Summit Realty

4 Ways to Rescue Your Plants From the Heat Wave?

Click Here for Video Tips on Watering

Summer’s triple-digit heat is threatening to fry the trees and shrubs you’ve spent all year tending.

You can’t turn off the sun. But you can turn on a spigot and save your plants by watering wisely and well.

“It’s decision-making time,” says Scott Aker of the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., where temperatures this summer have reached 105 degrees.

Your first decision? Let your lawn go.

“Turf grasses are programmed to go dormant in heat as a protective measure,” Aker says. “As soon as we get rain and the weather cools, they’ll get green.”

Also, give your vegetable garden its last rites. Tomatoes and peppers don’t form in heat above 95 degrees, so watering them now will keep the foliage alive, but you won’t see any fruit until September or October – if you’re lucky.

Jim Sutton of Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania has nursed shrubs and trees through several heat waves this summer. He offers four vital tips on how to help your landscaping beat the heat:

1. Recognize stress

Many stressed plants look thirsty. Green foliage turns grey and droops; blossoms and leaves fall to the ground in a desperate attempt to save the shrub. A deep watering often brings a plant back, or at least saves it so it’ll bud next year.

But if leaves are crispy, or the plant continues to look parched in the evening, then it’s reached a permanent wilting point: The point of no return. However, its death need not be in vain. Add your hapless plant to the compost pile to someday nourish its luckier neighbors.

2. Triage. Stat!

In triple-digit heat and drought, save what you can in this descending order:

• Newly planted shrubs and trees, vulnerable and pricey landscaping
• Perennials: Cut blossoms and stalks, which gives plants a rest and raises chances of returning next year.
• Established trees and shrubs, at least two years old, which have deep roots.
• Container plants: Move them onto a porch or under a shade tree.
• Vegetable gardens
• Lawns

3. Watering 101

Here’s a watering rule of thumb: Water deep, not often. Water should reach 8 to 12 inches down, creating a well of water for plants and trees to draw upon in high heat. To determine if you’ve reached your mark, press a large screwdriver into the soil: If it meets resistance, keep watering.

Hand-watering with a garden hose and aerator is best. Count to 10 as you water the base of plants. Move and repeat. If you have lots of property to water, then use a sprinkler, but adjust it so it doesn’t waste overspray on driveways and walkways.

Tree gators (plastic donuts or sacs that slowly release water onto tree bases) and drip hoses are good helpmates, too.

Water in the early morning: Not 7 a.m. when you usually roll out of bed, but when the sun rises at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. However, don’t get fixated on watering in the morning. If water restrictions require only evening watering, soak ‘em good and don’t fret about fungus forming on leaves that stay damp throughout the night: A little powdery mildew won’t kill your shrubs, but dehydration will.

4. Mulch is your friend

If you didn’t mulch in spring, do it now. Mulch will keep moisture in the ground and suppress weeds, which compete with landscaping for water. If you haven’t mulched, water thoroughly, then add mulch to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.

by Lisa Kaplan Gordon,
HouseLogic Blogger

Tags: Green Living, green tips, water conservation

Simple Choices for a Greener Planet

Can saving the planet be as simple as what kind of laundry detergent you use? Maybe not. But MXenergy, an independent energy provider, says those choices do matter and wants consumers to think about the environmental impact of their daily decisions.Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/news/articles/simple-choices-greener-planet/#ixzz1U6IjvS9J

“What you realize as you move to a more sustainable lifestyle is how so much of ‘green living’ is just about simple choices,” says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy managing director. “Do you use plastic bags at the grocery store? Do you use cloth napkins instead of paper? All these small choices add up to a better planet for us all.”

Consider the packaging: When shopping consider not only the price but also the packaging. Choose laundry detergent in boxes rather than plastic bottles. Choose milk in paper cartons instead of glass. Buy bar soap for washing dishes and bathing rather than liquid. These simple changes can dramatically reduce your plastic consumption in just one shopping trip.

Think about the little things: Choose matches over lighters. Say no to straws. Choose a wood cutting board instead of plastic.

Clean green: Not only will baking soda and vinegar help your home sparkle, you eliminate toxic chemicals and multiple plastic cleaning containers as well.

