Keeping A Green Lawn
It's no secret Las Vegas is in a drought. Droughts make it difficult to keep lawns green and
while there is no simple one solution to making it look and stay green, there are things you
can do to help it along:
- Never water at night
- When watering, water throughly
- Water as often as possible
- Aerate often (4 times a year)
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The "Lawn Tonic"
During summer months, Southern Nevada has a hot, arid climate and with water
restrictions in effect, it can be difficult keeping your lawn green. Of course we
suggest using the common practice of watering, aeration, and fertilizing to help
keep your grass green but there is a simple formula that has been gaining popularity
over the past few years. Many call it the "Lawn Tonic." It is a simple formula made
up of mostly household products. Before we posted this formula on our Web site
we wanted to test it for ourselves . . . and it worked! So, here it is. Just remember
to follow the directions exactly. Using the incorrect formula could damage your lawn.
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- One can of soda - not diet
- One can of beer - not light
- 1/2 cup liquid dish washing soap (do NOT use anti-bacterial
dish washing liquid)
- 1/2 cup mouthwash
- 1/2 cup household ammonia
- Mix in a 10 gallon hose end sprayer
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How to make a small yard look big
Have a small backyard? Here's some tips to make it seem bigger. If you're
wanting to do it yourself, be sure to call or E-mail Tom Hoff. Contact information
is at the bottom of this page. For a one-time fee he will meet with you and show
you how to do it all on your own starting with "step one."
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- Prune trees high. This points the attention upwards toward the open
sky.
- Choose an open design
- Add multipule seating areas
- Changes in levels or surfaces (e.g. raised beds)
- See-through furniture
- Angles and curves
- Vertical Structures
- Add motion (e.g. wind chimes or running water)
- Use smooth, loose gravel for paths. This requires slower walking thus
making it longer to walk through.
- Add water. Ponds can reflect the sky and add depth and dimension to
your yard. Create a running water source, like a waterfall, for
example. If you hide the source of the trickling, it creates a mystique
that there's more landscape out there.
- Feed some birds. Birds add wildlife to your yard and pull attention to
the sky. If you add a birdbath, be sure to provide cover so the water
doesn't boil in the Las Vegas sun.
- Add a weather vane. If raised off the ground, it will bring attention to
both the wind and the sky.
- Add a centerpiece, such as a waterfall, fireplace, or sculpture.
- Use lighting to add mood to your landscape.
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Energy-Saving Landscape Ideas
Here are a few things you can do to help save energy during
the cold and hot months.
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- Plant Evergreen trees. Evergreens don't lose their fullness during the
winter time and can block cold northwest winter winds. As a rule of
thumb, a windbreak protects an area up to 10 times as far out as its
height, can cut wind speed by 85%, and can cut winter heating bills 15-
25%.
- A deciduous tree can screen 70-90% of the hot summer sun yet allow
breezes. If planted on the west side of the house, it allows the late-day
sun to reach the house in the wintertime while providing shade in the
summer.
- Stone or concrete surfaces can soak up heat during the day and reflect
it during a cool evening.
- Dark colors will soak up heat.
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