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    Waterford garden a haven for wildlife and humans – theday.com - August 28, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Waterford A ruby throated hummingbirdflittedabove a black and blue salvia plant in Vanessa Bunnell's backyard Friday morning.

    Out front, a monarch butterfly hovered on a garden phlox and bumble bees buzzed around several varieties of hydrangea.

    Within a year of moving into a Cape on Stone Street with her husband, Jeremy, and two children, Bunnell has created a habitat for butterflies, bees and otherwildlifethat has been certified by both the National Wildlife Federation and North American Butterfly Association.

    She developed her love for gardening while growing up in the Salem home of her parents, Sarah and Ed Emerson. She worked for a local farmer as a teen andcontinues to develop her skills through her work at Smith Acres garden center in Niantic and as a garden consultant.

    Bunnell, who is 39,has a group of longtime friends who share a love of gardening and jokewith one anotherabout just how many more plants they can possibly fit on their properties.

    "I love art, too, and feel like the structure of a landscape gives you the opportunity to use that creativity," she said.

    She transformed the front yard, which gets full sun, from a blank canvas, with just a few plants lining the foundation, to a colorful, balanced and soothing space.

    Bunnell said sheused her favorite trowel to dig the border gardens and planted a mix of perennials, which will return year after year, and annuals, whichadd color and interest for just one growing season.

    She placed among the plants stone birdbaths and bee and butterfly feeders containing fresh water and fruit. Orange slices and overripe bananas work well to attract butterflies, she said, noting that right now, monarch caterpillars are hatching and it's important to provide food for them when they emerge from their cocoons. It's also important that the bees and butterflies have a place to land on a feeder that is above the water.

    The Bunnells are working to transform the fenced-in backyard into a haven for wildlife and humans alike.The lawn has been replaced by stone, and Bunnell added flowering plants as well as wood containers of perennial grasses.

    Bunnell said some gardeners tend to overplant their landscapes as they seek instant gratification, but she prefers her plants to have space so they can grow together and look good. She said she sometimes leaves a plantin a potential spot for a week to see how it will work out.

    "We can look at a tag and see size, shape and color, but it's so variable," she said. "Sometimes what works in a garden one year cannot work the next year."

    To get certified, she sent photographs and descriptions of the gardens to the two organizations and met the requirement of having three "feeder" plants that provide nectar to wildlife and three plants that attract pollinators.

    She wrote in her application that she hadcreated a landscape that provides all-season food, nectar and cover for wildlife using early to late blooming native plants, includingearly blooming irises and lily of the valley, summer bloomers nepeta, butterfly weed, coreopsis, rudbeckia and echinacea, and late bloomers such as Shasta daisies, grasses and sedums.

    With a mix of evergreens, like pines, junipers, boxwoods, rhododendrons, azaleas and inkberries, she said the yardprovides cover for a variety of wildlife.

    Bunnell said sustainable practices are a big thing with the National Wildlife Federation, which she said has certified 10,000 gardens nationwide.

    Conservation practices include eliminating lawns or reducing their size to save water; controlling exotic species so they don't take over and not using chemical fertilizers. Bunnell said she fertilizes her plants with an organic lobster product that comes from Maine.

    She waters her plants by hand to cut down the use of water and chose to plant native species that are more drought tolerant.

    Creating wildlife habitats using sustainablegardening practices is something everybody can do, no matter how little or large a space they have to work with.

    "Anyone, anywhere can restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and communities," National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski said in a news release. "Whether you garden in a suburban yard, an urban area or a rural plot of land, you can make a difference for local wildlife. Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat garden is fun, easy and makes a real difference for neighborhood wildlife. It's the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife."

    k.florin@theday.com

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    Waterford garden a haven for wildlife and humans - theday.com

    Ranking the offensive play-callers from every NFL team – Yardbarker - August 28, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Having an on-point play-caller is essential for modern NFL success, and in 2020's uncertain landscape, experience here will be critical. Here is how the league's 32 teams' play-callers stand at the outset of training camp.

    1 of 32

    Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

    One of the fastest-rising football coaches in the profession's history, Brady was a low-level Saints assistant as recently as 2018. He spent last season not as LSU's top offensive voice but as the Tigers' wideouts coach and passing-game coordinator. That passing game having produced a stupefying result -- Joe Burrow's 60-TD time-capsule season -- moved him into an NFL offensive coordinator role at age 30. While Sean McVay beat him to the OC ranks, age-wise, Brady's coordinator debut with the Panthers will generate greater attention because of what happened at LSU.

    2 of 32

    Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

    An overlooked headline before the pandemic hit: Bill O'Brien ceding play-calling responsibilities to his 33-year-old offensive coordinator. On O'Brien's staff since his Houston arrival in 2014, Kelly has risen from the quality control level to tight ends coach to OC. Kelly ascended to this role with a franchise quarterback in place, but he will be tasked with helping Deshaun Watson keep progressing without the services of DeAndre Hopkins -- whom O'Brien traded for a less-than-expected return -- in only his second year in his current position.

    Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

    The Bengals lost A.J. Green at training camp's outset and had an abysmal offensive line protecting Andy Dalton, giving their new head coach a bad first set of cards. Cincinnati's offense regressed considerably from 2018. But the Bengals took a gamble on Taylor. In 2019's "I worked with Sean McVay" hiring period, the Bengals hired the Rams' QBs coach and someone who was the team's assistant wideouts coach as recently as 2017. In Taylor's two seasons as a full-time play-caller, his Cincinnati Bearcats scored Division I-FBS' sixth-fewest points (2016) and the 2019 Bengals ranked 30th in scoring.

    4 of 32

    Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

    Also dealt a bad hand in Year 1, with Cam Newton's preseason injury defining Carolina's season, Turner has a second chance in Washington. This will be his first full season calling plays; he succeeded his father, Norv Turner, when the Panthers fired Ron Rivera in December. The Panthers went 0-4 in Scott Turner's four games calling the shots, scoring 16 total points in their final two contests. For a Washington team that may have the NFL's worst set of weapons , and a QB (Dwayne Haskins) coming off a brutal rookie year, their 37-year-old play-caller faces an uphill battle.

