The company will award four $1,500 projects, three $5,000 projects and three $10,000 projects.

The annual program recognizes individuals and organizations whose innovation, leadership, ingenuity and dedication to the management and protection of Earth’s most precious natural resource through improved landscape water efficiency raises the standard for outdoor water conservation.

After three years of honoring individuals and organizations for their completed projects, the program was revamped in 2010 to help fund future water conservation projects.

The interactive approach to this year’s program will help Rain Bird serve a broader range of projects that seek to intelligently manage water and preserve green spaces.

Past Winners

In 2009, The Intelligent Use of Water Award went to Naples Botanical Garden, Inc. in Naples, Florida, for its commitment to sustainable green building practices in the design of its gardens.

In 2008, Christopher Gray of Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Kentucky, demonstrated innovation for his proactive development and implementation of water conservation programs both on and off the golf course.

The first winner in 2007 was a five-acre garden near El Cajon, California, The Water Conservation Garden, that showcased water conservation through a series of themed gardens and robust educational programming.
Visit www.iuowawards.com for more information.
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Make your green renovation the envy of the neighborhood

(ARA) – What is it about “going green” that is so appealing? Even if it’s not your favorite color, going green can benefit the environment, your health and reduce energy consumption, as well as overall energy costs.

You may already recycle, use public transportation, buy local products or simply turn off the lights when you leave the room. While these simple practices can greatly reduce your overall impact on the environment, now is the perfect time to think about a total green renovation for your home.

If the cost of a project is holding you back, you still have time to take advantage of the 2009-2010 Federal Energy Tax Credit for making energy-related home improvements.

The tax credit allows homeowners to claim tax credits equal to 30 percent of product and installation costs – up to $1,500 – for qualified energy-related home improvements. It applies as a direct reduction of taxes owed. You’ll have to make a decision soon, because the 2009-2010 Energy Tax Credit expires at the end of this year.

The most helpful step you can take when transforming your home into a completely green living environment is planning. These tips can help green light a well-planned renovation:

* List your needs and goals before you do anything. Find a contractor who is skilled in traditional building trades and understands how to design projects to be energy-, water- and resource-efficient.

* Work with your builder on a master plan for your project. Think about downsizing your current space.

* Consider heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) needs by upgrading mechanical systems. A hybrid comfort system, like those from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, is ideal for a green renovation. A hybrid system alternates between two different energy sources depending upon temperature, settings and efficiency, making it one of the most efficient and flexible heating and cooling systems available.

* Design systems that minimize water use and maximize water distribution efficiency. Plan for future wiring and cabling needs when considering the lighting, electronics and appliances.

* Reuse old materials or take them to a company that accepts well-preserved demolition waste and intact building materials. Buy reclaimed material, such as reclaimed pine timbers, for flooring.

* Purchase materials that are durable, easy to maintain and will age gracefully. Research products that contain recycled content and are sourced locally.

Once you’ve completed your renovation it’s important to maintain your green renovation efforts so they last for years. The longer you stay a part of the green scene, the smaller your carbon footprint.

Hybrids aren’t just for cars anymore

A hybrid comfort system combines an electric heat pump with an oil or natural gas furnace for warmth and comfort for the cold nights, and effective, efficient cooling in the summer months. A heat pump doesn’t use up fuel making heat, it just moves it. With a hybrid system you have ultimate flexibility for greater efficiency in all seasons. To learn more, go to www.americanstandardair.com or contact your local independent American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer who can help decide which components are right for your home’s energy sources.

