Yards and lawns - If you'd like a low maintenance grass in your yard, and live in the high plains, consider planting Kentucky bluegrass and clover. In the dry southwest, try Bermuda grass; in the Pacific Northwest, try bent grass.
- In arid environments, only water at night, water shady parts of your lawn less than sunny parts, and if it does rain heavily, don't water the next day.
- If you live in an arid area, consider xeriscaping your yard instead of planting grass. A xeriscape is a low-water yard that might contain shrubs, flowers, rocks, and cacti.
- Consider installing an automatic water sprinkler system instead of hand-watering your lawn. Sprinkler systems make watering convenient, as well as making it easier to observe water conservation practices, such as watering only at night.
- If you live in an area susceptible to wild fires, clear a 30 feet safety zone between your home and wild vegetation, and make sure tree limbs are trimmed away from your home.
Painting tips - If you are remodeling a historic home, avoid removing original exterior paint. Removing the paint can damage fragile wood and expose you to toxic lead vapors.
Temperature and weather control - If you are building a home in a sunny area, consider adobe. Adobe homes stay warm in winter and cool in summer.
- If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you'll find that shingle or wood roofing materials are susceptible to mildew. Metal or cement-tile roofs hold up better in the rain.
Earthquake protection - Adobe homes can be dangerous during an earthquake. To make an adobe home earthquake-ready, reinforce it with steel and concrete, and brace it to the foundation.
Pest control - If you live in the Southwest, and have problems with scorpions, you can find them at night using a strong black light--the scorpions glow.
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