Buy in bulk: When given the choice, buy in bulk for items you consume regularly. You will not only save money but eliminate unnecessary packaging waste. Choose to buy dry good items from bulk bins when possible and bring your own reusable bags.

Eliminate paper: Take advantage of online banking and e-statements. This saves paper, money, and helps reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the energy needed to deliver the statements to your door.

Reuse: Bring your own cup to the coffee shop. Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Before making a purchase or discarding an item, look for ways to reuse those things you already have in your home.

Tags: green cleaning, green housing, Green Living, green tips, water conservation

Water Conservation in the High Desert Regions

California’s Water—and Its Affect on High Desert

California is in the midst of a serious water crisis, one that will likely persist for years unless drastic measures are taken to improve how we use and how we deliver water throughout the state. The High Desert is not immune to the effects of the water crisis, and it behooves local policy makers and consumers alike to take steps to reduce the impacts.

Ground zero for all the negative impacts we face is the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Lester Snow, Director of the State’s Department of Water Resources, described the Delta as “highly altered, highly stressed and highly vulnerable; we need a comprehensive solution to avoid calamity.” When you consider the following, it’s easy to understand Mr. Snow’s assessment:

• The Delta is a patchwork of nearly 60 islands and tracts and home to more than 750 distinct species of plants and wildlife.
• The Delta relies on a maze of levees to protect land and key infrastructure from floods and daily high tides. In all, there are more than 1,100 miles of levees in the Delta, including many built more than a century ago to protect farmland.
• The Delta is the single most important link in California’s water supply system.

Why is our water situation in crisis? Several factors have contributed, and these include (not in priority):

• Legal issues (Delta smelt; forced cutbacks up to 30%)—a court ruled in 2007 that the endangered Delta smelt fish was becoming extinct because of it being caught in the pumps that deliver water from Northern to Southern California. The result was a reduction in the amount of water delivered through the Delta, 500,000 acre feet of water not delivered this year alone (one acre-foot is approximately 326,000 gallons of water). For Mojave Water Agency (MWA), instead of delivering 59,000 acre-feet as requested it will only be able to deliver 27,000—assuming that no further reductions in deliveries occur in the State Water Project.

• Infrastructure deficiencies (levees threatened, inadequate storage facilities)—experts predict a two-in-three chance of a major earthquake within the next few years in or near the Delta which makes its levees vulnerable to sudden collapse. Should this occur, water deliveries to Southern California can be interrupted up to two to three years! When the last large reservoir was added to the statewide system in 1979, there were 23 million people in California (we’re now at 36 million); by 2032 the State’s population will be over 50 million.

• Population growth (50 million by 2032 and 60 million by 2050)—Despite bleak economic conditions in the State, the population continues to increase. With the increase in population comes an increase in water demand—more showers, use of dishwashers, washing machines and perhaps the biggest culprit for water demand, landscape irrigation.

• Climate change (less snow & rain)—Climate change—not the same as Global Warming—is having an effect on weather patterns worldwide. One effect is that California is beginning to receive more precipitation in the form of rain instead of
snow. So, instead of having snow serve as Mother Nature’s reservoir in mountain ranges throughout the state (slowly melting and absorbed in man-made reservoirs or groundwater basins), the rainfall typically finds rapidly finds its way to the ocean. High Desert rainfall averages just 4-5 inches per year, and what little run-off normally captured as melting snow in the local mountains, results in less precipitation for our groundwater basins. Because of climate change, experts say to expect a higher flood flow, smaller snow pack and longer dry spells. 2007 was a record dry year for many parts of the state, and 2008 does not hold much promise for increased precipitation.

What does all this mean to High Desert residents?

As our region continues to grow, we are becoming more dependent upon imported water supplies from the State Water Project. As water becomes scarcer we must make better use of what we have. Not only is it highly likely that water supplies will diminish, the cost of water will rise dramatically. High Desert residents understand the role they play in planning for the future are becoming more “conservation conscious,” taking steps to ensure that they use water wisely.

