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Home Tips > Tips By Category > Tips you can implement daily Summer Tips for the Yard:
Longer days mean shorter nights. Don't forget to adjust your outdoor lighting timers. You'll save money and extend bulb life.
Low-voltage outdoor lighting and solar-powered garden or walkway lights are smart ways to illuminate your garden path or walkway. They are also energy-efficient, inexpensive to operate, simple to install and safe.
Outdoor living areas are more comfortable when they are lit just right. Using low-watt LED strings or lights will eliminate excessive and unnecessary lighting. After all, lighting should be just bright enough for safety and for relaxing on summer evenings.
If you require constant lighting on your patio for safety reasons, install compact fluorescent lights that use less electricity. A timer or lights on a motion sensor can also save electricity and extend bulb life.
Grass is a fast-growing, high-maintenance ground cover that "browns off" quickly in dry weather. Other ground covers such as clover and other low-growing, spreading plants require less maintenance and are more drought resistant. Your local garden centre can advise you on alternatives to grass that will thrive in your area.
Gas lawn mowers are a major source of air pollution and smog in many areas. Electric mowers pollute less and are much quieter, too.
Consider using electric grass and hedge trimmers instead of gas-powered trimmers. Well-maintained manual trimmers are preferred by many expert gardeners and professionals.
A broom will clean your driveway and walkways as effectively as a gas-powered leaf blower; it will also save money and boost your popularity with the neighbors.
Plan your garden with the changing seasons in mind. Shelter the south side of your home from summer sun with deciduous trees. Evergreens will protect the north side of your home from icy blasts.
Source: Office of Energy Efficiency, Canada
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