    5 of 32

    Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

    Joining Turner in entering his first full season as an NFL offensive coordinator, Steichen has an interesting task ahead. The 35-year-old assistant must pivot from the offense Philip Rivers ran for years to one more conducive to Tyrod Taylor's dual-threat skill set while also training prototypical prospect Justin Herbert -- and do this in a limited time because of COVID-19. Steichen replaced Mike McCoy last season but could not coax a turnaround from Rivers, who had his worst season since 2012. At least, the Bolts retooled up front -- though, bizarrely not at left tackle -- after deploying sieve O-lines for years.

    Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

    This is a low-key pressure-packed spot for Leftwich , whose first two years involved overseeing a last-place offense (the 2018 Cardinals) and the Jameis Winston rollercoaster that produced the league's first 30-INT season since 1988. For all the talk about the Tom Brady-Bruce Arians partnership, Leftwich will call the Buccaneers' plays. Brady has been accustomed to Josh McDaniels' system; now, a coach three years younger than he will run the show. And the Bucs going from one primetime game to five (and likely six via flex) with Brady and Rob Gronkowski will create a different work environment.

    7 of 32

    Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

    Entering his third season as the Bills' offensive coordinator, Daboll is the point man behind Josh Allen's development. But the Bills have not ranked higher than 23rd in scoring during Daboll's stay, this coming despite the team's top-tier pass defense aiding the cause. Allen made big strides under Daboll last season but remains an erratic passer. Daboll's previous OC go-rounds did not end well. He was a one-and-done with the Chiefs and Dolphins, with the 2012 Kansas City offense ranking last despite employing Jamaal Charles, and the 2009-10 Browns finishing 29th and 31st.

    8 of 32

    Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

    It is too early to deem Fichtner a below-average coordinator. He did lead the 2018 Steelers to a sixth-place offensive DVOA finish, with James Conner making the Pro Bowl after Le'Veon Bell's no-show. But the 2019 offense showing little post-Antonio Brown in Ben Roethlisberger's six healthy quarters and it crashing to last place in DVOA in the ensuing 14 games -- featuring mostly anemic Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges starts -- leave the longtime Steelers assistant with much to prove.

    Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

    Russell Wilson is a surefire Hall of Famer. In his two years with Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator, the Seahawks have ranked second and third in rushing attempts. The son of one of the most run-oriented coaches in modern NFL history (Marty Schottenheimer), Brian has been the OC for two Seattle playoff teams. That counts for something; so do his two top-six yardage seasons with the Mark Sanchez Jets (2009-10). But the Seahawks consistently give off the vibe of being held back offensively. Schottenheimer is a key reason "Let Russ Cook" is a thing.

    Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

    Gase's Peyton Manning-created grace period is over. While Gase was the offensive coordinator for the highest-scoring offense in NFL history -- Manning's virtuoso 2013 showing -- he has not delivered on his own. Ex-Gase Dolphins cogs Ryan Tannehill, DeVante Parker and Kenyan Drake progressed when playing for other coaches, and Sam Darnold is falling behind most of his 2018 first-round QB peers. The Dolphins never ranked higher than 24th in total yardage under Gase, and Le'Veon Bell -- though not exactly a Gase-approved free agent target -- was borderline replacement level last season..

    11 of 32

    Mark Hoffman, Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal S, Packers News via Imagn Content Services, LLC

    Putting a head coach this low after his team went 13-3 may be crazy, but the Packers plummeted from their Mike McCarthy- Joe Philbin 2018 season rankings in DVOA and scoring. Aaron Rodgers was healthy for the first time since 2016, but the future first-ballot Hall of Famer ranked 20th in QBR. In LaFleur's lone season as Titans OC, Tennessee regressed in both scoring and offensive DVOA. The Packers did not do the ex-Sean McVay lieutenant any favors this offseason, and the team entered camp again limited at wide receiver and tight end.

    12 of 32

    Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

    Despite the Cowboys hiring offense-oriented head coach Mike McCarthy, they kept Moore as offensive coordinator. That was probably a good decision, though the Cowboys' offense struggled in big spots last season. The Cowboys rocketed from 24th in offensive DVOA in Scott Linehan's final season to second under Moore, who unleashed Dak Prescott in a season that surely changed his contract talks. While the Cowboys went 0-5 against 10-win teams last season, their offense produced a 4,900-yard passer, two 1,100-yard receivers and still allowed for 1,777 Ezekiel Elliott scrimmage yards.

    Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

    Koetter has enjoyed flashes of production, overseeing a David Garrard Pro Bowl berth in his NFL OC debut with the 2007 Jaguars and guiding the No. 1-seeded Falcons to a 17-0 lead over the 49ers in the 2012 NFC championship game. But in 14 years as a head coach or coordinator, Koetter has orchestrated only two top-10 scoring offenses. That is a rather large sample size. Still, the Falcons, who rehired Koetter in 2019, are counting on the former Buccaneers, Boise State and Arizona State head coach to salvage the remainder of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones' primes.

    14 of 32

    Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    With the Cardinals going 5-10-1 last season, this may be premature. But the longtime Texas Tech coach's arrival vaulted the Cards from DVOA's last-ranked offense to No. 13, doing so despite Arizona housing another shaky offensive line. Kingsbury elevated Kyler Murray to Offensive Rookie of the Year acclaim and immediately put midseason acquisition Kenyan Drake, who was going to waste in Miami, in position to stand out. Kingsbury incorporating DeAndre Hopkins into his Air Raid offense will be a critical NFL storyline, with the Cards bringing sleeper appeal.

    Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

    A skeleton-crew Eagles offense somehow bested the Cowboys when it mattered most last season, but Garrett has a history as a quality play-caller. The new Giants offensive coordinator has not been a team's primary play-caller in years, holding a CEO-type role during Scott Linehan and Kellen Moore's OC tenures. But Garrett was a hot coaching prospect in the late 2000s, helping Tony Romo go from undrafted free agent to high-end passer. Even when Romo missed 10 games in 2010, Dallas ranked seventh in scoring. They ranked fifth in scoring in 2013 and '14. A Giants-Garrett fit may be slightly more interesting than it sounds.

    Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

    The Vikings passed over Stefanski to hire John DeFilippo as offensive coordinator in 2018. That backfired, but Stefanski had Minnesota back as a top-10 DVOA offense with Kirk Cousins and Co. thriving in a run-based, zone-blocking attack last season. Hired in 2019, Gary Kubiak surely helped Minnesota's cause. But the Vikings won 10 games largely without Adam Thielen, booking Stefanski the Cleveland job. The new Browns head coach has not committed to calling plays, but it would be logical. Alex Van Pelt, Cleveland's new OC, has not been a coordinator since 2009.

