* I canceled the big lawn company a few years ago and decided to push-reel mow it myself.  That lasted two (very long) years. What I really wanted to find was a good old-fashioned company where I could get to know the person who came to my home every week, that I wouldn’t have to sign a year-long contract for a service I simply don’t need all year, I’d be able to adjust the lawn care schedule to meet nature’s needs (I needed the lawn mowed only every two weeks at certain times of the year), and so on.  Was this unrealistic?  Well, no, it turns out it wasn’t.  I hired a service owned by a man named Berny, who has been happy to accommodate my requests.  I’ve since hired him to do annual pruning and other big cleanups.  I’ve recommended him to others. And I like that my daughters can put a name and face on the person who helps us upkeep our property.  I thought of that when I saw this week’s Kudzu Must-Do 52 enewsletter, which suggested dialing down on the irrigation as lawns start to go dormant.  I thought of that as I saw the first red-and-yellow speckled leaves of fall on my maple tree.  And I thought of that as Berny emailed me this morning and said he was skipping this week, that my lawn just doesn’t need to be cut.  Thanks, Berny.

* For those with flooding issues from Hurricane Irene (or other storms), even if they were minor, the Kudzu Must-Do 52 reminds us that flooding can be an electrocution risk.  Turn off power before entering a flooded basement and have an expert inspect electric appliances and systems before using. Still doing the drought thing where you live?  That doesn’t mean you’re off the water hook (or, should I say, faucet).  Check around your house for leaks (no sense causing your own mini-flood) and for standing water (if it hasn’t all evaporated by now).  Why waste water, throw money down the drain (literally), and set up conditions for wood rot, mold, and attracting mosquitoes? (Find out how to fix a leak here, or go straight to the pros.) (Here’s more on how fixing leaks can also help with allergies.)

* All this water talk have you thinking of actually adding a water feature?  Look for one that recirculates the water, like this bubbling urn I found on a blog named Serenity in the Garden that’s about creating harmony, simplicity, and peace in the landscape (yes, yes, sign me up!)

*Thinking bigger than a fountain, smaller than a lake? That sounds like a pool.  Can we just dream a minute?  How amazing would this be?  Turns out indoor pools are a 2011 pool trend.

Find an electrician on Kudzu to check your system and appliances before using them after flooding, a plumber to fix your leaks, and a pool installer to help restore your happy relationship with large amounts of water.