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2 - Spring Home & Garden – Unified Newspaper Group – April 6 & 7, 2016

Make garage organization go smoothlyGarages tend to fall victim to

disorganization during the winter, when homeowners want to hurry inside and get some respite from the cold. As a result, many homeown-ers resolve to clean their garages come springtime.

Cleaning a disorganized garage overcome with clutter can be an all-day job, so homeowners would be wise to reserve a springtime Satur-day or Sunday to get their garages back in order. Upon designating ample time to clean their garages, homeowners can then utilize a few additional tips to make the project go as smoothly as possible.

• Empty the garage. The first step when organizing a garage is to empty it completely. Old machinery and rusted lawn and garden tools have a way of dis-appearing in garages, and those items may remain there for years if the garage is never emp-tied. Once you have emptied the garage, you might be surprised to learn just how much or even how little space you have to work with.

• Clean the garage top to bot-tom. After you have emptied the garage, give it a thorough clean-ing. Cleaning the garage serves multiple purposes. A clean garage is less likely to be over-come with dirt and/or critters,

both of which can contribute to the deterioration of tools and machinery stored in the garage. In addition, you may be less likely to let a clean garage fall back into disorganization, sav-ing you the trouble of reorganiz-ing the garage next spring.

• Look up. Many homeown-ers fail to make adequate use of the vertical space in their

garages. But keeping items off the floor can make it easier to clean the garage and will pro-vide more room for your car or other machinery you don’t want to leave in the driveway or a backyard shed. Install shelves so you can more safely store auto-motive fluids and cleaners, and hang some hooks or hammer a few nails into the garage walls so you can hang tools like rakes and garden shears.

• Group tools by season. Group-ing tools by season can make for a more organized garage and one less likely to be overcome with clutter. Designate one corner of the garage for lawn and garden-ing tools and another for winter tools like snow shovels or snow blowers. This makes it easier to find tools when you need them.

When grouping tools, you can also group items by who uses them. For example, parents can designate one area of the garage for their tools, while kids can get their own area for their toys and bicycles.

• Resolve to park in the garage. One of the best ways to keep a garage organized is to park your vehicle or vehicles inside the garage each night. Parking in a garage protects your vehicle(s) from the elements, and you also won’t be tempted to leave items lying around on the garage floor if you know you will eventually be pulling your vehicle in.

A few simple strategies can make springtime garage organization more effective and efficient.

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April 6 & 7, 2016 – Unified Newspaper Group – Spring Home & Garden - 3

Prepare cooling systems for warm weatherOne springtime task on homeowners’ to-do lists is checking cooling

systems to ensure they are ready for summer. Proper maintenance of cooling systems is essential to saving energy and keeping utility costs down. Fortunately, homeowners need not be certified HVAC technicians to maintain their cooling units.

• Clean filters. Whether a home is kept cool by a whole-house central air conditioning system or window units, clean filters are necessary to keep the units working efficiently. Routinely replacing or cleaning filters is one of the most important maintenance tasks to improve air-flow and increase efficiency. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy says replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower an air conditioner’s energy consumption by anywhere from 5 to 15 percent.

• Know the square footage. When replacing a cooling system, have an understanding of the size of your home (or room if installing an window unit). Determine the area of the home so you buy a unit that suits your needs. Air conditioners use BTUs (British Thermal Units) to define cooling power. The more BTUs, the larger the space that can be cooled. However, homeowners do not want to exceed the necessary cooling power. This leads to energy waste. EnergyStar.gov can help homeowners find the right cooling system for their needs.

• Inspect system coils. The evaporator and condenser coils on air con-ditioners can collect dirt, even when filters are maintained. Dirty coils are less efficient at absorbing heat, so periodically remove the dirt. Outdoor coils can be kept cleaner by cutting back foliage from the unit to allow better air flow.

• Inspect condensate drains. Energy.gov also suggests making sure condensate drains, which take moisture pulled from the air away, are functioning properly. If they’re clogged, they may not be effective at reducing humidity in a home, and they may even leak.

