BLACK+DECKER GWC3600L 36V Lithium Cordless Blower Vacuum
The damp beech leaves on the lawn proved an impossible obstacle for the blower. It shuddered when confronted by larger maple leaves. I switched to the sucking tool. Big problem. The guard over the inlet would not open unless helped on its way with a screwdriver. Eventually it was removed and the nozzle for the vac part of the tool attached. Ten seconds in and a very mediocre twig jammed it. The screwdriver came in useful again but other than unscrewing the whole device it was impossible to extricate the twig and leaves to full satisfaction. It never recovered to tell the truth. I tried a second fully charged battery but no joy. And that guard stubbornly remained tuck. Even the guy in the store couldn’t pull it out as per instructions. I offered him my screwdriver.
Money back! I have some excellent battery powered garden equipment from Black & Decker. This was not in the same league. I’ll review other devices shortly. More positively I promise.
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The kit straight out of the box and assembled easily enough. |
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The blower aimed rather stupidly at the hedge but I was holding the camera at the time. |
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The guard that should come off easily (to judge from one YouTube review) when pressing the button at the top of the photo. It didn’t. |
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The battery is one of two I have already. Very light and efficient though expensive to purchase on its own. |
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Power select. Well it works but the highest setting is inadequate for wet leaves! |
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With the help of my screwdriver I removed the guard. The larger suction nozzle connects to this. |
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And here is said attachment. The collection bag is underneath and there can be spied my trusty and very necessary screwdriver. |
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The handle at the top is used to wield the vac when the bag is attached. (It never got full.) |
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All attached and ship shape I hoped. |
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And here we are in action. The leaves don’t look insurmountable do they. |
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Two batteries, one attached to charger. |
Hodsock Priory, 20th February 2004
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Sam Arnott snowdrops in profusion and offered for sale. Now I realise where I first obtained my own supply. They have certainly spread in our garden providing our most profuse variety. |
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The display of snowdrops here fanning out in the lawns is more dense now, particularly special when viewed from the house itself or, more usually, from the top garden. |
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The silver birch on the other side of the lake provide a striking white. |
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And here I am posing in the shades like some sad skier without snow. |
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The woodlands always look good. And I still wear the same jacket! Quality lasts. |
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This raised bank provides an ideal viewing point for the massed snowdrops. |
Donna Nook Seals
Our Front Garden, 14th August 2005
Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Fraise in late Autumn
Decisions on when to prune herbaceous plants is a tough one though a silver lining emerged when I cleared our perennial geraniums to reveal a number of autumn flowering Crocus Speciosus Conqueror. And seedling cyclamen galore.
Autumn flowering cyclamen hederifolium are just dying out now albeit one or two specimens have not been informed of their demise just yet.
And I had better make a call for the Rudbeckia that still flower and send out new blooms, sadly destined never to flower if the weather forecasts are to be believed. Summer still exists in our garden as long as they bloom.
Sissinghurst, Kent, 1st June 2016
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The White Garden was super cool on a bleak day. |
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The azaleas led up to a sumptuous white wisteria. |
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Red poppies. Just the tonic on a cold day. Have I mentioned the cold? |
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Three iris varieties, two being bearded. I’ve no idea of their names. |
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Clematis ‘Asao’ |
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Papaver ‘Fire Ball’ |
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Rosa-spinosissima-William-III |
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Clematis ‘Mrs Cholmondeley’ |