"How To Turn Your Lawn Into A World-Class Masterpiece!"

With the arrival of warmer weather, it's now time to re-energize your lawn! In this special feature, I will show you how to make your lawn healthy and green. Who knows, you may even end up being the envy of your neighbors!

Soil-One of the best things you can do to your soil is to aerate it. Aeration consists of making small holes in the soil that allow water, air and fertilizer to get closer to the roots.

You can aerate your lawn by renting a walk-behind aerating device or you can poke holes in your lawn with a garden fork. You can also aerate your lawn by wearing golf shoes when you mow.

Watering-the best time to water your lawn is in the early morning when water pressure is greatest, evaporation is minimal and the lawn drinks in the most moisture.

How often to water -weather is the biggest determining factor when it comes to deciding how often to water. In the summer your best bet is to water every other day.

How much to water-Think of the soil as a sponge that holds water for the grass. You'll want to water deeply to wet the top 2 to 4 inches of the soil to encourage deeper root growth. Avoid daily light watering as this will promote shallow root growth and make the lawn more prone to drought conditions.

The watering test: to determine how long to water your lawn, note the time when you start watering. Periodically open a wedge in the ground with a spade to check penetration. When the water reaches a depth of 4 inches, note how long it took to reach that depth.

Mowing-Mow regularly and cut no more than 1/3 of a grass's length at a time . Use a mulching mower and leave the clippings on your lawn. Leaving the clippings on your lawn will supply about 25% of the fertilizer your lawn needs. The clippings are 90% water and generally decompose in 7 to 10 days.

Best time to mow-Early evening is the best time to mow. The late start gives grass blades time to recover before they're exposed to daytime heat and wind. Never mow when the grass is wet, as this can damage your lawn.

Best mowing technique-Each time you cut your lawn, it's actually best to alternate the direction you mow. This keeps grass from developing permanent ridges, ruts or becoming compacted from constant traffic.

Follow these simple steps to proper lawn care, and you'll have a beautiful lawn that you can be proud of.

 

"Use Your Ceiling Fan To Cut Heating Costs !"

Most folks only use their ceiling fans to cool their homes in the summer. You can, however, use your ceiling fans to help heat your home! Simply set your ceiling fan on a clockwise setting at a low speed.

The fan will push the warm air from the ceiling and circulate it through your room. The added circulation the ceiling fan provides will allow you to use less heat, thus reducing your heating costs.

 

The $50 Home Improvement That Could Save Your Family's Life !

Did you know that carbon monoxide (CO) is the most commonly encountered poison in our environment? It is responsible for more deaths than any other single poison. Each year, thousands die from carbon monoxide poisoning and nearly 10,000 seek medical attention to treat exposure.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless toxic gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuel natural gas, oil, coal, wood, kerosene, etc. Carbon monoxide can escape from any fuel-burning appliance, furnace, water heater, fireplace, woodstove, or space heater. Now that we're in the cooler months, the risk of carbon monoxide exposure is at its greatest.

The best protection you can take against this silent killer is to install a carbon monoxide detector. A carbon monoxide detector will warn you when levels of this gas are above acceptable limits. It is inexpensive insurance for you and your loved ones!

Installing a carbon monoxide detector is easy and can be done in just 20 minutes. To install a detector in your home, just follow this simple step-by-step guide.

Tools needed : Screwdriver, drill, 3/16 drill bit, ladder.

Step 1: Before you install your detector, check to make sure you are installing the unit in the correct location. Most

manufacturers recommend that you have at least one unit near your family's sleeping area and, for multi-level homes, one on each level. Check the instructions and manufacturers recommendations for optimum locations as different brands may work differently.

Step 2: Once you establish the location you'll be installing your detector, open the hinged cover or remove the base plate on the back of your carbon monoxide unit to expose the screw holes.

Step 3: The screw anchors will need pilot holes. Do not try to hammer them into your wall, as this will damage the plastic anchors. Using your drill and 3/16 drill bit, drill the pilots holes and insert the plastic anchors. Now, tighten the base plate screws within 1/8 inch (you'll want to leave the screws partly exposed so you can slip the base cover over them).

Step 4: Slip the base plate or back of the detector onto the screws.  If this is a battery-operated detector, don't forget to install the battery and test it. It's a good idea to add a date label when you install your new detector this will help you know how old it is.

Step 5: After your detector is installed, it will normally require a week or two to become "acclimated" to the environment. You should, however, test your detector on a weekly basis to be on the safe side. Consult the directions that come with your detector for testing instructions.

You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector at any home improvement store. Be advised there are many different brands to choose from. Some detectors even plug right into a standard electrical socket. Take some time to check out your options so you can choose the detector(s) that will best suit your home.

 

"This Common Household Appliance Causes 15,000 Fires A Year ."

Unknown to most families, clothes dryers cause 15,000 fires a year and $75 million in property damage.

What's the major cause ? The major cause of these fires is blocked lint traps. The best defense you can take against a dryer fire is to clean the lint filter after every use.

You'll also want to vacuum lint from the exhaust vent on a regular basis. Make sure that the exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and that the outdoor vent flap is open while the dryer is in operation.

Do not leave your dryer running when you are out of the house or sleeping. Be sure to have your dryer maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

"The Fall Home-Maintenance Checklist"

Now that the dog days of summer are finally behind us and the cooler months have arrived, it's time to prepare your home for the climate and precipitation changes we will face.

The following maintenance chores may not seem too rewarding now, but as harsher weather conditions return, you should sleep better at night knowing your home is prepared.

* Inspect your roof. If you can do it safely, go onto your roof to check for cracked or missing shingles. Also check for missing or damaged flashing around your vent pipes, skylights, and chimney. These conditions might allow leaks. In most cases, minor cracks and tears can be sealed with roofing cement.

* Chimney and fireplace. Chimney cleaning is generally recommended once a year. If you only use your fireplace a few times a year, you can have it cleaned every couple of years. The important thing is to be sure that your chimney is free of creosote buildup the charcoal like residue left after burning wood. The creosote must be removed from your chimney, firebox, and hearth to prevent chimney fires.

* Unclog your gutters. Safely using a ladder, inspect your gutters for blockages. Remove all debris, leaves, and sticks from your gutters. Also, be sure that your downspouts are free of debris and that they funnel water away from your foundation. A clear gutter will help prevent foundation flooding and water damage to siding, windows, and doors.

* Service your heating system. Change your furnace filter according to your manufacturer's recommendations. Check your registers and ducts for any blockages. Using your vacuum, dust the registers and intake grills.

* Inspect siding. Check your siding for cracks, separation, and damage. In most cases, you can seal leaky spots with clear caulking compound designed for siding.

* The foundation. Do a close inspection of your foundation to check for signs of water damage. Be sure that the dirt around your home is graded to drain water away from your foundation. If your home has an underground drainage system or sump-pump, check to make sure it is operating properly.

* Prepare your lawn. remove leaves and other debris from your lawn. Prune trees and shrubs. Give your lawn a final cut. Also, you'll want to store patio furniture, gardening tools, and your grill.

* Your windows and doors. Check to see that your windows and doors are effectively sealed with weather-stripping. (Weather-stripping is individual lengths of rubber or plastic used to plug air leaks around doors and window frames). Replace or add weather-stripping around windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss.

 

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