The New York Times test drives five eco-friendly lawn mowers. The gas-free guinea pigs include a reel mower, a corded and two cordless electric models, and a solar hybrid grass cuttin' machine. 

Jetson Green announces that the McGlasson WeeHouse, a modern prefab home in Minnesota, is for sale. The two-bedroom seasonal retreat is on the market for $280,000 (pictured below). 

Dwell also partakes in some prefab escapism with the Careé d'Etoiles or "Box of Stars." This tiny shed-like dwelling has its own mini-observatory. 

TreeHugger also thinks small with a look at the YardPod, a green, prefab garden shed. 

The News & Observer is "pickled green" over the surge in popularity of home canning. 

The LA Times goes gaga over recycled beer can planters for succulents from Velvet Spade Designs. I'm pretty smitten myself. 

The News Leader goes back to school with a look at green products being offered to residents of University of Virginia dormitories. The products are being displayed in demonstration dorm rooms at U.Va. in hopes that incoming students will be motivated to follow suit.

Re-Nest is amazed by the girth of Boston's new, super-sized recycling bins. These big, blue bad boys popping up around Beantown are hard to keep discreet but are welcomed by recycle-happy residents. 

Inhabitat unrolls another contest/competition. This one, co-sponsored by Dwell, is called the ReBurbia Design Competition. It invites "future-forward architects, urban designers, renegade planners and imaginative engineers to enter your visions for a brighter more sustainable suburban future." 

Real Simple rounds up "Ten Unexpected Natural Cleaners." On the list: ketchup, white bread, rice, tea and club soda. 

The Wall Street Journal tracks a contentious issue in Salem, Ore.: backyard chicken-keeping.