CONSERVE ENERGY

Plant Trees

• Plant trees to the west of your home.
• Select evergreen trees for a windbreak. Especially if you live in the countryside.
• Plant large trees at least 20 feet from the foundation.

For more information: www.pge.com

Benefit: When properly placed mature trees can reduce your inside temperature by 20 degrees.

Shade paved areas

• Driveways and paved areas are huge sources of heat.
• Choose trees with root systems that do not sucker or damage the surface.

Benefit: Patios and cars are more comfortable, cooling cost may be lowered.

Shade the air conditioner

Benefit: Reduced utility cost

Fall/Winter is the best time to plant many trees.

This gives the tree time to develop it's roots before it leafs out.

Recently, I've seen people watering their lawns. Not just irrigating but letting the water run into the gutter. Should you water your lawn in January or February? This is a tricky question.

So, the question is "Does your lawn need water"?

Even though it has not rained in about a month your lawn may not need water. The water from fog and dew are watering opportunities for the grass.

At this time of the year, your lawn needs very little irrigation. Technically speaking, the evapotranspiration is very, very low. That means that the plant is using and losing very little water. Why is the plant losing and using very little water, you ask? In the winter, the day length is short and the temperature is low.

So, how do you determine if your lawn needs water?

1. An easy method is to walk across your lawn, turn around and look for your footprints. If you see your footprints then you need to irrigate. If you do not see your footprints then you do not need to irrigate.

2. Another method is to take a shovel or trowel and insert it into the ground 2-3 inches. In most cases if it inserts easily the soil is moist. If you want, take a look at the soil. Is it moist?

3. You can use a general month to month lawn watering guide for the Sacramento Valley. It has been developed by the University using years of Et data. Click here for the chart.

4. If you are a science geek and love math, you can calculate the Et for your lawn. Click here to learn about Et.

If your lawn needs water please irrigate it properly for the season. And remember, water on the sidewalk and in the gutter is not watering your lawn.

Now that I am growing fruit, what do I do with the overabundance of fruit?

Cook with it!

Lemon Apple Bread

1/4 cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

2 cup coarsely shredded, peeled apples

4 tsp grated lemon peel

2/3 cup chopped nuts

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs until blended.

Mix dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture alternately with apple, blending well after each addition.

Stir lemon and nuts into above mixture. Turn into greased and floured loaf pan..

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to rack to cool completely.

Barbara Scheimer and Cynthia Peterson 

Winter Fruit Tree workshop

• Saturday January 10
• 1-3pm
• Davis Ranches, 7681 Sycamore Slough Rd, Colusa
• Hands-on workshop, bring gloves
• Free
• Bring a friend!