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It'll suppress the weeds, but will also kill your living soil. Another product that has shown some promise is corn gluten. It keeps weed seeds from germinating. You still have to deal with those perennially, but at least you won't have to con- tend with new weeds trying to get a start. This works best where transplants are used and not seeds. ■ Last, you will still have to do some weeding. But get out there early, and often, and it won't seem as tedious. Pull the weeds when they're young and small. Don't let them get a foot hold. By creating a healthy environment, growing healthy plants, mulching and a little weeding, you should get better control. Now just sit back and reap the fruits of your labor. Happy gardening. (Michael Timm is the head horticulturalist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia. He can be reached at mtimm@ebertsgreen- house.com.) Timm Continued from Page 3 Creative Outlet Get a hold of weeds before they get a hold of your garden. Advance work, like mulching, can help. Daytime sprinkler-use bans, awareness cam- paigns and education pro- grams are a part of the city's efforts to help teach residents that "using water responsibly as a member of the community can go a long way," Duchniak said. Community efforts Sometimes the biggest advocates for water conser- vation are the smallest community members. Just ask Mary Adelmeyer of the Waukesha Water Utility, who helps educate the com- munity's youth about the water issue and smart water use. Through a part- nership with the Waukesha School District's Environ- mental Education Pro- gram, students spend a day lear ning about surface water and water treatment. "When we teach students about the water and how we use it, sometimes par- ents come along as chaper- ones on these field trips and also get to hear about the program," Adelmeyer said. "But the kids also tend to be excited about what they lear n and go home and tell their parents about it, too." The city also uses the local school district to help advertise its other water conservation programs and incentives, such as its toilet rebate program. "When we sent the infor- mation about the rebate program home with the kids we had parents saying they had no idea the city offered this program," Adelmeyer said. The pro- gram gives residents a $100 rebate when they replace an older toilet with a newer, more water-efficient model. "We advertise the program elsewhere in the community, but some peo- ple still don't hear about it. The kids can act as great messengers." Other efforts include a sprinkler-use ordinance that has been in place since 2006, as well as a yard sign campaign. Residents can get a yard sign from the city that reads "My brown lawn is green!" reminding neighbors that a brown lawn is nor mal during warmer, drier months and actually leads to a healthi- er, thicker lawn. "People don't need to water their grass like they think they do," Adelmeyer said. "When it goes brown it's not dying. It's just dor- mant." Less watering causes the roots to grow deeper into the soil in search of water. If people do water their lawn, 1 inch per week is the recommended amount. "We have to remember this is our drinking water, too," Adelmeyer added. "Why waste it on the grass?" Lawn and garden water- ing can account for nearly 40 percent of a household's total water use during the summer. So consider col- lecting and using rainwa- ter to water the landscape by installing a rain barrel. Not only do rain barrels help homeowners use less groundwater and save on their water bill, they also prevent runoff from pollut- ing the surface waters and streams. "Rain Barrels are typi- cally a 55-gallon barrel you connect to your downspout to collect rainwater you can then use to water your plants and bushes," said Jane Jenks, conservation specialist with Waukesha County. "The water collect- ed in a rain water is good for a number of things." Although it is not recom- mended for use in veg- etable gardens, "it's good for container gardens, flower beds, even for wash- ing windows or washing your car because it's natu- rally soft water," Jenks added. Residents can find more infor mation about rain barrels and where to pur- chase them at http:// www.waukeshacounty.gov/ LWCRainBarrels/. Going native Also consider using native plants in the land- scape, said Amanda Piala of Piala's Nursery & Gar- den Shop. "Native plants have a deeper root system," Piala said. "So when the top level of the soil dries out they can still access deeper ground water, which means less watering." Most native plant species are also better adapted to the area's natural climate pattern. Also follow best watering practices. Avoid watering during the middle of the day when most of the water will evaporate and make sure the water is directed at the roots. "Remember, the goal of watering is to water the roots and get the soil moist. Spraying water all over the plant isn't efficient and can create disease problems," Piala said. "Water very slowly and deeply less fre- quently. You'll not only have healthier plants, but waste less water." Water Continued from Page 1 Submitted photo The Waukesha Water Utility is educating not only about the need to conserve water as a limited resource, but avoiding sprinkling also has long-term benefits for grass that goes dormant when it's dry.

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