Stephanie Howard

Michelle dances with her son, Bryan, who married Cloe Drury on Dec. 19, 2020.

Michelle McCulloch, whose son, Bryan, married in 2020.

What advice would you give someone planning a rehearsal dinner?

The wedding was in Decatur, and most attendees were at a hotel near the venue, so we carefully chose the rehearsal dinner location to be a short ride from the hotel. For the table decorations, I used Pinterest for inspiration. I proposed a budget to the florist initially, instead of leaving it open ended, and she described what she could do for that budget. On the night of the party, I let the event host watch the clock and prompt me at certain times to invite guests to sit, do the toast, etc. You lose track of time when you are socializing.

A tip for wedding planning.

My advice to brides would be to invite the parents of the groom when making selections, if possible. It meant the world to us to be included in the wedding planning, especially since we don’t have daughters.

What was your biggest challenge, and how did you resolve it?

Cutting the guest list in half after the Save the Dates had already gone out, because of safety requirements during the pandemic. Guests who were removed from the list received a mini bottle of champagne and a heartfelt note from the bride and groom, so they could raise a glass on the wedding night to toast the newlyweds and feel included in the celebration.

Tips for a Healthy Summer Lawn

BY STEPHANIE HOWARD, CHEROKEE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER

With so many different types of grass, it can be confusing to know how best to care for your yard during the summer. Keep your lawn healthy and free of disease and infections with these care and monitoring tips.

Lawn Disease and Insect Control

All lawns are subject to disease and insect infestations, especially during the summer. However, there are warning signs to help catch potential problems.

Check for dead or dark patches with clearly defined edges. These patches may indicate fungal disease. Follow proper irrigation methods, to avoid any major fungal issues during the hot, summer months.

Look for webworm, armyworm or cutworm infestations. Webworms leave a veil-like webbing on the turf surface that is seen easily in the morning, before the dew burns off. Armyworms leave significant damage by chewing patches of blades to the ground. Circular, sunken patches of cut leaf blades might indicate the presence of cutworms.

St. Augustine and centipede turf especially are susceptible to chinch bugs. Patches of wilted, yellow grass might indicate their presence. Treat the soil with an approved product for the specific type of infestation. Control strategies differ, so follow instructions on the product label.

Mowing Height Recommendations

GRASS TYPE MOWING HEIGHT (IN) Bermuda grass 1 – 1.5 to 2.0 Centipede grass 1 - 2 St. Augustine grass 2 - 3 Zoysia grass 1 - 2 Tall Fescue grass 2.5 or more Kentucky bluegrass 2.5 or more

Cool-season grass includes tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red fescue and chewing fescue. These grasses do not actively grow during the summer months, and maintenance usually is limited to irrigation, weed management and mowing. • Rather than mechanically dethatching, manually rake your lawn. • If needed, apply a post-emergent for grassy weeds, like crabgrass, or spot-spray broadleaf weeds, like dandelion. Do not treat drought-stressed turf. • July is a great time to conduct a soil test, before turf enters the fall growing season. • Apply lime at any time. However, do not apply other fertilizers during June or July. • A healthy lawn needs around 1 inch of water per week. Consider the amount of rainfall when determining irrigation needs. • Fall is the best time to seed or install cool-season sod.

Warm-Season Lawns

Warm-season grass includes Bermuda, centipede, zoysia and St. Augustine. These types of turf typically are stressed during the summer months. Mow at the proper height and follow irrigation recommendations. For Established Lawns • It is not too late to apply a pre-emergent for significant weed control. Use a weed and feed product or spot-spray for minor weed control. • If needed, aerate or dethatch. These activities are not necessarily required every year. Consider the timing of the pre-emergent application, so as not to disturb the chemical barrier. • Fertilize Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine grasses at the beginning of July. The healthy zoysia lawn may not need to be fertilized. This application should be effective through September. • When fertilizing centipede lawns, use a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertilizer in early July. • Follow water-wise irrigation methods, to insure a healthy lawn and promote a strong root system.

Consider rainfall amounts when planning irrigation needs. Apply 1 inch of water per week. Do not overwater. For Newly-Installed Lawns • Irrigate daily for the first two to three weeks, until well-established. • Fertilize according to soil test recommendations.

To promote good coverage, apply a complete fertilizer monthly. • Once established, mow often, to discourage weeds.

Stephanie Howard is a resident of Towne Lake and an avid gardener.