Battling the Heat

With highs at or near triple digits last week and now this week, its hard not to think about the heat and cooling off. Sebastian may light to sun bathe when it is 100 outside, but not me.

I'm all for the shade or staying in with the air conditioning. There are things you can do with your landscape to make inside your house more comfortable. Deciduous trees are great for providing shade in the summer and still allow the warmth from the sun in the winter. Planting a medium to large shade tree on the south side or west side of your house will help to shield your home from the sun's heat in the summer. You want to plant the tree close enough to shade the house, but not so close that it can later cause damage to the house. Generally, large trees don't need to be any closer than 30 feet from the house and still are effective at 50 feet. You want the tree close enough that it will shade the house starting in late afternoon, but not so close that the branches overhang your roof. 

Rock mulch works to hold back the weeds and is generally low maintenance, but it can make your yard and home feel warmer. A vegetative groundcover, like lawn (though other plants are more effective) can make the surrounding are warmer. The cooler the air around your house, the cooler the air inside your house.  Shrubs around the home's foundation also help to keep the home cooler. 

There are many ways to provide passive cooling to your home and the yard around it. Thinking of these options when you consider changes to your landscape will help you enjoy the space more and feel more comfortable when you are inside. Passive cooling by shading your home can also save you money for years to come.