My older brother and I in 1990

As we move out of January and into February, some of us are going to start thinking about our lawnmowers.  Some of us just cut our own yards and others of us mow other peoples lawns as well as our own.  I was thinking about how many different brands and styles of lawnmowers there are and was wondering who uses what kind of mower to mow what size yard.   Today, I want to give a brief description of the ones that I have used in the past, and ask for you to give me a brief explanation of what kind of mower you use for your yard.

I started out as most of us did, using a 20 inch push mower.  It wasn’t long before I traded mowing an old man’s yard, for him to give me a 30 inch rear engine riding lawnmower.  I believe it was a Murray brand.  I then got a Simplicity brand rear engine rider.  Then a Murray 36 inch regular looking rider.  Eventually we bought a Kobota commercial hydrostat mower.  That lead us to get a 51 inch John Deere 725 mower (which were very

My brother and I in 1997

poplar right before the zero turn mowers came out!).  We traded the John Deere in on the first Exmark zero Turn mower with a 60 inch deck.  We have had some walk behind mowers mixed in over the years of all shapes and sizes.  Today we still use Exmark mowers.

When we had just the Murray and Simplicity riders, we also had a Snapper walk behind.  During this time we were able to mow about 600 yards in a season.  Don’t forget I was in Middle School at this time and my older brother had just started driving.  By the time we had got our Exmark Mower, we were averaging 50 + yards per week, even while I was still in High School and my brother was away in college.

It is amazing what having the right equipment will do for you.  Tell me what you are using to do your yard and if you have ever, or ever plan to mow for other people.  Let’s all learn together what the secret to lawn cutting success is.

For more archived images of me…find me on Facebook.com/kevinpigg

Happy Mowing

Annual Flowers

This is the question I have to ask myself every time I design a new landscape.  I have to decide if I want, or the homeowner wants to replant this spot over and over again or just once.  Let’s talk for a minute about the differences between an annual and a perennial.

An annual plant is one that will only survive for one season.  These will tend to include; pansy, petunia, marigold, geranium, impatien etc.  Annuals always will provide you will a very high quality showing in a landscape area.  If maintained properly, the use of an annual could take your landscape from being average to extraordinary.  There are summer annuals and winter annuals.  Summer annuals are obviously more brilliant and have a much greater selection.  Winter annuals such as the pansy, will survive freezing temperatures, but will only truly grow when the temperatures are in the 50’s and above.

Perennials are excellent plants to have and enjoy.  They will almost always return year after year and often will become stronger and more vibrant as time goes on.  There are hundreds, if not thousands of choices to pick from when it comes to perennials.  Perennials are unique in fact they multiply in so many different ways.  Some plants will completely die in the winter, but have such a strong seed, new plants will emerge in the spring.  Sometimes in the right spot, sometimes somewhere far away from the original plant.  Some plants, i.e. hosta or daylily will completely loose all its foliage in the winter, but will reemerge from the root structure in the spring, and become a larger plant

Perennial Flowers

because of a larger root system.

Perennials and annuals are definitely complimentary of each other.  When planning a planting area for either one, you must account for the mature size of the plant.  Many perennials and some annuals can get upwards of 4-5 ft. in height.  You must also keep in mind with perennials how they reproduce themselves.  You do not want new plants coming up in places they shouldn’t.

If you have any questions about a plant, or what to plant where…shoot me an email @ askthepigg@thepiggpin.com and we will get you an answer quickly.

Happy Planning

My Pig Fire Pit at the Wilson County Fair

As requested, this is my Pig Fire Pit which Rick Wittrig made for me.  He literally makes them by hand, no stencils at all.  They are made from recycled metal so they are helpful to the environment.  Made from a heavy steel, I have carried mine all over town to many shows and places and haven’t had any hint of damage to it.

As you might have seen from my other post, he has made an entire world which will be displayed in the Olympics coming in Feb. 2010.  Incredibly awesome stuff.  Here is the link to the news report for the olympics  http://www.wsmv.com/sports/22284435/detail.html

His website is http://firepitart.com    Check it out, he can ship all over the United States.

Super Phosphate

In January or February, one thing you don’t want to forget to use, is Super Phosphate.

Super Phosphate is an inexpensive and effective source of Phosphorus where applications of Phosphorus are needed.  With it being quick acting, it helps to enhance growth and color, and helps to strengthen stems and increase blooms.

This product should be used on all Iris, Crape Myrtle, Lilacs, Peonies, Chrysanthemums and Dahlias.  Using on bulbs will increase a deeper color!

It is sold as a powder and is very simple to use.  Just mix several tablespoons full with soil when planting bulbs or small plants, or just sprinkle a light covering on the ground around existing plants and water in.

Not using SuperPhosphate could be the reason why your lilacs, hydrangeas or other blooming plants do not give you a show in the spring.  Don’t miss this window of opportunity to help your plants.

Let me know if you need help finding where to purchase SuperPhosphate.

Happy Blooms