Here are some summer living green tips to put into practice—when you're not lounging in the hammock, swimming in the local lake, or watching the Twins, of course!
The grass is always greener: Summer lawn-watering tips
It's been REALLY hot and dry in most parts of Minnesota this summer. Big brown patches are probably appearing on your lawn. As you watch your neighbors watering their lawns constantly, fight the urge to soak the heck out of your grass.
As you watch your neighbors watering their lawns constantly, fight the urge to soak the heck out of your grass.
Water wisely. Instead of flooding your lawn, follow these lawn-watering tips:
Check your community's watering restrictions. You might only be allowed to water on certain days or times.
Test the lawn first to see if it needs water. Try to push a long screwdriver into the lawn. If you can push it easily for several inches, you don't need to water. Brown grass usually means it's just dormant, not dead.
Water early in the morning, before 10 a.m. when there is less wind to blow the water away and less sunlight to evaporate it. Watering at night seems like a good idea, but it can lead to mold and fungus on the grass.
Use a sprinkler that emits large drops of water, low and close to the ground. This way the water soaks into the soil, instead of evaporating. Avoid watering the sidewalk and driveway.
Replace grass with native plants that require less water and maintenance.
And finally, remind yourself that having a lawn that looks like a golf course does not bring true happiness.
For more ideas about growing a living green lawn, check out these resources:
Ramsey Conservation District - free native-planting technical advice and landscape-design assistance for Ramsey County residents
Oh no, ozone: Reduce summer air pollution
It's summer in Minnesota, which means the season of swimming, picnics, and...OZONE?! Ozone, the main component of smog, is a gas formed during hot, sunny weather when fumes from solvents and chemicals mix with emissions from petroleum fuels.
In Minnesota, "ozone season" runs from April through September. Ozone irritates the lungs, even in healthy people, and can trigger health problems for sensitive or vulnerable populations (older adults and children) and people with cardiac or respiratory conditions. Also at risk are healthy adults who exercise vigorously or do strenuous physical labor outside for extended periods of time.
For more information about air pollution, check out the Air Quality Index for Minnesota, which is updated hourly, seven days a week. You can sign up to receive free e-mail "Air Pollution Alerts," too.
You can also reduce your emissions-producing activities during ozone season (especially during air pollution alerts), by following these simple tips:
Drive less (take the bus, carpool, combine errands) and don't idle.
Refuel your car after 8 p.m., when it's cooler and there's less evaporation into the air.
Postpone certain activities until after the period of hottest sunny weather and air pollution alerts. Activities include the use of small engines such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers, the use of paints and solvents, and wood fires.
Reduce electricity use to help cut air pollutants coming from power plants.
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Live the life you've always wanted! Check out "Steps to Personal Sustainability," an online course sponsored by the Alliance for Sustainability - click on "Events."
Take the next step in living more sustainably: attend a free summer workshop about biking or waste reduction offered by Do It Green! Visit the website or call 612-345-7973 to RSVP.
Bike Fitting, Commuting, and Basic Repair: Discover the fun of biking! Benefit your health and the environment. Learn how to shop or upgrade a bike, join a group ride to learn commuting tips, attend a mini tune-up session and take home a bike map and tire lever for changing flats! All ages welcome.
July 11, 6 to 8 p.m. at Penn Cycle (Bloomington)
July 16, 7 to 9 p.m. at Hub Bike Co-op (Minneapolis)
Create Your Own Waste Reduction Kit: Learn ways to reduce waste in your everyday life. Make your own waste reduction kit - complete with cloth napkin, biodegradable silverware, food container, first-aid/sewing kit and cloth hankie. Sewing required. All ages able to sew welcome.
July 14, 1 to 3 p.m. at Prince of Peace Church (Burnsville)
July 19, 6 to 8 p.m. at West 7th Community Center (St. Paul)
July 21, 1 to 3 p.m. at Creekside Community Center (Bloomington)
July 26, 6 to 8 p.m. at Fallout Urban Art Center (Minneapolis)
Gain a diverse picture of sustainable living when you visit the EcoSquared Fair, July 19 - 21 at the Cass County Fair in Pine River.
Register to win a compost bin and other great prizes at the Living Green 365 booth at events throughout Minnesota:
Uptown Art Fair on August 5 - we'll be in the Minnesota Monthly Magazine booth
Take a tour of the winning properties in the Shoreview Green Community Awards Program on August 4 and 5, featuring Shoreview and Lake Owasso residents who use the best management practices in their yards, gardens, and driveways to improve water quality.
Do you know a non-profit organization, business, public agency, or institution that should be recognized for its environmental efforts? The State of Minnesota is seeking nominations/applications for the 2007-2008 Governor's Awards programs in three separate categories. Applications are being accepted until September 17 for projects that reduce waste and pollution at the source, conserve natural resources, protect groundwater, save energy, and practice sustainability.
Missed an issue? Read past newsletters in our online archive.
It's been REALLY hot and dry in most parts of Minnesota this summer. Big brown patches are probably appearing on your lawn. As you watch your neighbors watering their lawns constantly, fight the urge to soak the heck out of your grass. 
Oh no, ozone: Reduce summer air pollution