• Clear debris. Remove fallen leaves or other plant material from con-denser units and fan blades. Obstructed components can cause the sys-tem to retain heat, compromising its ability to work effectively. Some homeowners prefer to cover their condensers at the end of the cooling season to keep leaves and dirt out of the unit.

• Check window unit seals. When installing window units, make sure all seals around the air conditioner are in place to prevent cool-air loss.

• Hire a technician. Air conditioner technicians can be very helpful and will know how to prepare a system for hot weather. Technicians typically conduct multipoint inspections and measure such things as refrigerant levels and duct leakage. Airflow through the evaporator coil also may be checked. If a homeowner suspects the thermostat is not working properly, a technician can verify if that is true and even install a new one if necessary.

As summer approaches, homeowners should prepare their air condition-ing units for the busy months ahead.

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Houseplants can clean indoor airGardening is a rewarding hobby that can pay

a host of dividends, both for the planet and the people doing the gardening. Healthy plant life can help clean the air by absorbing carbon diox-ide and various air pollutants, while the act of gardening can help gardeners combat stress.

Published in 2011 in the Journal of Health Psy-chology, a study from researchers in the Nether-lands found that gardening promotes relief from acute stress. In the study, two groups of partici-

pants were asked to complete a stressful task and then instructed to either read indoors or gar-den outdoors for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the latter group had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and even reported being in a better mood than the group instructed to read indoors.

But gardening does more than just provide gardeners with a reason to spend some time relaxing outdoors in an effort to relieve stress. Gardeners who raise certain plants may be able to bring those benefits with them when going inside as well. According to an article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspec-tives in October 2011, houseplants can work wonders when it comes to improving overall

health, removing toxins from air, soil and water by metabolizing some toxic chemicals and releasing harmless byproducts while sequester-ing such toxins by incorporating them into plant tissues.

Clean indoor air is important for everyone, but especially so for those people who suffer from respiratory ailments like asthma. In fact, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology considers indoor air filtration an essential part of any strategy to improve respira-tory health. But filtration systems and air purifi-ers are often not enough, and those who want the air in their homes to be as clean as possible may benefit from introducing certain houseplants into their homes. The following are a handful of plants that can help to improve indoor air qual-ity.

• Aloe vera: Aloe vera might be most often associated with hand creams and hand soaps, but the aloe vera plant, a succulent that even novice gardeners should have no problem growing, can clear indoor air of formalde-hyde and benzene, two common byproducts of chemical-based cleaners many people use in their homes.

• Spider plant: Spider plants are resilient, and that makes them great houseplants for busy men and women who tend to be forgetful when caring for their plants. In addition, spi-der plants are pet-friendly and can be used to combat benzene, carbon dioxide, formalde-hyde and xylene.

• English ivy: NASA researchers exploring the possibilities of long-term space habi-tation found that certain houseplants were

more effective at cleaning air inside energy-efficient, non-ventilated buildings than oth-ers. One such plant was English ivy, which can effectively combat the formaldehyde found in certain household cleaning prod-ucts.

• Bamboo palm: Bamboo palms also found their way onto NASA’s list. Bamboo palm plants thrive indoors, where they are espe-cially effective at filtering out the chemicals benzene and trichloroethylene.

Gardening has been proven to be a soothing hobby that can help gardeners reduce stress. But the health benefits of gardening can extend indoors as well.

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Spring cleaning projects you don’t want to forgetSpring cleaning is an annual tradition in many

households. After a winter spent cooped up indoors, spring cleaning can rejuvenate a house-hold and provide a great chance to rid a home of a season’s worth of clutter.

Donating old clothes and cleaning out the garage are popular spring cleaning projects, but there are a host of additional tasks homeowners can tackle to freshen up their homes this spring.

