Consumer Reports offers lawn-care tips

Arecent article on Consumer Reports’ Web site offered its readers time- and cost-saving tips for homeowners looking to build up their outdoor living spaces. The article is more evidence of the importance of outdoor living in today's market.

The general tone of the advice was one of conservation -- fertilize less, mow less and mulch clippings were among the tips.

The tips that might include a trip to a home improvement store or lawn and garden center include the advice to "improve sprinkler-system efficiency." The article advised that drip irrigation systems work best for bushes and plants because they deposit water directly to the root system. It also recommended installation of a rain sensor on existing sprinkler systems. On new systems, control technologies with local weather reports can determine hydration schedules, it said.

Other advice: "Think beyond grass." Consider shade-loving ground covers, ornamental grasses, plants, trees, flowers and shrubs, the article suggested.