    17 of 32

    Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

    Twice an unsuccessful head coach, Denver's play-caller ranks here because of one of the best OC efforts this century. The Vikings paid $84 million for Kirk Cousins, but their offense was somehow better when Case Keenum was making $2M in 2017. After Sam Bradford's injury, Shurmur guided Keenum to the No. 1 quarterback DVOA finish in a 13-3 season. In New York, Daniel Jones fumbled a lot . But in just 12 starts, the scrutinized passer finished with the fourth-most TD passes ever by a rookie (24). Shurmur's experience will be critical for a Broncos team depending on second-round QB Drew Lock.

    18 of 32

    Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

    The Jaguars could do much worse for an offensive coordinator than the younger of the play-calling Grudens. Gruden quickly helped the Bengals transition from Carson Palmer to Andy Dalton, piloting the team to top-10 offenses behind the scrutinized quarterback in 2012 and '13. Washington's offenses peaked during Sean McVay's OC stay, but Gruden had the 2018 team in first place with Alex Smith and little else offensively and beat the No. 6 DVOA defense (Jacksonville) with journeyman deluxe Josh Johnson at QB. Gruden's acumen will make it harder for the Jaguars to tank for Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields.

    19 of 32

    Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

    The Dolphins lured the 68-year-old offensive guru back to the sidelines. Their new OC will reunite with Ryan Fitzpatrick in a third AFC East city. Gailey coached Fitz with the Bills in the early 2010s and helped him set a Jets record with a stunning 31 TD passes in 2015. Gailey did not work as a head coach but has boosted the likes of John Elway, Kordell Stewart and Fitzpatrick. Gailey also oversaw the immediate post-Dan Marino Dolphins stretch, in which they made back-to-back playoff brackets with Jay Fiedler at the controls. Brian Flores giving Gailey the responsibility of grooming Tua Tagovailoa shows immense trust.

    20 of 32

    George Walker IV / Tennessean.com, Nashville Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

    The last of the second-year play-callers, Smith played the lead role in turning Ryan Tannehill's career around. Matt LaFleur's successor as Titans offensive coordinator upgraded the unit. Smith unshackled Derrick Henry and changed Tannehill's first-round bust narrative. Tannehill's 9.6 yards per attempt ranks eighth all time for a single season, and the Titans leapt from 22nd in offensive DVOA under LaFleur to sixth last season. Barring a major Titans letdown, the 38-year-old ex-tight ends coach is bound for the 2021 coaching carousel.

    David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

    Nagy only enters Year 3 as a full-time NFL play-caller, and the 2019 Bears disappointed. But the 2018 Coach of the Year turned near-certain draft bust Mitchell Trubisky into a competent passer that was a makeable field goal away from the divisional playoffs. Considering his 2019 regression, Trubisky's 24-TD/12-INT 2018 season -- without an A-list skill-position crew -- reflects well on Nagy's game-day chops. So does Alex Smith's age-33 breakout in 2017, when Nagy called Chiefs plays during most of a season in which their game-manager QB led the NFL in adjusted yards per attempt.

    Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

    The perennial soundbite provider has not had much to work with -- thanks, in large part, to his personnel moves -- since rejoining the Raiders. But the Super Bowl-winning coach proved plenty with the franchise in his first go-round and has quietly helped Derek Carr. The passer Gruden seems intent on replacing finished 2019 10th in QBR -- despite the Antonio Brown tornado decimating Oakland's offense. Gruden may tread water, however, until he replaces Carr. And the reputation he built before his "Monday Night Football" years stands to take a hit soon if the Raiders cannot resurface as a threat.

    23 of 32

    Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    The man behind the most scrutinized play call in Super Bowl history , Bevell nonetheless built the then-cutting-edge ground attack that revitalized Marshawn Lynch and turned Russell Wilson into a star. The Seahawks were a top-six scoring team from 2012-16, with Bevell also there when Wilson turned into one of the game's best passers after the Super Bowl slates. He was Vikings OC for Brett Favre's 2009 throwback year as well. Matthew Stafford was having one of his best seasons before a back injury intervened; he finished the year sixth in QBR. The Lions have issues, but Bevell has proven useful.

    24 of 32

    Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    Kubiak's system is no longer new or especially exciting, but former Texans and Broncos head coach has popped up at successful moments for certain franchises. Joe Flacco's only productive season following the Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl win came under Kubiak in 2014, and it should not be viewed as a coincidence the Vikings rebounded last season -- running a zone-blocking scheme Kubiak enjoyed success with in Houston and under Mike Shanahan in Denver -- after the Super Bowl-winning coach's arrival as an offensive assistant. Kubiak will call plays for a fourth team this season.

    Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

    Although Doug Pederson calls plays in Philadelphia, Reich held an integral role in one of the most impressive Super Bowl runs in NFL history. The Eagles changing their offense for Nick Foles late in 2017, and the alterations being enough to beat three playoff foes, represents a crowning coaching achievement. Reich being the Colts' Josh McDaniels backup plan, and then guiding Andrew Luck to a career season despite a 2017 hiatus, stabilized the franchise. Even the Jacoby Brissett-led 2019 squad would have had a winning record were it not for Adam Vinatieri's rapid decline. There is a lot to like about the Reich-era Colts.

    26 of 32

    Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

    The Ravens asked a lot of their first-year offensive coordinator last season. Roman delivered a masterpiece, unveiling a new offense a year after the Ravens' previous Lamar Jackson-centered midseason scheme change. Few NFL breakouts rival Jackson's MVP surge in 2019. Baltimore's franchise-best 14-2 season doubled as a rebirth for Roman, whom the Bills fired early during his second season as their OC. With Roman also playing a key role in the 49ers' Colin Kaepernick scheme transformation, when he was their OC under Jim Harbaugh, he seems destined for a head-coaching job soon.

    27 of 32

    Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

    Pederson presided over Carson Wentz's would-be MVP breakout season, then orchestrated a stunningly effective Wentz-to-Nick Foles transition and called the game that made Foles a Philadelphia legend (and the play that gave both a statue ). A tour de force 2017 season cemented the former Andy Reid disciple as an upper-crust play-caller. While the Eagles have been less consistent since, their 2019 team managing to overtake a more talented Cowboys team -- while missing its top three wide receivers -- further illustrated the Super Bowl champion coach's impact.

