8
2016 Spring Home & Garden
Smart watering conserves water and saves money
Summer heat can be harmful in vari-
ous 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 adequate protection.
Landscapes are also vulnerable to
summer heat, which can quickly
spoil the most lush lawns and robust
gardens. Effective watering can help
lawns and gardens withstand sum-
mer heat, but improper watering can
deprive landscapes of the water they
need to survive. Homeowners con-
cerned about their lawns and gardens
surviving the summer can take the
following approach to conserve water,
save money and maintain their land-
scapes.
• Start early. Homeowners 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 tempera-
tures tend to peak, can be both waste-
ful 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. Homeowners 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 landscaping
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 doc-
ument 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 community
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 al-
lowed to use, so make sure none of it
is watering the driveway.
• Let well-fed lawns go dormant dur-
ing 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 tem-
peratures cool come autumn. If you
plan to let the lawn go dormant, keep
kids, pets and visitors off the grass, as
dormant lawns are highly susceptible
to damage.
Summer is an enjoyable time of year,
but lawn and garden enthusiasts may
be concerned for their properties when
summer heat sets in. A few simple
strategies can help lawns make it
through the season unscathed.
Reclaimed wood adds instant appeal to home projects
Repurposing salvaged wood is a popular trend
in the home improvement industry. Not only
can using salvaged wood give a home a one-of-
a-kind look, but it’s a handy way to incorporate
the three Rs of green living into your lifestyle:
reduce, reuse and recycle.
Reclaimed wood is often used in fl ooring,
beams, wall treatments, and doors, but it also
can be turned into furniture or home accent
items. Reclaimed wood adds warmth and
historical interest to a home’s decor that newer
materials may lack. Although fi nding wood that
can be salvaged takes time and some legwork,
such efforts can quickly pay off. Many busi-
nesses are now devoted to reclaimed timber,
which can help make the process of fi nding and
using salvaged wood even easier.
Homeowners considering reclaimed wood may
be interested to learn that such wood can serve
various functions aside from benefi tting the
planet.
• Match old-growth wood. New regulations
may prevent certain species of trees from being
cut down. That means it can be challenging
to match old wood in a home, particularly if
you’re looking to maintain historical value and
authenticity. Relying on salvaged wood items
can alleviate this concern, ensuring that you
can fi nd rare woods that are no longer available
brand new.
• Salvaged wood has character. It’s diffi cult to
mimic the natural age marks and character that
older wood may have. Instead of being raised
on farms, wood harvested decades ago probably
grew in natural environments, making the wood
both durable and strong. The color and grain of
salvaged wood may also be unique.
• Look at objects in a new way. Doors are
versatile pieces of reclaimed lumber because
they’re already fl at and rather large. Doors can
be turned into headboards, tables or benches.
Staircase or porch posts can be turned into can-
dlestick holders, and wood shutters can dress up
walls and provide a place to hang artwork and
other wall items.
• Reclaimed wood can be found everywhere.
Most people do not have to look too far to fi nd
wood they can salvage. Check salvage yards,
landfi lls, dumpsters in front of older homes
being renovated, or older, unused barns in rural
settings. You also can collect driftwood or dis-
carded shipping crates.
While some reclaimed wood can be used as-is,
some pieces may require millwork, including
sanding, cutting, shaping, and fi nishing. If you
do not have these skills, you probably will have
to hire someone who does.
The Internet is awash with ideas for putting sal-
vaged wood to use. Get inspired and then fi nd
the pieces that will fi t your project.