Firewise Landscaping

Here we are in the middle of August and while it hasn't been an overly hot summer, it hasn't been an especially wet one either.  We must remain ever vigilant about our fire abatement and keeping the plants and trees in our yards healthy, as a healthy plant or tree is more fire resistant than a sickly one.

We all know about the basics of fire abatement around our properties and homes, however, I came across a Guide to Firewise Landscaping at the website of the National Fire Protection Association and thought they had some additional ideas that aren't normally told to people.

One is to use brick or stone finishes on your house.  I would think this is a no brainer, but I have never seen this on any fire abatement literature that I have read.  If you are going to be re-doing the outside of your home, it might be a good idea to incorporate some stone or brick into the design.  Here in the mountains, stone is a very appropriate look if you are trying to stay with that rustic, mountainy look.  Instead of installing cedar shingles down to the ground, why not put some stone around the bottom of the house and then your cedar shingles on the upper half. 

 Also using pavers for driveways or walkways can create a fuel break within your yard.  If you are wanting a water permeable driveway or path, try using gravel with large rocks lining your path.  This will keep the gravel in the path or driveway as well as help with creating a fuel break and look pleasing in your landscape as well.

If you are going to be replacing any doors or windows, go for double paned or tempered glass.  Double-paned glass can help reduce the risk of fracture or collapses during an extreme wildfire.  Tempered glass is the most effective of the two and if you are going to be installing any skylights, glass is a better choice than plastic or fiberglass.

Some other tips, which may or may not be feasible are to use a concrete patio instead of a wooded deck, use pebbles, river rock or gravel instead of mulch near your home's foundation and use rubber outdoor mats rather than natural fiber ones.

Anything attached to the house (decks, porches, fences and outbuildings)should be considered part of the house.  These act as fuel bridges, particularly if they are constructed from flammable materials.  If a wood fence is attached to the house, separate the fence from the house with a masonry or metal barrier.  Decks need to be kept free of combustible materials and debris. Box in eaves, fascias, soffits and vents or enclose them with metal screens.  Vent openings should be covered with 1/8" metal screen.

So remember,  fire season is never over and go out and take a walk around your property and see what you can do today to make it more fire safe.  By continually making improvements to protect your home, you will stand a greater chance of your home surviving, should a fire come our way. 

Monday Musings

It's Monday again folks and the weather is still cold!  Why is it that these cold spells come along on the weekends?  I have long wondered this.  It seems as if Mother Nature is out to get those of us that work Monday through Friday and only have the weekends off.  As of today, I only have lettuce and asparagus planted.  I keep putting off planting my garden due to the weather.  For once, my procrastinating is paying off.  I don't know about you, but I am ready for some 60 or 70 degree days.  Gardening here in Pine Cove is definitely a challenge.  But each year I get a little smarter about it and hopefully one day, I will have it all figured out.

In the meantime, I will start making some ollas for the garden and keep working in some compost.  Fire abatement can be done anytime and is a big one on the To Do List.  Luckily, mine is done.  So I am anxious to get on with the fun stuff.  It seems we have such a small window of time to be out in the garden, so it always seems like a rush to get everything done each summer.  But that is life here in Pine Cove and if I wanted summer year round, I would move to the desert.  I think living up here does make us appreciate the nice weather a little more, since we don't get it as much of it as they do off the hill. So I will keep waiting and when it turns warm for good, I will plant my garden and hope that there is enough time for it to grow and flourish.

Monday Musings

What a beautiful weekend.  I think spring has well and truly arrived.  Even though there was a lot of work involved, it was nice to get out into the yard and start cleaning it up.  I noticed that many people had the same idea this weekend and were raking up their pine needles.  It is amazing how good it feels to get outside and work in the sun after a long winter.  Even though it is hard work, it still feels good to be out there doing it. 

As we know, fire season doesn't necessarily take a break and so we must be vigilant at all times.  If you own a property here in Pine Cove, please be responsible and do your fire abatement.  When you don't, it doesn't just affect you.  It affects every single house around you and your whole block.  Not only from a safety standpoint, but from an aesthetic one as well.  There are homes of all shapes and sizes and from old to new here in Pine Cove, sometimes side by side and that is one of the wonderful things about living here.  No cookie cutter neighborhoods for us!  And while vintage and rustic is charming, old, derelict or unkempt is not.  There is a difference between rustic and rundown.  We love rustic, but rundown becomes a fire hazard as well as attracts rodents and rodents then attract snakes.  While snakes have their purpose in nature, I don't think most people prefer them living in the yard next door.  And I am pretty sure no one wants rodents around either. 

If we all do our part, then Pine Cove will continue to be the lovely, idyllic community it is meant to be.  So as we enter into the spring and summer season, please be a good neighbor and take care of your fire abatement sooner, rather than later.  Everyone will be safer and Pine Cove will continue to be the enchanted forest community that we all know and love.  So let's all get out there and do our part now, so we can enjoy the summer months ahead in peace and safety.