    28 of 32

    Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

    We will learn more about McDaniels' value to the Patriots this season, his first away from Tom Brady since 2011. But with Brady morphing from a clutch game manager to arguably the greatest quarterback ever under McDaniels, Bill Belichick's right-hand man should not be doubted too much. McDaniels may have destroyed bridges in Denver and Indianapolis, but the polarizing coach has helped the Patriots assemble a uniquely malleable offense that has consistently caught teams off-guard in big spots. This makes McDaniels and Cam Newton a must-see attraction.

    29 of 32

    Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

    McVay turning the Rams from 2016's worst offense (by a mile) to 2017's No. 1 scoring attack is one of this era's finest coaching achievements. McVay transformed Jared Goff from potential megabust into a Pro Bowl and NFC champion quarterback. Ascending to Washington's OC job at age 27, McVay was behind Kirk Cousins' record-setting work as well. While Rams GM Les Snead has not done his coach any favors with some of the contracts he authorized, McVay has changed the franchise's trajectory and the viability of the Los Angeles market. So, the NFL essentially owes him a debt of gratitude.

    Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

    One of the best head-coaching hires in modern NFL history, Payton changed the course of football in New Orleans. The former offensive coordinator, who debuted during the Giants' 2000 NFC championship season, has entrenched the Saints as the NFL's highest-floor offense. They have not ranked outside the top 10 in yardage since Payton's 2006 arrival. Payton played an integral part in Drew Brees growing from inconsistent Charger to the NFL's all-time passing kingpin. And Payton's work with Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill, when the Saints went 5-0 sans-Brees last year, further burnished his Hall of Fame credentials.

    Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

    Washington has employed some serious coaching talent. Washington's OC before McVay, Shanahan helped his father construct the Robert Griffin III offense. That was maybe Shanahan's third-best coaching achievement. The Falcons have not been the same since his 2017 exit, dropping from the eighth-best scoring offense ever to a middling attack. The current 49ers boss formed a Super Bowl offense (seventh in DVOA) around Jimmy Garoppolo and has displayed nearly unmatched chops at scripting modern game plans. If Shanahan wants it, he can likely surpass Bill Walsh as the 49ers' longest-tenured coach.

    32 of 32

    Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

    Reid changed the fortunes of multiple franchises, installing the Eagles as a perennial contender and topping that work in a Canton-cementing Chiefs second act. Reid has done a masterful job tailoring his offense to his talent, with his late-2010s incorporation of college concepts igniting Alex Smith in 2017 and changing the NFL landscape when Patrick Mahomes debuted a year later. Mahomes has undoubtedly helped, but Reid did the same for the superstar QB. The NFL's seventh-winningest coach, Reid led the Eagles to five NFC title games -- three with unremarkable wideouts -- and turned the Chiefs from a 2-14 team into a playoff staple.

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    Ranking the offensive play-callers from every NFL team - Yardbarker

    150 miles across Albuquerque in the time of Corona – Weekly Alibi - August 28, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Fireball 5, Mile 8

    The unofficial map of the unofficial Albuquerque Trail.

    Rhinestone Graveyard, Mile 15

    In the optimistic spirit of early 2020remember optimism?we continued planning in the hope the orders and closures would be short-lived. Before-times preparation for an off-grid trip like this involved stocking up on instant meals, comparing foods for the ideal ratio of calories and weight. But we were now doing this right when real or imagined food shortages loomed and panic buying had taken hold. We discovered marvels like "dried butter" just to find them suddenly sold out, already gone into someone's garage not to be heard from until the estate sale. Freeze-dried scrambled eggs were out of the question. We counted ourselves lucky to get six bags of the apparently unloved Coconut Beef Curry. It was a major victory to score 3 poundsthe only size still availableof dried cheese powder from someplace in Ohio.

    Finally we had everything we would need, and we were ready to go. But of course, the closures continued and then expanded. It had become a guilty pleasure to just walk through our own neighborhood.

    Slumber Party at the Lizard Castle, Mile 27

    So we decided to blaze our own trail, and do those 150 miles walking across Albuquerque. We just moved here a couple years ago and there were still parts of the city we hadn't really explored. Parts of the map still uncharted, with imagined sea monsters sketched in those incognitas instead of knowledge. We would do this, it was decided, in small bits, early before the sun got much above the Sandias and my partner had to be home for her first Zoom meeting of the day. In the spirit of the Arizona Trail, which has names for the various segments of the trail, we gave our Albuquerque Trail a name for each day's passage, based on the most interesting or weirdest thing we saw: a huge stack of couches in a backyard, discarded popcorn balls outside a big house covered in gecko artwork, a sapling amid small rocks painted with messages like "We miss you Louis!" or a jacuzzi abandoned in the creosote. We started in the northeast, zigzagged east-west, and moved gradually southward. We mostly traveled major roads like Montgomery, Comanche, and Lomas, and used Tramway and Unser to move south. The trail descended to cross the Rio Grande, traversed I-25, and rose to meet the foothills many times.

    Couch Mountain, Mile 65

    Usually I spend a lot of time hiking in open spaces and natural areas. One of the pleasures is tracking the seasons and the subtleties of a changing landscape, like the ripening of tunas or unfurling of the swirls that presage fruits on mountain mahogany bushes. There are seasonal visitors toonighthawks, tarantulas and the next generation of cotton-tails. But when you're on a concrete sidewalk following an asphalt road, walking next to cinderblock and chain-link, there's not a lot to look at. Yards offer a reprieve from urban monotony and opportunities for critique: overdue weeding, exuberant yard art, ill-constructed additions. After a few dozen miles, though, I began to realize the city has surprises and seasons too.

    Having lived in the desert most of my life, I've learned to venture outside on the margins of the day, and often encounter remnants of the night's activity. A pile of blue jay feathers, moist scat in the center of the trail, or even just the last of the cool evening air gathered in arroyos. Once in the Sandias it was a freshly gnawed deer hoof (just the hoof was left). In the city this took the form of a collection of empty Fireball 5 bottles, a lost shoe or hastily erected barriers to corral protesters. In the wilderness you avoid rattlers and prickly pear; in the city it's discarded needles and broken glass.

