By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County

Seed catalogs in the mailbox. Wisps of green that will become snow drops and crocuses. That haze that lights the trees before the leaves start to unfurl.

Not spring yet! But soon.

Your gardening may consist of a little cleanup and a lot of wishful thinking. Or you may spend the winter dreaming of new plants.

Either way, these quiet days when the backyard is still sleeping are a good time to take stock.

For starters, consider simplifying garden work.

Swap out a few pieces of old equipment for newer, battery-powered versions — lighter, easier to maintain, cheaper to run, and often cheaper to buy.

The cost for a new battery blower or weed wacker (aka “string-trimmer”), for example, is competitive, and there’s no on-going cost for gas. Fall is typically the time for the deepest discounts, but most stores run sales early in the season, too.

If you’re clearing woody brush, or running your tools for an hour at a time, battery-powered tools definitely come in second.

But for most gardeners, battery weed wackers and blowers provide all the power you need.

There’s no cloud of gas fumes. Their much lighter weight makes them easier on your back and shoulders, and battery-operated is far quieter (gas-powered decibels can damage hearing like a rock concert).

And if you run out of juice, you just recharge the battery — instead of  making a special run to the gas station.

Who knows? Once you get used to how easy and economical your battery-powered weed wacker is, you may even start daydreaming about replacing that gas-guzzling lawn mower.

Gasoline — the modern marvel that transformed transportation — has never been kind to the air we breathe or the water we drink.

Small steps matter and help keep your own, personal environment clean.

Visit the Protecting Clean Water Together webpage to learn more.

The Brodhead Watershed Association protects water quality and quantity throughout our area. Get involved! Become a member!

Related Article:

-- Water At Risk: Setting Your Sights On A Winter Walk - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County  [PaEN]

[Posted: February 11, 2025]

2/17/2025