LANDSCAPING: Rain Bird sprinkler contest gives you a green yard makeover

Rain Bird Corporation announced today that they have opened registration to win a $10,000 backyard makeover in their Why is it Always Greener contest.  One grand prize winner will receive a gift card to the home retailer of their choice, and a first prize winner will receive a $500 gift card.  The sweepstakes only requires you to fill out their form electronically and submit.   GetWithGreen.com thinks this could be a great way to get in on transforming your backyard to a greener solution — using products like automatic sprinkler shut-off sensors.

The deadline for entries is midnight on August 31, 2008. Winners will be announced in October 2008.

Additionally, the Rain Bird team is still accepting nominations for its Intelligent Use of Water Award.  This award is open to homeowners (and organizations) whose Read more

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LANDSCAPING: How do you preserve your existing landscape when you remodel?

Look out!  During your remodel your existing landscaping could be in for a beating!  

Construction workers, Bobcats, piles of lumber, nails, gravel, etc.  You can imagine, or maybe you already know what I am talking about.  Well there are precautions you can take to reduce the damage to your wallet, to your trees and plants, and to limit the impact on the environment overall for the energy it takes to replace them!

Here are a few things you can do to preserve:

• Agree with your contractor before the project starts that your landscaping is important.
• Install temporary fencing around roots, and trees.
• Don’t allow materials to be stacked under trees, as the weight can damage roots systems.
• Watch for washing of wheelbarrows in planted areas, as the lime in the mix can create harmful pH levels.
• Schedule waterings on weekends, or when workers are gone so they are not walking through wet soil.

There are many more ideas in Tom Dominguez’s recent article:  Tips for your landscape during construction projects.

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LANDSCAPING: Better Homes & Gardens compiles eco-friendly recommendations

This month Better Homes and Gardens magazinehas compiled a nice list of things you can do with your landscaping to get more eco-friendly during a yard makeover.

To save you $$’s on energy, Landscaping That Makes Sense, describes how:

• A well-positioned tree can save up to 25% on heating and cooling
• Tree shaded yards with lawn vs. pavement can keep temperatures down 6-25 degrees
• Shading your roof can increase your air conditioners efficiency by 10%
• A single tree can equal the cooling power of 15 air conditioners
• Three house-shading trees can cut your cooling bill by up to 50%
• Windbreaks can cut winter heating bills by 10-30%

Regional Strategies for Energy-Efficient Landscaping discusses how if you live in:

• The Northeast: Take advantage of the sun in the winter by planting deciduous trees on the south- and west-facing sides of your house. And in the summer the leaves from these trees will also provide shade. Planting trees or shrubs to the north or northwest will prevent winter winds from draining the heat from your home
• The Midwest: Plant large deciduous trees on the south or west side of your home to reduce the need for summer A/C. Planting trees or shrubs to the north or northwest side of your home can provide Read more

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