If there are water restrictions where you live, don't worry if your lush green lawn turns brown. A brown lawn is not a dead lawn; an underground crown of grass will survive and will re-emerge when the weather cools off, returning your lawn to its lush green splendor. And keep in mind that watering your lawn less in the summer months can be one of the best ways to save water; on average, more than 67,000 gallons of water are used to water lawns in the hot summer months.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Yes, ice can go bad. It is technically a food, and like most foods, over time ice can harbor everything from bacteria to viruses that can cause illness, according to the International Packaged Ice Association. Bacteria like salmonella and E. coli can live in ice, because freezing does not kill these contaminants. Ice that's left in the freezer for a long time can harbor odors, too. Keep fresh ice in your freezer, and turn off the ice maker when you don't need it (you'll save water and energy with the flip of a switch). And dispose of old ice outdoors, where it can melt and water plants.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If a tree falls in your yard, should you have it removed? If it isn't a safety hazard and your community doesn't require you to remove it, leaving a tree to rot can actually be a good thing for the environment. According to the National Wildlife Federation, dead trees are habitat for over 1,000 species of wildlife. These decaying masses are food sources (insects and mosses are food sources for birds, for example), and the decomposing matter also helps feed the soil.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION