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Blaze Burns and Leaf Gardener follow-up on constructing a beautiful, sustainable, AND fire-wise landscape. The entertaining duo offer great step-by-step instructions on incorporating a beautiful and fire-safe landscape into any home or business. The fun doesn’t stop there! Billy and Owen later help out a somewhat clueless but well meaning Mr. Dexter Clavin. Mr. Clavin’s more than peculiar method of watering instigates a trip to the local Home Improvement Center where Dexter, Owen, and Billy explore a variety of watering tools. With their help, Dexter, evolves from watering his plants with his gym socks to implementing a less labor intensive but still low tech and highly efficient technique. Owen and Billy later investigate innovative ways to re-use what some would consider garbage and incorporating it in the garden and around the home. Billy and Owen also offer great FREE resources to get materials for your home and garden. |
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1. Firescape Design- Installment 2
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The Demolition Work:
- Relocate or compost unwanted plants is the area
- Map out drains and irrigation system
● Choosing Optimal Plants:
- Check for uniformity of branches
- Choose a plant that is not too big, not too small, but just right. (Think Goldilocks)
- Consider ENERGY allocation: A flowering plant will allocate most of its energy to the flowers and not to establishing root systems. Therefore, either choose a plant that has not yet flowered or cut the flowers off prior to planting.
- NEVER forget the importance of root systems!: Check the bottom and sides of the soil for a fibrous and uniform root system throughout. Also, make sure that there is no jamming or circling of the root system within the container.
By following the tips that Blaze and Leaf offer, you too can create a functional and beautiful fire-safe landscape!
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2.Conserve Money, Water, and Time with Efficient Irrigation
● A water nozzle allows for an adjustable flow to meet your watering needs and also shuts off when water is unneeded.
● A soaker diffuses water through the root system and is ideal for plants that require a deep, slow, and gentle watering.
● A timer creates optimal efficiency for watering needs by creating a schedule.
● A diverse selection of sprinklers creates a customized fit for any landscape.
● A soaker hose is ideal for trees and slopes, allowing deep penetration into the root zone.
● A gear drive sprinkler can be set to accommodate the shape of any landscape by controlling the distance of throw.
● A timer that fits directly on the hose bib cancels out any opportunity to over water, saving you money!
3. Re-Use in the Garden
● Get creative in your garden by using broken concrete to create a retaining wall or a pathway.
● Trying to get rid of pesky weeds like Bermuda Grass? Try this handy trick: Lay down paper over weeds and cover it with about three inches of mulch. Those weeds don’t stand a chance!
● Divert rain water into plant beds for efficient watering! |
 
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4. Randy Mooney offers these great tips for re-use in the garden:
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Combine old coffee grounds into your mulch for plants that enjoy a more acidic soil.
● Use Popsicle sticks as plant and herb labels.
● Throw your old melon rinds into your worm bin and let them enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
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5. More Re-Use Information
Get your FREE mulch, concrete, sandstone, and soil at the Marborg Recycling Center located at 620 Quinientos Drive in Santa Barbara.
Ones trash is another’s treasure! Get rid of old stuff or find new stuff on santabarbaracraigslist.com!
For more info on constructing a functional and beautiful fire-safe landscape contact your city or county fire department or you can visit 2411 Stanwood Drive in Santa Barbara to check it out for yourself!
The first 10 viewers to submit their comments to sbwater.org about Garden Wise Guys will receive a $20 certificate to The Home Improvement Center!
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