February 23, 2012

Landscaping In a Drought

Fields outside Benambra, Victoria, Australia s...

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If it’s flooding in one part of the country, it’s dry as a bone in others. When in a drought, water becomes a precious commodity, and local governments will start to restrict its use. Basically, you won’t be watering your yard every day, so it’s good to know how to landscape in a drought.

Native Plants Are Winners

You probably look at all of those scrubby plants on the side of the road and think they’re not so pretty. Think again. Your yard is dead and these hearty little roadside flora are still green. Most likely they’re native to the area, so learn to love them and seek out the ones you think are pretty at the local nursery. They don’t need special soil, and they certainly don’t need lots of water. What is pretty in Jamaica just won’t survive in a Texas yard.

Catch The Water When It Rains

You don’t need fancy rainwater catchment systems. All you need are few trashcans. You know where the water drains off your roof. In fact, you may even have a gutter drain you could run into a trashcan. When it does rain, let nature fill up those cans. Then put a lid on them. This will reduce evaporation and keep mice and frogs from hopping in and drowning. Remember that your plants aren’t the only living things that are thirsty.

Rainwater requires some toting to and from, but it’s well worth it if you want to be environmentally conscious. Besides, your plants will love the stuff. Let nature be your gardener. It definitely knows how to survive better than humans.

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Can Drought Affect the Price of a Lake Home?

Drought of 2002, High Rock Lake, Abbots Creek ...

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When people buy a lake home, they want access to a lake. If there’s a drought, and the water levels are low, it could be a bad time to put your lake house on the market.

Who Wants to Buy a Dry Lake?

You have no control over when it rains. Lakes are controlled more by nature than man, so they flood and they dry up. If you want to introduce your lake home to the real estate market, consider waiting until the water levels are high and the scene from your deck is beautiful.

Lake homes are often second homes, so the prospective buyer may need to be hit with a certain amount of a “wow” factor. If your access to the water is landscaped nicely, and your pier or lake deck is in good condition, that piece of real estate will go much faster.

When You Can’t Sell the Lake Home

If your lake home isn’t doing well due to drought or flooding, you may want to consider leasing it. Of course, vacationers want water, too, but it could be an option until the place sells. If this property is your second home, leasing or renting can be a good income for you. Make sure there are amenities that will appeal to lake vacationers, like paddle boats, fishing poles, canoes, and plenty of picnic tables and lawn chairs. If your lakefront isn’t safe for swimming, see what you can do to change that. It could just be brush or trash.

However you decide to do it, make your lake home enjoyable, no matter what, to help it sell.

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