    Six-Donut Ofrenda, Mile 73

    We happened upon many small mysteries that begged a backstory: a hamster-sized grave in a park with a bejeweled popsicle-stick tombstone, a careful curbside arrangement of six chocolate mini-donuts and two bottles of Yakult, a precarious Jenga-like pile of couches towering next to a house, or (my favorite) names scratched in fresh concrete: "Duane + Joy" and then, 3 feet farther down the sidewalk, "Bob + Joy."

    The Twins Are Due This Summer, Mile 90

    We kept walking, toward the mountains, the river, or the volcanoes. Early on we found ourselves walking by a large building complex where police cars blocked the entry. The name seemed vaguely familiar. Finally we realized the route had taken us past a retirement home with one of Albuquerque's first and worst outbreaks. As the pandemic continued, pharmaceutical-grade masks joined the usual urban detritus, Amazon boxes overflowed recycling bins. We passed closed schools and closed businesses. Signs saying, "Closed Due to COVID," "Classes Cancelled," "Nurses Are Heroes!" and one in marker on cardboard thanking delivery drivers for bringing so many packages for an expectant parent. Then came windows painted to say, "Open for take-out!" and "Teachers Are Heroes." After that the boarded-up windows ready for night-time protests. Later the Going Out of Business signs and the increasingly common For Rent placards. On sidewalks across the city, children seemed less worried than the rest of us, proclaiming, "We got this!" in smudgy pastel letters with rainbows.

    Suburban Homesick Blues, Mile 104

    On this walk I got to know the different areas of the city, the posh terraced homes perched in the east foothills, the busy, dense neighborhoods of the center, the farmy spreads peppered with livestock near the river and the vast walled-off housing developments fringing the city on the west. I became a backseat urban planner, mentally reworking neighborhoods I walked through and renaming subdivisions and streets, mostly those that I guess were some developer's attempt at lyricism or local color: Crimson Glory, Copper Wind or Cornmaiden Lane.

    Have You Seen Mango?, Mile 139

    Now that we're all so distanced from each other, everyday life has come to resemble the remote and isolated experience I had wanted for a vacation. This new trail brought me, instead of faraway wilderness, through strangers's neighborhoods and communities, past their struggles and fears. My walks through Albuquerque felt like a vicarious view into what my fellow Burquenos were up to, shared lives and connections that still hold firm from a distance of six feet.

    Xanthe Miller

    The rest is here:
    150 miles across Albuquerque in the time of Corona - Weekly Alibi

    Heres how to create a lush landscape without excessive water usage – KTAR.com - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    (Shuttershock Photo)

    The largest use of potable water in Arizona is for landscaping and as much as 70% of residential water use is outdoors, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. That is a point I cannot stress this enough.

    Help control landscape water waste by choosing plants native to our climate through xeriscape. This kind of design focuses on water conservation through creative landscaping. It involves combining low-water plants with hard surfaces and encourages water-smart design and maintenance of your property.

    Seven Basic Xeriscape Design Principles

    1. Design your yard with water conservation in mind. Work with a landscaper who specializes in native plants and design.2. Choose low-water plants. That same landscaper can help you select the right plants for your yards soil condition and exposure.3. Limit your lawn. I get it. Sometimes you just want to wriggle your toes in the cool grass. But non-native grass needs lots of watering. Limit it to your childrens play area and pet run. See native options below.4. Irrigate efficiently. Replace whirly-bird sprinklers with an inexpensive drip irrigator, which drips water only on the plant that needs watering. Rig your sprinklers to timers. Invest in an irrigator with a controller that automatically senses when your plants need water.5. Harvest water. Collect rainwater by digging shallow ditches around flowerbeds and/or install a rain barrel at the end of your gutter downspout to irrigate landscape.6. Mulch your plants. Placing mulch on the soil under and around plants helps hold in soil moisture and lower the soils temperature during the summer plus, it keeps weeds away.7. Take care of your yard. A well-maintained plant needs less water. Proper fertilizing, pruning, and weed control can keep your plants healthier.

    Xeriscape Plants

    These plants, cacti, trees, and grasses as suggested by the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association are just a few that require low to very low watering to maintain their heartiness.

    Shrubs

    John Eisenhower, Integrity SaveATree, particularly favors the desert fern. As John noted during a podcast its fern-like leaves are elegant and beautiful, and as a native plant, they have fewer natural problems.

    Though it is shrub-like, it will max out at 20 feet tall. Dont place it near the pool unless you want it covered with yellow puffballs.

    Want to attract hummingbirds? Plant a few pink fairy duster plants. This three-foot, airy shrubs pink furry blooms pop from its evergreen foliage in the spring and fall.

    The exotic flowers of the yellow bird of paradise attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Growing as high as six feet, this plant will add height to your landscape.

    Trees

    Though it grows slowly, the ironwood tree can mature to 25 feet high. With dusty lavender flowers that bloom in the spring, this evergreen tree thrives in the full sun. Its a relatively clean tree so it is okay to plant it near the pool.

    A bold, tropical tree, the Mexican blue palm is well suited to containers and can reach 15 feet high. This slivery blue tree is a beautiful complement to place near the pool.

    White thorn acacia is good for naturalistic landscapes. It is multi-trunked and can grow to 10 feet tall by 15 feet wide. It will bloom small yellow puffballs in the spring and attracts wildlife.

    Cacti

    The Argentine giant cactus boasts fragrant, white, striking flowers that bloom six to eight inches across. At maturity, this cactus will grow to two feet high by three feet wide.

    With its spectacular red, fuchsia and deep orange flowers, the Argentine hedgehog is one of the most colorful cacti.

    Spruce cones make a good container plant. It blooms small white flowers in the spring and resembles a deeper green cholla minus the thorns.

    Grass

    Native ornamental grasses add a softening element and motion to your landscape. The color and form of grasses change throughout the year, creating seasonal interest. Some ornamental grasses can reseed in landscapes. Watering ornamental grasses with drip irrigation will generally eliminate or minimize reseeding.

    Deer grass features lush foliage with green flowers that dry to tan tall spikes. With a mature height of four feet, this grass can be planted near the pool.

    Plant pink muhly for deep pink flower plumes that will be backlit by the sun. This fine grass can grow to three feet high.

