Spend Less Green going Green

Eco-friendly landscaping and home improvement is no longer a designer home trend, but instead it has become a lifestyle.

How can homeowners go green, while keeping your lawn looking green, without spending the green?

Here are local retailer deals ranging from maintenace and home garden supplies to seminars and do-it-yourself advice:

DEAL:

Northeast Nursery offers free seminars starting next month on everything from lawn maintenance and planning to landscape design ideas.  Early season and bulk pricing are also available - see website for class details and 2011 catalog. Northeast has an impressive amount of organic lawn care items.

DEAL: Hanging plants and tropical plants for $5 at Kanes Flower World.

Kanes Flower World is having a huge hanging plant blow-out sale - most display hangers are only $5 (original pricing much higher) - and includes tropical plants as well as more common varieties.  Hanging plants help to improve indoor air quality.

DEAL: $15 to $30 rebates on several Scott's Turf builder products at Lowe's.

Lowe's is offering many Scott's Lawn Products with rebates of $15 to $30 on purchases made before March 28. Also, pre-season sale pricing and add-on bonuses on lawn equipment such as mowers, trimmers, wheelbarrels and more,many items with free delivery.

DEAL: Monterey All Natural Grub control, 7 lb container, $38.88 at Home Depot.

Home Depot has a new Garden Club available. There are no membership fees and it is easy to sign up in-store or online. The club offers free landscape advice, a community of gardeners offering expert advice for your regional, to-do checklists each week, and as well as exclusive members-only coupons and discounts sent to you via email to redeem at your local store.

DEAL: ECHO GT225R string trimmer for$169.99 at Dons Power Equipment.

Dons Power Equipment also offers rentals of lawn and garden equipment as well as resale of refurbished items at prices much lower than purchasing new.  Rentals are also a great way to test drive pricier lawn care products before investing.

Most local supermarkets and hardware stores are currently offering low price early season deals on annuals, perennials, herbs and seeds.  Now is the time to start making small purchases that will literally grow with the season. 

Purchasing creeping plants and hardy groundcover such as wave petunias, impatiens, phlox and irish moss is also an easy way to spend less while covering more area.