As I am putting this newsletter together, the heat is projected to rise to nearly 100 degrees, and no rain is in the forecast. I am thinking of the strain this is going to put on our lawns, which thrive in cooler weather and plenty of precipitation. I am also wondering whether a better answer to grass that wilts under the summer's heat might be to use sustainable landscaping techniques. A study in California found that sustainable landscaping saves a huge amount of water, labor, and the financial payback is amazingly quick. Curious? Read more...

 

And stay cool!

 

Debbie Cook, Greenscapes Manager

 

 

In California, a recent study compared a conventional turf lawn with a sustainably landscaped lawn. The purpose was to find out in a controlled experiment whether sustainable lawns would indeed save water, money and labor, as had been widely believed.

 

The results are in, and the findings speak for themselves. Water use for the sustainable landscape is about one fifth that of the traditional one, labor is less than 30 percent of that required for the traditional landscape, and greenwaste production is about 60%. Read more...

 

 

In many towns water use doubles in the summer - just when the fish need it the most. Most of this excess water use is attributable to lawn watering. Many towns are instituting watering restrictions. Check to see if your town has a watering ban.

 

Here are some interesting factoids about lawn watering:

 

 

Source: Sara Grady, South Shore Regional Coordinator, Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Association

 

 

 

Although many of you already use Greenscaping techniques it doesn't hurt to have a refresher now and again. These are the tried and true principles that will save water, time, and money caring for your yard!

 

Take the pledge -

I will care for my lawn by:

 

 

Temperatures under a shade tree can  be 10-15 degrees lower. Although the White Fringetree is small, it can give you shade near patios or your house without overwhelming the space. With an abundance of fragrant flowers in the spring and blue berries in the summer that are a treat for the birds, the Fringetree is a gorgeous specimen tree.

 

 

The North and South Rivers Watershed Association is having a rain barrel day on Thursday, July 28th. Order a rain barrel through New England Rain Barrel and pick it up at the NSRWA office, 214 South Street, Norwell between 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Cost $80.70. If you can't pick it up then - no worries - we'll store it for you. For information contact Debbie Cook 781-659-8168.

 

Scituate water restriction: In an effort to save water, the Town of Scituate has allocated homeowners just one day a week to water their lawns. The town is hoping this effort will keep streamflow in the First Herring Brook, where the town is trying to restore this once productive herring run. Check out the brochure (which is educational for everyone no matter where you live) explaining the restriction and reasons for it.

 

 

Paddle the Ipswich - IRWA's Source to Sea Canoe Trips Continue
Spend a Saturday morning paddling the Ipswich River with local experts. All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water & snacks.