    Sideoats grama resembles green waves of grain and has seed stalks that attract birds.

    Succulents

    Before selecting succulents, the AMWUA suggests you check the plants mature size and presence of thorns before planting. Some larger succulents can overwhelm a small garden. For safety reasons, succulents with thorns or spines should not be located next to walkways, play areas, or traffic areas.

    Contrary to popular belief, the ocotillo is a succulent, not a cactus. The ocotillo offers a striking silhouette and attracts hummingbirds. You really need a charcoal black thumb to kill this plant.

    Patridge breast aloe is a great option for small spaces, narrow areas, and containers. Rabbit-resistant and pool-friendly, this one boasts striking markings.

    The soaptree yucca has a tree-like quality with its white clusters on tall stalks. Tip: leave dead leaves on the trunk to avoid sunburn damage.

    AMWUA offers tips additional plants for xeriscape consideration and caring for desert plants while conserving water.

    For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 35 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the Rosie on the House radio program from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays on KTAR-FM (92.3) in Phoenix, 9 to 11 a.m. on KAFF-AM (930) in Flagstaff, and 10 to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson.

    More:
    Heres how to create a lush landscape without excessive water usage - KTAR.com

    Coastal landscaping resources for novices and green thumbs alike – The Coastland Times – The Coastland Times - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    By Katie Mosher, NC Sea Grant

    kmosher@ncsu.edu

    It may be sultry now, but autumn isnt so far off. If youre looking for activities to keep you busy in the cooler months, consider sprucing up your yard. The Coastal Landscapes Initiative, or CLI, has produced several resources over the past year to inspire and assist those interested in nature-enhancing landscaping.

    Most recently, a CLI team produced a set of 10 landscaping design templates featuring native N.C. plants, available here. Each design provides ideal site conditions; a detailed planting guide; seasonal bloom or berry color; an illustration of the plantings at maturity; and maintenance tips.

    These templates can be adapted to fit various yards and gardens, from the coast to the piedmont, says North Carolina Sea Grants coastal resources and communities specialist Gloria Putnam, who oversaw the project.

    Earlier this year, two CLI members North Carolina Sea Grants coastal economist Jane Harrison and sustainablewatersand communities coordinator Christy Perrin held awebinaroffering tips on creating coastal landscapes that will benefit both local ecology and the surrounding community.

    You can think of the webinar like an introductory course to sustainable landscaping, Harrison says. Hopefully people will find our suggestions practical and doable.

    We designed the webinar to be shared in various settings. For example, board members of homeowners associations could watch it and then screen it for their residents, Perrin adds.

    Coastal Landscaping also was the topic of conversation during a recent N.C. Museum of Natural SciencesVirtual Science Caf, hosted by Chris Smith and featuring guests Harrison, Perrin and Putnam. The team described how several CLI design templates can be applied to a yard along a tidal creek in Carteret County, as well as ways to reduce stormwater runoff, among other topics.

    Another CLI resource released this year was aninteractive mapmarking the location of various gardens along the coast that demonstrate environmentally friendly landscaping practices. These sites are generally accessible to the public, although visitors should check on COVID-19-related restrictions.

    Places like the N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island and the New Hanover County Arboretum have pollinator gardens that are really inspiring, says Putnam, who led the project. Visiting sites like these, either online or in person, is a great way to find ideas for your own garden.

    A companiondemonstration garden checklistalso is available for anyone interested in creating their own model site.

    In addition to these resources, last year CLI published abookletfeaturing 34 native N.C. plants including trees, shrubs, grasses, vines and flowers that flourish along the coast. The booklet provides brief descriptions of each plant and its ideal conditions. A companion brochure offers plant snapshots for easy reference.

    For anyone who wants to learn about more species that thrive in coastal sun and salty air, a comprehensive native plant guide is available. Published by North Carolina Sea Grant and the University of North Carolina Press,Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas: A New Guide for Plant Identification and Use in the Coastal Landscapecovers more than 200 species, with color photographs and details about their value to wildlife, relationship to natural communities, propagation and landscape use. Author Paul E. Hosier is a founding member of the CLI as well.

    As you consider your landscaping options, bear in mind that updates can be done incrementally.

    Adopting new landscaping practices might seem daunting at first, but you dont have to tackle everything at once. You can start by planting a native, for instance, or by top-dressing your grass with compost. Harrison says. Our various CLI resources can guide you on small and large projects alike.

    For more information about the Coastal Landscapes Initiative and for additional resources, visit go.ncsu.edu/coastallandscapes.

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    Circle Gallery exhibition sheds light on living, working gardens – University of Georgia - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Magnolia Moses, who lived in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, is among several rural African American residents featured in Richard Westmacotts 1992 book and exhibition titled African-American Gardens and Yards in the Rural South.

    It is on display and available for public viewing Aug. 20 through Oct. 15 at the College of Environment and Designs Circle Gallery, which is located in the Jackson Street Building. The gallery interior is currently closed, but the display may be seen through the interior glass windows. Please wear a mask and keep safe distance from others when visiting.

    Until the 1990s, much of the study of gardens in the American South concentrated on those of the elite and powerfulleisure gardens of ornament that added grace to an estate or homestead. These gardens emphasized the visual impact of Anglo-European landscapesthink of the highly formal gardens of Versailles in France or Blenheim Palace gardens in Englandand conveyed the wealth of the owners.

    Vernacular landscapesspaces created with only local materials available to the people who live on-siteare also part of the rich history of Southern gardens. Westmacotts groundbreaking study shone light not only on the fascinating uses of these vernacular spaces, but also on the values of the people who lived there and maintained the gardens: ingenuity, self-reliance, hospitality and generosity.

    The gardens featured were actual living and working spaces where many activities take place, from family gatherings to shelling peas to long talks with neighbors. Their aesthetic was directly tied to the work and pleasure married in these outdoor rooms. One standout feature was the swept ground, which made it easier to see unwelcome guests, like copperheads and rattlesnakes, and aided in fire prevention by preventing dried plant materials from growing too near the foundations of a homes raised wooden structure. Not only was the cleared, sandy yard a practical characteristic, but it was a cultural connection to the past: the swept yard was a direct import from life in West Africa where many enslaved Americans came from originally.

    Westmacotts book addresses three essential questions: How do rural African Americans manipulate space? What factors or conditions influence the use of these spaces? Why has the use of yard garden space changed through time?

