Fertilize your lawn naturally
Fall is the best time to both fertilize your lawn and to get it ready for the harsh winter months. Instead of buying chemical or storebought organic fertilizers, you can use what your lawn and trees already provide. Start by leaving the grass clippings on the lawn when it’s your final mow of the season; this will provide much-needed nitrogen. Use a shredder or your lawnmower to mulch fallen leaves, creating smaller pieces that you can leave on your
lawn. This layer of mulched leaves will both feed your lawn and insulate it during the winter months.
CAMPFIRE FIREWOOD
One thing many campers do at campsites is light fires. One tip to help the forests you’re visiting when camping is to never bring firewood with you if you’re traveling more than 50 miles away. Wood that isn’t native to a forest can harbor invasive species, or the eggs or larvae of these insects, and introduce them to a forest when you bring in firewood. If you want to light a fire and help the forests, always buy firewood at the campgrounds. This wood has been tested to be invasive insect-free.
BIODEGRADABLE FISHING LINE
One of the biggest polluters for lakes, rivers and oceans is plastic waste. The source of this waste is everything from plastic six-pack rings to personal care products. If you fish waterways, one of the most important things you can do is invest in biodegradable fishing lines and lures. This is a special type of resin that naturally degrades down in just five years, versus 500 years for conventional plastic. And while it is biodegradable, great care should be taken to never leave it in the water where you fish.
CLEAN DRYER VENT
Before it gets too cold outside, take the time to do an annual cleanup of your dryer vent. Over time, lint can build up beyond the lint trap in your dryer’s hose and pipes that lead up to the external vent. This blockage can force your dryer to work hard to get your towels and clothing dry, and it can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew, as well as a fire hazard. The cleaning process can be involved, but it’s worth it to improve your dryer’s energy efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Vacuum the vent on the inside and outside of the house for the best results.
REMOVE WINDOW A/C
Some of the biggest culprits for massive energy loss in the winter months are window-mounted air-conditioner units. When improperly installed and insulated (plastic shutters usually cover the gaps on the left and right sides), it’s like having a fist-size hole in your wall that lets cold air breeze right into your home. To keep your home warm in the winter, take the time to remove the unit and store it until next year. Or invest in an air-conditioning cover, which can help insulate and reduce the amount of cold air flowing into your home.
WOOD ASH BENEFITS
People who use a wood-burning fireplace, listen up: Don’t scoop the ashes out of the fireplace into the trash. Instead, invest in a fireproof metal tin where you can scoop your warm ashes and let them completely cool down naturally. Save these ashes over the winter months and use them as nutrient-dense soil amendment for your garden, lawn or compost in the spring. It’s as simple as sprinkling the ash everywhere and mixing or tilling it into the lawn, garden soil or compost. Wood ash is loaded with calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and aluminum.
Some of the biggest culprits for massive energy loss in the winter months are window-mounted AC units.