Question
We have moved into our new house and I was thinking about a Christmas gift for my husband. Do you have any recommendations for lawnmowers or other equipment we can use? We are trying to cut down on expenses and a landscaping professional would be too expensive at this point next year. Remember he has never done this before, neither have I!

Answer
A new German engineered push lawnmower under the Christmas tree would dazzle any lawn-lover.

You can buy these at several internet stores.  Scotts sells one, but their unit does not have the ability to down close and personal to a half inch of the soil, an option that is needed at least once in a blue moon and needed even more if you are growing any bentgrass.

There is nothing like a superior edger to cross the t's and dot the i's in a beautifully executed lawn grooming.  The more expensive units will do all the heavy lifting; the cheaper ones will have you sweating through the entire procedure and will not exactly be a pleasure to look forward to.

I assume you have a broadcaster.

Leaf blowers are great little units; I have an old one made by Black and Decker that includes a mulcher to grind up the leaves.  The stuff turns to compost in 3 weeks if you grind them up first.

Finally, a subscription to Rodale's Organic Gardening would introduce you to the no muss no fuss methods of keeping your garden and lawn chemical free.

When you're ready to start using these babies, write again and we'll discuss the next step.  'til then, Merry Xmas.