Down the Drain

Water conservation is a way of life in many parts of the world, including our own western states. Despite the obvious supply of water enjoyed by the Great Lakes states, water conservation should play a larger role in our lives as well, because it is a critical natural resource that we have the ability to overuse.

So where do you begin in reducing your “aquatic footprint?” It’s as simple as THINKING about what you pour down the drain or before you turn on the faucet. Just boiled corn or steamed broccoli? Rather than pour that water down the drain, let it cool and use it to water flowers. Collect the cold water that runs down the drain while you wait for the shower to get hot and use it on your garden, or on a patch of lawn the sprinklers don’t reach. Better yet, turn the sprinklers off or at least don’t run them in the middle of the day when literally half the water evaporates.

Don’t let water just roll down the drain while you wash your hands or brush your teeth – take a second to turn it on and off as you need it. Wash your dishes by hand, or at least run the dishwasher only when it is full. If you have a dog, use that water from the boiled corn to spice up his kibble, or the collected shower water to fill his bowl. Unhook a downspout and let the water off your roof collect into a wading pool for him to frolic in.

What will you save, a gallon a day? Maybe two, maybe three? It adds up, so don’t discount your contribution!

Green Tips for Every Day

Enjoy these green living tips from CNC Senior Naturalist, Janea Little: 1) Don’t water your lawn -- no need to purchase sprinkler equipment, pay for extra water use, or mow as frequently. 2) Use the savings from #1 to replace 50% of your “lawn” with a landscape of native species. It doesn’t matter whether you want short plants or tall, flowers or trees, fruiting shrubs or intriguing shapes – there are native plants that can satisfy you. 3) Save gas by parking at the far end of the mega parking lot instead of circling for the closest spot. BONUS BENEFIT: If your child is in a biology class and needs to make an insect collection, check the car grills on your way in! 4) Instead of your downspouts shooting water into the already over-loaded storm sewers, let them drain into a rain garden, rain barrel, or just a big wading pool that the family pooch can enjoy. Be careful with the wading pool, though, because birds, butterflies and other wildlife will sometimes try to drink from this “pond”, only to learn too late that there is no way out. You can solve this safety hazard by putting a large rock or a few bricks in one spot, so the struggling animal can crawl out of the water. 5) Other water-saving techniques include collecting water that you usually just send down the drain, such as that first gallon of cold water from the shower head, water from steaming veggies, etc. All of that water (several gallons’ worth for most families) can be used again for the pooch, or for the garden, planter boxes or some of your newly-planted native trees. 6) Compost. It saves water (if you normally use a garbage disposal) and reduces the waste sent to the landfill. It also gets you OUTDOORS – to make use of your new treasure (rich soil!). 7) Step away from the TV now and then to take a walk, or read a book about nature. And of course, make sure your TV, DVD player and other electronic equipment is plugged into a power strip, so you can shut power off to them completely. For other tips on saving energy and living green, check out the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and The Daily Green.

Organic Lawns Made Easy

Green lawns seem to be a rite of spring and part of summertime fun. But creating that suburban dream can come at a big cost to the environment and the wild animals that call our yards home. Going organic and still having a green lawn isn't just a pipe dream, it can become your reality! So forget the synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides this year and begin the transition to organic. The following tips are quoted from "Six Tips for a Lawn You'll Love" by Fern Bradley. Fern is one of the editors of the Reader's Digest All-New Guide to Gardening and has a number of posts on the Reader's Digest Living Healthy Blog. 1. Leave it long to prosper. One of the simplest changes is to start letting your grass grow longer—3 inches long—before you mow it. And when you do mow, never remove more than one-third of the height at one time. This stresses the grass less, and the longer lawn naturally shades out weeds. 2. Stop bagging the clippings. Grass clippings are natural fertilizer. Leave them in place each time your mow, and in the course of a year, they’ll add roughly 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet to your lawn. 3. Spread compost. Stop applying chemical fertilizer and substitute compost instead. Apply screened compost at least once a year, spreading a layer that’s no more than 1/4-inch thick. You can do the job by hand with a rake or use a drop spreader. 4. Water deeply. If you must irrigate your lawn, be prepared to soak it thoroughly. This will encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil, and that strengthens your lawn over time. 5. Overseed for a lusher lawn. If your lawn seems sparse, perhaps it just needs more grass plants! You can apply more grass seed right to your existing lawn. It may help to aerate or dethatch your lawn before you spread the seed. Fall is the right time to overseed cool-season grasses; spring for warm-season grasses. 6. Diagnose problems before you treat. If your lawn is looking sickly with patches of dying or dead grass or other unusual symptoms, make sure you diagnose the problem properly before you try to treat it. Gardening reference books like the All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening include charts of lawn pest and disease symptoms and treatments, or try taking a digital photo of the problem and e-mail it to your local cooperative extension service for a diagnosis.