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Gardening Projects Help Children Flower (358) (NewsUSA) – American parents may bond with their children by taking them to farmers’ markets or showing them how to grow potted plants, but in other areas of the world, growing plants may literally help keep families together. In Ecuador, for example, children were often left alone while their parents went into the city to work. Because children had to take care of the home while their parents were away, many stopped going to school. ChildFund International, an organization that focuses on working with children, as well as with families, local organizations and communities to create environments in which children can thrive, decided to take a unique, community-wide approach to solving this problem — by growing a garden. ChildFund Ecuador started training the community in flower and vegetable cultivation, as well as business administration. The local bank, which ChildFund helped develop, gave local fathers the loans that they needed to build greenhouses for roses, carnations and tomatoes. Today, more than 285 families now use their greenhouses as their primary source of income, so the parents don’t have to migrate into the cities to work, and children can attend school regularly. The Actively Engaged Mayan Women, or Mujeres Emprendedoras Mayas, in rural Tecpan, Guatemala, are using macro tunnels — or miniature greenhouses -; to grow tomatoes, thereby creating income and improving food security for their families. As the women become more able to create their own income, they also gain the ability to better care for their children. In ChildFund Uganda, children and their parents planted more than 10,000 eucalyptus trees and 5,000 pine trees to create two new forests. In an area where environmental degradation has reduced the quality of life, the new forests provide inexpensive firewood, protection against soil erosion and an economic boost, as the trees provide timber for housing and other projects. “Forests will be a major source of timber, which will be mainly used in house construction, and houses are very important to us,” said 14-year-old Nalubega Florence, a student at St. Andrew Primary School. To learn how you can help communities come together through the plants that they grow, visit ChildFund International at www.ChildFund.org.

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The Environmental Management Commission, or EMC, has scheduled two hearings to gather public input on proposed rules to reduce nutrient pollution in the Falls Lake Reservoir.

The public comment period is open until Aug. 16.

Falls Lake Reservoir, the primary drinking water source for Raleigh and several nearby communities, is impaired for excessive amounts of chlorophyll a, an indicator of high levels of nutrients. Nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, can be carried by stormwater runoff into Falls Lake and the watershed streams that feed it. While nutrients are beneficial to aquatic plant and animal life in the proper quantities, excessive levels can cause algae blooms that impair aquatic habitat and may lead to fishkills, increase the cost of treatment for drinking water and affect recreational activities. In 2005, the N.C. General Assembly passed legislation which requires the EMC to adopt a nutrient strategy for Falls Lake.

In 2008, stakeholders from local governments, agriculture, environmental groups and other concerns began work with the N.C. Division of Water Quality to formulate a nutrient management strategy. The stakeholders used three years of lake watershed data and subsequent modeling to help form the nutrient management strategy. The draft rules were approved for public comment by the EMC in March 2010.

Read More:Mync.com

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Three tips to make your utility meter run backward

(ARA) – What would you do with an extra $2,200 per year? That is the annual energy bill for a typical American home, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE). Dramatically reducing that cost, or even selling power back to the utility company, could mean having enough money for a vacation, a down payment on a car or a boost to your child’s college savings.

If you are wondering how this can be done, a trend emerging in new home construction, “net-zero energy,” is helping homeowners keep energy dollars in their pockets. Builders construct such homes with highly energy-efficient materials, and with the means to generate their own power. The goal is to reduce the yearly total energy bill to zero, and perhaps make the meter run backwards at times.

Lowering heating and cooling costs is critical to achieving net-zero energy, since these typically account for nearly half of a home’s energy use. Keeping warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer is key, along with adding on-site power systems. Steps can include new construction methods for greatly improved insulation, using energy-efficient windows, and installing solar panels or other renewable ways to heat water or create electricity.

1. Build with SIPs

Most homebuyers are familiar with “stick framing” – construction using numerous individual sticks (boards) with the insulation added between them. Yet an increasingly popular building method for high energy efficiency involves a different approach.

Known as structural insulated panels  - or SIPs – the body of the house is made of large-size prefabricated wall, ceiling and floor sections with built-in insulation. SIPs work like a giant insulated cooler. They are made of wood panels sandwiching a rigid insulating foam core. The result is fewer gaps in the home and more continuous insulation. Homes built with SIPs are 15 times less leaky and have 47 percent greater insulating capacity than conventional construction, according to DOE.

“SIPs can be used to build any style of home, and are generally stronger than stick framing,” says James Hodgson of Premier Building Systems, North America’s largest SIPs manufacturer. “They can cut heating and cooling costs up to 50 percent, and can even help save money by speeding construction and allowing for smaller furnaces and air conditioners.” SIPs also contribute to healthy indoor air by sealing out pollutants, and create up to two-thirds less waste during construction. (For more information on SIPs, visit www.pbssips.com or call (800) 275-7086 to speak with Premier Building Systems).

2. Install energy-efficient windows

In addition to well-insulated walls, ceilings and floors, another key consideration for net-zero energy homes is efficient windows. Such windows may have double or triple panes with gas fillings and special coatings to help resist heat gain or loss. Specially constructed frames help seal against air leaks.

