Get Started on Spring Chores

Spring is here, and it's time to get a jump start on chores. First things first, take care of these two top tasks. And if you're suffering from the seasonal sniffles, I've got an easy fix you can whip up quick!

First Lawn Feeding

Give your lawn its first “official” feeding of the season by mixing 3 lbs. of Epsom salts per bag of natural dry lawn food. Apply the mixture at half of the recommended rate, and then wash it down with this Lawn Snack Tonic: 1 can of beer and 1 cup of dishwashing liquid mixed in a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer, filling the balance of the sprayer jar with ammonia. Apply it to your lawn to the point of run-off to really get it off on the right root this spring.

Wash Your Windows

It’s also time for another spring chore—window cleaning. But rather than buy a pricey store-bought cleaner, whip up your own by mixing equal parts of ammonia and rubbing alcohol in a hand-held sprayer bottle. Just spritz it on the window, and wipe with a clean cloth to reveal a clear, streak-free window.

Got the sniffles?

If you've got spring allergies, you may have the ol’ stuffy nose to contend with. Now, don’t bother using medicines when there’s a safe, natural alternative. Instead of downing a decongestant, simply slice an onion in half, hold the cut side up under your nose, and take a big whiff. Your sinuses will be clear in no time flat! 

Officially Spring!

It’s officially spring, and you know what that means—time for spring cleaning! Mix up a batch of All-Purpose Cleaner with 2 cups of rubbing alcohol, 1 tbsp. of ammonia, 1 tbsp. of dishwashing liquid, and 2 quarts of water combined in a bucket. Then, pour the cleaner into a hand-held sprayer bottle. This concoction is perfect to clean the living room windows, kitchen counters, bathroom tile, and just about any other hard surface!

Make sure to also spend some time cleaning up your yard. Run any leaves, tree branches, and other compostable materials through a shredder, and use it to start a new compost pile. Then douse the pile with this Compost Feeder Tonic: 1/2 can of beer, 1/2 can of cola, and 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid mixed in a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer. Give the pile a good dose of this tonic once a month, and it’ll turn into black, crumbly, nutrient-rich compost before you know it!

If all that work leaves you with an achin’ back, use a Homemade Ice Pack! It’s so easy to make – simply mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 2 parts water, and pour into a heavy-duty zip-top plastic freezer bag. Squeeze all the air out, seal the bag up, and tuck it away in the freezer. Because alcohol doesn’t freeze, the contents will be slushy rather than rock hard—and all the more comfortable on your achin’ body. And when you’re sore-no-more, just pop it back in the freezer for next time.

Mower Maintenance Made Easy

It’s time to start thinking about mowing your lawn again! And that means keeping your mower in top shape. Follow these ten tips, and you’ll breeze through this year’s lawn mowing without a single hitch:

1. Don’t be a gas hoarder. Never store more than a month’s worth of gas in your garage or shed (and at today’s prices, who can afford to?). Old gas often collects condensation, which can gum up your carburetor. 

2. Give the blades plenty of elbow room. Before you start your mower, look underneath it. Clear away any built-up grass or other debris.

3. Sharpen the blade every third mowing. And keep at least two back-up blades handy and sharp.

4. Remember the oil. Depending on how much lawn you have and how often you cut it, change the oil at least once a season. Too little oil can put a death grip on your engine—a costly fate for you!

5. Keep the cooling fins clean.

6. Check the belt condition and tension each time before you mow.

7. Let your mower breathe clean air. Check out your air filter; replace it when it gets dirty. Otherwise, dirt will sneak into the engine, wearing down vital parts and making starting a real hassle.

8. Wipe down all the rubber and plastic parts with Armorall® once a month to keep them from drying out, cracking, and disintegrating.

9. Wipe down all chrome and metal parts with WD-40® every few weeks to keep them from rusting and sticking.

10. Check out all safety controls (automatic shutoff, all-wheel control, etc.) before each use.

Outdoor Chores

Hi there, folks!

Hopefully, you’re all enjoying any warm spring weather you’ve been having lately. If so, then you should take full advantage of the mild temperatures to get some much-needed outdoor chores done.

For starters, if your deck is looking really dirty, it’s time to clean it up! But rather than buying an expensive cleaner, just give it a good scrubbing with this homemade Deck and Porch Cleaner: 1 qt. of household bleach, ½ cup of powdered laundry detergent, and 2 gallons of hot water mixed in a bucket. Use a stiff broom or brush to scrub this solution into your deck. Then hose down the surface thoroughly, and enjoy the squeaky-clean shine.

Next, it’s time to get your lawn up off its “grass” for another growing season. So treat it to a dose of this Spring Wake-Up Tonic: 50 lbs. of pelletized gypsum, 50 lbs. of pelletized lime, 5 lbs. of bonemeal, and 2 lbs. of Epsom salts mixed in a wheelbarrow. Apply this mix with a broadcast spreader no more than 2 weeks before your first official lawn feeding. Your spring lawn will be up and at ‘em in no time!

Unfortunately, springtime chores in the great outdoors usually bring allergy symptoms right along with them. To clear your sinuses in a hurry, whip up this steamy soother: 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and eucalyptus mixed into 1 cup of boiling water. Place a towel over your head to make a tent, and sniff the fumes for 5 minutes to achieve blessed relief.

Then get out there, and kick some grass!

Gentlemen (and Ladies), Start Your Seedlings!

Now’s the time to get your seedlings going. Here’s how with a quick ‘n’ easy way that'll turn household trash into garden treasure: When you reach the end of a roll of foil, don’t throw the cardboard tube away. Instead, turn it into a bunch of seed-starting pots. Just cut the tube into pieces about 3 inches long, and wrap aluminum foil around the outside of each piece to keep the cardboard from falling apart when it gets wet. Pack the little pots closely together on a waterproof tray or shallow pan, add seed-starting mix, and sow seeds to your heart’s content. Then come transplant time, remove the foil, and plant your seedlings, pots and all. Now you’re seedlings will be rarin’ for spring!

While we’re at it, let’s talk about getting a jump start on spring skin care. If March came in like a lion in your neck of the woods, then you know those bone-chilling winds sure can take a toll. So here’s a simple facial formula that will slough off dead skin cells, refine pores, and even out your skin tone – all to get you ready for dare-to-go-bare skin.

• In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of apple juice, 2 teaspoons of red wine, and 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal to make a paste.
• Add more liquid if you need to.
• Spread the mixture onto your face and throat, and let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes
• Rinse with warm water. Now, are you ready for a nice, warm spring? (Cue the lamb!)