A special section of the Fillmore County Journal
covering all of your Fall Home and Garden needs
Fall Breeze & Autumn Leaves September 23, 2019 • Fillmore County Journal
The buzz about Madi & Daddy Honey
Pfarkel Sisters she shed just one of their many projects
The Pfarkel Sisters consists of Dianne Perry, Janell Kraut, and Sharon Vreeman. Photo submitted BY H ANNAH WINGERT hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Don Fishbaugher and his award-winning honey. BY R ICH WICKS rich@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Don Fishbaugher and his daughter Madi enjoy spending time together, just hanging out with a few million friends. Those friends just happen to be the honeybees responsible for Madi & Daddy Honey, produced at Don’s home in southwestern Fillmore County. Regarding their honey venture, Don explained that, “I started about six years ago. It was something fun for Madi and I to do together, and we got kind of fascinated by it. The
more you learn, the more there is to learn with it.” Madi is currently a high school junior, and Don said when he first asked if she wanted to help with the bees and honey, “It was really fun to see. She had no fear. She just put that bee suit on, and was Supergirl, and put her face right in the hive.” The upper midwest is known as an especially good area for honey production, although Don said he’s not sure of the exact reason. And like any type of venture that relies on nature, there is a delicate balance of factors that makes the difference
Photo by Rich Wicks between lean times or a bumper crop. Don explained, “We’re trying to get the bees to produce surplus honey. They need about 100 pounds of honey (per hive) to survive winter, because that’s their diet. So we can take what is above and beyond that.” He added that the last couple of years have seen decreased honey production, but he hopes that is just a temporary change rather than a long-term trend. When asked about the growth of their honey business, Don stated, “I got, I think it See MADDIE & DADDY Page 6 ➤
“Mom always liked to do projects so we learned to do them with her,” Sharon Vreeman said. “We’ve always re-purposed and done that kind of thing.” In 2017, Sharon and her sisters Dianne Perry and Janell Kraut, known professionally as the Pfarkel Sisters, put that love of design into creating a she shed on Sharon’s property outside of Fountain. Much like a man cave, a she shed is a small building designed for women to relax and enjoy their hobbies in their own space. The sisters use theirs primarily for relaxing and storing new projects they’re working on. The sisters turned an existing shed at Sharon’s into their she shed and decorated it with re-purposed finds in calming, neutral colors. Inside you can find seating, pillows, and even a trundle bed which came in
handy when Sharon and her husband were remodeling their home last year. Dianne and Janell were also able to sleep in the she shed when they stayed with Sharon to help get ready for their annual sale. The idea for the she shed originally came from a friend of theirs, Sue Whitney. Sue, formerly of Lanesboro, is the author of the Junk Beautiful series and was planning a new book, Junk Beautiful: She Sheds. She reached out to them and asked if they were interested in creating a she shed to be featured in her upcoming book. The sisters thought it was the perfect idea. “We actually didn’t do a whole lot to the shed,” Sharon explained. They did install windows as the shed didn’t have any, but for the most part, their efforts were focused on cleaning the shed up and decorating it. See PFARKEL SISTERS Page 2 ➤
A SPECIAL SECTION ON FALL HOME & GARDEN IN THE FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL.
Page 2
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
PFARKEL SISTERS Continued from Page 1
They were under a deadline to get the shed done because the book photographer was already booked to come do a photo shoot. Despite the pressure, they pulled it off. “It was fun,” Sharon laughed. Sue’s book came out last fall and is available online.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Since the she shed was completed, the sisters have enjoyed spending time in it. “We’ve made use of the she shed,” Sharon said. “It’s a good little spot.” The sisters don’t spend too much time relaxing, however. They also stay busy working on re-purposing projects for their business, Junk {Re}defined. Although they’ve been creative for most of their
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lives, they didn’t start Junk {Re} defined until 2000. They used to participate as vendors in various shows such as Junk Bonanza, but in the last few years, decided not to do so anymore. “It became lots of work and then you have to stay overnight three or four nights, and there’s the set-up and the take-down,” Sharon explained. Not willing to give it up completely, the Pfarkel Sisters decided to hold an annual sale at Sharon’s property with all of the projects they worked on over the year. The sales are held in the fall with this year’s taking place on September 13 and 14. Those sales draw a crowd of between 200-300 people from all over the tri-state area and the sisters are usually just about sold out by the end. “We do fairly well,” Sharon remarked. Many of their visitors are repeat customers who then bring their friends along. The sisters have no plans to quit their business any time soon. “We’ll just slow down,” Sharon laughed. “Or maybe the projects won’t be quite so big so they’re easier to handle.” Sharon, Dianne, and Janell continue to scour garage sales, auctions, estate sales, and even dumpsters for materials they can re-purpose into something new. “It’s a whole recycling process,” Sharon commented. In addition to their annual sales, the Pfarkel Sisters also do limited custom orders on request.