FloorsSimply vacuuming or sweeping the floors

might not be enough to banish some of win-ter’s most uninvited guests. Dust has a way of settling into a home over the course of a typical winter, and it’s easy for a home’s inhabitants to track dirt and debris inside as well. After vacu-uming or sweeping floors, go over them with a mop. Doing so can remove any lingering dust, dirt, debris, and allergens the vacuum or broom failed to pick up. Apply wood cleaner and polish to wood floors to make them look even cleaner.

BaseboardsThough baseboards might not seem all that

dirty, upon closer inspection homeowners might notice substantial accumulations of dirt and dust. Such dirt and dust many not be removed so easily, so homeowners might need to use hot water and a sponge to remove any debris that is clinging.

CurtainsCurtains also may have absorbed substantial

amounts of dust, dirt and debris over the winter. This might be more visible near the end of win-ter when more sunlight begins to shine through.

Clean the curtains in adherence to the manufac-turer instructions before you open windows for the season so any wind that blows in does not spread debris onto nearby furniture. Once the curtains have been washed, opening windows may help them dry more quickly.

BathroomsBathrooms also tend to bear the brunt of win-

ter weather, as mold and grime can accumulate throughout a season in which it’s too cold to open bathroom windows to let fresh air in after bathing. Inspect ceilings, tubs, shower stalls, and floors for any signs of mold growth or grime. Mold growth in a home can lead to respiratory problems and exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma, so it’s best to inspect bathrooms for any signs of mold growth throughout winter. If you have let that slip, prioritize such inspec-tions come spring cleaning time.

FurnitureIt’s easy to overlook furniture when tackling

spring cleaning, but dust and dirt can quick-ly accumulate on couches and chairs over the course of winter. When possible, vacuum furni-ture to remove any debris that might have accu-mulated while windows and doors were kept shut, and shampoo any cushions or seat covers that don’t pass the smell test.

Spring cleaning encompasses a host of tasks, and homeowners who want a truly clean hous e should not overlook smaller tasks that can pro-duce big results.

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When cleaning their homes in the spring, homeowners should not forget to inspect their curtains, which can accumulate dust and dirt over the course of winter.


How to ensure a successful basement remodelBy: Scott McGillivray

Americans continue to fuel remodeling spend-ing across the country, driven by upward growth in real estate prices and the rising cost to trade up to a larger home. Basement renovations are expected to be a hot trend in 2016, as buyers look to maximize available living space rather than move, and as young buyers look to off-set the cost of homeownership with potential income suites.

While finishing a basement can be a great alternative to moving –– especially if you love your neighborhood — there are some challenges homeowners must be aware of when tackling below-grade living spaces. Choosing the right products is vital to the comfort, safety and func-tion of your new living area. Look for products that help to maximize energy efficiency and pro-tect against moisture, fire and noise.

Here are the top points to consider to ensure a successful basement renovation.

• Waterproof it. Check the interior foundation and floors to make sure there are no existing moisture issues, water damage or mold prob-lems. Address any primary moisture issues before finishing the space. Examine grading to ensure water runs away from your founda-tion.

• Insulation is key. Insulation plays a criti-cal role in making your basement feel com-fortable, while keeping it safe and dry. For the best results, install a rigid board insula-tion against the concrete foundation before you stud the wall. The board is mechanically fastened or adhered to the concrete founda-tion wall, which prevents thermal bridging

through the studs, providing better thermal performance. Finish with a moisture-resistant and dimensionally stable insulation between the studs to protect against common base-ment issues such as mold, mildew and rot.

• Choose a functional design. Draw out plans, carefully taking into consideration any low ceilings or small windows. Try to incor-porate structural features, such as attractive wood beams, into your design. Keep the space as open as possible. Select lighting that provides a bright, airy feel.

• Don’t forget to soundproof it. Soundproof-ing is the ultimate solution to maximize your basement’s quiet and privacy. Whether your newfound space will function as a home the-atre, music room, home office or playroom, it will benefit from quality acoustic insula-tion. Not only is it highly effective, but it’s also easy to install.

• Consider fire safety. Since many basements are now being renovated as income suites, fire protection is also a vital consideration. Whenever possible, select building materials with a high fire-resistance rating and look for products that will not off-gas or contribute to toxic smoke in the event of a fire. Include additional exits in your renovation plan and educate yourself on your local fire code.

