Timely Tips for 2010 - July

Keep your house running like clockwork, don't forget these timely tips for home-maintenance.

1.  Let the grass grow.  In summer, keep grass tall, which slows water loss by shading the soil.  "Raise the mower's blade three inches or higher from now until Labor Day," says Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual (Storey, $20).

2.  Lower the blinds on south and west facing windows.  This will prevent up to 45% of the sun's heat from entering your home.