At Home With HouseHunt

In This Issue

	Seasonal Suggestion
	Wonderful Ways to Save Water
	Smart Thinking about New Construction
	How to Become and Remain Pest-free
	Sell Your House in No Time
	A Green Lawn - In Both Senses
	Monthly Survey
	Past Issues: May , April , March , February

Monthly Quote

“A man’s homeland is wherever he prospers.”

-Aristophanes, Greek dramatist, (450 BC - 388 BC), Plutus

Tip of the Month

As a homeowner, you may love taking care of your lawn or you may hate it. Or you may simply not have the time for it. If you fall into one of the last two categories, you may be interested in hiring a lawn-care company. Now is a good time, especially as summer is gearing up! There are, however, a few things to keep in mind. Some companies will quote a rate that sounds good but actually only includes certain services, while other services are “a la carte.” This can be a big surprise when you get your bill. John Gibson of PLANET, a trade group of more than 4,400 lawn care companies, recommends the following before settling on a lawn-care provider:

1. Decide which services (mowing, weeding, liming, fertilizing, aerating) you are interested in and obtain estimates from several companies for those services. This will prevent surprises later.

2. Question the details of the services. One company’s fertilization service may not be the same as another company’s and may include only one application.

3. Be sure that a prospective company knows its lawns. Although hiring a neighborhood kid to mow your lawn is cheap and easy, he or she may not be an expert on landscaping or lawn care. Your lawn-care company should have experience dealing with turf-grass, plants, insects and disease problems. It should also follow environmental laws and possess the right equipment for the job.

4. A good lawn-care company should be willing to put the work order in writing. Ask for a detailed list of services and their associated costs, as well as a written estimate and length of service agreement.

5. Check that your chosen lawn-care company meets all state licensing requirements and has workers’ compensation insurance in the event an employee is injured on your property. You should also ask if the company is a member of its state or national lawn-care or landscaping association.

If you don’t know how to get started, contact PLANET at 800-395-2522.
(Source: USA Weekend)

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A Green Lawn - In Both Senses

You may dream about a perfect, lush, thick green lawn. But what is the cost to the environment? Keep your lawn – and the environment – healthy with our tips.

Almost all homeowners would probably say that they prefer a lawn that is lush, green, weed-free and perfectly manicured to one that is slightly less green, a little scruffy and sporting a few bald spots. Many of us don’t consider, however, what the effect of our quest for landscaping perfection is on the environment.

Unless you’ve installed Astro-Turf or spray-painted your lawn green, the perfect lawn wreaks havoc on the environment. Perfect lawns require a lot of pesticides and fertilizers, as well as the removal of cut grass, rather than keeping it in place to decompose and naturally support a healthy lawn. Fertilizers and pesticides, for instance, are not only hazardous to pets and children, they are often over applied and are likely to be carried away by rain water into storm drains, which then filter into lakes, streams and the ocean. From there, they contribute to deaths of sea life and water quality degradation.

If, like many people, you have decided that a great lawn can be obtained without all of this environmental harm, you have the right idea. There are many ways your lawn can still be luscious, without being lethal. For starters, use a little less fertilizer and pesticides, or switch to all-natural and environmentally friendly alternatives. You’ll be ahead of the game, as the federal government is requiring municipalities to reduce their share of chemical run-off.

Also, instead of hauling lawn clippings to the trash, where they will then be taken away from your curb to fill up limited landfill place, try composting the clippings or leaving small lawn clippings on the lawn. You can buy or build relatively inexpensive composting bins, and your garden will thank you!

For weeds, you can try all-natural and environmentally friendly choices, or you can get rid of weeds and get some exercise at the same time by spending a little time weeding every day. Keeping on top of weeds is the best way to keep them at bay.

If you contract with a lawn-care company, ask them about their techniques. Many companies are starting to use all-natural techniques either exclusively or as an alternative to the standard practices. A little extra effort will keep both your lawn and the environment green!

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