Green Team Tips of the Week

Outdoor Household Tips

Naturally Lovely Lawns
The Remarks, August 12, 2008

“A lawn is Nature under totalitarian rule.” –Michael Pollan, Second Nature

Ah, the robust gleam of an emerald lawn. Isn’t it truly the crowning jewel of a homeowner’s eye? Many people beg to differ. The natural landscaping movement follows the mindset that having an eye-poppingly bright, manicured lawn isn’t always the most desirable or healthiest landscaping option. It promotes environmentally friendly landscaping practices that preserve, restore, and support native plants, and encourages the reduction of tamed spaces, such as groomed lawns, overly pruned shrubs, ornamental hybrid plants, and bug-free yards.

Why consider natural landscaping on your property? Click here for the answers and more information.

Source: The Humane Society of the United States

Skeeter Defeaters
The Remarks, May 13, 2008

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying; they also transmit disease, including the potentially deadly West Nile virus. To stop them without dangerous insecticides, attack their habitat by eliminating standing water (behind clogs in roof gutters, for instance). If draining these spots isn’t an option, drop BTI pellets—which contain mosquito-targeted, larvae-killing bacteria—into the water. For a last-resort option, try a commercial spray containing eugenol, also known as clove oil.

Paydirt
The Remarks, April 15, 2008

Start a compost pile! Gardens thrive when their soil is enriched with compost. And the grass cuttings, potato peels, eggshells, hair clippings, and other organic stuff you use stays out of the landfill. Do your part: click here for tips.

How Dry I Am
The Remarks, April 8, 2008

As you plan your garden this spring, select native and drought-tolerant plants. Together, these varieties can help you limit the amount of watering you'll do this summer. For more information, visit www.xeriscape.org. The new plantings in the courtyard of the Georgia Tech's Technology Square on 5th Street is a Xeriscape landscape.

The Remarks, November 6, 2007

Greywater is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic processes such as washing dishes, laundry and bathing. You can collect your greywater and use it to water your outdoor plants and landscaping – especially in these drought conditions. Just keep a bucket in your kitchen and in your shower and collect the water as you wait for hot water, as you shower, etc.

To report a water restriction violation, call:

• City of Atlanta, 404.982.1414
• Fulton county, 770.640.3040
• Dekalb county, 770.270.6243
• Cobb County, 770.419.6278
• Gwinnett County, 678.376.7100

The Remarks, August 28, 2007

Plant leafy trees or shrubs that shade air conditioning units but do not block the flow of air. An air conditioning unit operating in the shade can use as much as 10% less electricity than the same unit operating in the sun.

Source: Earthshare.org.