How the windows are installed in the wall is also important, since much of the heat loss can occur around the window rather than through it. Proper mounting and sealing of the window in the wall can help protect against air leaks.

“Installing windows for high energy efficiency can be tricky,” says Jim Crowley, owner of Crowley Builders in Grass Valley, Calif. “If the window opening isn’t right, it’s like putting a round peg in a square hole; there are going to be gaps.”

Crowley addresses this by using SIPs for the walls. “In addition to providing insulation, SIPs have pre-cut window openings that are straight, square and properly sized. Combine this with proper sealing of the window and it’s the best way we’ve found to get a tight fit.”

3. Generate your own power

More new homes are using environmentally responsible, renewable energy sources on-site to further reduce reliance on utility companies. These systems can include geothermal heat pumps that obtain warmth from the ground, solar panels for electricity or heating water, and windmills that convert wind to energy. When combined with home construction methods like SIPs and energy-efficient windows, such systems can help the home achieve net-zero energy use. In some cases, homeowners have even reduced their consumption enough and generated sufficient power to make the meter run backwards – in essence selling electricity back to the power company.

“Achieving energy self-sufficiency in homes and other buildings seemed pretty radical not too long ago,” says Hodgson. “But building methods have advanced greatly in recent years, saving energy without homeowners having to sacrifice comfort or style. Why build with methods that have been around for a hundred years, when newer, proven methods are available that will outperform what can be done with conventional framing?”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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<b>Green power makes lawn and garden care more eco-friendly<br />
</b><img src=’http://www.aracontent.com/images/10195_B2_rgb5.jpg’ align=’right’><br>(ARA) – When the sun shines on a beautiful summer day, it’s easy to gauge how important our yards are. Take a walk around your neighborhood and you’ll likely see a majority of your neighbors out mowing lawns, pulling weeds, cutting flowers and more. And once the work of maintaining the yard is done, it becomes the scene of garden parties, backyard barbeques and games like bocce and croquet.<br />
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The amount of time that we spend in our yards also tells us something about how we value nature and the environment. If you’re taking the time to meticulously care for your lawn and garden, it makes sense to do so in an eco-friendly way.<br />
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When you use green power to care for your lawn and garden, not only will you be watching out for yourself, your family and your pets, you’ll be doing good for the environment by using methods and products that are gentle on the Earth. Plus, you’ll be popular with your neighbors – your yard will be in perfect shape without the annoyances of noisy equipment and harsh fumes.<br />
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Here are some eco-conscious tips to keep in mind as you care for your lawn and garden throughout the summer.<br />
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* Mow with low emissions. The costs of mowing a big lawn with a conventional <a href=”http://www.rechargemower.com”>lawnmower</a> are high, both on your pocketbook and the environment, but it’s a job that needs to be tackled with the help of a mower.<br />
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In the past, using a more environmentally friendly mower would have meant dealing with the cord tangles and tugging that go along with keeping an electric version plugged in or the tedium of pushing a reel mower by hand. Luckily, the Recharge Mower combines the best of both worlds: a full-size, <a href=”http://www.rechargemower.com”>cordless mower</a> with no emissions and which requires no gas or oil because it is electric and fully rechargeable. Because it has hand operated controls rather than confusing gear shifters, it makes lawn care easy. For more information, go to www.rechargemower.com.<br />
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* Use green power instead of gas power. Tackling the other trimming jobs in the garden, other than just mowing, often leads to people pulling out gas-guzzling, oil-burning tools that are so noisy you need to wear protective headphones while using them. They add to the clutter in your garage with environmentally unsound canisters of oil and gas, and turn those fluids to noxious fumes when used.<br />
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Instead of revving up a noisy, harmful engine when it’s time to trim hedges, consider using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery powered tool. They’re cordless, which makes maneuvering between plants easier, plus they recharge quickly and can be stored for long periods of time without losing their charge.<br />
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* Plant organic, grow organic. If, like so many other people, you’re choosing to grow vegetables and fruits in your yard, look for seeds or starters that have been organically produced and grown. By doing that, you’ll be starting out with plants that have a minimum of pesticides and chemicals in them – then it’s up to you to keep the theme going. Choose plant foods and treatments, along with pest repellents, that are organic – look for certification from independent agencies like OMRI, the Organic Materials Review Institute.<br />
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With the world’s environmental consciousness expanding more and more, it’s easier than ever to find natural, organic and eco-friendly garden and yard solutions. And when you choose to trim your lawn and plants with an <a href=”http://www.rechargemower.com”>environmentally friendly mower</a> or power tools, and use organic plant care, you’ll be giving back to the environment that you value so much.<br />
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Courtesy of ARAcontent<br />
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Water is not the ‘infinite’ resource many believe

