Waukesha County Home

HOME JULY 2018 2 Distributed by: ©2018 by Conley Media Waukesha County Home is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Home Volume 7 ■ Number 7 ■ July 2018 plant also helps ensure plants get the moisture they need. Jorgensen and Wied agree that an easy way to tell if a plant needs water is to put a finger about an inch and a half in the soil and see if it's dry. Generally, vegetable plants should be watered "at least a couple of times a week," Wied said. Water potted plants about once every other day, said Jorgensen. Morning is the best time to water plants, as less water evaporates then. However, due to time constraints, many people can only water in the afternoon or evening. Wied said that's fine, as long as the plants get the moisture they need. She cautions against giving droopy plants fertilizer treatment when watering should perk them up. Dry plants can be brought back to life, but over-watered plants sometimes cannot, Jorgensen added. "Don't kill them with kindness," he said. Tools of the trade Many tools can be used to water your garden effectively, from irrigation controllers to common hoses. Water Sense irrigation controllers, which can sense rain and soil moisture and be timed, are good watering tools, said Mary Adelmeyer, customer relations coordinator for the Wauke- sha Water Utility. "They're pretty handy that way," she said. Eco-friendly rain barrels — large barrels that collect rainwater from gutter downspouts — help reduce runoff pollution from fertiliz- er, pesticides and other contaminants. Also, rain water is healthier for plants because it contains a considerable amount of oxygen and none of the salts and fluoride compounds found in tap water. According to www.waukeshacounty.gov, "a single rain barrel will save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months." Using less tap water typically means a lower water bill for home- owners. Adelmeyer said that rain barrels can be pur- chased from hardware stores such as Home Depot, and the Retzer Nature Center in Wauke- sha. Prices range from about $50 to $125. To ensure the safety of small children and to prevent animals and insects from getting inside, Adelmeyer recommends securing the barrel and putting a screen over the opening. Rain barrels should be disconnected in the wintertime, and water inside the barrels should not be drunk. The Waukesha Water Utility offers city resi- dents and customers a $20 rain barrel rebate. To redeem this, a copy of the rain barrel receipt and a picture of the installation must be submitted. Two rebates per address can be claimed. To fill out an application, visit www.waukesha-water.com/downloads/Rain BarrelRebateForm.pdf or call the utility at 262-521-5272. Continued from Page 1 WAUKESHA — As part of its water conservation pro- gram, Waukesha's annual sprinkling ordinance is in effect May 1 through Oct. 1. Street addresses ending with an odd number may water on Tuesdays and Sat- urdays prior to 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Street addresses end- ing with an even number may water on Thursdays and Sundays prior to 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Forty percent of the water from a sprinkler can be lost to evaporation during day- time hours. A hand-held watering can, container or hose may be used any time to water gardens or shrubs, but only if it's not left unattended. — Source: Waukesha Water Utility Watering: Rain barrels save on utility bill, provide effective water source Water conservation tips MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers Director of Grounds Michael Boettcher recently offered some advice on caring for your lawn — even if it isn't as large as the lawn at Miller Park. The lawn care equipment specialists at Briggs & Stratton added their advice as well. ■ Listen to your grass: "Summer pre- cipitation events will usually provide adequate moisture for the grass, but when in doubt, listen to your lawn. If you step on your grass and it springs back, your grass shouldn't need extra watering," Boettcher said. Pro tip: Listening to the lawn — and other surroundings — will be much easier with a lawnmower engine powered by Briggs & Stratton's Quiet Power Technolo- gy. It's up to 50 percent quieter, so home- owners can work when it's convenient for them. ■ Watch the height: "Cut only one- third of the grass length at a time and cut it at a healthy height, typically around 3 inches tall. Cutting grass too short stresses the grass plant, leaving it more vulnerable to moisture stress, insect inva- sion and disease," Boettcher said. Pro tip: Homeowners, on the other hand, won't be stressed at all using Briggs & Stratton's Just Check & Add technology — it completely eliminates the messiest and most time-consuming seasonal mower maintenance, oil changes. ■ Let your soil breathe: "Compacted soil can occur in yards from heavy foot traffic, resulting in greater water runoff potential and a tired-looking lawn. Aerate the soil by poking holes in the ground, either using a lawn aerator, pitchfork or other tools that help relieve compaction and allow for better water infiltration," Boettcher said. Pro tip: Yard tools can also be compact. With a Briggs & Stratton Mow N' Stow engine, a lawnmower can be literally fold- ed in half and quickly stored upright with- out any fuel or oil leaks, reducing its storage footprint by up to 70 percent. For homeowners, business owners, guests and wildlife, the benefits of an outdoor fountain are very real. Drowning out noise The sound of running water is a natural psychological relaxant helping people to unwind and even to fall asleep. An outdoor fountain provides stress-releasing benefits by drowning out traffic, construction, barking neighbor dogs, nearby conversa- tions or other annoyances. Birds love it For people who enjoy the benefits of bird feeders, an outdoor fountain is a natural extension. All birds need water not only to drink but to bathe and preen. Birds that do not ordinarily visit bird feeders are often drawn to fountains. They actually prefer running water to still water which makes the trickles and splashes of a fountain attractive to birds. Pets love it Anyone with a dog who enjoys time in the yard knows how important it is to keep fresh water available at all times. Dogs love the constant flow of fresh water in outdoor water fountains that are endlessly refreshing water bowls. Plus, a constantly flowing fountain requires less frequent cleanings than warm, still bowls of water that quickly collect drool, insects and plant matter. People's brains and bodies love it Fountains add much needed humidity to otherwise dry environments while also serving as a natural air purifier as they remove dust and allergens from the air. Another natural phenomenon is that flowing water produces negative ions which scientific theory suggests to having many positive effects on health and mood, alleviating depression and boosting energy. Fountains come in a variety of models, shapes, sizes and price points. Find one that is a perfect fit for your home or busi- ness and start enjoying the benefits. Advice from the pros on keeping it green The soothing sound of water and its many benefits

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