Eco-Friendly Homes Go Beyond The Recycling Bin Print

John Eisenhower discusses the Tree Of The Month:  The ocotillo!   Iconic plant in the Southwest popular in landscapes.  Blooms in April.  John explains why its a tree, not a cactus.

Blooms where water is available.  Explains how ocotillo sustains itself in dry periods.

Discussion of reducing pruning shrubs and decideous trees before summer heat.  The one tree you can prune in the summer.

Discussion of litigation between neighbors, tree lines and property.  What penalities are possible in cutting down a tree?

John talks about 'treble damages' in which a tree could devalue a property and damages can be awarded.  

John's experience living in England when a hurricane destroyed heritage trees.

Pollen and allergies abound!

TEXT:  Is it normal for one mesquite tree to be fully grown out and another not have any growth?   John has many things to consider.

Spring growth can also bring nasty insects like boring insects, leaf eaters, white flies, catapillars and spider mites.

Late spring/early summer fertilization tips including deep root injection if lawns are near the trees and foliar sprays for the leaves and foliage.

There is one tree you can plant in the summer!

CALLER:  Has a transplanted healthy ocotillo with a fairy duster plant growing inside it.  Will it affect the growth of the ocotillo?

Watering tips!

The motivation for homeowners to maintain their current home as the value has risen dramatically.

Discussion of sustainability as the classic principles of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” continue to be incorporated in the design of the home, its features, and amenities.  

Smaller homes reduce the number of materials and the builder will be able to complete the project faster and with less natural resources and using less energy.  And why hallways are a waste of space.

Using materials that don't off gases.  An example with Marmoleum.  An organic, durable material.

Supercooling is the sustainable way to cool your home.  Rosie explains how using more energy 'off peak' and little to none 'on peak' keeps power companies from building new plants.

Sanderson Ford

More discussion on materials that make a home sustainable.  Exterior wall systems!  Masonry and brick build instead of wood, ramed earth construction, metal roofs.  The type of windows installed in these systems for energy efficiency.

Sustainability in windows.  Exterior wall's weakest point.  The importance of the R-Value,  the high resistance to heat transfer.  What that value does for energy efficiency.

Dual pane windows are the way to go.  Go triple pane for one reason only.

The frame materials should be made of fiberglass or aluminum.

We talk about our Rosie On The House You Tube Channel.  And one of the most viewed tip on fixing an interior door that won't stay open or closed.

A listener asks about a vinyl protectant mentioned on a previous show:  303 Marine Aerospace Protectant.

Followup on the architecture of places of worship, Romey discusses the incredible Las Lajas Shrine in the country of Columbia.

Most Asked Question Of The Week:  Things to consider when locking up your home for the summer (or for a period of time).

Including keeping your air conditioner at 90 degrees, buckets of water in each room, how to handle mail, newspaper and door hanging clippers, lighting to look like you're home and why you should not turn off the water supply.

Rosie discusses an adhesive that's so strong, it takes seconds to bond.  CA Adhesive. Cyanoacrylate Glue.  Plus the water leak detector device SimpleSENCE.

More tips on locking up your home for the summer.  preparing for monsoon season, surge protection, jugs of water in the refrigerator and turning off the water heater, shutting off the water to it and draining the tank.

Weekly To Do on the advantages of cabinet lighting.

Romey's discusses an article about why Californians are moving to Las Vegas to live.

Takeaways from today's show!