Father's Day Gift

Reminder that Father's day is next Saturday (June 21). Are you still looking for the perfect Father's day gift. Why not get him a spanking red brand new lawn mower. Check out our Lawn Mower selection, we have something for every kind of lawn ... and if you call up and mention this post, we will give you a special Father's Days Discount (Offer expires after Father's Day)

Nintendo Wii controlled Lawn Mower

No, this is not a new Nintendo Wii game. This is actually research project at the University of Southern Denmark. The project is called Casmobot (Computer Assisted Slope Mowing Robot). 'The Casmobot project is about making grass cutting more efficient,' said Kjeld Jensen, a robotics researcher at the University of Southern Denmark who developed the system. It uses a standard Wiimote that communicates via Bluetooth to a computer and robotics module built into the mower. Actions of the mower are matched to tilt actions of the remote. For example, if you tilt the remote down the mower moves forwards; tilt it up, and it moves backwards, and so on. The Wiimote can be used to control the mower manually or in computer-assisted mode, where the mower uses autonomous navgiation based on RTK GPS positioning to cut larger areas."

See video below.

Greener Lawn Without The Chemicals

Continuing from my previous post on Organic Lawns, I wanted to post an excellent education video on this courtesy of Wend Bound of the Wall Street Journal.

Organic Lawns

Organic gardening is the practice of engaging in gardening practices that do not use chemical pesticides. The benefits of Organic farming are obvious and non-debatable.
The less toxic chemicals are used, the less toxic chemicals seep into our water to later contaminate all life including ourselves. We owe it to our future generations to engage in such practices and salvage what is remaining of our world.

But what does this all mean for your Lawn. Unfortunately Organic Lawn Care is not for the lazy. You will need to substitute synthetic fertilizers and pesticides chicken manure and plant fibers and the results are in many cases disappointing. It may take a while for this movement to take hold in India, one reason is that organic lawn products are probably not available. We however wanted to raise awareness of this practice with this article.

I end by posting a ORGANIC LAWN 101, Courtesy of Scott Meyer editor of Organic Gardening magazine.

• Get Soil Test
  This shows what fertilizers and soil amendments, such as limestone, you need. Tests can be done by pros or with do-it-yourself kits available in stores and online at sites such as www.gardensalive.com (Anytime)
• Control Weeds
  Clean up debris and apply organic corn gluten herbicide, such as Cockadoodle DOO Weed Control or WeedBan (www.purebarnyard.com, (www.extremelygreen.com). Safe for kids and pets, but not when seeding new grass. (Early spring & late summer)
• Fertilize
  Non-synthetic organic brands can be found in gardening centers and most home improvement chains, including Home Depot and Lowe's. Look for a seal from Organic Materials Review Institute. Follow directions. (Early and late spring, late summer or early fall)
• Mow and Water
  Keep grass on the high side -- 2.5 to 3 inches -- to fight weeds. Don't cut lawn while it's wet, and leave clippings to feed the soil. Rake out clumps. Lawns need about one inch of water a week. Water early -- 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. is best -- and for concentrated periods. Light sprinkling fosters weak roots.
• Feed Turf
  Nutrients like compost tea sprays, liquid seaweed and grub deterrents may build soil's biology and fight pests. Some brands can be found at www.gardensalive.com and www.extremelygreen.com. (See directions for best application times)
• Seed
  When nights are cool, grass grows best. That's the best time to over-seed lawn and fill in any bare spots. (Fall)

Green Lawn Mowers

Article in the WSJ on new Alternative Energy Power tools:

By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS

Over the past month, I've trimmed my grass four times, sliced firewood with a chainsaw, torn up lawn to reseed and weed-whacked my overgrown two-acre property.

And I haven't used a single drop of gasoline.

It's shaping up to be the summer of the "alternative energy" outdoor power tools. From battery mowers and garden cultivators to a new propane-propelled string trimmer, manufacturers and retailers are rolling out consumer machines that run on gas substitutes and boast lower emissions and fewer maintenance headaches.

Right now, Ariens Co. of Brillion, Wis., is introducing its $3,299 "AMP Rider" electric-motor mower that works off rechargeable lead-acid batteries and never needs an oil-change. Valley City, Ohio-based MTD Products Inc.'s Troy-Bilt brand just launched a $169 seven-pound lithium-ion battery trimmer it says can run up to 45 minutes on a single charge. And Vergennes, Vt.-based Country Home Products Inc., known for its futuristic Neuton brand battery push mower, just added four new tools with interchangeable nickel-cadmium batteries to its lineup, including a $109 chainsaw.

Meantime, home-improvement retailers are allocating more shelf space for these eco-machines, lured by slowing sales of gas models and robust interest in alternative-fuel models. At Home Depot Inc., 2008 was a record year, with double-digit sales growth, for non-gas outdoor equipment.

Two factors are driving the trend, says Wesley Neece, Home Depot senior merchant for lawn and garden: the greening of America and lingering caution about rising gas prices. Home Depot sells a range of items from corded and battery-powered push mowers to a trimmer just out from Los Angeles-based Lehr Inc. that's fueled by a small 16.4-ounce propane canister. Home Depot is just beginning to sell the Ariens battery AMP Rider online.

link to the full Article in the Wall Street Journal

Alexander's Art Gallery

Lona Lawn Mowers founder, Alexander Mathew was recently featured in the news. This was related to the opening of his Art Gallery - Alexander's Art Gallery. The Art Gallery features a unique collection of art from original paintings from foreign painters to reproduction of famous paintings. Also featured in the collection are exotic African Masks, collected by Mr Alexander while working as a teacher in Nigeria. The News article was featured in the Indian Express.
Paper cutting of the article is attached.

Yard Care

Are you looking for information on how to take care of your lawn. These two excellent websites on Lawn Care are excellent resources.

1. Yard Care
2. Lawn Care

Lona LawnMower Product Reviews

We have been building a lot of Social Networking into our website. You can now join our website using your Google or Yahoo Account and post reviews on each of our Products. We are constantly looking to improve our machines and appreciate any feed back you can give. 

See reviews on our LN-103E Model.

How Google Mows the Lawn..

Google uses Goats to mow the Lawn. I am not kidding. See posting from Google's official blog. Scary who thought Goats could put us out of business

Official Google Blog: Mowing with goats

Sexy Lawn Mower Commercial

Sexy Lawn Mower commercial.  But.. not quite about "Mowing the Lawn"

LonaMowers featured on TV

LonaMowers was recently featured on TV. A Business programme called Money Kilukkam, produced by Malalayam Manorama. See video below.