Stihl Lithium Ion Grass Trimmer Review

When I started Green Thumb Barbers I had a lot of challenges. I needed equipment that was eco-friendly and yet still had commercial quality. Let me tell you, I spent quite a bit of money and learned from trial and error the importance of buying quality products. 

Stihl may be name brand, I may just be paying for the label, but Stihl works fantastic and I couldn't be happier. I will be doing reviews on a Lithium Ion Hedger as well next week. I also use a new Environmental friendly new Wood Boss Chainsaw from Stihl. 

Let me tell you this Grass Trimmer is Amazing!! The benefits of using this trimmer vs. a gas trimmer can not be beat. 

Ok, Let's get this straight right away. This is a commercial Grass Trimmer!! The power is all there, I promise!! 36 volt lithium ion battery powers this trimmer. 

The first thing you will notice is it's weight. My forearms from using a propane trimmer got huge because of how heavy that thing was. This trimmer is light and easy to use. I use it for trimming and edging lawns. I recently used it on some thick nasty stuff. I like that depending how much I squeeze on the button it will give me more or less power. 

The battery I use is the AP-80. Stihl makes an even better 36 volt AP-160 with twice the power and length of time for use. 

You have to pay for the battery, charger, and trimmer all separately. It's expensive! It's worth it! 

Being an Eco-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening business is difficult. I pay a lot more for my equipment then my competitors. I don't pay for gas though, which in the long run, I will save money and our environment. 

I have an adapter for my cigarette lighter in the truck that I use to charge the battery after every stop I make. 

It works out great for me. 

Check out the video below:

I love this thing and Stihl's commitment to our environment. 

Hope you enjoyed a little peak into how we stay committed on being #1 in environmentally  friendly landscape and gardening practices. 

More Info Below on Stihl Lithium Technology

The Future of Professional Green Technology Is Here STIHL Harnesses the Power of Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

STIHL Lithium-Ion technology – No Gasoline, No Emissions, No Power Cords. STIHL harnesses this technology to produce an exciting new line of cordless, battery-powered outdoor power equipment. The result is a new breed of environmentally responsible products, eliminating both fuel costs and exhaust emissions. You can “save green” while “going green” with STIHL Lithium-Ion technology. The 36-volt AP 80 & 160 Lithium-Ion battery is designed for long running times with quick recharges and operates at full speed until depleted, so there is no gradual drop in power during use. Batteries can be charged hundreds of times without any noticeable loss in capacity, and special battery electronics constantly monitor the battery to ensure optimal operation and a long service life.

STIHL Lithium-Ion battery powered products:

• Environmentally responsible option for high-performance machines
• Eliminate fuel costs for less expensive long-term operation
• No cord, no exhaust emissions, no gasoline smell
• Instant startup – just pull the trigger
• No need for oil and fuel mixing
• Less vibrations and quieter equipment performance
• No gradual drop in power –runs at full speed until battery is depleted
• Two batteries available – with 80 or 160 watt hours of power
• Long service life – more than 80% of battery capacity remains after 500 charges
• Battery design monitors temperature and shuts down if too warm or too cold
• Intelligent battery circuit board exchanges data between tool and charger
• AP 160 battery can be used interchangeably with the AP 80 battery
• STIHL has partnered with the RBRC (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation), and batteries
  can be returned for recycling at participation STIHL servicing Dealers: www.call2recycle.org

7 scary reasons to go Organic!!

I don't normally post links to other sites for articles, but this one impressed me. It's something I really believe is important to all of us. I follow this Organic Gardening site and they posted a great article this morning. 

7 Shocking Reasons to Go Organic

click link above

This also ties in with a blog I wrote last week about 

The Dirty Dozen.

My day with two big Italians

Italian Cypress Trees

My dad and I had the opportunity to cut down two Italian Cypress Trees last Thursday and Friday. 

These bad boys were huge!! We actually underestimated the work involved in getting them out of the back yard. I'm still sore! The end result is all that matters. The customers wanted to make some changes to their backyard. The landscape scheme that prior owners developed made really no sense. Just two Italian Cypress trees about 6 feet apart. 

TIMBER!!! 

It actually shook the ground a little when it hit. My dad climbed up to about 25 feet and tied a rope around the main trunk. I was on the other end of the rope ensuring it would fall where I wanted it to. I swear a gust of wind came up right as the final cut was made. It worked out, didn't land exactly where we wanted it. Little anxiety I must say when you have tree like that on the end of rope and you have to make sure it goes the right direction. 

Now the hard part, goin to work on the tree. Several trips were made to get the tree out of the backyard. You might think it's just trunk all the way up and foliage. Nope!! Lots and Lots of sub-branches running off of the main tree trunk. 

Here is something I pulled from Wikipedia 

Symbolism

Cypresses (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh,Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

In classical antiquity, the cypress was a symbol of mourning and in the modern era it remains the principal cemetery tree in both the Muslim world and Europe. In the classical tradition, the cypress was associated with death and the underworld because it failed to regenerate when cut back too severely. Athenian households in mourning were garlanded with boughs of cypress.^[4] Cypress was used to fumigate the air during cremations.^[5] It was among the plants that were suitable for making wreaths to adorn statues of Pluto, the classical ruler of the underworld.^[6]

The poet Ovid, who wrote during the reign of Augustus, records the best-known myth that explains the association of the cypress with grief. The handsome boyCyparissus, a favorite of Apollo, accidentally killed a beloved tame stag. His grief and remorse were so inconsolable that he asked to weep forever. He was transformed into cupressus sempervirens, with the tree's sap as his tears.^[7] In another version of the story, it was the woodland god Silvanus who was the divine companion of Cyparissus and who accidentally killed the stag. When the boy was consumed by grief, Silvanus turned him into a tree, and thereafter carried a branch of cypress as a symbol of mourning.^[8]

Fastigiate Mediterranean Cypress Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta', planted in Hawaii

In Greek mythology, the cypress is associated with both Artemis and Cyparissus, a boy beloved by Apollo. Ancient Roman funerary rites used it extensively. Cupressus sempervirens is the principal cemetery tree both in the Western and Muslim worlds. Cypresses are used extensively the Shahnameh, the great Iranian epic poem by Ferdowsi.