    The gardens, Westmacott argues, trace the conditions of enslavement, tenancy and land ownership. They are not simply outdoor sites of respite; they are evolving landscapes that tell important stories of a history that was largely ignored until the last decade of the 20th century.

    Westmacott, who taught landscape architecture for many years at UGA, was born in Singapore and raised in England and received an MLA degree from the University of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at the College of Environment and Design. He and his family settled on an early 19th century farm in Stephens, Georgia, in 1977, where he became friends with local people living off the land. Moses, who was part of the inspiration behind African-American Gardens, was an immediate neighbor who became a good friend and mentor.

    For more information about the display or Westmacotts book, contact Melissa Tufts, director of the Owens Library and Circle Gallery at the College of Environment and Design, at mtufts@uga.edu. Learn more about the Circle Gallery at https://ced.uga.edu/resources/circle_gallery/.

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    Circle Gallery exhibition sheds light on living, working gardens - University of Georgia

    Birding: To enjoy and help birds, give them places to bathe – Chinook Observer - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    In 2018 I wrote several articles on some of the birds that were among the bathing beauties of the birdbath in our yard. Thinking back on who the visitors were, got me thinking about easy and/or interesting ways to provide water for our bird friends.

    We know that water in motion attracts birds, so adding this aspect will likely bring more birds to the bath. One method I have used is to take a gallon milk jug, punch a small hole in the bottom, tie a string around the neck and hang it over the bath and let it drip. The jug could be hung from a tree branch if the bath is under a tree or it could be hung from something like a shepherds hook that is positioned over the birdbath.

    Small birds such as chickadees and nuthatches are often aced out of using larger birdbaths so a small one suits them better because there is no competition from the bigger birds that cant use it. I use a piece of pottery which is designed for a small plant. I fill it daily, and it works well. Black-capped chickadees use it regularly for both drinking and bathing. They find it just the right size when it comes to taking a bath. Other small birds such a goldfinches and house finches can easily make use of it too. My miniature birdbath is about 5 inches in length, 4 inches wide across the middle and about 2 inches deep. I only fill it up to an inch and a bit to keep the depth of water relatively shallow. This ensures that it doesnt intimidate birds that dont like deep water. It is placed it on a pedestal about 3.5 feet high and close to cover, but in position to avoid droppings or other debris from falling into the water.

    We seldom see songbirds bathe in such things as large, open swimming pools due to the deepness of the water. Thus, check out the depth of your birdbath. As mentioned above, tiny birds wont venture into deep water, but larger birds such as robins will. Another way to make a relatively deep birdbath more enticing for smaller birds is to put a large flat rock on the bottom to create a shallow end (about 1 inch of water) Small birds can happily use the shallow end for splashing, by sitting on the rock, while the larger birds can use the deep end.

    Adding a water feature to the landscape is another way to have water in motion. A small pond with a waterfall works well if the water falls over large rocks that are relatively flat on top. Like the birdbath idea above, the flat rock provides a shallow place where small birds can splash. My pond was like this, but I recently replaced it with three basalt water towers. Fresh water splashes over each of the three, large, rock towers 24 hours a day. It is perfect for all of the birds that visit my yard, including cedar waxwings, American robins, house finches, house sparrows, and American crows. Yesterday, an orange-crowned warbler stopped by. The birds both drink and bathe. Larger birds, such as partridge or pheasant, are also drawn to the yard by the bubbling sounds of the water tumbling over the picturesque water feature. They present themselves at the base of the towers where they can easily sip from the cascading water.

    A birdbath, no matter what its size or shape, especially if it includes water in motion, can encourage a greater variety of birds to stop there. Perhaps they will stay around long enough for you to see and enjoy them!

    Common Birds of the Long Beach Peninsula, by Kalbach and Stauffer, is available from Bay Avenue Gallery, Time Enough Books and the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau.

    Continue reading here:
    Birding: To enjoy and help birds, give them places to bathe - Chinook Observer

    Tips to enhance your backyard with water features – Rocky Mount Telegram - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Enhancing your backyard? Experts say that the sights and sounds of water features make them one of the most impactful additions to consider.

    Water features not only increase visual interest, but the bubbling sounds add a sense of calm to any outdoor space, said landscape designer Doug Scott of Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta, Ga. They also attract birds, butterflies and more, literally bringing life into your backyard.

    So how do you select the right water feature for your yard? According to Scott, here is what to consider:

    Fountains:

    Fountains create the sights and sounds my clients are looking for and they do it in a way that accommodates their potential space and budget constraints, Scott said.

    Water gardens and fishponds:

    The added bonus of fishponds is that youll be able to enjoy the beauty of koi and goldfish while providing them a home, Scott said.

    Scott cautioned that when compared to other water features, fishponds do add expense and necessary periodic maintenance. Beyond stocking the pond, you will need a pump to aerate and circulate the water, as well as vegetation to create oxygen and provide a natural food source. Additionally, you must provide adequate protection for the fish from the land and air predators that likely will pay your pond a visit. On the plus side, fishponds will attract an abundance of non-predatory wildlife to your yard.

    Although adding a pond or water garden is more involved than just buying a fountain and plugging it in, the life itll bring to your family outdoors is limitless, Scott said.

    Waterfalls and streams:

    To learn more, check out the new Exmark Original video, Done-In-A-Weekend Projects: Go With the Flow, in which Scott discusses the various benefits, maintenance needs and other considerations of each water feature type. The episode can be found by visiting Exmark.com/Backyard. Exmarks Backyard Life is part of a unique multimedia destination focused on helping homeowners make the most of their backyard. While visiting the site, you also can access other Exmark Original Series, including Prime Cuts, Done-In-A-Weekend Extreme Projects and Dream Yards.

    Installing a water feature in your yard is an effective way to add vitality and beauty to the space. However, it is important to understand the long-term maintenance requirements of your specific project.

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    Tips to enhance your backyard with water features - Rocky Mount Telegram

    How to tell if your plants are water-stressed out – Record Searchlight - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Leimone Waite, Master gardeners Published 5:00 a.m. PT Aug. 14, 2020

    Make sure you follow these 3 tips for a healthy vegetable garden. USA TODAY

    Q: What is wrong with my hydrangea? The outer part of the leaf has suddenly turned a lighter green while the middle part of the leaf is dark green. This is happening to most of the leaves on the shrub.