The cozy she shed created by the Pfarkel Sisters.
Photo submitted
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Page 4
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, September 23, 2019
Seeding and fertilizing schedule Seed and fertilize when temperatures are moderate and soil is warm. Remember to keep new grass seed moist with frequent watering. Restoring lawns and gardens back to their pre-winter glory is high on many a homeowner's landscaping to-do list. In much of the country, the best times to tackle lawn projects are when temperatures are moderate, like in spring and fall. These seasons also mark the best time to seed and fertilize. Planting and fertilizing new grass seed should be done when frost is no longer a concern and before frost arrives if you are planting in autumn. According to Roger Cook, a landscape contractor and contributor to This Old House magazine, sowing lawn seed should be done when the soil is warm, the daytime temperatures are moderate and you can keep the new seeds quite moist at all times. While grass seed can be
applied in the summer, it is more challenging to get the seeds to take root and thrive at this time, as water is more likely to evaporate under the hot sun. Also, many weeds germinate in the heat of summer. As a result, the weeds can infiltrate areas of the lawn where you planted, compromising the look of your lawn. The process of reseeding and fertilizing your lawn is relatively similar if you decide to do so in late spring or early fall. you plan to seed and remove any debris or rocks. cleared planting area. Use a rake or tiller to break up the soil and distribute the fertilizer to a depth of roughly two to four inches. Speak with a landscaper about which type of fertilizer you will need depending on where you live. Many fertilizers contain extra phosphorous to stimulate root growth
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in the lawn. and let the soil settle. You want the soil damp but not so wet that it causes the newly applied fertilizer to run off. according to the rate indicated on the seed bag for the type of grass you will be growing. Choose a grass seed that will thrive in your climate. Certain seeds are more tolerant of drought and sunlight, while other species are better for shady areas or damper climates. Again, if you have any questions, consult with a lawn and garden center. broadcast spreader. Some lawn experts recommend spreading the seed in parallel rows and then repeating the process again in rows set at a right angle to the first series of rows for the best chances of seed coverage. The seeds then can be raked into the soil, covered with a little more soil and patted down. damp. This may require watering twice or more per day until the seeds begin to germinate. Covering the seeds with about 1/4 inch of straw also can help keep the seeds moist, deter seed scavengers and prevent soil erosion. Remove the straw once the grass begins to grow. the seeds have started to grow, apply another round of fertilizer to replenish the top layer of soil with nutrients that may have washed away from the constant watering. Homeowners can employ a similar process to overseed a lawn in the hopes of producing a thicker, more attractive landscape. Any thatch and debris should be raked away, and the top layer of the lawn surface can be gently aerated. Top dress the lawn with a very thin layer of new soil and compost. prepared lawn and lightly rake the new seeds to help them settle into the soil. Apply fertilizer and water the lawn frequently to keep the new seeds moist. Once the seed has established itself, you can water the lawn for longer periods and less frequently to help develop strong roots. Wait for the lawn to reach a height of three to four inches before the first cut of the season. Many homeowners like to take on the challenge of seeding and preparing their lawns. best left to the professionals.