(ARA) – Do you ever think about how the water coming out of your faucet makes its way into your home? Or look out at the river as you’re driving to work and expect it will always look the same? Though water is often perceived as an infinite resource that can’t become endangered, by 2015, a majority of U.S. states may face water shortages. Some of those places may be right there in your backyard, and the loss of these ecosystems could affect your daily life.

Luckily, there are organizations that work to protect the water and the land around the world. The Nature Conservancy – a worldwide leader in freshwater protection – currently has hundreds of river and lake projects underway throughout the United States, positively impacting many of the areas where we live.

Freshwater conservation is important because, in addition to being the water we drink, it’s used to water our crops, gives us fish to eat, powers our factories, lights our homes, transports goods and carries people back home. Freshwater conservation is an investment in our future.

The Nature Conservancy toils diligently to keep rivers and lakes that provide drinking water clean and healthy, but needs funds and volunteers for its efforts. That’s why Crystal Light is collaborating with the Conservancy to support five local river and lake projects to help protect key sources of clean, fresh drinking water. For more information on the collaboration, visit the Crystal Light Facebook fan page at www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight. The site will be updated frequently to track the progress of the five projects Crystal Light is supporting around the United States:

Colorado River
The river is the lifeblood of the intermountain West and touches seven states. It has been impacted by rapid population growth in the west.

Great Lakes Basin
The Great Lakes Basin holds a fifth of the fresh surface water on Earth and impacts millions of Americans living along its shores. Even here, freshwater resources are in trouble as a result of climate change, water development and use.

Meramec River (Mississippi)
The Meramec River, part of the Mississippi River, supplies drinking water to more than 15 million people and serves as a habitat for thousands of fish, birds and other wildlife. Over time, it has been threatened by excessive use, and is one of the Conservancy’s highest priorities.

Potomac River
The Potomac River provides drinking water to 4.3 million people living in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. It is being impacted by rapid population growth and land use change in the basin.

Southern Rivers
Southern rivers and streams, such as the Pascagoula River in Mississippi and the Flint River in Georgia, span all 15 southern states. Recent droughts and increasing water demands have threatened these important bodies of water.

To learn more about the work The Nature Conservancy is doing across the country, visit its Web site, www.nature.org. To learn about how Crystal Light is supporting this important issue, visit www.Facebook.com/CrystalLight.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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SIDEBAR:

Making changes that protect our water supply
By taking small steps in the right direction and making environmentally friendly choices, each of us has the power to positively impact freshwater conservation. Here are just a few ways you can start to make a big difference:

1. Reuse water you washed your fruits and vegetables with to water plants around your house.
2. Install a low-flow showerhead to limit the amount of water used in your daily shower.
3. Turn off the faucet as you soap your hands, wash your face and brush your teeth.
4. Make sure to check your plumbing frequently to ensure there are no leaks that waste water.

Show Your Support
On World Water Day, March 22, 2010, Crystal Light will give to The Nature Conservancy 100 percent of the net profits from Crystal Light powdered drink mix products sold that day – no less than $350,000 and up to $750,000. The funds will support five priority river and lake projects across the United States to help protect key sources of clean, fresh drinking water.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips to help you save money and the environment

(ARA) – Spring is here, and after the long winter many people are taking the opportunity to do some much-needed maintenance to their homes, lawns and gardens. While you are pulling together your “honey-do” list, consider making some eco-conscious or green changes, which will help you shrink your carbon footprint and save money.

According to the experts, a few easy do-it-yourself projects can make a big difference. “Now more than ever, homeowners can take simple steps to go green while saving some green,” says Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware’s home expert.

Take an inventory

Most homeowners have no idea how much energy they consume, so the first step is to take an inventory and find out where the energy in your home is going. Power meters, such as the P3 Kill A Watt EZ Power Meter, can be used to give an accurate read-out on the operating cost of your household appliances. Some models even break those costs down by the week, month and year.

