By Nancy Bauer
Info for the Tree Hugger in All of Us:
Trees: The more you know, the more reasons there are to love them. Shade, of course, is the obvious starting point. Trees keep our picnics, patios, parking lots and homes cool. That makes trees cool. But beyond the obvious, we’re learning more and more about how valuable trees are both to the environment and our health.
*Just by doing what they do standing still in the earth, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. An average tree absorbs 26 lbs. of carbon dioxide from the air each year.
*By standing tall and creating shade, trees reduce the heat island effect of hot pavement in urban areas, sometimes by as much as 10 degrees!
* Consider their economic value. Trees are not only the most expensive investment among landscape plants, but they appreciate over time as they grow. Individual trees can be worth thousands of dollars as they mature.
So how often do you hug your trees?
•Do you keep them properly pruned? That helps protect against wind and storm damage.
•Do you check out possible diseases or bug infestations when things look a little off? Evaluations and treatments that are warranted can keep trees healthy and protect your property value for the long term.
•Do you quench their thirst? Right now in the midst of drought, keeping trees properly watered is critical to their survival. Thirsty trees have more brittle limbs that will be more likely to break in storms – and drought-stressed trees are more susceptible to insects and disease. As with humans, hydration is the most critical component for tree health.
Kids and Gardening
Kids—98% of them –who grow their own vegetables will actually eat them, says the American Gardening Association!
That means kids will want to eat peas, carrots, tomatoes and maybe even spinach! Experts say that kids need to be outside more and that gardening is one great outdoor activity they can enjoy all summer long. Show them how fun gardening can be!
Help them by doing. The key to cultivating young gardeners is in getting them involved and letting them do the ‘work’. Even a 3 year old can tuck some seeds into the soil and will love holding the water wand to sprinkle newly planted seeds. Keep it simple. Kids are most motivated when they grow plants that are easy to grow and that show fast results.
Sustainable Landscapes
With drought always a threat to our growing season in Colorado, the health of our plants may be more at risk. So now is a good time to think about the environment we can control, in our own landscapes.
This drought concern is why winter watering has been stressed so much last fall and this winter. Giving plants the water they really need now maintains their stamina so they can emerge in the spring growing season in a healthier state.
Here are some other strategies to sustain our landscapes:
* If you need a new lawn mower this year, get a mulching mower. They chew up grass clippings and spread them on top of the lawn. The clippings act like natural mulch over the soil and help retain moisture (important in a drought year!). Clippings will also decompose to provide nutrients, so you need less fertilizer.
*If you live in a compact neighborhood with small lawn areas, consider a battery-operated mower. They reduce noise pollution. Quite like Hybrid car, your neighbor won’t even notice if you mow at 7am!
* Downsize your water needs in ways that work for you. There might be a better use for the spaces you are watering in your yard that you never even see or use. Would you like to expand your outdoor living area, or increase shrub beds either of which would eliminate some landscape watering in the process? This would be a good year for those design changes.
* Get the sprinkler system evaluated early. We should not waste even a drop of water and this year. Get a professional sprinkler system audit and do the most cost-effective fixes to make your watering efficient.
* Be sure to check out rebates that may be available from Willows Water District. Expect to see a lot of them this year.