By the time August rolls around each year, you can usually tell which lawns have a sprinkler system installed — and which ones don’t. The high temperatures and blistering sun zap all the moisture out of the grass, trees, and landscaping. And while many yards look dry and lifeless, those with sprinkler […]
Imagine that instead of flowing into the sewer system, water discharged by your bathtub, dishwasher, kitchen sink and washing machine was pumped instead into your landscape. The systems that perform this task are called greywater systems (also spelled graywater, grey water and gray water). They sound eco-friendly and resource-conserving, and they […]
Those fortunate enough to live by a shoreline have inherited a special responsibility along with spectacular views: Your landscaping habits can either help your gorgeous waterway — or harm it. Summer has become algae outbreak season, with the thick scum coating the surface of lakes, rivers and ponds — and […]
Always water early in the morning That’s the first piece of advice that comes to mind from Lorence R. Oki, who earned a doctoral degree in ecology through the University of California, Davis. He also holds degrees in plant sciences and ornamental horticulture. His specialty is water management — namely, […]
We’ve all been in this situation: That overgrown grass needs to be cut, but the summer showers keep coming. Conventional lawn care wisdom says mowing a lawn when wet is bad. But you might have to use a machete before those rains are finished! You really don’t have to wait […]
If you are tired of playing the role of the human sprinkler system, manually moving portable sprinklers from one area of the yard to another, you may be considering installing a DIY in-ground sprinkler system. Depending on the size of the project and the chosen system, the installation process can […]
As floods become more common, so has the chore of recovering from their damage. Whether the water rises from rivers or oceans or falls from the sky, after it recedes, homeowners need to salvage or replace their lawns. If Mother Nature throws a watery hissy fit and floods your lawn, […]
It’s getting hot out there. And just like you need to lather yourself in sunscreen and drink plenty of water when you hit the golf course or sit out by the pool, your lawn needs some special considerations as it sits out in the hot weather But your lawn’s summer needs depends on […]
As temperatures warm up and lawns grow again, folks across the country dust off their lawn mowers, head to the backyard and start this year’s lawn care regimen. But many will be making some common mistakes that can keep those lawns from doing their best. Steve Pettis Jr., an agriculture […]
This type of audit you don’t need to be afraid of, even if you do get soaked. A lawn sprinkler audit done annually is one of the best home improvement investments you can make so your lawn stays lush and your water bills stay low. “Nationwide,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “landscape […]