WASTE: Fly-tipping in Birmingham and other UK cities[GETTY]

The move by a growing number of local authorities, mainly Labour and Liberal Democrat-controlled, has been condemned by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and public spending watchdogs.

Research by academics at Kent University found nearly half of all households feel garden waste bin collection services are inadequate and this is likely to lead to fly-tipping.

A 35 charge on garden waste collections in Birmingham has resulted in bags of grass and hedge cuttings being dumped at roadsides.

Binmen had to be pulled from their rounds to man privately run rubbish tips as huge queues of frustrated gardeners built up last week.

Police were called to one Birmingham city centre tip as tempers frayed in the mile-long hold-ups.

Resident Janet Griffith, 51, said: I spent about 45 minutes on the first trip to the tip, went home and it has been another 45 minutes on my second trip.

Only about five per cent of the citys 400,000 homes have paid for garden bin collections, casting serious doubt on the ruling Labour groups hopes of saving an estimated 2.5million a year.

Yellow stickers warning of 2,500 fines have been put on abandoned bags of green waste at roadsides but the controversial tax is expected to cause more fly-tipping and a drop in recycling.

A 36 charge for garden waste collections in South Gloucestershire led to 4,200 residents signing a petition presented to Parliament by Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore.

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Now even lawn-mowing is taxed, but councils impose new annual charge

Top Lawn Mowing Service in Akron Ohio 330-896-5640
Top Lawn Mowing Service in Akron Ohio 330-896-5640 Alpine Landscaping top lawn mowing service akron ohio, top lawn mowing services akron ohio, top lawn mowing service akron ohio 330-896-5640,...

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Top Lawn Mowing Service in Akron Ohio 330-896-5640 - Video

Topics: chop, nuts, pecans, school, trees

WHEN even the experts have differing opinions, just who do you believe?

The arborist calling for all 27 pecan trees at Grafton Public School to be removed, or the one calling for them to be saved?

Maclean arborist Graham Beamer of Beamer Tree Services said he disagreed with Brisbane company Treescience, who initially assessed the trees, and had faith they could be saved.

"I don't agree they should all be removed; I feel they can be remediated," Mr Beamer said.

"Yes some may have to be removed, but I think to take them all is a drastic measure."

Mr Beamer said if he had done the assessment, he would have come up with a different solution.

"I think if another arborist was asked to carry out an inspection, they would come to a different conclusion," he said.

"I would have retained them and done some remediation work to revive them."

Mr Beamer had concerns about the brief that was given from the department of education, and the conclusion that was drawn in the report.

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Tree removal divides opinions

Dog Bite: An elderly man reported Sunday that a leashed dog bit him, Solon police said. The dog attacked his leg April 27 while he was mowing his lawn.

The dog's owner ran away, and did not offer to help, police said. The man was treated for a small injury.

OVI, Cannon Road: At 2:18 p.m. May 6, a 21-year-old man was pulled over and arrested with drunken driving, police said. The man failed a field sobriety test and was booked into the Solon jail.

Theft, Arthur Road: At 11:42 a.m on May 2., a woman reported that her purse had been stolen from Arthur Road School, police said. The woman left her purse outside a classroom, and realized it was gone a few minutes later. The purse contained a Tiffany diamond necklace, and a wallet with credit cards and cash.

Theft, Melbury Avenue: At 1:52 p.m. on May 2, a man reported that the propane cylinder was stolen from the Veterans of Foreign Wars building between April 26 and May 2.

OVI and drug possession, Harper Road: At 12:37 p.m. on May 4, police pulled a car over that smelled strongly of marijuana, police said. The 19-year-old driver told officers he had used crack cocaine and marijuana, according to police reports.

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Dog bites man: Solon police blotter

The key to a perfect lawn is mowing at the right time, using the right methods with the right equipment. Why spend the time and effort doing it yourself, or taking a chance on amateur lawn mowers, when you can call on the toplocal lawn care experts to do the job right?

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Typically, you never want to cut more than one-third of the grass height, in order to prevent damage that might restrict future growth. This rule of thumb also ensures that youre not accumulating too many clippings on the lawn surface, which can stop oxygen, nutrients, and moisture from getting to the root system.

Trimming your lawn (around buildings, flowerbeds, borders, fences, etc.) can turn an adequate lawn into a beautiful lawn. Trimming removes the grass growing in areas that are too difficult for a lawn mower to reach.