    A: This sounds like the classic symptoms of water stress, especially given the very hot temperatures we had this past week.On these hot days the soil dries out and plants wilt and then are watered and rehydrate;however the cells in the outer margin of the leaf have suffered too much damage to fully recover. Because the damage occurs so fast, plants are not able to relocate chlorophyll to other leaves so the damaged portion of the leaf retains a dull green color.

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    Even if your yard is receiving regular irrigation, on really hot days the water requirements of plants can dramatically increase and you may need to increase watering accordingly. I have plants in potsI have to water twice per day on days when temperatures are over 105 degrees and it's windy. There are ways to help manage the need for extra watering, such as moving potted plants into the shade on hot days, or mulching around plants keep them from drying out as quickly.

    The first signs of water stress in landscape plants and trees include wilted or drooping leaves that do not return to normal once temperatures cool at night, curled or yellow leaves that may fold or drop, leaves that change to a grayish or bluish green color, sunburned leavesand new leaves that are smaller than normal.

    Ornamental grass or lawns may show water stress by changing to a bluish gray color rather than a vibrant green or have wilted blades of grass. As things dry out further, the tips of the grass may turn yellow and then eventually brown. Another quick check to see if the lawn is water stressed is tosee if the lawn grasses retain a footprint for several minutes. If theydo, the grass needs more water. If these hot temperatures persist and the lawn does not receive adequate water, it may gradually turn brown and go dormant.

    Monica Ho, Mai'Ana Airport Plaza manager, takes pride in growing vegetables and succulents in a garden she created at the 78-unit apartment complex in Tamuning on July 29, 2020. Pacific Daily News

    The good news for your hydrangea is that it should recover as long as it continues to get adequate water. You may want to remove leaves that are heavily damaged, being careful not to remove the leaf bud at the base of the leafas these will grow into new leaves. You can fertilize the plant to help with new leaf growth, but choose a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer and use at the lowest recommended rate. Too much nitrogen fertilizer stimulates rapid growth and increases the need for more water, causing even more stress to the plant.

    More master gardener columns:

    Really ripe: Know when to pick your peppers, tomatoes

    Home grown: Online program trains master gardeners at home

    Once this heat spell is over, dont forget to dial back your irrigation timer, as overwatering can be just as stressful to plants as under watering. Signs of overwatering include drooping leaves or lower leaves becoming yellow and dropping, and lawns that feel spongy or turn yellow.

    Master Gardeners(Photo: Master Gardeners)

    You can find additional information for managing water stress in the University of Californiapublication Keeping Plants Alive under Drought or Water Restrictions. It's free to download at https://bit.ly/3akWnyp.

    The Shasta Master Gardeners Program can be reached by phone at 242-2219 or email mastergardener@shastacollege.edu. The gardener office is staffed by volunteers trained by the University of California to answer gardeners' questions using information based on scientific research.

    Read or Share this story: https://www.redding.com/story/life/2020/08/14/how-tell-if-your-plants-water-stressed-out/3340772001/

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    How to tell if your plants are water-stressed out - Record Searchlight

    Why Having Trees in Your Property Increases Its Overall Value – E/The Environmental Magazine - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    You live in a beautiful house that has been your home, and you are planning to perhaps one day sell it off. This naturally makes you wonder whether there is something you can do now to increase the value of your property in the long run and that you can still enjoy while youre there. Construction and big renovations are noisy and disturb your peace, so what can you do? How about you start thinking green and plant some trees. Heres how planting a tree today can add so much value to your property tomorrow.

    Nobody plants a 70-year-old oak. You plant it young, and then you nourish it and care for it while it grows, and over the years, it repays you for all the work youve put in. There is nothing that can replace that. You cant speed up time and make a tree grow faster, you just have to be patient. When potential buyers see a home with a few young saplings in the yard, they might think it will be nice in the future, but if they see a big, tall tree that casts a lovely shade and gives fruit they will fall in love immediately. If then dont want it for some reason, they can hire a tree service to take it down and perhaps turn it into a beautiful table but they can never go the other way and make it grow. Its an investment that is really like no other in that sense.

    If youve ever paid the bills during a hot summer when the AC is running all the time you start to appreciate every little degree you can lower naturally. And trees provide exactly that: a shade that prevents the suns rays from heating up your windows and walls and every inch of your house. The less direct sunlight, the less your AC needs to work to keep the place cool, which will lower the bills always a good sign for buyers. In addition to that, if you have a beautiful lawn, it might get absolutely scorched by the sun in the summer heat, and youll have to invest a lot of water and power into sprinklers to keep it alive. But if theres some shade that moves around and covers the grass throughout the day, you can lower the water usage.

    Unlike other types of plants that you might want to plan in order to raise value (and many plants do, in fact, raise value), trees dont require much maintenance. They dont need to be watered, trimmed weekly, or kept safe from pests. The older a tree is, the deeper the roots go the more resilient it is. And people love things that give benefits without them putting work in, so unlike a full garden where they would either really have to get their hands dirty or hire a gardener, a tree will always just be there, majestic and beautiful.

    A big, perfectly trimmed back yard with just endless grass to host BBQs on and play fetch with your dog is nice but a tree adds interest. It keeps the eye moving, especially if there are several trees. Not only when its at a standstill, but when the wind blows, it becomes so much more dynamic and gives life to space. Theres really nothing that can even come close to mimicking what a tree provides to the landscape of your home.

    As people, we dont get attached to things, we get attached to emotions. A photo is just a photo, and a watch is just a watch, but the stories behind the two are what gives it so much value every time we look at them. The same goes for trees: Buying a property that has a number on it is fine, but when you show potential buyers your home, and you talk about the tree under which your child took their first steps, the swing that was put there decades ago that you played on and the hammock in which your late grandfather took his afternoon naps now youre selling a story. And the story will add so much value. Not only that but when you add the story, the new tenants will be much more inclined to take care of the tree after they inherit it.

    There are many ways you can add value to your home, but few have as good of a cost-benefit as a tree. Make a fun activity out of it with your family, take a weekend to pick out some trees, plan where to put them, dig up some dirt, and watch the value of your home grow.

    Link:
    Why Having Trees in Your Property Increases Its Overall Value - E/The Environmental Magazine

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