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Earth-friendly tips for autumn Autumn is upon us, and with the change of seasons comes the fall to-do list that must be completed before the arrival of winter weather. Many outdoor jobs are best completed before temperatures drop, while others can be tackled indoors to help save energy and prepare for increased time
spent inside the home. Outdoor cleanup Autumn means leaves are falling from trees and littering landscapes. Cleaning up leaves can be a time-consuming task, but it's necessary to promote the health of lawns and other plants. Grass that is completely matted down with
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Monday, September 23, 2019 leaves can become starved for light and moisture, and lawns may even rot when forced to spend winter beneath fallen leaves. One eco-friendly timesaver is to shred leaves with a mower (a manual mower is preferable) and leave them as topdressing for the lawn. As long as the grass blades can be seen within the leaves, the lawn should be fine. Shredded leaves will decompose and add necessary nutrients and organic matter to the soil naturally. Leaves also can be used in annual flower and vegetable gardens to improve the soil. Mulch made from shredded leaves can be placed on the soil around trees and shrubs. This helps to reduce weed problems and protects root systems from harsh temperature fluctuations. Clothing donations It's time to pack away summer clothing and once again fill closets and drawers with sweaters and jeans. Before packing away your summer wardrobe, conduct an inventory to determine if there are any items you no longer use. Donate these items or use them as rags when cleaning. Keep some short-sleeved shirts accessible so you can layer them under sweatshirts and sweaters. The heat from layering will be trapped against your body and keep you cozier, reducing your reliance on HVAC systems to stay warm. Home repairs Check the roof for any missing shingles. In addition, look for spots where animals or insects may be able to gain entry into your home. Seal these areas and repair any leaks. This will make your home more efficient later on when winter hits its stride. Remove window air conditioners for the winter. If they can't be removed, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket. If you have forced-air systems, move furniture away from the vents so that air can flow better around the home and keep it comfortable. Check weatherstripping around windows and doors and make the necessary adjustments. Installing additional insulation also can help reduce energy consumption. A few tips can help homeowners prepare for autumn in ecofriendly ways.
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Page 5
Fall lawn care tips Spring and summer may be the seasons most often associated with landscaping and lawn care, but tending to lawns and gardens is a year-round job. If lawn and garden responsibilities dip considerably in winter, then fall is the last significant chance before the new year that homeowners will have to address the landscaping around their homes. Fall lawn care differs from spring and summer lawn care, even if the warm temperatures of summer linger into autumn. Homeowners who want their lawns to thrive year-round can take advantage of the welcoming weather of fall to address any existing or potential issues. how you mow. It's important that homeowners continue to mow their lawns so long as grass is growing. But as fall transitions into winter, lower the blades so the grass is cut shorter while remaining mindful that no blade of grass should ever be trimmed by more than one-third. Lowering the blades will allow more sunlight to reach the grass in the months ahead. Much like apple-picking and foliage, raking leaves is synonymous with fall. Some homeowners may wait to pick up a rake until all of the trees on their properties are bare. However, allowing fallen leaves to sit on the ground for extended periods of time can have an adverse effect on grass. Leaves left to sit on the lawn may ultimately suffocate the grass by forming an impenetrable wall that
deprives the lawn of sunlight and oxygen. The result is dead grass and possibly even fungal disease. Leaves may not need to be raked every day, but homeowners should periodically rake and remove leaves from their grass, even if there are plenty left to fall still hanging on the trees. exacts a toll on lawns in various ways, and even homeowners with green thumbs may end up with a lawn filled with bald spots come September. Autumn is a great time to repair these bald spots. Lawn repair mixes like Scotts® PatchMaster contain mulch, seed and fertilizer to repair bald spots, which can begin to recover in as little as seven days. Before applying such products, remove dead grass and loosen the top few inches of soil. Follow any additional manufacturer instructions as well. es soil compacting, facilitating the delivery of fertilizer and water to a lawn's roots. While many homeowners, and particularly those who take pride in tending to their own lawns, can successfully aerate their own turf, it's best to first have soil tested so you know which amendments to add after the ground has been aerated. Gardening centers and home improvement stores sell soil testing kits that measure the pH of soil, but homeowners who want to test for nutrients or heavy metals in their soil may need to send their samples to a lab for further testing. Fall lawn care provides a great reason to spend some time in the yard before the arrival of winter.
The Homesteaders Journal By Julie Little
Harry Caterpillar You wear your Mohawk style Without statement or attitude, Hiding its ragged elegance Beneath a sheltering leaf. Intent upon its succulence, You note its color and weight Assessing its ability to nourish The growth of your larval form. Do you think about the day, Your metamorphosis will come When all you frowzy fuzziness Will change to colored dust? Or do your thoughts remain Upon the brush of breeze, The shadows underneath, The world from upside down?
