4 WATER-SAVING TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR GARDEN...

Did you know that during summer months, Americans use twice as much water as they do during other times of the year? And by some estimates, outdoor watering accounts for 50 to 70 percent of average household use! It might seem like the only way to get a beautiful yard during the warmer months is frequent watering. But, there are many steps you can take towards creating an eye-catching and healthy garden while also being water-conscious. By combining conservation practices with efficient landscape design, you can lower your water bill, lessen the amount of required maintenance and create a healthy, vibrant habitat. And we’ve got a few helpful tips to bring your yard to life while saving you natural resources, time and money!

1.Garden design: Group plants with similar moisture requirements close together, matching them with appropriate yard conditions—sunny, shady, damp, dry. This allows you to target watering only on the vegetation that needs it.

2.Plant selection: Focus on plants that are native to your area. They survive with natural rainfall, are resistant to local plant diseases and pests, and provide the best overall food sources for birds and other animals.

3.Efficient irrigation: Water infrequently, deeply and thoroughly. This prevents runoff and encourages deeper root growth. Plants with deep roots develop greater resistance to dry spells.

4.Maintenance: Apply mulch, such as bark or leaves, to planting beds. This helps soil retain moisture, discourages weeds and provides plants with essential nutrients.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR PLANT TREE AND YOUR PROPERTY DURING STORM

A tree is never in greater danger than during a storm. That can mean a threat from pounding rain and hail, from the fury of the wind, from the scorch of lightning or the weight of ice on branches and leaves. You may also have to remove a tree that endangers life and property during or after a storm. The key to a tree's survival is the care you give before the storm, keeping it healthy with proper space to grow.
Every tree will face at least one storm during its lifetime.

Here are seven tips designed to help minimize the impact of storms on trees and property in your yard or in your forest:
Tip 1 - Think about young trees growing up when planting. Trees will mature and grow tall so avoid planting near wires, too close to a building, or in shallow soils or on steep banks.
Tip 2 - Brittle species should not be planted on sites where breakage is a problem. Brittle species include elm, willow, box elder, poplar and silver maple.
Tip 3 - Where early ice storms are common, avoid planting species that hold their leaves late into fall.
Tip 4 - During excavation around trees, avoid damaging or cutting roots.
Tip 5 - Begin an annual pruning program when trees are young. Prune dead or weakened limbs and excessive branches from crowns.
Tip 6 - For particularly valuable trees, hire a professional arborist to strengthen a tree by installing cabling or bracing on weak limbs and split crotches.
Tip 7 - Keep the tree healthy by watering, fertilizing, and protecting the soil from compaction.