This video will explain how to choose the right LED Lights for you.

Stop by any Turner Ace Hardware location and find the right LED light bulbs to accommodate your lighting needs and more!

Mosquitos need standing, stagnant water to lay their eggs, so some additional important steps include:

• Eliminate standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitos can breed.
• Empty and frequently change water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to eliminate potential mosquito habitats.
• Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
• Cover all gaps in walls, doors and windows to prevent mosquitos from entering.
• Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight”.

Here is some information on the most common lawn problems and what you can do about them:

Weeds

Weeds such as dandelions, thistles, clover and weed grasses are one of the most common lawn problems. Large numbers of weeds are normally an indication of a lawn suffering from poor nutrient levels. Sensitive lawn grasses require more nutrients than weeds, which is why weeds spread at the expense of grass in poor quality soils. Low rainfall during the summer months exacerbates the situation, as lawn grasses are far more susceptible to a lack of water than sturdier weeds. Fertilizer is the ideal solution in such cases.

Frequent mowing at a high cutting height acts as an additional defense against the growth of weeds by preventing access to the light needed for germination. Using good-quality seed is also a factor that should not be overlooked. Cheap seed often contains a certain proportion of weed seeds and is cultivated to promote rapid growth, having an effect on grass density. Carrying out regular and deep scarifying is an effective method of preventing weeds from invading in the first place. Digging weeds out which have taken hold remains the best and often only solution.

Moss

Moss is a major headache for any lawn enthusiast. Moss will only move in where the lawn has retreated – it will not displace healthy grass. Approaches that destroy the moss alone will therefore not provide a lasting solution. Cutting weak lawn grass too short provides the ideal conditions for moss to thrive; these conditions can be combated by raising the cutting height and ensuring sufficient fertilization.

Damp soils in shaded areas, such as under trees, must be improved, which generally means re-sowing with a good grass seed mixture and targeted fertilization. Moss will also flourish in over-acidic soils that are often characterized by water-logged, compacted ground conditions with an absence of air. Improved drainage will help rectify these conditions.

Fungal diseases

Fungi are yet another scourge of a well-kept lawn and affect its appearance. There are many types of fungi that can infect lawns, but only a few are really damaging. The following conditions help promote the growth of fungi:

• Extremely compact turf
• Thick lawn thatch
• High humidity
• Incorrect pH
• Over fertilization
• Thick layer of leaves in winter

A well-kept and healthy lawn is the ideal defense against fungal diseases. Where fungi do occur, the best solution is to seek out the services of a lawncare specialist.

Discoloration

Yellow spots in a rich sea of green is often a gardening enthusiast’s nightmare. Discoloration such as this can have a number of causes. Here, we have put together some tips regarding the most common problems.

Yellow spots in lawns

Yellow tips and pale green grass indicate a deficiency in iron and nitrogen. Such spots can be removed by direct application of an iron fertilizer. An improvement is normally noticeable within just a few days.

Speckled grass in combination with water accumulation

Rainwater that fails to seep away properly and grass that appears speckled with color are hallmarks of excessively compacted ground. Fungal infection and cyanobacteria are often unsightly consequences. The ground has to be broken up and loosened to allow the excess water to drain away.

Speckled discoloration after winter

Spots and mildew are unwelcome side effects of the onset of winter. To prevent their appearance, lawns should be fertilized in August or September to improve resistance. With a combination of an application of lime in September or October and increasing the cutting height, your lawn will be left better prepared to see out the winter months.

Visit the outside displays including fire trucks, SWAT vans, and police cars.

December 19, 2015 – 11:00am to 2:00pm
Location: Turner Ace Hardware / 784 Marsh Landing Parkway

Sponsored by: The Jacksonville Beach Police Department

View photos on Jacksonville.com from previous year’s event.

Amy Howard at Home One Step Paint is a water-based paint that adheres to most any surface. You can paint directly on old wood finishes, concrete, iron, stone, Formica, etc. It dries to the flat, chalky finish we all covet on antique pieces you may find at your local Flea Market or your favorite boutique antique shops.

