How do you know if it's time to water the lawn? A simple trick will tell you: According to the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program, if you step on your lawn and the grass bounces back, there's no need to water. If you step on the grass and it stays flat on the ground, give it a good water early in the morning or late at night so the sun's hot rays don't evaporate the cool drink your lawn needs.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Have you had houseplants outdoors during the summer and want to bring them back indoors? It’s not as easy as simply moving them back inside; it’s important to acclimate them to your home environment over time. Start the process by bringing your houseplants indoors at night, when it’s coolest, and then taking them back outside in the morning. Do this for a few days. Eventually, the plant will become acclimated and will have a much better chance of survival indoors.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a leaky pipe can waste about 10,000 gallons of water per year, which is enough to fill a large swimming pool. During the cooler months, take the time to inspect your outdoor faucets for any leaks. Better yet, turn off the water valves to the outdoor faucets and unhook the garden hose so there's no water whatsoever in those pipes. This will also ensure that they won’t burst if they freeze, which prevents a costly repair come springtime.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION