt Mower

Haussmann CLM46NU Shop At Price Rating: $199.00

The Haussmann CLM46NU is a sub $200 electric cordless mower with slightly smaller deck with than the Earthwise. It also omits the side chute so this is either a mulcher or a bagger. Ideal for smaller lawns that can be bagged easily or that can be completed quickly in mulch mode. Max run time on this one is 45 minutes so not quite as good as the Earthwise above. If you have a smaller lawn, you can’t go wrong with this one at this price. Of course you will enjoy all the benefits of electric at a low price.

Eco Friendly Mowing Myths

Myth #1: Eco-Friendly Mowers Lack the Power You need
Short of thick brush or wet grass, you will not see a lack of power from an electric mower or weed eater. Todays electrics have powerful motors that are suitable for most urban lawns. In fact, this 36-Volt Cordless Lawn Mower offers the power equivalent to a 4.0 horsepower gasoline-powered mower. The only difference is that you do not have to deal with the hassles of buying gas, changing oil, exhausting pull starts, figuring out why it doesn’t start and all the other problems that make gas mowers such a pain . Lastly, many people have been conditioned to look at horsepower figures when shopping for anything that has a gas engine. The reality is that most people buy way too much horse power than they really need. After all, you are cutting blades of grass, not not bamboo canes!

Myth #2: Green Eco Friendly Lawn Mowers Are Much More Expensive than Gas Power.
By in large, most electrics cost about the same or less than your run of the mill gas mower. Then of course, you have all the operating costs associated with gas power. For example, if takes half a gallon to mow your lawn and you mow 10 or more times each year, then at current fuel prices you are spending over $20-$30 a year to operate your mower. By comparison, It costs about $5 a year in electricity to operate a battery or electric-powered lawn mower. An electric mower will actually pay for itself, the same cannot be said about a gas mower.

Myth #3: Eco Friendly Lawn Mowers Will Not Make a Difference in my Mowing.
When thinking about making green changes, one of the stumbling blocks is always thinking that what you are doing makes no difference in the grand scheme of things. If everyone thought like that, then no one would recycle, use energy efficient bulbs, drive low emissions cars, etc. If it helps you, think about all the benefits and changes you will make right in your own back yard with an eco friendly mower.

• Save money on running costs.
• No oil changing or other expensive repairs that end costing more than the mower.
• No more fumes or carcinogens to breathe while you mow.
  
• No dangerous fuels to store or spills to clean up.
  
• No flying projectiles from over powered engines you do not need.
• No obnoxious or harmful noise levels to annoy your family and neighbors.
• No exhausting pull cords , fail starts.
• Lighter and easier to maneuver, especially around obstacles.

Myth #4: Using an Eco-Friendly Lawn Mower is Too Hard.
Im not sure how this one got started, the fact is they are much easier to use. Forget about pull starts, just press a button and start walking. Talk about easy! Unlike gas powered mowers, electric mowers are much lighter and easier to push. This eliminates the need for self propulsion. You will find electrics to be much easier to maneuver especially around obstacles.

Myth #5: Choosing The Right Green Lawn Mower is Too Difficult or Confusing.
While there are many choices such as cordless, corded and robotic. Choice is good! Depending on your fitness level, yard size, environmental interest, and needs, this website as well as others such as GreenGardenTools can help you select the right lawn mower for your job. .

Who cares about the environment?  is a common question and it deserves an uncommon answer.   Without sounding sappy or unreal, the environment is and should continue to be every one’s concern.  Everyone!  We’ve pointed out how negatively our precious environment is affected by poor decisions or inaction but what about conscious decisions and conscious actions?   What about decisions we make each time the gas lawn mower is started?  or that gas grass trimmer?

These actions make us all guilty of harming the environment and we’re here to tell you it’s not hard to change.  Our planet needs people who know the damage they can cause as well as the good they can share.

Share the good by doing away with your gas guzzling lawn mower and upgrade to an earth friendly electric powered lawn tool.  It will make a difference the first day and that is a satisfaction no one can take!  That good feeling to know you are not contributing to our earth’s pollution is one that can leave a lasting scene of goodness that is also contagious.

As a contributor of green garden tools, you can tell others you’re not contributing to more pollution and can even be a hero in your children’s eyes as well as your neighbor’s but more importantly, a hero in your own eyes.

Black and Decker grass trimmers (about 200,000) are recalled  Tuesday due to serious safety concerns.  The Black & Decker Grasshog XP has been in trouble in the past after approximately 700 reports of incidents and over 50 citing real injuries in July of 2007.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Black and Decker Grasshog can cause “serious” lacerations and burns.  These are not light problems that Black and Decker has to face including future losses due to the massive recall.  Reports indicate the spool cap and other pieces of the unit can can become loose and be shot out from the unit at high speeds causing serious injuries to the operator and others including children.

