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Champion Generator Review 46539

The Champion Power Equipment Model 46565 3,500-4,000 Watt Remote Start Portable Gas-Powered Generator (Not For Sale in California) has a starting wattage of 4,000 watts and a running wattage of 3,500 watts.

One great feature about the Champion 4000 watt generator is that it has three different ways to start it. It has a wireless remote, electric start, or a pull start.

There is some assembly required. You will need to install the wheel kit, the support leg, the handle, and the battery.

You must also fill the generator with the provided engine oil. The correct oil type is 10W-30 which is included in the package. Also included is a funnel to use while adding the oil. Simply remove the engine oil dipstick and add 0.63 quarts of oil, being careful not to overfill it.

Make sure you check the oil levels often, however if you forget to check the oil the generator has an automatic shut off when the oil gets too low.

Champion Generator 4000 Engine Controls

It runs on gasoline and is an Alternating current generator.
It has a gas gauge
The 3.8 gallon fuel tank is located on the top of the unit
It has an auto-choke feature
It comes with a 12 volt battery which is used to start the engine with the electric starter and the remote control. If for some reason the battery has been drained you can still start the generator using the pull string.
The panel comes with many features. It has an Intelligauge which tells you running hours, the voltage, and hertz.
The panel also has an ignition switch, circuit breakers and a ground terminal.
It has a battery switch used to enable or disable the ability to start the generator both electrically with the electric switch or remotely using the remote control.
It has three connection types:
120 Volt AC, 30 Amp twist lock Outlet
120 Volt AC, 30 Amp Outlet
120 Volt AC, 20 Amp Duplex Outlet
It comes with a simple two button remote control. The options on the remote are Start and Stop. The remote can be used up to 80 feet away.

In order to use the remote control on this 4000 watt generator you first must make sure that on the generator control panel both the ignition switch and the battery switch are both turned on. The remote will not work if either one of these are in the off position.

Please be aware that when either of these switches are in the on position they will drain the battery. If you are not planning on using the generator keep both of these switches turned off.

Using the remote also provides a nice feature. When you use the remote to start the generator there is a 15 second delay after you hit start. This allows the 4000 watt generator to get fully up to speed before it begins to apply voltage to the item you have connected to it.

There is also a delay when you hit the stop button on the remote. First the voltage is turned off on the Champion generator and then after a 5 second delay the engine will stop. This is a great safety feature because it protects the items you have connected to the generator.

The voltage delay feature only works when starting and stopping with the remote. If you start or stop the generator with the electric start or the pull string make sure everything that is connected to the Champion generator is turned off before starting or stopping the 4000 watt generator. Otherwise you risk damaging not only the generator but also the items you have connected to it.

Champion Generator Review 46539 Features

4,000 Starting Wattage
3,500 Running Wattage
196cc 4-Stroke OHV engine
The fuel tank holds 3.8 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline
The Champion generator can run up to 12 hours at 50% load
The wheels are 8 inches
The noise level is 68 dBa at 23 feet
It is 26.3 inches long
24.4 inches wide
22.4 inches tall
It weighs 138.9 pounds

Champion Generator Review 46539Seriously Flowers2020-01-11T22:54:05-05:00

Best Corded Electric Lawn Mower

The Greenworks makes it onto the best corded electric lawn mower list.

Greenworks Lawn Mower

Best Corded Electric Lawn Mower

The GreenWorks 20-Inch 12 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower 25022 has no problem making the best corded electric lawn mower list. The Greenworks corded lawn mower is best suited for a small to medium sized yard. This mower would be great for people who live in town homes, condos, row homes, or even a single family house with a small lawn. I wouldn’t use this on a large piece of property with a lot of grass to cut.

Greenworks Corded Lawn Mower Features

Power: 12 amps
20 inch steel deck
Height Adjustment: 7 positions between 1 ½ to 3 ¾ inches
Weight: 56 lbs.
It has durable plastic wheels. The back wheels are 10 inches and the front wheels are 7 inches in diameter.

Keep in mind that this is not a self-propelled lawn mower so you will have to physically push it to make it go forward, however the Greenworks electric lawn mower has large rear wheels and is lightweight which makes it easier to push. If you have a hilly lawn it might be good exercise.