• Before you start your renovation, be sure to check with your municipality to secure the right permits and to ensure that you’re com-plying with local bylaws and building codes.

Finishing a basement can be a smart renova-tion, if done properly, adding to a home’s value, increasing its function and providing greater enjoyment or income potential.

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5 simple ways to go green at home and save money

(MS) — Thinking green throughout the year can offer some significant benefits. Here are some easy ways you can go green in your own home and lower your energy bills:

• Invest in a programmable thermo-stat. It will automatically adjust the temperature in your house, saving you energy while you’re out for the day, away on vacation or sleeping.

• Switch all of your light bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent light) or LED bulbs. They last longer and use up to 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, saving you money on your electric bills.

• Insulate well. Use insulation with a high R-value to top up insulation in your attic. Aim for an R-value of 50 or a depth of 16 inches. For whole home efficiency, ensure other areas

of your home are well insulated, such as crawl spaces, basement headers, walls and ceilings. It will keep your house cool in the warm weather and take the stress off your air conditioning unit.

• Stop air leaks around your home by sealing existing gaps and cracks. Use caulking or weather stripping around doors and win-dows. Installing a door sweep is also a good idea.

• Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Only do laundry or run the dishwasher when you have full loads.

Remember that many little improve-ments can add up — providing valu-able monthly savings for you, while protecting our environment for the future.

6 steps to creating fairy gardens for kids

Gardening can be an enjoyable activity for adults and children alike. Gardening encourages creative think-ing and can make for an eco-friendly activity as well.

Adding a touch of whimsy to gar-dening can make it that much more attractive to children. Perhaps that is why fairy gardens have become so popular among youngsters. Fairy gar-dens can be designed in outdoor gar-dens or in containers that children can nurse and enjoy indoors. Here are six steps to get your fairy garden up and running.

1. Choose your container or loca-tion. Decide where to place the fairy garden. Hollowed-out tree stumps are both contained and outdoors, and kids may feel like the fairies inhabited this neglected area of the yard and made it their own. Otherwise, use containers you already have, such as old pots, hanging baskets, picnic baskets or cookie tins. Wooden birdhouses with their roofs removed also can make for clever places to house the gardens.

2. Choose a theme. Fairy houses can take on any theme their creators prefer. Themes help children decide what to include in their gardens. For example, a seaside retreat may work well with little reclining chairs, sea grasses and succulents. You can then complete the theme by adding some seashells and colored stones.

3. Draw up your design. Before securing anything in the container or digging into your garden bed, sketch out a garden design. This gives you an idea of how the finished product will look. Even before planting, gen-tly place plants and other components in their spots and move them around

accordingly until you find the desired look.

4. Include similar-needs plants. Mixing plants that have different requirements can make it challeng-ing to care for the fairy garden, so select plants that require similar lev-els of sunlight, prefer similar soil conditions and require roughly the same amount of watering. Herbs are a smart choice because they stay small and are easily maintained.

5. Don’t forget a fairy dwelling. You will need to add a house for the fairies to inhabit. Small bird houses can work, but you also can consider old teapots, bird-nesting boxes or even homemade houses assembled out of bark and twigs. Use your imag-ination and the garden will take on a life of its own.

6. Invite the fairies. Children can invite fairies to take up residence (fairies often show up at night and tend to remain unseen), or children can create their own fairies using craft materials.

Fairy gardens are a fun way to introduce children to gardening. Once families get started, they may want to create entire fairy villages.

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Create a budget-friendly home landscape

Homeowners understandably envy the award-worthy photo spreads in lawn and garden magazines, wanting to emulate those same looks on their own properties. Scores of designers and landscape architects are involved in the process of creating those amazing lush lawns and perfectly placed plantings. Although not every homeowner has the budget to create lavish landscape designs, it’s still possible for homeowners to create lawns they can be proud of.

• Establish your budget. The first step in any project is to determine how much money you can devote to the job. Once you have established the budget, all other factors can be built around it.

• Find an inspiration piece. Great landscapes are inspired by many things, whether it’s a memorable piece of art or a landscape layout in a lawn and gardening magazine. Use photos of other gardens or neigh-bors’ yards as inspiration and build off of them. As long as the theme is cohesive, it will look pleasing to the eye.

• Consider the space and how you want to use it. Understanding the space will help you better allocate your budget. If your yard is more of a retreat, look for ways to create privacy and a vacation feel. If you have kids and entertaining friends is a main priority, focus on recreational aspects, such as a pool, playset and some durable plants. Understand-ing how to allocate your budget will help you to avoid spending money frivolously.

• Think about reclaimed or repurposed materials. Brand new items can quickly eat up a budget. However, repurposing salvaged or inexpensive items can stretch that budget while adding some unique flair to a land-scape. See if you can find an outdoor patio set that someone is giving away or selling for a lower price. All it takes is a coat of paint and some new cushions to make it look like new. Discarded bricks or stones can be worked into a patio space or used to create raised garden beds. Pur-chase inexpensive flower pots and then paint them to make them look like stone or another desired material.

• Buy native plants. Native plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers will fare better than non-native, exotic plants. That means you’ll have to spend less time and money nurturing them into health, and less money having to replace plants that cannot withstand your climate.

• Consider perennial plants. Perennials may cost more at the outset, but the savings will be realized in the years to come.

• Hire a professional. It may seem counterintuitive to spend money on a landscaping professional when you’ve established a strict budget, but that’s one way to save money. Landscape artists or garden design-ers have the experience to guide you in the right direction and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

• Use gravel in spots where plants don’t thrive. Gravel is an inexpen-sive landscaping material that can fill in voids where plants or ground cover simply do not flourish. Those working on limited budgets may be happy to learn gravel is typically less expensive than concrete or pavers.

• Ask friends or family for clippings. Don’t be shy about admiring the plantings of those you know. Flatter their good taste and ask if you can have some clippings to propagate yourself. These clippings can turn into lush plants in no time — with no additional spending required.

With some frugal spending, planning and budgeting, anyone can create a beautiful landscape.

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The many uses for vinegarCheck your kitchen pantry and you will probably find a bottle of vin-

egar. While this substance can add much-needed tang to favorite recipes and even improve the leavening function of some baking ingredients, its power extends far beyond the kitchen.

Many are surprised upon learning how much vinegar can do. A sour-tasting liquid that contains acetic acid, vinegar can be used as a clean-ing product and an influential ingredient in many recipes. Vinegar also is relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective home staple.

If you are ready to get more from that versatile vinegar in your kitchen pantry, explore the following ways to put it to use.

CleaningVinegar is an effective cleaning fluid, perhaps best known for produc-

ing streak-free windows. Vinegar also can dissolve dirt from painted walls and remove grime from woodwork.

By boiling 1⁄4 cup of white distilled vinegar in the microwave with a cup of water, you can loosen splattered-on food and deodorize the appli-ance. Vinegar also can be used to deodorize garbage disposals, coffee makers and kitchen drains. It’s an effective means to removing pet odors from carpeting as well.

Around the bathroom, use vinegar to remove soap scum film from shower doors and tile surfaces. Remove stubborn toilet bowl stains as well. Corrosion and hard water can clog showerheads, and by soaking the shower nozzle in vinegar overnight, you can dislodge any material.

You can rely on vinegar when cleaning up around your home office as well. Vinegar can help clean sticky scissor blades or remove ballpoint-pen marks from surfaces. A vinegar-and-water solution can be used to clean keyboards and other electronic equipment. Apply with a damp cloth rather than spraying the solution directly onto the electronics.

Lawn and gardenVinegar makes an effective weed deterrent and can kill grass that grows

between the cracks on sidewalks and driveways. Acid-loving plants, such as rhododendrons or azaleas, can benefit from

a little vinegar mixed in when watering. If you want to keep ants at bay, use vinegar when cleaning outdoor patio

furniture or spray it around areas that are susceptible to ant infestations. You may find the ants steer clear of the smell.