In Numerology, the Cypress tree (as a "birth tree") is nicknamed "The Faithfulness", and is a depiction of the following characteristics: Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy, content, optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic and careless.

Just some fun facts for ya. 

I wish I had of had the grinches help on this job. 

I looked at the back of the truck and thought about this. 

On to the next one

I love this picture!! Wish it was 3D showing the tree coming down. I wanted to record with my phone...but figured I better keep both hands on the rope. 

This tree was smooth, it landed gently and easy right where we wanted it. 

going, going, Gone

Working smarter not harder

(Believe me, we worked hard) 

Firewood anyone?

They are gone! You can see the color of the fence brighter where the trees were. 

Packed up my new Stihl Wood Boss Chainsaw till the next time. 

I enjoy my job so much. I love walking away from a job like this and feeling accomplished. The customers were very happy. 

The Dirty Dozen

I am going to share with you today something Amanda and I have been using forever when we shop. We have it memorized now, but still carry our original list with us. The Dirty Dozen and Clean 15. 

The Dirty Dozen was an article published by Mens Health a few years ago. 

Dirty Dozen refers to the worst offenders when it comes to pesticides on fruit and vegetables.  The clean 15 our items that are ok, or have shown to have very low residue of pesticides. 

Have you ever eaten a piece of fruit and then your mouth and throat get all itchy? 

HELLO PESTICIDES!!!

1. Pears, 2. Peaches, 3. Strawberries, 4. Apples

5. Cherries, 6. Nectarines, 7. Grapes

8. Kale, 9. Carrots, 10. (Sweet) Bell Peppers,

11. Celery

12. Lettuce

All of these Fruits and Vegetables should be bought organic. 

Many supermarkets are carrying more, and more organic products. 

In 2010 Organic food sales rose up over 8%

1990 Organic Sales 1 billion dollars

2009 Organic Sales 26 billion dollars

People are getting health conscience!

I could talk about the reasons to go more organic all day. 

Unfortunately it is expensive to eat healthier and not have food loaded with chemical pesticides. 

Here is a list of the Clean 15

1. Avocados, 2. Sweet Corn, 3. Pineapples, 4. Mangoes, 

5. Asparagus, 6. Sweet Peas, 7. Cabbages, 8. Eggplants, 

9. Papayas, 10. Onions, 11. Watermelons, 12. Broccoli, 

13. Kiwis, 14. Sweet Potatoes, 15. Tomatoes 

I write those 15 with a slant because they still contain pesticides. For your pocket book, if you can't afford to go all organic... these maintain less pesticides. 

There is a difference in taste quality too! Just recently, we ended up having celery non-organic and organic. My son Jordan and I love celery and eat it all the time. Jordan grabbed some of the non-organic celery and took a couple of bites. He went back in the kitchen and asked Amanda " What's wrong with this celery? " . TRUE STORY!! 

Below I am gonna give you a printable to keep with you when you go to the store. We still have ours from the Men's Health Article. 

Right to Save to Computer 

Then print

Right to Save to Computer

Then print

You are all probably like what's up with the font??

I had to use the Dirty Dozen Movie Poster Font!! 

WEB MD Article on the Dirty Dozen

In this article they take out Carrots and put in Blueberries. 

I hope this article helps you understand the importance of trying to buy from local farmers markets or organic in the store. 

Be Different, Be Green

Garden Organization GTB STYLE

IT'S SPRINGTIME!!

Time to dust off the gardening gloves, breakout the soil, and put your best wicker hat on! 

This spring get a little more organized and add some flare, pop, wow, whatever you wanna call it to your yard and garden. I have spent time looking at different options to enhance your garden storage. Here is what I have found.

The Garden Hose:

What used to be an eyesore for your beautiful landscape or garden, is now something fun.

So many different options to organize that unsightly 

garden hose.

Deer Park Hose Planter with Coco Liner

A cocco moss liner allows you to conceal your garden hose. You can place a potted plant, or fill with soil for a planter on top. Really cool idea. 

Click this Amazon.com link above to order yours.

Build a Planter Storage Box

Planter How To Link

This is a perfect idea to have some extra storage outside. I like the idea of the planter on top! I would even say you could use this for an herb garden.

You can even cut a hole in the back of this, store your hose in it, and place over the spigot.  

Gardening Tools:

Let's think what do we currently do with our gardening tools? Are they in a bucket? Still in soil from last fall? 

How about adding this to your patio for a quick grab.

Magnetic Knife Strips

These badboys can be used for anything. I want to do this so bad!! I just haven't found the time yet, but when I do, I will take a picture and post it. Just picture these tools below easy and accessible on a couple of magnetic strips. I'm trying in this image to help you use your imagination. 

Pin It

Pretty Cool Huh? 

Rake, Broom, and Shovels:

Nothing is more irritating than getting whapped in the face with the shovel that was laying on the ground. I'm gonna give you some good advice from experience. 

BAD OPTIONS

Stay away from these options. Crappy, Plastic, and never quite work like the picture. Save yourself some headaches.

GOOD OPTIONS

DIY Shovel, Rake, and Broom Link

These are just a few ideas for your garden organization needs. I will continue to update this blog as I find new cool things to do with your garden needs.

We all wish and hope to someday have this kind of organization below. 

              

You will in time, just have patience. Little by little you build up to some great clutter free garden organization.