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Lawn Connections views proper cutting of a lawn as an all-important component of a lawns nutritional program. Grass clippings release nitrogen as part of the decay process. The clippings help protect the soil by producing a moisture barrier that helps reduce evaporation during the summer months. We take precautions to ensure that the clippings are small enough so they will not cover soil with a hard crust that prohibits rainwater from entering the soil.

In addition to saving you the expense of buying, fueling and maintaining your own lawn care equipment, Lawn Connections mowing service offers affordable lawn care pricing to fit any budget. There are no confusing contracts to worry about. We provide the mow dates you want at the price you need, and automatically charge your credit card aftereach mow. its convenient and secure.

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Lawn Mowers Haslet TX-Lawn Mowing Service-Lawn Care

Killeen residents know what first gets the attention of your visitors and guests will always be your lawn the turf, the landscape, and the flowerbeds. This is to be expected.

That is why it is never good to take it for granted. If youre unavailable for these needs, then perhaps it is a wise idea to avail lawn mowing services of a mowing contractor.

There is several professional lawn mowing services contractors in the Killeenarea. If you have already used a lawn mowing service in the past, then you know the ropes on how to hire a mowing service in Killeen.

However, if trying out a lawn mowing services contractor new to you, you might feel a little worried and intimidated on the selection process. This is completely normal.

After all it is your lawn and it only deserves the best and we can help you along the way.

There are several ways to reach potential lawn mowing service providers. Here are some suggestions:

Social Media - Your circle of friends could give you some good suggestions. Whats great in using social media is that a number of people could give you recommendations in a short span of time.

Recommendations - Perhaps the most trusted and safest way is to get recommendations. Ask your Killeen neighbors, family and friends in the area for their most favored lawn mowing services contractor.

This way, you get quality suggestions,as most likely, their providers maysuit you well too.

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Killeen Lawn Mowing Services | Killeen Lawn Mow ...

Pro-Mow Provides Personalized Lawn Mowing

When you need your lawn to look its best, you need to partner with a company that understands exactly what it takes to turn your lawn into the perfect complement to your home. You need a company that is an expert in:

You need a company that understands that lawn services need to be tailored to your lawns specific needs. You need a lawn care company that recognizes that lawn mowing is its own art form, and that the lawn itself is the canvas. You need Pro-Mow Lawn Care.

Anyone can claim they know how to mow lawns. We back it up with skilled technicians that are knowledgeable in all types of lawn services. Our staff has over 15 years of quality lawn mowing service, with the tools and skills to get your done lawn right.

Our lawn mowing is the best in the industry. We have supplied hundreds of homes throughout Virginia with some of the most attractive and recognizable lawns in the state. Our secret to success is our in depth lawn care system. Rather than provide some one-size fits all approach to lawn care, we conduct our services using a three step process.

We have over 15 years of experience crafting the finest lawns in finest lawns in Centreville, Clifton, Fairfax, Oakton, and more! Contact us today for a no obligation free quote so that we can discuss your specific lawn care needs and how we can turn your lawn dream into a reality.

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Lawn Mowing, Maintenance Services, Lawn Mowing Equipment ...

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) May 05, 2014

Lawn envy season is upon us and many Philadelphia homeowners are wondering why the neighbors lawn is a green carpet while their lawn is a weedy mess. The answer may be as simple as better growing conditions or more likely that the neighbor is taking the right actions to build and maintain lawn health. From proper mowing and watering to advice on treating problem areas, Giroud Tree and Lawn provides the Top 10 Lawn Service Tips to help homeowners get a lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood.

Every lawn is unique, says Mike Taraborrelli, Lawn Care Manager with Giroud Tree and Lawn and PA Certified Lawn Applicator. Soil and other growing conditions can vary radically between neighbors or even different areas of the same lawn. As a result, lawn care protocols need to be customized to fit the specific requirements of each lawn.

Giroud Tree and Lawn recommends taking the following actions: 1.Lawn Inspection: Get a full evaluation by a lawn service with PA Certified Lawn Applicators. The inspection should include testing soil conditions, evaluating lawn problem areas and determining the best course of action. 2.Fertilize at the Proper Time: Since every lawn is different, treatment must be customized to fit each lawns specific needs and growing conditions. 3.Control Weeds and Crabgrass: Having a thick, healthy lawn is the best control since weeds tend to thrive in thin or bare areas. Control crabgrass and weeds with a selective herbicide that will not harm turf grass. 4.Insect and Disease Problems: Outbreaks should only be treated if the problem actually exists. If confirmed, proper timing of treatments is critical. 5.Planting for Sun vs. Shade: Dont fight Mother Nature, work with it.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, tree removal and lawn care programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal and traditional and 100% organic lawn programs to keep lawns healthy and green . Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award every year since 2005. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

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Having the Best Lawn in the Neighborhood Takes More Than Just Mowing, Watering and Fertilizing According to the Top 10 ...