The Greenworks Corded Lawn Mower does not come with a power cord to plug into an outlet. You will need to either already own one or you will need to purchase one separately. Make sure the cord you own or the one you purchase is rated for a 12 amp device or higher, and make sure it is long enough that you will be able to mow your entire lawn. If you purchase a cord that is not rated for a 12 amp device you risk destroying the corded lawn mower.

You will save money on fuel cost and you don’t have to deal with gas smells or spills. You also don’t need to worry about ever changing the oil because there is none. You will not need to worry about recharging batteries or buying new batteries since this is all electric.

The Greenworks corded lawn mower offers three options for cutting grass. You can use the side discharge which will just throw the grass clipping out of the side of the mower onto your lawn. You can bag the clippings with a rear attachable bag. The third option which most people would probably like best is that the mower can mulch the grass clippings. Mulching mowers are so much easier to use if you prefer not having to worry about dealing with grass clippings either scattered all over the lawn or in a bag.

The Greenworks corded lawn mower is very compact. You can fold the handlebars down over top of the mower which will save a lot of space when not in use or when storing over the winter months. This is definitely a good feature to have if your storage space is limited to begin with.

Since the GreenWorks 20-Inch 12 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower 25022 uses a cord you want to be very careful to avoid running over the cord. Since this is an electric mower it is probably best not to use the mower unless the grass is totally dry. You wouldn’t want to risk some kind of electric shock from using the mower on damp or wet grass. Cutting damp grass is also a hassle, which makes a mess and can clog up any mower, even a self propelled gas powered lawn mower.

Greenworks also has a great string trimmer that made it onto our top 5 Best Weed Eater list as well.

Greenwoks Corded Lawn Mower Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
No gas or batteries to worry about	Not good for large yards
Can be folded to save space	Power cord is not included
Mower is lightweight at only 56 lbs	Mower is not self propelled
Good for small or medium sized yards	Using a corded mower could be a pain
Height can be adjusted in 7 positions

Sun Joe Electric Lawn Mower

The Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower with Grass Bag is a great little mower, it is very lightweight weighing only 29lbs. Compare this to the weight of a traditional gas lawn mower which weigh significantly more, the lightweight of the Mow Joe makes it easier to work with and move around. Don’t let the lightweight fool you, it might be small but it is mighty. It has a strong 12 amp motor that can power through grass with ease, with 3 height adjustments and includes a 10.6 gallon grass collection bag.

Pick this mower if you have a small to medium size yard, prefer not to worry about gas and oil and want a lightweight mower.

Find another mower if you have a large yard or want the power of a gas lawn mower.

Overall the Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch 12 Amp Electric Lawn Mower with Grass Bag is a great choice and easily makes our top 5 best corded electric lawn mower list.

Best Corded Electric Lawn MowerSeriously Flowers2020-01-11T23:48:29-05:00

Best Greenhouse

Palram Hybrid Greenhouse

The Palram HG5508PH Hybrid Hobby Greenhouse, 6′ x 8′, Silver, Plant Hangers Included is a greenhouse that comes in many different sizes so you should be able to pick the perfect size for the space you have available. This greenhouse has a roof vent which is great for letting fresh air in and keeping your plants happy, the panels also block out 99% of UV rays. This greenhouse kit does require assembly and is on the larger side as far as residential greenhouses go so it is not portable. Make sure you pick out the best spot possible to place it. When it is built it will provide your flowers and plants with the protection they need in a safe environment.

Best GreenhouseSeriously Flowers2020-01-11T23:38:47-05:00

Best Mailbox

The best mailbox is a matter of opinion and you have a lot of choices. Residential mailboxes come in a variety of styles. You can choose a plastic mailbox, metal mailbox, wooden mailbox, decorative mailboxes, wall mount mailbox or a locking mailbox.

I could easily list the top 10 best mailboxes and give a small review of each of them like every other website, but I want to go much further than that. I am going to tell you what I think is the best mailbox and post combo, but then show you exactly how I installed it.

Choosing a Mailbox

I did tons of research to ultimately decide which mailbox to get. Originally I was going to get a locking mailbox, but after thinking it over I really didn’t like the small mail slot size and I didn’t like having to worry about always taking a key with me just to get the mail.