Shop Turner Ace Hardware for a complete line of Amy Howard at Home products.

Treat dad to a new tool instead of a tired ascot.

It’s a well-known fact that ties of all shapes and styles are the traditional “dad’s day” gift year after year (after year). But as business casual office attire becomes more and more acceptable, ties are becoming a tired option for holiday gifting.

Last month, we managed to get mom what she really wanted when we talked about Mother’s Day gifts from your local Turner Ace Hardware store. Why in the world should “pop” be any different? Show him you care with a new hand or power tool!

New power tools keep featuring the latest innovations and high-tech options that dads love. They have all the bells and whistles that make them great “guy gadgets.” Sure, they may look like a regular old hammer, but there’s more to them than a rubber handle and a metal head. Estwing’s Sure Strike hammers and Stanley’s Anti-Vibe hammers are both great options to replace dad’s worn-out model.

If dad’s do-it-yourself projects are limited to where he can find an electrical outlet, expand his horizons with a new set of cordless tools. A cordless drill and saw combo kit from DeWalt (Ace no. 2064814) is a fantastic set of high-grade tools from a trusted brand name.

There may be nothing wrong with dad’s old grill, but imagine how he’d feel cooking out on a brand new Weber model with all the bells and whistles? Sometimes you can’t beat the taste of a steak cooked on a charcoal grill, like one of Weber’s One-Touch models. If the ease of use and snappy cleanup of a gas grill is more up dad’s ally, give him the “gold standard”: a Weber Genesis Gold B stainless steel propane grill (Ace no. 8186710).

Not sure just what dad needs this year? Ace Gift Cards are always a sure bet. Available in amounts from $5 to $250, bring dad into your local Turner Ace store and let him spend to his heart’s content.

Get dad something he can really use this Father’s Day! If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, ask the helpful folks at your neighborhood Turner Ace store.

What is not always so clear is how to choose an LED bulb. Instead of decoding how to convert watts to lumens and demystifying what Kelvins are, follow these Ace Helpful tips and start saving time, money and energy right away:

• Although LED bulbs provide significant long-term savings, the up-front cost of switching is more than you’re used to paying for bulbs. We recommend upgrading to LED bulbs in phases. Hard-to-reach bulbs, like your porch light or vaulted ceiling lights, are a good place to start, and chances are it will be a couple of decades before you have to climb back up on that ladder.
• Upgrade the bulbs that get used the most. If you switch to LEDs for the lights that are on the longest, such as the family room or kitchen, you’ll see the most immediate energy savings.
• Choose a bulb that spreads the light in the right pattern for that area of your home. Omi-directional bulbs cast light in the widest range and are the best choice for main lighting, such as vanity fixtures, pendants, table lamps, ceiling lights and chandeliers.
• Your LED bulbs will be part of your décor for a long time, so you want them to create the right ambiance. Warm bulbs have more of an amber tint and give off a cozy, soft white, diffused light. These are popular for rooms in which you relax or entertain. Bulbs resembling daylight give off brighter, whiter light, which are popular for home offices or for reading in older generations.
• Lumens replace Watts as the way to measure a bulb’s intensity. When it comes to brightness, 800 lumens is a good, all-purpose level.
• To get the best look and longest life from your LED bulb, upgrade your dimmer switches and be sure to look for bulbs that are compatible. Also, look for LED retrofit kits that combine the bulb and fixture trim to give you a finished, flush look when using LED bulbs in can lights.

Your local Turner Ace Hardware stores have many affordable LED bulbs on sale this month, stop by and let us help light your way to energy savings.

How to Choose LED Bulbs… Simplified

Visit the outside displays including fire trucks, SWAT vans, and police cars.

December 20, 2014 – 11:00am to 2:00pm
Location: Turner Ace Hardware / 784 Marsh Landing Parkway

Sponsored by: The Jacksonville Beach Police Department

View photos on Jacksonville.com from last year’s event.