TJ Graves began his lawn care business by mowing his neighbors yard. He soon discovered there were other neighbors who also wanted their yards mowed. From that beginning, Graves has grown his business to include 28 customers and 47 properties, including commercial and seasonal properties.

The Minnesota FFA Association has named the Brainerd FFA member the 2014 Minnesota FFA Star in Agribusiness, one of the associations highest honors. Graves competed with three other finalists at the 85th Minnesota FFA Convention, April 27-29, in St. Paul.

In addition to mowing, his services now include snow removal. He added a truck equipped with a snow plow in 2012. Graves established his own website to promote new business and added a laptop and portable printer for his truck to print new contracts and invoice jobs that people request upon seeing his work in the neighborhoods he serves. Graves has invested his business earnings into new and updated equipment, and plans to continue expanding the business.

Graves served as Region II secretary this past year and on many chapter leadership committees. He has been a member of the Brainerd FFA Parliamentary Procedure team that competed in state for the last two years.

This fall, Graves plans include attending college in either heavy equipment operation or landscape construction and design.

His chapter adviser is Denise Reeser and his parents are Tom and Kathy Graves of Baxter.

Each year at the Minnesota FFA convention, 16 state finalists four in each category vie for the associations top awards: Minnesota FFA Star Farmer, Minnesota FFA Star in Agribusiness, Minnesota FFA Star in Production Placement and Minnesota FFA Star in Agri Science. These awards honor students who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their supervised agricultural experience (SAE); demonstrated outstanding management skills; earned the Minnesota FFA Degree the Associations highest level of accomplishment; and met other agricultural education, scholastic and leadership requirements. Each finalist was interviewed by a panel of judges, who ultimately named the top candidate in each area. The winner was announced in an on stage convention ceremony and received a plaque and an award of $300. The runners-up also received plaques and $100 each.

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Graves named as Minnesota FFA Star in Agribusiness

No mowing and saves water, too? Synthetic turf indeed sounds like the perfect lawn for parched landscapes.

Recent technological innovations make todays fake grass look better than the real thing. Dogs like it. Neighbors cant tell the difference. And when in the grips of prolonged drought, a no-water green space has its appeal.

But artificial turf may not be for every home especially if the owner plans to sell any time soon. Some cities, including Sacramento, Calif., still prohibit its use for front yard landscaping.

Sacramentos city code specifically says no artificial turf, says Jessica Hess of the citys utilities department. But that restriction generally is enforced only if theres a complaint.

In fact, Californias prolonged drought has many cities and people looking twice at synthetic lawns and reconsidering such bans. Some cities, such as Roseville, suggest synthetic turf as part of its grass replacement initiatives.

It is amazing that a healthy grass lawn typically requires 55 gallons of water per square foot per year, said Brian McGibbon of Fields of Green, a California company specializing in synthetic grass. That is 44,000 gallons of water per year for a 800-square-foot lawn. Our products can last 15 to 20 years. That means a new 800-square-foot waterless lawn (can) save 660,000 gallons of over 15 years. Multiply that by just 50,000 homes ... and that is 33 billion gallons of water saved.

Elsewhere in California, water districts and cities are considering rebates or other incentives for synthetic lawns. Artificial grass usually costs $8 to $13 per square foot installed. Most synthetic lawns last 10 to 15 years before they need renovation.

Theres no better way to immediately reduce water consumption than by installing synthetic turf, said Dominic Nappi, CEO of Back Nine Greens, a synthetic lawn and putting green company in California. Theres simply no down side. You can help the water crisis and still have a beautiful lawn, putting green, pet area, kids play area, or any landscaping you desire.

As the name implies, Back Nine Greens offers putting greens that never need water. Having a consistent and easy-care surface has become a synthetics selling point for golfers.

Sacramento radio host Farmer Fred Hoffman used synthetic turf to not only save water, but create a perfect putting green at his home in Herald, Calif. His wife, Jeanne, is an avid golfer.

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Artificial grass offers options during drought