Now of course if you live in an area where mail theft is a problem I would absolutely recommend getting a locking mailbox, they are pretty great. I ultimately decided to go with a traditional mailbox with post.

There are a lot to choose from so that took much further research but I eventually found the one for me. In my days of research (more like weeks) I discovered an amazing way to install the mailbox post without concrete.

What is the Best Mailbox and Post Combo?

In my opinion the best mailbox and post combo is:

The Salsbury mailbox is a heavy duty aluminum mailbox. It is nothing like the cheap plastic ones you find at the big box stores. This thing is sturdy and feels and looks very well made. It comes in a variety of colors. You can choose beige, black, green or white. I picked the black mailbox.

One feature I really like is the mailbox door has a strong magnet that holds the door shut. It is a really nice touch, no more mailbox doors hanging open. I also used large 3″ inch mailbox numbers, Hy-Ko Products MM-5N Self Adhesive Vinyl Numbers 3″ High, Black & Gold, 26 Pieces. This is where I had only a slight issue with the mailbox.

I wanted to place the numbers on the side of the mailbox, the area on the side of the mailbox to place the numbers only had room for about 3″ inches. Two ridges run along the side of the mailbox, which limits space for the numbers.

I like the ridges because they make the mailbox look good and they give the mailbox added strength. I applied the numbers on each side of the mailbox, the numbers didn’t quite fit and overhung the space ever so slightly. This is purely cosmetic.

I could have left it but I decided to get some scissors and trim a very small amount at the top of each number to fit it into the roughly 3″ inch area. After I did that they fit perfectly.

Best Mailbox Post

I think this is a great mailbox, but with the mailbox you also need the best mailbox post to go with it. The Salsbury Industries Designer In-Ground Mounted Decorative Mailbox Post is the companion mailbox post for the mailbox. I think this is the best mailbox and post combo.

The mailbox post comes in three styles and several colors. The post is just as high quality and heavy duty as the mailbox. It is 81 inches tall and is made of aluminum. The inside of the post is hollow but do not try and put a 4×4 piece of wood inside the post when you install it.

The mailbox post is designed to be installed into the ground as is with nothing inside the post.

After doing extensive research I think this is the best mailbox and mailbox post combination you can find.

How to Install a Mailbox Post Without Concrete

For the mailbox installation I was originally going to take the traditional route. This involved sticking the mailbox post on top of a 6 inch deep bed of gravel and filling the hole with quick set concrete. I was all set to do this until I came across a unique product that I hadn’t seen before.

It is called Sika Post Fix Fence Post Mix, this is a foam used to install posts. When I first came across Sika Post Fix I scoffed at the idea of installing anything in foam, it seemed ridiculous that it could ever work. I thought to myself, I’ve used foam in a can plenty of times to fill holes so I am familiar with foam and how easily it breaks apart.

This of course is not the same foam you get in a can. Sika Post Fix is a high density foam which makes it very tough. Intrigued by this I decided to just try the foam. If it was terrible and didn’t work I could easily just rip the mailbox out of the foam and go get some gravel and concrete and do it the traditional way.

I also did it on a Saturday so if it was a complete disaster at least I would have Sunday to try and fix it and I wouldn’t have to worry about the mail carrier showing up trying to deliver mail and finding no mailbox.

Being extremely skeptical that this foam would actually work. I watched a lot of videos and read all of the instructions about how to properly use the foam. Eventually I felt pretty confident that I could at least apply it correctly.

I really wanted this to work, if it didn’t work it was going to be a real pain to have to start over and I really wasn’t very excited about having to lug bags of concrete and gravel around.

Using Sika Post Fix

Before you dig always make sure to call 811 to mark any possible utility lines in the area.

The Sika Post Fix instructions say the hole must be 8″ inches in diameter and 36″ inches deep for a 4 x 4 post. After ripping the old mailbox out I was left with a hole 9″ x 10″ inches in diameter and 33″ inches deep.

The old mailbox post was stuck into the ground without any concrete over 20 years ago. We have heavy clay soil and since it was almost three feet deep it certainly seemed like it was installed with concrete. It was extremely difficult to remove from the ground.