Page 6
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
MADI & DADDY Continued from Page 1
was 10 hives the first year. And I’ve kind of been doubling every year since then. Now it’s up over 200.” Asked how many bees
Monday, September 23, 2019
they have, Don replied, “Well, 200 and some hives, so each hive has, if they’re good hives, maybe 60,000 bees in a hive.” Using those numbers, it’s likely that Madi and Don have around 10 million bees in their hives!
Don Fishbaugher smokes the bees before inspecting the hives. Photo by Rich Wicks
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Despite this, Don said his operation is considered “pretty small.” He explained that there are other honey producers in the area with hundreds more hives, and one is in the thousands. According to Don, the biggest challenge to raising honey is the Varroa mite, which is a tiny mite that creates wounds on the bee’s body, which then allows infections to easy impact the bee. He said wherever there are bees, there will be Varroa mites, and if left unchecked, they can be devastating to bee populations. Another challenge is the winter death rate. Although many beekeepers, including Don, ship their queen bees to warmer areas over the winter, death rates still run around 25%. And for the rest of the bees, which stay in their hive through the winter, death rates of 40% or more are seen. Don said nobody really seems to understand why so many bees die each winter. Don shared that during the summer months, the worker bees only live about six weeks, but during that time, they never rest. The queen bee will lay 1,500 to 2,000 eggs per day, to keep the hive population from dropping. And the bees have a big workload, as they must make wax to build the honeycomb chambers for the larvae. Beeswax is basically just dried honey. Don explained, “They have to build a lot of wax. It takes a lot of honey to make wax. They say three pounds of honey
The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County to make one pound of wax.” The workload for Don and Madi varies greatly depending on the season and weather. When asked about the summer
when it’s a cold, rainy spring, I was feeding 400 pounds of sugar every other day.” He generally harvests the honey once a year, in the fall. Then over the winter, after the queen bees are shipped to CaliDon finds his bees busy as a, fornia, the remaining well... you know. bees basically just hang Photo by Rich Wicks out in the hive. Don said they’ll move their wings enough to generate some heat, and are usually able to keep their hive temperature around 45 degrees. Madi & Daddy Honey is clearly a labor of love. Despite all of the challenges, Don and Madi enjoy the work, and Don said he expects to keep growing the operation. He also showed blue ribbons their honey earned at the Fillmore and Olmsted County Fairs. Madi & Daddy Honey is available at Harmony Foods, Preston Foods, Harmony and fall workload, Don replied, Gardens & Floral, and Blossom “This time of year, it’s very little. Hill in Preston. Don added, There’s a lot of nectar and pol- “And I wholesale a lot of it, too. len. They have everything they It’s easier to sell it in five-gallon need right now. In the spring, pails than little bears.”
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An Award-Winning Team...
25 AWARDS IN 2019!
in 2019, the team at the Fillmore County Journal has been recognized with 25 awards from three organizations: Minnesota newspaper association, Midwest Free Community Publications, and association of Free Community Papers.
Mary L. aLLen Reporter
JANA BOYUM
TayLor Case
Creative Director
MiCHeLLe Quanrud Website Administrator
Graphic Designer
KAREN REISNER
Assistant Editor
Associate Publisher
Mary WHaLen
seventeen awards
in advertising, editorial, and digital categories 1st Place - Best Promotion Of Your Paper Through Publicity Other Than In Your Paper 1st Place - Best Original Editorial 1st Place - Best Single Web Ad (website) 1st Place - Best Home Page or Landing Page (website) 1st Place - Best Overall Website 2nd Place - Best Grocery Separate Section 2nd Place - Best Agricultural Separate Section 2nd Place - Best Promotion Of Your Paper Through Publicity Other Than In Your Paper 2nd Place - Best Original Feature Story 2nd Place - Best Original Sports Story 2nd Place - Best Single Web Ad (website) 2nd Place - General Excellence For Papers That Carry News 3rd Place - Best Single Black & White, Small Ads 3rd Place - Best Automotive Black & White, Any Size Ads 3rd Place - Best Self Promotion Advertisement In Your Paper That Promote The Use Of Your Paper By Advertisers/Readers 3rd Place - Best Original News Story 3rd Place - Best Original Sports Story
Reporter
SHERRY HINES
Reporter
AMANDA SETHRE
Reporter
eLLen WHaLen
PaiLey Gordon
Advertising Sales Representative
JASON SETHRE Publisher
RICH WICKS Reporter
BARB JEFFERS
oLivia seTHre Office Assistant
HANNAH WINGERT Reporter
JuLie LiTTLe
Photo Journalist
Reporter
PauL Trende Sports Director
KirsTen ZoeLLner Reporter
Four awards in
Four awards in online, print,
four key categories
and glossy categories
1st Place - Use of Color in Advertising 1st Place - Website 2nd Place - Special Section 3rd Place - Headline Writing
2nd Place - Single Ad, Grocery, Full Color 3rd Place - General Excellence, Weekly Newspaper with minimum of 26% Editorial 3rd Place - Classified Layout Honorable Mention - Best Cover Design/Magazine Format
These awards reflect on the talent of the Fillmore County Journal team in the areas of editorial content, layout, advertising design, and digital presence.