This report comes at a time where consumers are trying to make good decisions based on the environment and the economy and now 200,000 Black and Decker grass trimmers are being pulled from store shelves around the country.  Black and Decker used to be a trusted name in garden tools and other but with a second incident, experts indicate they are going to have to work very hard and struggle to get their reputation back on track and get Americans to trust in their products again.

Look at other alternatives here
Unfortunately, the entire industry is getting a bad rap however there are still plenty of reputable, durable, and efficient power tools to consider.  Take for example the 21.6 Volt Cordless Lithium String which converts from trimmer to edger for a very economical price.

One aspect of using electric powered garden tools may not occur to you right away but it is the one thing most people complain they don’t have enough of: TIME!

Believe it or not, electric power tools can actually save you time.  It is an obvious fact that electricity is available immediately and it’s this quality that ensures electric garden tool users save time.  While not to exaggerate the extent of the time saved, it can become significant over a period.

The electric powered tool requires less maintenance and no gas filling at all.   The electric garden tool is available right away either with a battery pack or an extension cord.  Many of you may already be familiar with electric weed wackes, they have been around for a very long time but are now more popular along with electric lawn mowers.

Saving time is a nice benefit of using electric powered garden tools.

One thing everyone has to deal with if they use gasoline powered garden tools is odor and dirt.  Gasoline engines get quite filthy over time.  The gas smell and oil tend to come out and can even add to earth pollution by contaminating our ground.

Gasoline engines require extra maintenance and when neglected can  be more problems than what they are worth.  If you are going to keep a gas powered garden tool, you will need to change the oil, replace filters, and in severe cases, rebuild the engine.  The gas lines can clog, spark plugs can fail and other countless problems can arise.

For the most part, gasoline engines are simply dirtier and less attractive than quiet electric garden tools.  When deciding what electric lawn mower or weed eater, it’s important to consider the long term maintenance and car of the tool.

Electric engines are what some might call “plug and play” and require very little maintenance.  Take a look  at some options.

When deciding which electric lawnmower to go with, you have one critical choice: cord
or no cord. As with most things, convenience and affordability are king. Not having the cord is obviously convenient however having a cord ensures continuous power to your lawn mower and can ensure
a faster job.

Consider the Following:

• Price
• Power
• Convenience
• Ease of use

Cordless Lawnmowers
The cordless mower may cost quite a bit more than a corded mower but you get a huge advantage in that you can mow a more expansive lawn without being tethered to a power source. Due to recent advances in battery technology, a cordless mower can have up to 4 hours of run time on a single charge. They are also quite powerful, with 36 volt models having up to 4hp power motors. As with anything, there are some drawbacks, the main one being having the extra costs of replacing batteries. Another drawback is that mowing long or wet grass will put more strain on the battery and reduce continuous run time.

Corded Lawnmowers
Corded lawnmowers are perfect for those who have a typical small suburban lawn. You get continuous run time without having to worry about batteries. Maintenance costs are virtually 0 and the mowers are quite inexpensive. Another big plus is that they only cost about $5 a year (the cost of 2 gallons of gas) in electric costs to run. So the mower will pay for itself in no time versus a regular gas mower. The obvious disadvantage is the cord. While not a big deal on small lawns, the biggest concern here cord damage from accidentally mowing it over. This can be overcome with a little bit of care however.
Get FREE SHIPPING on Selected Electric Lawn Mower Orders at GreenGardenTools.com

Making the leap to electric powered garden tools is a serious decision.  How and when to do it requires planning and thought.  The best time to go green and change from gasoline power to electric is usually during the summertime when the garden requires more care and maintenance.

But I already have a gas powered mower and other tools….

Here is the tough part.  What do you do if you really want to go green but already have existing tools in working condition.  This is a sacrifice you need to make and retire your older tools for newer more efficient and earth friendly tools.  Just like changing light bulbs to more energy efficient ones, you actually have to eliminate the old and go with the new.

Should I donate the old tools?

At first, this seems like a perfectly logical solution but if you’re serious about going green and are ready to invest a few hundred dollars, you don’t want to give your problem away, you want to eliminate it.  Here is where you can reuse an old lawn mower or other tools by turning them into other useful things such as ornaments or re-purpose them  to serve a different function.  We have heard of people reusing the metal or turning the metal in for scrap and actually making money!

It is clear that going from gas to electric is a big and serious decision and one that will make a huge difference in your life as well as the planet’s.