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Prep Now to get the most out of Spring
Spring comes early in the SCV, which means that if you are planning to enjoy a new patio cover, hardscape, outdoor kitchen, water feature or landscape design when the weather warms, now is the time to begin the process. With the expected heavy rains, it's even more essential to begin planning and prepping early, as project build out and installation may be delayed on occasion due to weather.
NV Landscape Inc. 286-8888

Meet the Serene Window Screen
Designed to supply smooth operation and seamless style, the Serene window screen is a perfect complement to fine homes. It easily adapts to fit most window applications and can be mounted inside or out - making it a perfect blend of form and function.
Phantom Screens of Southern California
799-9226

How to Save your Trees During a Drought
Unlike lawns, which can come back from a dry, stressed state if minimally watered, many trees just can't survive without sufficient, regular irrigation. Unfortunately we are restricted because of state-wide drought mandates regarding irrigation. So how can we save our trees and still comply with the state and local mandated watering days?
Invest in a soaker hose. A soaker hose will allow you to water slowly for a longer period of time without run-off. You will need to monitor this, but attach the hose to a spigot and water the tree for several hours on your scheduled watering day. The soaker hose will apply water slowly enough that it will soak into the ground and down to the roots. This only needs to be done two to three times a month for most established trees. Younger trees will need more frequent soaking.
Establish a root zone. You do not want to water trees right next to the trunk because the roots aren't there. A tree's roots extend out as far as the canopy. So when you are doing a periodic deep watering, position the soaker hose away from the trunk, and toward the edge of the limbs.
Monitor, monitor, monitor. Use a soil moisture probe to check how deeply the water has soaked into the soil. A depth of 18 inches is a good goal for tree irrigation. And don't leave the soaker hose on for too long. Set a timer and put reminders around the house to turn it off.
Mulch! Spreading a thick layer of mulch around the base of trees will keep the soil cool and minimize evaporation, allowing your tree to get the most out of the periodic deep soakings. Spread a three to four inch layer of mulch, leaving the area six to 12 inches out from the base of the tree uncovered.
Set priorities. If you have to let something go, the lawn should be low on the priority list. Turf is much easier to replace, so focus on saving the trees.
Castaic Lake Water Agency www.clwa.org