Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Page 20 - shelby shopper & info - 704/484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, April 5-April 11, 2018 YOUR LOCAL LINK TO YOUR LOCAL LINK TO ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIED ADS UPDATED DAILY CLASSIFIED ADS UPDATED DAILY Carolina CLASSIFIEDS .com ShelbyInfo.com RutherfordWeekly.com Banner-News.com KMHerald.com CherryvilleEagle.com WEEKLY RUTHERFORD BOOST BOOST YOUR AD YOUR AD IN PRINT IN PRINT TO REACH OVER 85,000 PEOPLE EACH WEEK! *Categories that do not require print ads. MOBILE MOBILE FRIENDLY! FRIENDLY! FIEDS CLASSIFI CL .com * INDIVIDUALS INDIVIDUALS POST YOUR ADS POST YOUR ADS ONLINE FREE! ONLINE FREE! S pring is a season of rejuvenation. As the cold days of winter drift away, spring blooms begin to sprout and grass regains its lush green look. Green is certainly a color that's synonymous with spring. Gardening enthusiasts can fi nd a way to make spring even more green by embracing several eco-friendly gardening practices as they bring their lawns and gardens back to life in the months to come. • Create a compost pile. Composting is an eco- friendly way to enrich lawns and gardens. Composting helps to conserve water because compost promotes moisture retention in soil, reducing homeowners' need to water their lawns and gardens while also helping them to save money on their water bills. Composting also helps homeowners avoid the need to use potentially harmful chemical fertilizers because compost is a natural, slow release fertilizer. In addition, according to Canada's Green Action Centre, compostable materials make up 40 percent of residential waste. So composting can dramatically reduce the amount of waste homeowners ultimately send to landfi lls. • Replace gas-powered mowers with reel lawn mowers. Reel mowers may seem like relics from simpler times, but today's reel mowers, while just as eco-friendly as their predecessors, are unlike those of yesteryear. According to the Planet Natural Research Center, an online resource for organic gardeners, gas-powered engines emit more than 10 times the hydrocarbons per amount of gas burned than auto engines. But reel mowers are fuel-free and less expensive than gas- powered mowers. Planet Natural also notes that reel mowers snip grass like scissors, leaving fi ner trimmings that can serve as nourishing, weed-deterring mulch for yards. • Water at the right times of day. Homeowners who water their lawns and gardens at the right time of day can help the planet and reduce their energy bills. As spring gradually gives way to summer, temperatures typically rise. Watering during the coolest times of the day means less water will be lost to evaporation, ensuring water-needy soil will get all it needs to help lawns and gardens thrive. Early morning watering before the sun reaches its midday peak and/ or evening watering as the sun is setting are typically great times to water lawns and gardens, rather than when temperatures are at their hottest. • Use a rain barrel. Rain barrels provide another great Go green in your lawn and garden this spring way to conserve water while tending to lawns and gardens. Rain barrels collect and store rain water from roofs and downspouts, keeping water from washing into sewage systems where it can't be put to good use. Water collected in rain barrels can be used in various ways. Many homeowners can use water from rain barrels to water their lawns, gardens and houseplants, saving money on their water bills along the way. Spring gardening season provides a great opportunity for lawn and garden enthusiasts to embrace a variety of eco-friendly practices that can save them money and protect the planet. R ain barrels provide an eco-friendly opportunity to repurpose rain water while helping homeowners conserve water and save money. But homeowners must exercise caution when using rain barrels in their lawns and gardens. Water collected by rain water should never be used for drinking, cooking or bathing. Pet owners should know that water collected by rain barrels also should not be used to bathe pets. Rain barrel lids should also be tightly secured to prevent mosquito infestations. Secure rain barrels to also protect children and pets from falling in. Overfl ow valves should always direct water away from structures to prevent water damage to homes or sheds. In addition, to reduce risk of falls and injury, homeowners should be certain that water is not directed toward sidewalks, driveways or other areas where foot traffi c is common. Before the arrival of winter, homeowners should disconnect their rain barrels from downspouts to prevent the formation of ice. Did you know...