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Water Conservation Gardening Tips

Water Conservation Gardening Tips

As the weather heats up, many homeowners will be heading outside to start planting their favorite flowers, fruits, herbs, and vegetables.

Along with efficient gardening comes extended and excessive water use. Here are some simple tips that will help you conserve water while keeping your garden in tip-top shape.

The right plants. The best water conservation strategies start and end with plant selection. Look for drought-tolerant plants. Many have gray or silver foliage. Others have thick, fleshy leaves and are called succulents. These plants naturally need less water.

Compost. Adding compost to your garden soil regularly, not only adds beneficial nutrients, but also helps the soil retain moisture.

Shredded Leaves. Shredded leaves make excellent mulch, and better yet, they are free! Spread them in the fall to insulate the soil and prevent frost damage of perennials. The shreds will eventually break down and feed the soil, just like a compost.

Drip Irrigation. If you want to water your pots more efficiently, use a drip irrigation system to put water in the root zone. You can even hook it up to a timer to automatically start and stop irrigation.

These are just a few tips to help you save on water this gardening season. So, get out there, get gardening and save while you’re at it too!

For more information on water conservation please visit http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/top-10-ways-conserve-water.

Written by: Amanda Haase

6 Tips To Maintaining a Healthy, Beautiful Looking Lawn This Summer Season

6 Tips To Maintaining a Healthy, Beautiful Looking Lawn This Summer Season

grass

The warm sunny weather is here and it’s time of the year for healthy, green growing grass. A yard doesn’t just have healthy green grass all by itself year after year. In most cases, it takes constant gardening maintenance to care for grass and maintain its gorgeous green coloring.

 

During this time of year, your grass needs special care. Follow these 6 tips when maintaining your lawn this summer season:

1. Cut your grass at the proper height to maintain its health. If your grass is cut too short, it will burn in the sun or die. Grass that is kept too high will start to thin out due to too much shade. Tall grass also stays damp, which can lead to mold and mildew. Trim your grass about once a week during the growing season to keep it the correct height.

2. Dethatch your yard every two or three years to remove dead grass buildup. When grass dies and new blades take its place, dead vegetation builds up on top of the soil. This can block light and air from advancing new growth.

3. Towards the end of the summer season, aerate your yard to loosen the soil and incorporate more air flow near the surface.

4. After you aerate your grass, overseed your grass. Since you already have a lawn, simply cast the seeds by hand over the grass, throwing out more seed over thin areas.

5. Water your grass on a regular basis, and after casting seed, to maintain healthy growth.

Watering lawn6. Set up a sprinkler for your yard, and water the grass once a day for 15 minutes. Be sure to avoid overwatering your grass. Continue this until you see blades of new grass growing.

Maintain that healthy, beautiful look you love all summer long by following these simple maintenance tips. Make your lawn, your home’s first impression.

For more lawn maintenance and gardening tips visit http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/22-year-round-lawn-care-tips-pictures

Written by: Amanda Haase

You Are What You Drink!

You Are What You Drink!

You are what you drink! The human body is made up of 50-70% of water. Water is essential for the human body in order to regulate body temperature and provide means for nutrients to travel to your organs and to transport oxygen to your cells.

Not only does water help your body keep running, but water benefits your body and well being in many more ways that you have probably never thought of.

1. Drinking water with lemon helps aid your digestion. Water with lemon boosts the liver to create bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. Lemon helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating.

drinking-water2. Drinking water cleanses your system. Water helps flush out unwanted materials in the body as well as increases the rate of urination in the body. This way by urinating frequently, toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

3. Drinking water clears skin. Water naturally aids healthy skin. Other drinks like, sodas and juices are high in sugar and cause breakouts and blemishes on the skin. Water keeps skin hydrated and glowing.

4. Drinking water aids weight loss. Ever notice when you drinkhighly carbonated and sugary drinks, you feel sluggish and bloated? Well, it’s not your imagination. Drinking water helps keep a slim tummy as well as maintains your body weight and helps aid natural weight loss.

5. Drinking water helps your kidney’s function. Our kidneys process 200 quarts of blood daily, sifting out waste and transporting urine to the bladder. Drinking water helps maintain healthy kidneys as well as prevent kidney stones.

Here’s how to keep yourself hydrated:

Start by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up.
Then 30 minutes before eating any big meal. (This will help control appetite, too.)

It is a great idea to get in the habit of keeping a water bottle on hand at all times.

If the taste begins to bore you, spice up your glass or bottle with a squeeze of citrus or lemon! Afternoon-Drink-More-Water

Before you know it, all the benefits of water will be right at your fingertips… and in your body!

Making these simple changes will improve your health and wellness long term. Another long term consideration would be life insurance. If you do not currently have a policy, consider a quote today. Give us a call at 516-249-5200 or visit our website at www.chedwards.net. Make this new year really count!

Written by: Amanda Haase