Mailbox Rules

The Salsbury mailbox post is a 4 x 4 post and is roughly 62.5″ inches from the floor of the mailbox to the end of the post. I could not install the mailbox post 36″ inches deep per the instructions since it would sit far too low and not meet USPS specifications.

Here are the USPS requirements https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm

Post office specifications state the mailbox should be between 41″ to 45″ inches from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or mailbox entry point. The mailbox also needs to be 6″ to 8″ inches back from the curb.

I decided to back fill the 33″ inch deep hole up to about 19″ inches deep. I tamped it down using part of the old mailbox post I broke off when I removed the old post. At 19″ inches this made the floor of the mailbox sit at about 43″ inches high which complied with the mailbox rules.

Pouring Sika Post Fix

After following all directions on the bag I placed the mailbox post into the hole. I made sure everything was nice and level and braced it with Irwin Tools QUICK-GRIP Clamp Set and pieces of wood I found lying around. I made sure everything was level using the IRWIN Tools Magnetic Post Level.

I then poured the foam liquid around the post. The instructions say to actually pour the liquid onto the post not just into the hole. Making contact with the post allows for a better bond with the post and also helps protect the post from rot if you are using a wooden post.

Despite the fact that my hole diameter was larger than 8″ inches and the depth was only 19″ inches I felt confident the foam would fill the hole just fine. After pouring the foam it quickly started to rise and after a couple of minutes it began to overflow the top of the hole.

After the foam stopped flowing it easily filled the entire hole and came up and out of the hole quite a bit as well. Everything worked nicely, the instructions say to wait 2 hours before doing anything to let it fully cure.

Mailbox Installation Results

After waiting a little over 2 hours I checked the results. Everything looked good, I pushed on the post a little bit to see how well it was holding.

I was pleasantly surprised that it seemed to be working quite well. Satisfied with my little quality control test I proceeded to take a hand saw and a small knife and cut off the excess foam that had overflowed out of the hole.

This turned out to be more difficult than I thought, the foam is pretty strong and it took some effort to cut it back. I even cut down a little into the hole so that I could place soil on top to hide the foam.

I then attached the mailbox and made sure everything was still sitting level and checked my measurements one more time. Everything looked good. So far it seems to be working very well. Of course time will tell how long this will last.

I have read that utility companies use foam to install telephone poles so that gives me confidence that this will work just fine.

The other benefit I see is if for some reason I ever need to remove the mailbox post it should be much easier to remove the mailbox post secured in foam rather than secured in heavy concrete. That benefit alone makes it worthwhile for me to use the foam.

Mailbox with Post

I think this is the best mailbox and post combo. It is a great looking setup and the foam made installation very simple. If I was going to do it all over again I would do it exactly the same way.

So that is a great way on how to install a mailbox post without concrete. Make sure to take a look at the Best Weed Eater reviews so you have something to trim the grass that will grow around your new mailbox post.

Best MailboxSeriously Flowers2020-01-10T22:36:37-05:00

Garden Flowers

Single Marigold

Garden Flowers are a great addition to any garden. In this age of variety and individualism, gardens no longer have to be comprised solely of vegetable plants. Many outdoor gardens are a combination of veggies, herbs and garden flowers, or are just carefully planned arrangements of outdoor flowers and shrubs.

Let’s face it, while vegetable gardens help to provide food for the table, outside flowers and plants add to a garden a beautiful touch we all enjoy. Make sure you have the best tools used for gardening which will make the work much easier.

Types of Garden Flowers

Garden flowers are broken down into three main types: perennials, annuals, and biennials. Perennial flowers return year after year with little to no encouragement, providing continuous garden blooms.

Annual flowers only live for one growing season and need to be replanted every year. Biennial Plants are a hybrid of the two; the first year is spent focusing on vegetative growth, the second year the plant blooms and completes its life cycle. Perennial plants tend to have a higher price tag up front but can be more economical in the long run.

Creating a landscape with varying flowers is easy to do with all of the choices available. Choose flowers in a variety of heights and colors, which are well suited for the amount of sunlight a spot receives during the day.

