Page 11 - Piedmont_Spring_2022

Shrubs, bushes and vines next to a home can help insulate the sources while still cultivating a healthy and attractive landscape.
home in both summer and winter while low shrubs on the windward According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 30% of
side of a home can help trap snow before it blows next to the home. water used by U.S. households is devoted to outdoor water use,
and in dry climates outdoor water use can be as high as 60% of a
luSh and healThy lawnS household’s water use.
Well-maintained lawns and strategically placed plants will keep To conserve water, the EPA recommends homeowners choose
patios and yards cooler in the summer, helping homeowners enjoy native plants, which, once established, typically need little water
their natural gas grills, fireplaces and other elements of outdoor beyond normal rainfall. Grouping plants according to water needs
living spaces. Lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 allows homeowners to maximize use of water resources.
degrees cooler than bare soil, according to NALP. The EPA also recommends maintaining healthy soils to minimize
Large bushes, rows of shrubs or hedges are effective ways to shade runoff and retain water and adding mulch around shrubs and garden
sidewalks and driveways while a trellis with a climbing vine can ef- plants to reduce evaporation and prevent erosion.
fectively shade a patio. With careful planning, homeowners can design a landscape that
Careful planning can also help homeowners conserve water re- looks good while saving energy and conserving water. n

Shrubs and bushes can Photo Courtesy of loveyourlandsCaPe.org/James martin assoCiates, ChiCago, illinois
provide windbreaks to
de5ect winter wind away
from buildings, slowing
wind speed and lowering
wind chills near the home.

(continued from page 05) “The natural gas industry has a proven track record of reducing emis-
earTh day’S fuTure sions,” said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of AGA. “We will continue
All stakeholders in the natural gas industry are committed to driv- to collaborate with local policymakers, federal regulators, Congress and
ing down emissions even further. They are devising ways to make this administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through smart
natural gas systems even more efficient. That includes the introduc- innovation, new and modernized infrastructure, and advanced technolo-
tion of new fuels such as renewable natural gas (RNG) and blends of gies that maintain reliable, resilient and affordable energy service choices
natural gas and hydrogen. (See related article on Page 03). for consumers.” n

Spring - Summer 2022 ❙ naturalliving 11
Please recycle this magazine after you read it.