“Studies have shown that once families know how much energy they are using, they are more likely to make changes that will bring that amount down,” Manfredini says. “Power meters can help show the importance of making simple changes like turning off the lights when you leave a room or even opting not to turn on the TV.”

Shedding light on your lighting

“The easiest way that people can save on their energy bills is by updating their current lighting with low energy light bulbs,” Manfredini says. “Today, there are two options on the market, CFL bulbs and LED bulbs, and it’s important to know the difference so you can choose the light that’s right for you.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) have been on the market for a few years. They use fluorescent light, which is about the same degree of brightness as traditional bulbs, but consume a fraction of the energy while also lasting eight to 15 times longer. Products like the GE Spiral CFL Bulb are Energy Star rated and give off an attractive, soft, white light.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) were created to be used in indicator lights in cars and airplanes. Today, LED bulbs are making their way into households across the country, with GE’s Energy Smart LED Flood Light leading the pack. LED bulbs aren’t as advanced as CFL bulbs yet, and their light often isn’t as bright, but they use less energy than CFL bulbs, have a longer life span and don’t contain mercury – leading many experts to claim that LED bulbs are the light bulbs of the future.

Conserve water in your washroom

“If you think about it, it’s no surprise that toilets can be one of the biggest culprits of wasting water,” says Manfredini. There are several different efficient models on the market today, but replacing your toilet can be a costly – and time intensive – project.

Instead of replacing your toilet, simply install the Hydroright Dual Flush Converter. This converter will turn your standard toilet into a dual flush model in minutes without the use of tools. Dual flush toilets allow users to select the amount of water that will be released into the bowl depending on the amount of waste, using on average 70 percent less water than standard models.

Let Mother Nature water your lawn

Now that you’ve taken care of the interior of your home, it’s time to focus on the outside, specifically your lawn and garden. “Good lawn care means making sure your lawn receives around an inch of water a month,” Manfredini says. “In the warmer months, you may want to increase this to two inches to make up for evaporation.”

Instead of turning on the hose, many homeowners are now collecting rainwater and recycling it to keep their grass green. When choosing a rain barrel, select one that holds around 60 gallons of water, has a spigot on the exterior and is easy to install, like Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel.

For more tips and advice on how to go green and save money, visit www.acehardware.com/helpfulearthchoices or stop by your neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Buying a home or making green home improvements? Don’t miss out on these tax credits

(ARA) – A wide range of tax law changes over the last year will result in considerable savings for millions of Americans on their 2009 federal tax returns. Homebuyers and homeowners have some of the most to gain from the changes.  

Understanding the qualifications for home-related credits can be confusing and intimidating. Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, the makers of TaxACT, breaks them down.

“If you’ve never owned or haven’t owned a principal residence during the three years prior to the purchase date, you may qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. The purchase date must fall after April 8, 2009 and before May 1, 2010, with closing to take place before July 1, 2010. It’s equal to 10 percent of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. You only have to repay the money if the home ceases to be your primary residence or is sold within three years of purchase,” says Dolmage.

Property cannot be acquired from a relative, and married taxpayers must both qualify as first-time homebuyers if filing jointly. The credit can be claimed on a 2009 return or an amended 2008 return.

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended the credit’s closing date from Nov. 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010, and added rules for homes purchased after Nov. 6, 2009, including:

* You must be at least 18 on the purchase date (only one spouse must be 18) and cannot be claimed as a dependent.
* Purchase price cannot exceed $800,000.
* If the sale doesn’t close by April 30, 2010, you may still qualify if there’s a binding contract to purchase by that date. The sale must close before July 1, 2010, and the credit cannot be claimed before the closing date.

Purchase date and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) determine credit phase out. If the purchase date was before Nov. 7, 2009, full credit is available to those with an MAGI up to $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers). If you have an MAGI between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000 and $170,000 for joint filers), you’re eligible for reduced credit. Higher incomes do not qualify.

If the purchase date is after Nov. 6, 2009, full credit is available to those with an MAGI of up to $125,000 ($225,000 for joint filers). If your MAGI falls between $125,000 and $145,000 ($225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers), you could receive a reduced credit. Higher incomes don’t qualify.