Make sure you have the right garden equipment such as great gardening shoes like Sloggers Women’s Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe

Sun Requirements for Garden Flowers

Full Sun – Full sun means the spot receives 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. It doesn’t have to be a continuous 6 hours, and can be broken up throughout the day, with some occurring in the morning and another chunk in the afternoon.

Partial Sun / Partial Shade – These two terms are fairly interchangeable and mean a spot receives 4-6 hours of direct sun over the course of the day. Both would prefer to receive early morning or evening light, being shaded from the most intense sun in the mid to late afternoon. Partial sun plants need a minimum of 4 hours and will do better the closer to 6 they can get. Partial shade plants need a maximum of 6 hours of sun but prefer the lesser amount.

Full Shade – Full shade means less than 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. This doesn’t mean the plant never receives any sunlight. Full shade plants will thrive with filtered sunlight, or some early morning direct sun.

List of Flowers

A trip to the local flower garden store or nursery will provide many types of garden flowers to choose from. Here are some of the most common garden flowers names found in home gardens: Here is how to make your garden look nice on a budget.

Roses

A Red Rose Flower

Roses are the most common cultivated garden flower found in landscapes around the world. These perennial flowers are known for their exquisite beauty and intoxicating fragrance. Available in almost any color imaginable, a variety of bloom sizes, and many different scents, roses add a traditional beauty to any garden.

Tulips

A Group of Tulips

Tulips are known for their unique shape that is described as a cup or star-shaped flower. They come in a plethora of colors and make an exquisite display when planted in large stands. Tulips are spring blooming perennials that grow from bulbs.

Peonies

Peony Flower

Peonies are another favorite in traditional gardens. They are known for their colossal flowers that perch atop glossy green foliage. Peonies require little care and plants can grow for upwards of 100 years with little attention from the resident gardener. The rules for success are simply full sun and well-drained soil.

Lilies

Lily Flower

Lilies are popular all around the world as well. This beautiful perennial comes in a variety of colors and sizes. They grow well in containers and do not require a lot of water, making them an ideal plant in many landscapes.

Iris

Iris Flower

Iris are known for their showy flowers. Iris flowers are extremely unique and bloom in a variety of purples, blues, white and yellows. They are perennial plants that grow from creeping rhizomes, or bulbs in drier climates.

Petunias

Petunias are one of the most popular annual flowers planted in home gardens. They can tolerate relative harsh climates, including gentle frost, and hot climates making them suitable for many landscapes. Petunias grow best with at least 5 hours of sun daily but prefer locations protected from the wind as their blooms shred easily.

Geraniums

Geraniums are common bedding plants in gardens, as well as a popular flower in hanging baskets. Growing geraniums is easy if your garden has well-drained soil that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight. Most geraniums grow as annual plants and have been a garden staple for over a decade.

Pansies

Pansy Flower

Pansies are very beautiful and colorful annuals, also known as violas. Plants are shorter in stature making them good border plants or hanging basket fillers. They come in a variety of stunning colors and are commonly grown as annuals but can be perennials in certain zones.

Marigolds

Marigold Flower

Marigolds are known for their bright orange or coppery colored blooms. These annual plants will tolerate almost any soil conditions but prefer full sun locations and do well in heat. Marigolds bloom all summer long, providing cheery color to any landscape.

Dianthus

Dianthus Flower

Dianthus are a dainty flower, commonly known as Sweet William, with notes of cinnamon and clove in their fragrance. They belong to the same plant family as carnations and can be found in gardens as hardy annuals, biennials and perennials depending on the planting zone. Dianthus prefer slightly alkaline soil and full or partial sun.

Garden Flowers Care

The best flowers are healthy, strong plants with beautiful blooms. It’s important to apply fertilizer throughout the growing season. In most garden situations a general purpose plant food will meet the needs of most plants during a typical growing season.

Follow the instructions on the fertilizer container regarding application rates and frequency, making sure to water thoroughly into the soil to prevent damaging the plant.

Garden flowers add an element of beauty to all landscapes. With many choices in terms of plant heights, colors, scents and flower shapes the creative possibilities are endless.

Garden FlowersSeriously Flowers2020-01-10T23:48:06-05:00

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