LewisMaclean_news_APRIL2018

After spending a winter cooped up inside with your family, there might be a little tension between everyone. Fortunately, it’s spring, and the warm weather, melting snow, and blooming flowers offer a good way to ease restlessness. This season, why not bring your family closer together by starting a family garden? A Learning Experience Nearly every step in the gardening process can be a learning experience for kids and parents alike. Begin by discussing where you should start and why, what supplies you’ll need, and the types of plants you want to grow. BRINGING FAMILY TOGETHER Gardening:

Talk about out of sight, out of mind. When you have a septic system buried in the yard away from your house, it’s easy to forget. Eventually, though, the system will remind you that it’s very much present and a part of your home. Like all the systems in your house, your septic system needs love and attention. Here are a few steps you can take — and a few things to avoid — when caring for your septic system: Do ... • Obtain the necessary permits before doing any construction or repairs (such as digging a large hole in your yard or near a neighbor’s yard).

• Call on professional, certified installers when needed.

• Keep your septic tank and distribution box accessible for pumping and adjustment.

• Install risers, if necessary.

• Keep covers locked or heavy enough to keep children out.

• Have the tank pumped and inspected by a professional contractor every year. • Keep a detailed record of repairs, pump-outs, inspections, permits, and any other maintenance. • Conserve water to avoid overloading the system. This includes repairing dripping faucets and leaking toilets, taking shorter showers, running dishwashers and washing machines only when full, and using water-saving appliances. • Talk to us about our easy-to-use Bio-organism to dissolve the fats, oils, and grease in your septic system to keep it working properly. Don’t ... • Go into the septic tank for any reason, as toxic gases in the tank are dangerous. • Drive or park over any part of the system. • Cover the absorption field with a hard surface. Grass is the best choice to prevent erosion and to allow access. • Plant a garden, trees, or shrubbery over or near the absorption field. Tilling may cut absorption trenches, and roots can clog or damage drain lines. • Pour grease, cooking fats, chemical drain cleaners, paint, varnishes, solvents, fuels, waste oil, photographic solutions, pesticides, or other organic chemicals down your home’s drains. This upsets the helpful bacteria in the system and causes pollution. • Add enzymes or yeast additives to the septic tank, intending to improve bacterial action. This has not been proven beneficial and may cause harm to the soil and surrounding vegetation. • Divert other sources of water away from the septic system.

Gardening also offers opportunities to learn about science, ecology, and nutrition. Collaboration Gardening gives your family a chance to collaborate. When you’re stuck inside for

long periods, you may be spending time together, but it’s usually not quality time. Working in

a group to create and maintain a garden is a hands- on experience for everyone. It’s a chance to get the whole family involved with a single project, and you can literally share the fruits of your labor. Deciding on Plants When it comes to deciding which plants you want in your garden, there are many variables to consider. Do you want to grow edible plants, ones that have magnificent blossoms, or ones that are easy to care for? Flowers are a good start if you want a plant that grows a little faster; plus, they lend a pop of color to your garden. Growing vegetables is also rewarding, as the kids will take great pleasure in eating what they’ve grown. Other possibilities include sunflowers, blackberries, peas, and lettuce. You might be surprised at how willingly children eat their greens when they’ve had a hand in growing them. Family gardens can bring something new and fresh to your home. So, get outside, enjoy the sun, and discover the joys of plants and gardening.

2 • www.lewismaclean.com

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