Health and beautySome people say that vinegar can be used as an appetite suppressant.

Using it on prepared foods may help you to eat less. Vinegar is handy for relieving the pains associated with sunburns and

jellyfish stings. Dot irritated areas with vinegar to relieve pain and itch-ing.

Because vinegar can act as an antibacterial, gargling it can alleviate some throat ailments. Even if it can’t prevent illness, a vinegar gargle can soothe throat soreness. Apple cider vinegar also may help soothe an upset

stomach. Use two teaspoons of the vinegar to one cup of water.Some people have used vinegar to soften skin and remove corns from

feet. It also may dissolve warts. Be sure to check with a doctor before using vinegar to verify its safety with regard to your particular situation.

In addition to each of these uses, vinegar is handy in the laundry room, helping to remove stains and rinse detergents from fabrics more easily.

Vinegar can not only be delicious in salad dressing, but it also can make windows squeaky-clean.


Safeguard your home from insect infestationsThe dawn of spring marks the return of many

things, including long hours of sunlight and warm temperatures in which to enjoy that sun-shine. But homeowners know spring also marks the return of insects, unwelcome guests that can be difficult or expensive to control once they have entered a home.

As problematic as insect infestations can be, preventing such problems can be simple, espe-cially when homeowners are proactive. The fol-lowing are a handful of ways to keep insects out this spring and summer.

• Consider potential food supplies and cut those supplies off. Insects often enter a home in search of food, so cutting off poten-tial food supplies is a great way to prevent insects from coming inside. Give dining areas a thorough cleaning after meals, vacu-uming or sweeping the floors beneath dining tables each night before going to bed. (Par-ents of young children may want to sweep floors after each meal.) In addition, clean pets’ bowls each night to be sure there are no food scraps left that may entice insects, and make sure pet food containers are tightly sealed after each serving. Sinks are another potential food source, so empty food traps

after using the sink and run the garbage dis-posal as well to remove any food that might be lingering.

• Address potential shelters. Insects also seek shelter inside homes, and there are many areas in a home that can provide adequate shelter. Cracks around windows and doors and in the foundation provide both entry points and potential shelters for insects. Seal such cracks with caulk, testing the areas by feeling for any incoming air. If you still feel air coming in, there is still some sealing to do. Cracks in cabinets or counters also may provide shelter to insects, so address these areas as well.

• Reconsider exterior lighting. Exterior lighting may be inviting insects into your home. Insects tend to congregate around lights at nighttime, so avoid placing lights right outside entryways. Once doors are opened, insects can then fly right into your home. Keep exterior lights as far away from

entryways as possible. If you need lights right outside your doors, install motion-sens-ing lights that only turn on when you come within a few feet of the door. This reduces the volume of insects that congregate out-side your entryways, and lowers the risk that insects will follow you in when you arrive home at night.

• React quickly upon seeing insects. Insect infestations happen gradually, so home-owners should react quickly when seeing a single insect or a handful of insects inside their homes. The slower your response, the more likely one or two intruders is likely to turn into a large infestation. Immediately clean any areas where you see insects, and take more substantial measures if your ini-tial efforts were not enough to prevent more insects from coming in.

The presence of insects inside a home can be a nuisance, but there are many ways to prevent such infestations and keep unwelcome guests at bay.

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Clean kitchen sinks thoroughly after preparing foods and washing dishes to prevent insect infestations from becoming a problem.

The presence of insects inside a home can be a nuisance, but there are many ways to prevent

such infestations and keep unwelcome guests at bay.


Make the most of mulchingLawns and gardens can often benefit from the lay-

ing of mulch. Mulch serves various purposes in lawns and gardens, and many experienced lawn and garden enthusiasts lay mulch to ensure their properties make it through spring, summer and fall unscathed.

First-time homeowners with little or no landscap-ing experience may not understand the benefits of mulch, which can be used to strengthen soil and protect properties from the elements.

