yard & garden
burnin’ love.
As Summer melts into Fall, you might be savoring some last-minute camp fires, or getting ready to warm up your home with the fireplace. Whether your hearth is at home or outside, be mindful of what you burn. Just because something can burn doesn’t mean it should burn. Stained, ……
posted in
make out in a carwash.
It’s car wash season! While you might think a carwash outside in your driveway can be a fun activity (especially since you can pretend you’re in a music video), we’re here to tell you (sadly enough) that washing your car in your driveway is actually one of the most environmentally ……
posted in
are you a hoser?
Hose responsibly.
1. In the summer, lawn watering and other outdoor uses can account for up to 50 percent of home water use. Studies show that as much as half of this outdoor use is wasteful. As a general rule, 2 to 3 cm of water per week is adequate.
2. Don’t overwater ……
posted in
blood sucka free.
We love summer, but we hate mosquitoes. Besides notoriously spreading disease, mosquito bites are itchy and ugly and that hideous buzzing sound — ugh! Before you whip out the chemical sprays and fogs, consider picking up a few citronella candles to help keep bugs at bay. Citronella candles ……
posted in
the rain in spain…
The next time it rains, try collecting the drops in an easy-to-pour container for watering your houseplants. Potted plants, window boxes and indoor plants will love a healthy helping of freshly fallen rain. Another benefit? Rainwater is not only free to use, but also free of the chlorine ……
posted in
keep off the grass.
The birth of what we now call the “lawn” dates back to Versailles with Louis XIV’s obsession with controlling his natural surroundings. Lawn care (making pretty shapes out of greenery) was considered a hobby to the aristocrats who believed it set them above the peasants who were forced to toil in ……
posted in
sprinkle in moderation.
Water consumption doubles in the summer months, mainly due to the watering of lawns. Reduce your use by getting realistic about how much water your lawn really needs. The method is simple: don’t water grass or plants unless they show signs of needing it. Sound simple? It is! Here ……
posted in
tap out on running extra water.
Next time you turn on the tap take note of how much water you actually use for the task at hand and how much goes down the drain, never to be seen again. 7-12 litres of water is used up every minute the tap runs. Here are some easy tips to conserve ……
posted in
pool/shmool.
If you own a swimming pool, you’re lucky, but if you’re finding that you’re not making use of it, consider an early shut down. In addition to the hundreds or thousands of gallons of water a pool uses (evaporating at an average 3” per day), there are harsh chemicals used to keep pools safe ……
posted in
double tall mulch, please.
Everyday coffee is brewed worldwide. Unfortunately, millions of pounds are discarded when they could be used in the garden as mulch, compost, fertilizer and so much more. Did you know caffeine slowly releases nitrogen? Nitrogen is a fertilizer, so sprinkling used grounds around plants before rain or watering is a great way to reuse your ……
posted in
