The Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 automatic above ground pool vacuum is among the most reliable and sturdy pool cleaners available. Polaris is regarded for their top-quality pool vacuum products, and they don’t fall short on the Vac-Sweep 65. This pool vacuum is designed to vacuum all above ground pools with up to a five foot depth. It works equally as well on flat bottoms, slanted bottoms, or dished bottoms.

You may pay slightly extra for the Vac-Sweep 65 than you would for one of the other popular above ground pool vacuums, such as the Baracuda Ranger or the Aquabug, but the Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 is the most sturdy and trusty above ground pool vacuums. That small extra price will take you all that much further as this device will far outlast its competitors.

It is the only above ground pool vacuum that uses a patented Jet Sweep technology that works by pushing water against the pool walls to loosen particles from hard-to-reach places, then sweeping the loosened debris into a filter bag. This filter bag is detachable and easy to remove. At the conclusion of the vacuum’s cleaning period, when you take it out of your pool, you simply remove the filter bag and empty it in a convenient location. The greatest part of this type of filter bag is that it removes the large debris and contains it so that it will not reach your pump basket or filter, thus ensuring a long life for your filtration system.

This incredible above ground pool vacuum is powered by the pressure of clean water as it is returning to to your pool. This leaves both the skimmer and the filter free to eliminate contaminants while the vacuum is hard at work cleaning the sides and bottom of your pool.

Pros:

It cleans not only the bottom of the pool, but the sides as well.

It has a sleek and dynamic design, easily making it one of the best-looking above ground pool vacuums.

It prolongs the life of your pump and filter because of its unique filter bag, which removes debris before it reaches the filter.

Cons:

The only con is that the vacuum may occasionally get itself tangled in its hose. This is rare, but it it ever does happen, it can easily be untangled

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 65 is ideal for pool owners that want to to get rid of their old cleaners and start using the most trusted brand of all pool cleaners. It is especially recommended for owners whose pool is under or close to trees and shrubs that tend to drop twigs, leaves, acorns, pine needles, or any large particles into the pool because it is easily one of the best vacuums for picking up large objects.

To learn more about the Polaris Vac-Sweep above ground pool vacuum, or for more information on the best and worst above ground pool vacuums, visit http://www.abovegroundpoolvacuums.net

Lawn mowers have developed into something that just about every homeowner has. Like any other piece of equipment over time they are more than likely going to need repair. Lawn mower parts can be purchased at a number of different locations. Depending on what kind you have and the repairs that are necessary you may consider just replacing the whole mower.

The hardware store around the corner will often times carry generic replacement parts for your machine. Common things like plugs or belts can usually be found at the local hardware store. Sometimes the local store will have a parts area specifically for mowers. Specific pieces can be a little bit harder to locate. Special repair places in your area will be more likely to have the harder to find items.

A store that specializes in or only handles lawn mowers will almost always have what you are looking for. If you need something that they do not have in stock they are usually able to order it for you. From a pull cord to a complete motor these specialty shops can usually find you what you need. Depending on what repairs are required it may be in your best interest to just buy new.

The internet can also be a nice place to locate parts if you know where to look for them. Many of these shops have websites set up and you can look up what you need online. The great thing about this option is you are no longer dependent on local shops. You now have the ability to search nationwide for what you may need.

If you will be repairing the mower yourself then it is often times worth buying what you need and repairing it by yourself. When you take it to a repair shop to have it fixed the costs could add up pretty quickly. There is no point in spending more money to have your machine fixed than it would cost to just buy a new one.

What it will cost to fix is something that needs to be taken into consideration. If you just need a spark plug than it is worth your trouble of fixing it. However if you have a bad motor than it may be cheaper as well as less trouble to just buy a different machine. The cost sometimes is not worth it this can often times be the case if you have to pay somebody else to fix the machine for you.

If you do decide to replace the mower you have some different options there as well. You may be able to purchase a used one pretty cheap from a small engine repair shop. Many of these shops go through all of there equipment and make repairs before they sell them. Some of them are willing to let you trade your broken machine as well. They usually offer new machines as well. You may also find a new machine at a hardware store.

Whether or not it is worth it to purchase lawn mower parts will depend on what the overall cost is compared to buying a new machine. It will serve you well to keep an eye on your overall cost in repair pieces.

In the market for truly affordable yet top quality lawn mower parts ? Get the low down now in our complete review of all you need to know about how and where to find the best lawn mower replacement parts .

The welcome lull December brings to garden operations, gives us an opportunity to take stock of what is to be done and to plan for the future. There’s no better time to study the outdoors and determine how the winter landscape could be improved.

In any plan, you should naturally consider the size and extent of the available area. Small properties cannot accommodate large trees, but small trees such as the gray birch, with its white stems and straight lines, or the hawthorn-like Crataegus crusgalli, with its fine tracery of branches, are suitable candidates.

