March 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 29 Home Improvement & Gardening (NAPS) Designing your garden to conserve water can help weed out one cause of high utility bills. Advance planning can save homeowners hundreds, and even thousands, of gallons of water during the growing season. Here are a few tips for a water-saving garden makeover from the American Society of Landscape Architects. • Start early. Plan ahead so that all new plantings take place in the spring. Plants require much less water to get situated when they are planted during the cooler months. • Go native. When deciding what to install in your yard, consider native and drought-resistant plants. They typically require less maintenance and little watering once established (sometimes none at all). • Must mulch. Use compost when planting and cover the area with mulch afterwards. Compost helps keep the water by the plant’s roots and mulch prevents evaporation. Make sure to leave some space around the base of each plant and resist creating mulch mounds around plants and trees. Spring Plan a garden makeover for seasonal savings • Less lawn. The average American uses 200 gallons per day watering the lawn. Consider replacing some of that grass with an attractive ground cover that is drought resistant, covers a large area and requires no mowing. • Super soak. Up to a third of all water from sprinklers can evaporate during the heat of the day. Instead, give your plants fewer, heavy soakings. If you use sprinklers, only use them in the morning. • Gray is good. Recapturing gray water or rainwater can provide a free source of garden irrigation. These systems can be easily installed and even incorporated into irrigation systems. • Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip irrigation systems water plants right at the root and serve as an efficient alternative to sprinkler systems. For maximum effectiveness, be sure to get a timer. To learn more about reducing utility bills through landscape design or to find a landscape architect, visit www.asla.org. CLEARCUT WINDOW & SIDING INC. No Job Too Small or Too Large • Custom Fitted Windows • Vinyl & Wood Siding • Small Additions • Replacement Doors, Storm Doors • Porch Enclosures • Roof Repairs • Custom Decks Fully Insured • No Subs IRRIGATION SERVICES 201-512-1804 ��������������������������������� �������������������� ���������������������������� �������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������� ������������������������������������ ����������������������������������� ������������ Caring for Your Beautiful Landscape is our Specialty Landscape Grounds Management Core Services SPRING AND FALL CLEAN UPS MAINTENANCE 2-11-09 pat/janinePROGRAMS FROM BASIC LAWN MAINTENANCE TO PLATINUM GARDEN CARE CirinoBW2x2(created2/11/08) LAWN CARE CAN INCLUDE ORGANIC FERTILIZER & CORE AERATION CAN’T WAIT FOR SPRING? SPRING LANDSCAPE PROJECTS Pre Season Pricing in Effect Now is the right time to start plans on your Then Don’t! 2 X 2” Additional Services Available To Our Full Service Clients HAND PRUNING OF ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS & TREES IRRIGATION AND LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING MAINTENANCE GARDEN ENHANCEMENTS, ANNUALS & PERENNIALS RENOVATION OF OVERGROWN LANDSCAPES LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION (DESIGN FEES APPLY) One Relatio Office Hours: 9-3 M-F nship Call Consistent Quality Service Since 1981 One www.chrisjameslandscaping.com info@cjlands.com • N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH01114000 cjlinc1@aol.com • N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH011140000 (201) 670-9000 Residential & Commercial All work guaranteed • Fully Insured • References Available • Member of NJ Landscape Contractor Assoc. • Better Business Bureau Weeping Pine Nursery ���������� ��������������� ����������������� ������������������ ������������������������� ���������������� ����������������� ������������������ Free ��������������� No Obligation Est. & Design ��������������� �������������������� ����������� ���������������� ������������