February 12, 2012

Leave the Leaves: Stop Raking Your Yard To Death!

300-leave-leafs

by Holly Bromley, B.S. & Leslie Lyles, M.S. | The leaves are changing from a brisk summer green to the beautiful varied fall colors. Soon the leaves will wither, readying for winter, and a layer will begin to accumulate on the earth floor. You may ache to rake, but leave those leaves! Environmentally conscious people generally embrace recycling as a means of keeping our environment healthy. More and more people desire to take care of our planet and be good stewards of the earth’s … [Read more...]

Winterizing Your Sprinklers

Without proper preparation your sprinkler system could be damaged by freezing temperatures. Here are some tips on how to prepare your irrigation system for winter conditions if you live in a region where it freezes. 1. Insulate your assets. Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh … [Read more...]

Keep Your Landscape Alive This Winter

This article is the first in a series on soil health, and how healthy soil is the key to health for all living things. Written by Mark Farrell | “Essentially, all life depends upon the soil….There can be no life without soil, and no soil without life: they have evolved together.” - Charles Kellogg, USDA Yearbook of Agriculture, 1938 One of the most common complaints in Northern Nevada is about plants dying over the winter. Unfortunately, most gardeners don’t think about … [Read more...]

12- Step Program For Getting Your Lawn Off Chemicals

By Misty McNally | 1.  Admit That Your Lawn Is Dependent, that the mowing and the chemical use have become unmanageable. 2.  Be Willing To Make Amends To Your Soil. • Test the soil. Ask your county extension office for help. To locate your local office, search on the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service website: www.CREES.USDA.gov.  Click on “Local Extension Office.” • Amend it with natural minerals, nutrients and/or compost. Look for those … [Read more...]

Sustainable Lifestyles:

An Introduction to Green Building Products and Practices Written by Nikki Florio of T.R.E.E. | Sustainable living is the practice of being attentive to, and taking action in regard to, our lifestyles and product choices. It is the understanding that these choices will have both an immediate, and long-term, affect on the environment and our bodies. This article will focus on six facets of Green Building and Sustainable Practices including: 1. An Introduction to Green Building 2. … [Read more...]

Common Sense GARDENING

What Is Xeric Landscaping? Xeros, in Greek, means ‘dry.’ But, more than simply dry, xeriscaping is about keeping good company with plants that thrive in conditions that match the water habits of the particular region where you live. So, it’s not so much ‘dry,’ as it is efficient and in tune. Another way to think of Xeric landscaping is to think the double benefits of  low maintenance and low cost. A xeric landscaper looks for ways to emphasize the localized natural forces at … [Read more...]

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