Mojave Water Agency, in conjunction with the Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC) and local water providers, are offering a regional water conservation incentive program that provides cash incentives to eligible customers. By increasing water efficiency customers can receive money saving rebates and vouchers worth up to:
• $3,000 for replacing water thirsty lawns with native and adaptive plants;
• $175 for purchasing a new water-saving washing machine, and
• $165 for installing a new high-efficiency toilet

Some water agencies have contributed additional dollars they are making available to their customers. For more information on the conservation incentive program visit: www.highdesertsaveswater.org or call (800) 831-8383, 9, then extension 308. For more information about Mojave Water Agency and projects to provide a sustainable water supply, visit: www.mojavewater.org or call (760) 946-7000.

Tags: Green Living, green tips, water conservation

9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers

Here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill in your San Diego home this season. Give your pocketbook and Mother Nature a gift this season by taking advantage of these simple, surprising ways to save energy and money.

Put lamps in the corners: Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter.

Switch to a laptop: If you’re reading this article on a laptop, you’re using 1/3 less energy than if you’re reading this on a desktop.

Choose an LCD TV: If you’re among those considering a flat-screen upgrade from your conventional, CRT TV, choose an LCD screen for the biggest energy save.

Give your water heater a blanket: Just like you pile on extra layers in the winter, your hot water heater can use some extra insulation too. A fiberglass insulation blanket is a simple addition that can cut heat loss and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill.

Turn off the burner before you’re done cooking: When you turn off an electric burner, it doesn’t cool off immediately. Use that to your advantage by turning it off early and using the residual heat to finish up your dish.

Add motion sensors: You might be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights, but your kids? Not so much. Adding motion sensors to playrooms and bedrooms cost only $15 to $50 per light, and ensures you don’t pay for energy that you’re not using.

Spin laundry faster: The faster your washing machine can spin excess water out of your laundry, the less you’ll need to use your dryer. Many newer washers spin clothes so effectively, they cut drying time and energy consumption in half – which results in an equal drop in your dryer’s energy bill.

Use an ice tray: Stop using your automatic icemaker. It increases your fridge’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%. Ice trays, on the other hand, don’t increase your energy costs one iota.

Use the dishwasher: If you think doing your dishes by hand is greener than powering up the dishwasher, you’re wrong. Dishwashers use about 1/3 as much hot water and relieve that much strain from your energy-taxing water heater. Added bonus: you don’t have to wash any dishes.

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Green Clean Countertops and Keep Food Prep Safe from Chemicals

Whip up a batch of homemade vinegar solution to cheaply and effectively green clean your kitchen countertops without harsh chemicals.

From meat juices to milk spills, kitchen countertops can be messy places. But you don’t need to reach for caustic cleaners to get your kitchen countertops sparkling clean. You can make your own green cleaners using items in your pantry for a fraction of the price.

Household vinegar contains acetic acid, a powerful antimicrobial that kills salmonella and E. coli bacteria. Readily available and cheap to boot, vinegar solutions in the proper proportions are a safe and effective alternative to harsh commercial cleaners.

To make your own non-toxic kitchen countertop cleaner, combine equal parts vinegar and tap water. To boost its cleaning power, warm it in a glass bowl in the microwave. A 64-ounce bottle of food-grade vinegar costs about $4, so a 32-ounce batch of homemade kitchen countertop cleaner will only set you back a buck.

In contrast, a 32-ounce bottle of commercial green cleaner like Seventh Generation costs about $5, while the same size conventional cleaner costs about $4.50.

Avoid these products:

Some commercial anti-microbial wipes and sprays contain sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or ammonium chlorides, chemicals the EPA lists as hazardous to our (and our pets’) health. When mixed with other cleaning products, some of those chemicals can even release toxic gases.

Alyson McNutt English has written about the joy of green cleaning for publications like Pregnancy, Conceive, and BobVila.com. She buys her baking soda and vinegar in bulk and uses them liberally for everything from disinfecting laundry to soaking up her kids’ food stains.

Tags: carlsbad real estate, green cleaners, green cleaning, green homes in san diego, green san diego, green tips, non toxic cleaners, san diego green, san diego green homes, san diego green housing, San Diego real estate