What is mulch?Mulch refers to a material spread around or over a

plant to enrich and/or insulate its soil. Many home-owners prefer mulch made of wood chips, which is both effective and readily available. The U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency notes that organic mulches, which include leaves, wood chips, com-post or grass clippings, can be used by homeowners who want to develop eco-friendly landscapes.

Why mulch?Mulching can benefit plants around a property in

various ways. Many people lay mulch because the mulch helps soil retain moisture in the summer, when temperatures tend to be at their hottest. This can help plants survive summer heat waves.

Mulch also can be used to suppress weeds. Weeds, which steal moisture plants need to build strong roots and survive summer, need light to grow. When laid correctly, mulch deprives weeds of the light they need to grow. Organic mulches can even provide homes for crickets and a type of beetle that feed on weed seeds.

Mulch also can deter harmful pests depending on the type of mulch homeowners choose. When pur-chasing mulch, homeowners will have to choose between the aforementioned organic mulch or man-made mulches, which may be made of plastic or

rubber. While man-made mulches may repel pests, they also can have adverse effects. Plastic, for exam-ple, can heat up in the summer and cause plants to burn. Certain organic mulches can repel insects that can threaten plants. That’s because the majority of organic mulches increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the soil, and they also increase the pres-ence of helpful insects that do not pose a threat to plant life. Those helpful insects help keep harmful insects at bay. Compost is a type of organic mulch that may attract harmful insects. While that does not mean homeowners should shy away from using compost as mulch, they should know that they may need to employ organic insecticides to combat their unwanted guests.

Mulch is a potentially valuable tool homeown-ers can use to improve the look and health of their properties.

Smart watering conserves water and saves moneySummer heat can be harmful in

various ways. People and pets can quickly succumb to the summer sun, which can cause sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke when people and their animals spend too much time outdoors without ade-quate protection.

Landscapes are also vulnerable to summer heat, which can quick-ly spoil the most lush lawns and robust gardens. Effective watering can help lawns and gardens with-stand summer heat, but improper watering can deprive landscapes of the water they need to survive.

Homeowners concerned about their lawns and gardens surviving the summer can take the following approach to conserve water, save money and maintain their land-scapes.

Start earlyHomeowners may feel that the

hottest times of the day are when lawns and gardens will be most in need of water, so that’s the best time to set sprinklers or grab the hose and get to work. But in many areas, watering between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when summer

temperatures tend to peak, can be both wasteful and ineffective. That’s because watering between those hours will cause much of the water to quickly evaporate, robbing lawns and gardens of the water they need to withstand the heat. Home-owners who water when water is most likely to evaporate may feel they need to water more, and that only wastes water.

It’s best to consult a local land-scaping professional in your area to determine the best time to water each day, but in many regions the best time to water is between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., when temperatures are generally lower, the sun is not at its peak and winds are not as strong.

Place sprinklers correctly

If you do not have an in-ground irrigation system and don’t intend to install one, you will likely use lawn sprinklers to water the lawn. When placing these sprinklers, turn them on and then document their trajectory before moving on to the next area. You want to make sure the water from the sprinklers is not landing on sidewalks, patios or streets, especially if your com-munity typically institutes drought

restrictions that limit how much you can water. In such instances, you’ll need to make the best use of the water you’re allowed to use, so make sure none of it is watering the driveway.

Let well-fed lawns go dormant during drought

Lengthy droughts tend to be accompanied by water restrictions, and such restrictions can frustrate homeowners who don’t want to see all of the hard work they’ve put in to this point go to waste. But grass that has thus far been well cared for can withstand drought and still recover when rains once again fall and temperatures cool come autumn. If you plan to let the lawn go dormant, keep kids, pets and vis-itors off the grass, as dormant lawns are highly susceptible to damage.

Summer is an enjoyable time of year, but lawn and garden enthu-siasts may be concerned for their properties when summer heat sets in. A few simple strategies can help lawns make it through the season unscathed.

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