What’s Growing On? New & Noteworthy

Through Aug, 7th, Jefferson Landscaping is collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations for the Northwest Harvest’s 2nd annual food drive. If you would like to help us fight hunger, just leave your donation on your doorstep in a bag marked NW Harvest, and our crews will pick it up on their service days.

We do outdoor lighting! If you’re hosting a summer party, give us a call for a free demonstration. We will leave the lights with you for up to a week.

Rainwater Collection Tips

Don’t drink the rainwater! Water collected and stored is non-potable and should never be used as drinking water unless treated.

Keep tight, locking lids on rain barrels to keep out kids, pets, and algae.

If you’re purchasing used barrels, make sure to find out what they were previously used for. Do not use barrels that were used to store toxic or poisonous substances.

Conserving Water: Recycling Rain for Your Garden

In last month’s newsletter, we talked briefly about the thirsty lawns and plants of summertime. This is the time of year with the least amount of rainfall, and yet our gardens need the most water. For many of us, water conservation is an issue both ecologically and financially.

As mentioned last month, one way to conserve water is to cut the amount of water used in half. This may quicken summer dormancy, though. Invest in a timer and measurement system to keep track of water usage. Another way to conserve is to water in the early morning, when the temperatures are cooler. This will give your plants and soil a chance to absorb more of the moisture before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate.

Another method of conserving and recycling water is to use a rain-catching system. During the rainy times of year, we can channel the water that normally flows from the roof, through the gutters and back into our lawns and driveways, diverting it into storage tanks called cisterns or rain barrels. During the dry summer months, we can recycle the water back into our gardens. To get an idea of just how much water can be collected, one inch of rain falling on 1000 square feet of roof accumulates 623 gallons of rainwater.

There are methods of building your own rainwater collection system, or you can purchase rain barrels from local sources. The King County website (www.kingcounty.gov) lists tips and resources for installing a rainwater collection system.

Other simple methods of conserving water can really make a difference if practiced daily. Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, make sure you have a full load of laundry before washing, fix leaky taps and pipes, and install low flow fixtures.

Let’s all do our part!

What’s Growing On?

New & Noteworthy 

Business is growing! To accommodate new routes, Jefferson Landscaping has added a new truck.

And when you see some new faces among our crews, be sure to welcome our newest team members.

We wouldn’t be where we are today without our amazing crews. Most of your irrigation systems have been manually turned on already. Please be sure to turn the clock.

Water Saving Tips

Water early in the morning when the air is cool. If you water during the warm part of the day, your water will evaporate before the soil absorbs it.

1. Applying mulch can help save water by cooling the soil and helping to prevent evaporation.

2. Since lawns are one of the biggest consumers of water, reducing the size of the lawn can save water.

3. Check your sprinklers and hoses for timers and shut-off valves.

4. Invest in a rainwater collection system to recycle rain to feed your plants.

What’s Growing On?

New & Noteworthy

We are really excited to be a garden creator for one of the elaborate gardens at the 2013 Northwest Flower and Garden show, Feb. 20-24. This year’s theme is “The Silver Screen Takes Root… Gardens Go Hollywood.” We’re starting the design process now.

This month we are raising our lawn mowers. We cut the grass higher to allow it to stay green longer. Higher grass won’t go dormant as quickly.

We do outdoor lighting! If you’re hosting a summer party, give us a call for a free demonstration. We will leave the lights with you for up to a week.

Midsummer Dreams:

Celebrating longer, warmer days in your garden

June 20 marks Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere: the longest day of the year. The word solstice is made up of sol, the Latin word for “sun,” and stice, the Latin word for “to stand still.” For thousands of years, people have been celebrating the beginning of summer with gratitude for a bountiful harvest, longer days, and warmer weather. In the Northwest, where plentiful rains have fed our planted seeds and bulbs, n ow is the time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Lawns need the most water in July, as this is the time of year with the least rain. In order to keep lawns green, an inch of water per week is needed. If you want to conserve water, cut this amount in half. The lawn will fade to a light brown; this is summer dormancy, and the lawn will spring back to its lush color when the rains and shorter days return. One great way we help to postpone dormancy is to mow the lawn higher. Higher grass in the summer will remain green longer. There is still time to plant vegetables for a harvest this year. Make sure you choose veggies (as well as any other flowers and plants) that are suited to the climate this time of year. Some pests will make their appearance in your garden this month. Be on the lookout for crawling bugs like cockroaches and ants, as well as aphids, mites, and other insects. Pay special attention to fruit trees, which can attract a greater volume of bugs. Look into organic methods of pest control for greater protection to yourself, your loved ones, and the environment. As always, keep an eye out for weeds, pulling them before they get out of hand. Pull spent blooms on flowers to keep them healthy and keep away pests and disease. Now’s the time to enjoy your garden in the sunshine and celebrate the life growing all around us.