“Current homeowners looking for a different or new home may also qualify for the First-Time Homebuyer Credit,” Dolmage says. “The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act modified the credit to allow for up to $6,500 if you purchase a replacement home before April 30, 2010. You must have lived in the same principal residence for a five-consecutive-year period during the eight-year period that ends on the purchase date of the replacement home.”

In addition:

* You must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence after Nov. 6, 2009, and before May 1, 2010, and close on it before July 1, 2010.
* The credit phases out for those with an MAGI between $125,000 and $145,000 ($225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers).
* 2009 purchases must be claimed on a 2009 return; 2010 purchases can be claimed on a 2009 or 2010 return.

All homeowners can claim tax credits for green improvements. The Residential Energy Property Credit is worth 30 percent, up to $1,500, for improvements such as adding insulation or installing energy-efficient windows, doors, or heating and air conditioning systems. Bigger improvements involving alternative energy equipment, like solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines can be claimed under the Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit. This credit is equal to 30 percent of the cost of the qualified property, with no limit on the maximum amount of the credit available.

New tax laws also include breaks for children, college expenses, new vehicles, unemployment and several other areas. Information about all 2009 tax law changes can be found at www.IRS.gov.

“You can see exactly how the changes will affect your 2009 taxes with TaxACT Free Federal Edition,” Dolmage adds.”  With TaxACT, all taxpayers can prepare, print and e-file their IRS return for free. Go to www.TaxACT.com to get started.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Start Spring Early with Indoor Gardening

(ARA) – Let’s face it — February, March and April can be gray and dreary months. You’re more than ready for spring to begin, but Mother Nature is on a different schedule. But you can jump start the season of growth early and bring it inside where you can enjoy it through those last moments of winter.

Stale, polluted air happens frequently when homes are closed up for the winter months. But houseplants help to lighten the mood and purify the air. A NASA study found that houseplants remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air inside a sealed chamber within 24 hours.

Start your spring season early by planting vegetables, herbs and flowers while winter is still in the air, so they’ll be primed for transplanting when the spring season actually arrives. You can watch the plants as they shoot their little green stems out of the fresh dirt, monitoring them as they grow larger and larger.

* Use loose potting soil to promote root growth. Outside, worms and insects tunnel through the dirt, naturally breaking it up to help plants spread their roots. To mimic their effect indoors, use potting soil mixed with peat moss, vermiculite and perlite to create a light texture that won’t compact after a couple of waterings.

* Keep the humidity level above 50 percent with a humidifier. Not only will your plants appreciate the extra moisture, but so will you. When the humidity drops below 50 percent, most plants suffer from water loss through their leaves, and it’s difficult to regain that water balance, even with frequent watering.

* Really bring spring inside your home with beautiful pots and decorating accents. Visit Montgomery Ward (www.Wards.com) to find unique gardening accents. A garden gate gives vines a place to climb and you can also use it to decorate your walls as a headboard or wall hanging. Imagine waking up in the morning to see the vine stems spiraling around the gate toward the window. Or search for elegant and decorative plant stands that match your decor, and bring to life a beautiful and scented herbal garden to spruce up your kitchen counters.

* Check the nutrient levels for your plants. Outdoor plants get nutrients reimbursed naturally, but indoor plants don’t have that luxury. Every time you water your indoor plants, you wash some of the fertilizer out of the soil. Not all plants like the same amount or kinds of fertilizer, so do a little research.

* Make sure the natural light is adequate. Some plants like direct sunlight and must be located near a south-facing window, while others prefer a few hours of indirect light. When plants don’t get the light they need, they start to appear very thin and frail. Also make sure as your plants begin to grow, that you rotate the pots so they grow straight, rather than bending unnaturally toward the source of light. If your house does not have enough natural light sourcing, artificial lights work as a good supplement.

* Take care of your plants when you leave home for more than a couple of days. You can always ask a neighbor to come in and make sure your plants get a good drink of water, or try the Oasis Plant Watering System available at Montgomery Ward (www.Wards.com ). Place drip lines in each of the plants, set the system for the number of days you’ll be gone and the gravity-fed system will irrigate your foliage twice a day. For plants that require more water, double up the drip lines, and enjoy your time away. When you return home, spring will await you inside.

Courtesy of ARAcontent