If the plants in your landscape or garden are wilting because of the hot, dry weather, save on your water bill and try mulching. A three-inch layer of mulch conserves moisture, keeps the soil cooler, minimizes soil erosion and reduces weeding. Mulches often provide a neater, more finished appearance to a landscape.
Right now is an excellent time for homeowners to begin applying mulches to their lawn and gardens. There are a number of mulch materials available. Shredded hardwood bark is one of the most popular. Another excellent mulch and soil conditioner is compost. Many yard wastes such as grass clippings and leaves may be composted.
Grass clippings may also be used for mulch, but work best when used dry. If newly cut grass clippings are used, they should be spread loosely, otherwise they will mat down, produce heat during decomposition, and give off an offensive odor. Also, do not use grass clippings after the lawn has been treated with pesticides.
Peat moss is an excellent mulch, but the cost is often prohibitive when large areas need to be covered. Wood chips, available in garden centers or at no charge from utility companies, are ideal for covering paths and walkways.
- Bob Frazee , Extension Educator, Natural Resources
Creating Habitat for Urban Wildlife
Many species of wildlife will readily occupy habitat in urban areas if they are provided with the four basic needs of food, water, shelter, and space. When creating new wildlife habitat keep spatial arrangement in mind. For example, you will attract fewer species if you place the habitat near busy streets, areas where pets are allowed to roam freely, or areas where you use pesticides. You will attract more species if you provide a diverse planting which provides both cover and food and if your yard is close to other suitable habitats. Consider landscaping with native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Not only will you provide wildlife with much needed habitat, you may also increase your property value since attractive landscaping can improve a home's selling price. Be sure to check local ordinances before starting your project.
For more information about how to create backyard habitat (books and websites):
Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife. 2003. Debbie Newman, Richard Warner, and Phil Mankin. Illinois Department of Natural Resources and University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA. 212 pages.
Reading labels, especially on pesticide and herbicides containers, is typically not very exciting; but it is extremely important.
All pesticide labels contain the statements "It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling" and "Keep Out of Reach of Children."
In addition, there is a signal word on the label telling how dangerous the product is to humans. DANGER is the highest, it means highly toxic. WARNING is defined as moderately toxic. CAUTION is the lowest, or slightly toxic.
Under the Precautionary Statements section you will find information on how to protect the individual applying the product and any others that may be exposed, including pets. Read this section carefully.
Make note of the Statement of Practical Treatment, as it contains information on what to do in case of an accidental poisoning. All DANGER labels will contain a note to physicians outlining treatment and listing an antidote, if one is available; important information to take with you to the emergency room, in case of accidental poisoning. In fact, always take the label with you if accidental poisoning occurs, even for products labeled WARNING or CAUTION.
Another item listed under the Precautionary Statements is the Environmental Hazards Statement. It warns of potential dangers to the environment. Also, setback guidelines (how far away from a specific site you must be before applying the product) will be outlined here.
The Directions for Use heading is where you will find the misuse statement mentioned above ("It is a violation of federal law.....inconsistent with its labeling"). In simple terms, it makes you responsible for use of the product. On a bigger scale, the courts generally recognize the label as a binding contract, requiring you to use the product exactly as directed. If you do not, you are using the product illegally.
The Directions For Use section also tells you what pests are controlled by the product, mixing or dilution rates, application rates, equipment you will need for application, how often to apply, etc. Basically, it tells you how to use the product successfully.
Pay special attention to the Re-entry or Restricted Entry Statement. It explains how long to wait after application before entering a treated area. It typically provides the same information for pets, if necessary, too. If a statement is not provided, the legal interval is assumed to be when sprays are dry (liquid application) or dust is settled.
Another section to read carefully is Storage and Disposal. Proper storage of the product is important if you plan on using the product again. Disposal of leftover product is best accomplished at a Household Hazardous Waste collection site. Contact your local municipality to see if your community hosts such an event. If they do not, contact your Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to locate the nearest collection site.
As more and more homes are built in woodland areas, there is an increased risk of timber fires causing damage to houses and people. Building or remodeling to make a fire resistant house, along with fire safe landscaping, can assist in protecting against these types of fires.
According to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, untreated wooden shake roofs are the number one cause of home losses to wildland fires. All combustible materials such as over hanging branches, needles, and other debris should be removed from the roof periodically.
Constructing balcony and decks with fire resistant materials will decrease the risk of structure loss. Accumulated debris from below slotted deck surfaces should be removed regularly. Deck supports should be made of non combustible materials or encased.
One landscaping fire hazard is not having a firebreak between timber and the home. There should be at least a 30 foot buffer zone. This can be created by replacing trees with grass, thinning the tree stand to construct a break between tree crowns, and pruning the remaining trees in the buffer zone to at least six to ten feet above ground.
The number one cause of forest fires in Illinois is from trash burning. Open burning is regulated by state and local laws. Check with a local fire department to know what, if any, open burning is allowed in your area.
For more information on this topic, visit the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance website at www.IFSA.org .
Bluffs and ravines are important natural resources in areas throughout Illinois. Bluffs and ravines erosion and loss of vegetation impacts the entire watershed. A good place to start protecting our bluffs and ravines are by controlling stormwater runoff and soil erosion. Erosion can cause slumping, surface runoff, soil deposits, and if left unconstrained, potential major property and building damage.
To manage stormwater runoff :
Decrease the amount of runoff by minimizing paved areas and use gravel and/or paving stones
Detain and slow runoff by helping surface runoff slow down with curves, gravel trenches, and low areas
Avoid straight ditches heading directly for the ravine or bluff
Redirect rain gutters to vegetated areas on your property or install rain barrels or rain gardens. Never run a drainage pipe to the edge of your ravine or bluff
To manage erosion:
Limit the amount of bare soil to minimize exposed soil and disturbance of ground cover
Plant deep rooted native vegetation to reduce erosion damage caused by surface runoff.
Protect new seeded areas with control blankets, mulches, and/or landscaping fabrics
Remove lawn waste and other debris from the ravine or bluff. Sunlight cannot penetrate waste- thus damaging vegetation and destroying habitat
- Susan Meeker, Extension Educator, Natural Resources
