HELOISE Conserve water and still have a great garden

Dear Readers: Summer is in full bloom, so I'd like to share some hints on gardening and conserving water, as well as helping trees and plants be as resistant as possible to drought conditions. No matter where you live, the following gardening hints will help you conserve our most valuable resource:
UWater early in the morning so that plant leaves will dry quickly in the sun. If you water late in the day, spore and fungus diseases have a chance to grow during evening and night hours.
UWater plants near the soil instead of at the leaves, and water gently so the soil doesn't wash away.
UBe sure to give each plant a good, thorough watering. A light sprinkling will cause roots to come to the surface, where they can be damaged by the sun. The idea is to get the roots to go down deep, where they won't be subjected to summer heat.
USpreading mulch around your plants and trees will not only add to the beauty of your garden, but will also help hold in moisture. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Another use for pantyhose with a run is to cut the toe off and then cut strips about 1 inch wide. They make great ponytail holders -- with no metal, they don't damage your hair! Faithful Reader in New Mexico
Dear Heloise: I have found that a damp sponge is just as effective as a lint roller, if not more so, at removing lint, etc., from clothing. Rather than buying the brushes or rollers, just keep rinsing the sponge and brush away. Have a nice day. Norma L. Doxey, Red Bank, N.J.
And a way to remember that a sponge isn't for washing dishes is to clip off a corner, or just keep the & quot;lint & quot; sponge out of the kitchen. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Some black and/or blue socks with matching patterns are easy to separate and put together. But the black and dark-blue socks that are similar are maddening to separate under artificial room light, even if the light is bright.
I got an idea to take them outside in daylight. They are easy to separate, and it doesn't even have to be sunny. Try it, you will see. William B. Keith, Houston
Dear Heloise: While doing yardwork, I found that a wheelbarrow is very cumbersome and sometimes hard to handle. So I started using my granddaughter's little wagon. It moves smoothly, is easy to dump and is just the right size. It is also handy to carry small yard tools, plant food, ant killer and anything else I need to work in the yard. Karen Lynch, Aztec, N.M.
Dear Heloise: Many of the liquid soaps in bath-and-body shops contain silicone or glycerin. So, I use one of them to shave my legs, using only a scant amount. The results are fabulous! No need to moisturize after the bath. Jan Goodall, via e-mail
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate