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Outdoors
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Outdoor water usage is probably
one of the biggest uses of water. We water our yards, wash our cars and fill our
swimming pools and waterfalls. Here in Montgomery county we get a lot of rain
and the humidity reduces evaporation considerably in comparison with an arid
region like Arizona or New Mexico. Summer
usage is the largest. Here, in Montgomery County, Texas, it increases from
three to eight times that of winter usage, because of these activities. Visit your utility district's web site for data for your area. |

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The Woodlands in South Montgomery County Texas:
Woodlands
Joint Powers Agency.
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Composting,
mulching and xeriscaping are
the most
common methods of reducing water usage in the garden. These
are complimented by using grey water and collecting rainwater.
Composting
is easy to do. It requires organic material, water,
nutrients and a little TLC. The volume and method depend on the area you have
to work with. If you have room in your yard, a composting pile or bin is one
method. There are different types of compost bins. Some compost is mixed by
hand driven tumblers that look like small cement trucks. There is a handle, you
turn it and it rotates the container with the compost. Do not add meat,
poultry, dairy, grease - see compostguide.com
Mulching
is also easy. Materials that can be used are straw, grass clippings,
shredded newspaper, leaves, compost and bark chips.
Xeriscaping
is landscaping with your area, not fighting it. Native plants are the
mainstay. They are more drought and freeze resistant, perennial or reseed
easily and are more disease resistant.
Energy
makers are solar
panels and wind mills.
They are available to fit almost any size of building or land area. Small windmills
can be mounted on your roof that are about the size of a satellite dish. Solar
panels can be designed to generate the most energy for your roof design, area
and other considerations such as trees and buildings. They can also be used to
power small electronics.
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