Conserve Water During Dry Conditions

According to a report from the National Climatic Center in Asheville, NC and the Huffington Post,  “The nation’s widest drought in decades is spreading, with more than half of the continental United States now in some stage of drought and most of the rest enduring abnormally dry conditions.”  As I write this post from my farm on Cape Cod, the thermometer says 88 degrees (though it feels even hotter), much of my lawn looks brown and my flowers, vegetables and normally hearty hydrangea look wilted.  And there have been many days this summer just like this.

We obviously need to water to keep our plants alive. However, we need to think about water conservation too in such dry conditions with little or no rain in the forecast. A lush green lawn is lovely, but turf grass is our largest irrigated “crop” using as much as half of all fresh water used in urban areas each year. Typically, at least half of all water consumed by households is used outdoors. Lawns require two-and-a-half to four times more water than trees and shrubs, and a typical suburban lawn uses 10,000 gallons of water over and above that provided by rainfall in a single year.

What can you do?  Lots…

• Mow high.  Longer grass encourages longer roots, which require less water and food. It also holds moisture better.
• Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day.
• Don’t mow if you don’t have to.  Save the gas instead.
• When you do water, water deeply and infrequently.
• Water between 4 and 6am when the demand is low.  After 10 am much of the water evaporates.
• Check your automatic sprinkler system periodically to make sure the heads are actually watering the lawn and not the sidewalk or your house.
• Since there seems to be a trend towards hot, dry summers, consider re-landscaping to minimize grass areas in your lawn, lowering your demand for water.
• If you can, let your lawn go dormant during this drought period.  Lawns are supposed to go dormant in the summer – we just keep them artificially green by watering.  If your lawn has a good root system established, it won’t die and will bounce back during the cooler temperatures of fall.
  

  Very green grass, despite the drought (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Information compiled from
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov
 and 
http://web4.audubon.org/

 

 

 

Fireworks, Drought and the 4th of July

Fireworks #1 (Photo credit: Camera Slayer)

4^th of July and fireworks – It’s hard to imagine one without the other.  Cities across the country put on fabulous fireworks shows. People celebrate with their own fireworks display and kids “write” in the sky with sparklers!   The Boston Pops performing John Phillip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever followed by an incredible fireworks spectacular over the Charles River is the quintessential 4^thof July celebration.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought conditions are gripping Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Colorado.  Severe drought is occurring in much of the west with parts of the South and the East under abnormally dry conditions.  Out of control fires are blazing in many states.  It’s frightening.

Severe drought conditions have forced at least 40 counties in the Midwest to issue burn restrictions and bans; many of these bans include fireworks. From Utah to Indiana, state and local governments are calling off annual fireworks displays and urging residents to not to use fireworks, Roman candles and sparklers.

Fireworks are not exactly “green” to begin with, but this year, under such dry conditions, it’s best not to set off your own and go instead to your local fireworks display.  Celebrate at home with colorful streamers and other decorations.  If you do set off your own, use fireworks rich in nitrogen.  They can cost a little more, but they put out less smoke into the environment.  And, be extra vigilant.

Don’t forget to have a green cookout too.  Click here for ideas.

With a little more consideration for the earth, you can  have an even happier 4^th!

Information compiled from www.accuweather.com,
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
, www.cleveland.com, inhabitat.com, and earth911.com.