Shrubs also offer many landscape possibilities. The Christmas berry (Hex verticillata), holds its bright red fruit until January. Unsheared Japanese barberry and the common variety retain their berries all winter. Other fruiting shrubs include the more aristocratic fire-thorn and the somewhat less colorful but more accommodating snowberry. The red- and green-stemmed dogwoods show up better in winter, while the winged euonymus (E. alatus), with its corky, winged branches. which hold the snow, gives a different affect.

In evergreens, you have a choice ranging from the low, spreading ones to those of tall, columnar shape. The hemlock is the only evergreen which will grow in a shady, wooded place. Nothing surpasses the white pine for use as a specimen in the open – not the symmetrical, sheared form of the nursery but the more picturesque plant of uneven development. Laden with snow or outlined against the sky or a dark background of leafless branches, this tree has an air of rugged strength.

All too often, trees are expected to “just grow” like grass, just throw on some lawn fertilizer and they will grow! Today, it is a recognized fact that trees increase the value of a property. Many evils which threatened their existence, and the fact that many cannot be replaced within a single lifetime, are cogent reasons why we should give them better care.

One of the prevailing evils is the failure to make provision for a change in grade. In leveling ground after building operations are completed, the roots of some trees are buried under several feet of fill. This may become so tightly packed that air is cut off from the roots, causing suffocation. Fertilizer is often given, under the mistaken idea that the tree is starved.

Where grades must be altered, some provision must he made for the health of the tree, depending on the extent of the change in ground. level. Where the fill exceeds 18 inches, it is best to lay several lines of drain-tile, beginning at the tree trunk and extending, in a spoke-like fashion, beyond the drip of the branches. The tiles should be covered with stones, then coarse fill and, finally, soil. The last step is to build a well around the trunk.

Among the trees more sensitive to root suffocation are oak, maple, beech, birch and hickory.

Storms, too, take their toll of trees. Weak crotches and overloaded branches split apart, tearing the bark with them. Pruning and cabling are the two remedies. Cabling is best done by a trained workman but the load can be relieved by pruning. Reduce the size of some branches on the main limbs or remove them entirely. Use a sharp pruning saw for a clean cut. If the branch is heavy, make two cuts – each halfway through the limb. The first cut should be made on the underside of the limb, about 18 inches from trunk or branch to which it is attached; the second cut should be made on the upper side, about 22 inches from the main trunk or branch. The limb will then snap, leaving the 18-inch stub, which can be cut off close to the main trunk without tearing the bark. Paint all wounds with a good pruning paint.

In choosing a tree for the lawn, select one that is deep-rooted so there will be no problem of grass drying out under the branches. This rules out all maples, with the possible exception of red maple (Acer rubrum), which is not as bad as the Norway maple – the worst offender.

A serious oversight in planting trees is the failure to make a large enough hole and to mix topsoil, super phosphate and humus around the roots. Such treatment will carry the tree for several years and give it the vigor and ability required to overcome attacks of insects and diseases. It is important to wrap the trunks of all young trees to conserve moisture, to keep out borers and to prevent sun-scald in winter. As a final protection, wrap or place wire guards around the trunks to prevent girdling by mice and rabbits.

Join Kent Higgins at . We’ve just scratched the surface on 1000′s of topics like – lawn fertilizer for example.. Also published at December Pointers… Tips For Northern Gardeners.

Standbys in the prairie garden are the various members of the diathus family. They require no petting and pampering, yet reward one with a lovely display of bright flowers, over a long period.

Dianthus plumarius comes in a wide variety of colors, both single and double, often lovely combinations and dainty markings. These have long been a favorite with me, but there are others that are equally desirable.

A group of Dianthus superbus attracted much attention, with masses of airy fringed single blooms of pink tones lavender. Free blooming and slightly perfumed. The single D. cyclops, pale pink with a red eye, and strongly clove scented, makes a very attractive plant. D. deltoides is nice for edging, grouped with landscape lighting for evening enjoyment, dwarf and free blooming, and comes in several colors.

Dianthus allwoodii is a very double white with a red splotch in the center. Mine may, or may not, be the true allwoodii, but came to me under that name. It has never set seed for me, but may be increased by slips or cuttings. This last summer I had several clumps of a lovely salmon pink dianthus. They were perfect bouquets of bloom over blue gray narrow foliage. They came to me labeled only “salmon dianthus,” but were beautiful for a long time.

Most dianthus are easily grown from seeds, and there are many to choose from, both in annuals and perennials. They need no special care or attention and grow in any situation. Mine grow in full sun, and are subject to wind, severe cold in winter and drouth in summer, but come up smiling.

Visit us to find out more about garden plants and flowers. It you have some questions or problem just let us know or you may visit your local gardener.

Seeking assistance on landscape lighting is just one of our strong points. Click on the link to visit http://www.plant-care.com/landscape-lighting.html.. Also published at Dianthus In The Garden.