Tips for Conserving Water

Some areas of Connecticut are experiencing drought conditions, so we are offering some ways to conserve water in your home.

1. Rinse fruits and veggies in a bowl of water instead of under the faucet.

2. Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving.

3. Reuse the water from boiling vegetables or pasta to water your indoor plants (let it cool first!).

4. If you like to drink cold water, place a pitcher in your refrigerator instead of letting the tap run until it’s cold. 

5. Don’t run the dishwasher until it’s completely full. 

6. Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket. Flushing a tissue or small piece of trash wastes 5-7 gallons of water.

7. Let your dirty pots and pans soak in the sink instead of letting the faucet run while you wash them.

8. Make sure to turn off all faucets completely after each use.

9. Instead of using running water, thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator.

10. Be sure to alert your maintenance staff if you notice a leaky toilet or faucet!

Apartment for Rent

We have a new apartment available on West Street in Hartford! It's in the process of being renovated, but it's available to be shown. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, larger sized rooms, both bedrooms have double sliding door closets, screened-in private porch off of the living room. The building is secured with off street parking. Each floor is secured and the elevator is also secured, requiring a key in order to select a floor. Every floor has it’s own laundry room. The rent is $900 a month, which includes heat and hot water, and we require 2 months security deposit. In order to apply, applicants must provide a $25 fee per adult applicant along with proof of income (copies of 2 recent pay stubs) and a recently printed credit report (www.creditkarma.com is a free credit report service)

10 Tips for Container Gardening

Looking to brighten up your outdoor space? Want to have some fresh vegetables and herbs? Space can be short in apartment and condominium complexes, so container gardening might be for you! Check out these tips from Hudson Valley Seed Library and start growing you own container garden this weekend:

1. The bigger the plant, the bigger the pot should be.

2. The longer the plant takes to mature, the bigger the pot.

3. Fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers etc.) need more soil and more nutrients than greens (lettuce, Tatsoi etc)

4. Don’t over crowd. You can plant varieties a bit closer than normal in a pot, but crowding leads to weak spindly plants. One tomato plant in a big pot will actually produce more tomatoes than 4 tomato plants in the same size pot.

5. Pots are thirsty. They dry out quickly. Keep pots evenly moist, trying not to let them dry out between watering or get too saturated.

6. Make sure there are drainage holes. (Some folks say gravel or sand at the bottom helps as well.)

7. Container plants still need lots of sun. If you have part shade stick to herbs and greens.

8. Rooftops can be windy. If you’re growing containers on the roof, consider setting up some kind of windbreak, like lattice, that won’t cast shade.

9. Use a light potting mix but make sure you have nutrient rich compost mixed in.

10. Succession sow. Since you are growing in a small space, plant some seeds, let them grow, eat your harvest, and plant some more. Just make sure to add compost and nutrients between sowings