And, these awards would
not
be possible without the involvement of Journal readers and advertisers. Thank you!
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Page 8
Monday, September 23, 2019
Transplanting trees no small task An alluring landscape can make a home that much more enjoyable. Many homeowners devote considerable time to their lawns and gardens, and that devotion can pay both instant and long-term dividends. A well-groomed landscape can make it more enjoyable to relax in the yard, and such a property will be more attractive to prospective buyers when homeowners want to sell their homes. But even the most welldesigned landscapes some-
times need some rearranging, and those changes may involve transplanting trees. Homeowners may transplant trees for various reasons. Some homeowners might be moving to a new home and want to take a favorite tree along with them, while some trees simply outgrow their existing space and need to be moved elsewhere on the property. Regardless of why trees need to be transplanted, homeowners can take several steps to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
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a transplant can save you the trouble of transplanting that won't benefit from the move. If a tree is not getting adequate sunlight in its present location, then transplanting it to a different location on your property with more exposure to sunlight might reinvigorate the tree. If soil is the problem, than transplanting the tree might prove ineffective unless you also test the soil where you plan to move the tree and adjust it so the tree can thrive. roots that extend beyond the tree absorb water and nutrients, and such roots need to be pruned before transplanting a tree. Landscaping professionals note that root pruning stimulates the growth of new small roots nearer to the tree's trunk, and these newer roots will be dug up when the time comes to transplant the tree. Root pruning must be done well in advance of transplanting the tree. For example, if you hope to transplant the tree in the fall, then do your root pruning in the spring before new buds appear on the tree. Speak with your landscaper or a nearby garden center to determine the best way to prune your tree's roots. rectly. Avoid transplanting trees when temperatures are colder planting before or after a thaw allows the transplanted roots time to develop. In addition, transplanting the day after you have watered the soil around the tree reduces the stress on the tree's roots, making it easier to keep the root ball intact. transplanting a tree, make sure the root ball does not dry out. If it does, the tree likely won't thrive in its new location and all your hard work will have been for naught. Cover the root ball with damp burlap or canvas so it can retain more of the moisture it will need to adapt to its new location. store a transplanted tree before you plant it elsewhere on your property, storing it for a long period of time increases the chances that the transplant will be unsuccessful. Ideally, you want to plant the tree in its new location as soon as possible. If you must store it, make sure you don't suffocate the root ball, as roots must be kept damp or they will die and potentially cost you the tree. appeal to a property and help reinvigorate an unhealthy tree.
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needs to be moved. Some trees that are not thriving in their existing location may not benefit from a transplant. For example, a tree with a pest infestation might need to be replaced rather than transplanted.
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Be a monarch’s best friend Newburg Vintage Home & Garden Store hosted two sessions in August for anyone interested in learning about monarch butterflies, and their unique life cycle and migration. On August 21, approximately 25 people attended, and heard an informative talk given by Irene Fishburn, who along with her husband Glen owns and operates Newburg Vintage Home & Garden. In explaining how they became interested in monarchs, been raising and releasing monarchs ever since we saw the wintering site in California. They hang by the thousands on one
inches deep.”
cycle, Irene shared that, “It takes about four generations for the monarchs to come up through the United States. The ones that come up from Mexico will start in March. Those are the ones that are mature enough to fly on north, and create another batch of eggs… and then usually the fourth or fifth generation, and those monarchs only live two to six weeks.” She went on, “Only the ones that hatch between the middle of August through the first of See MONARCHS Page 9 ➤
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MONARCHS
Continued from Page 8
will not be mature enough to reproduce… all they’re going to do is eat and then fly all the way back to Mexico. And they will over-winter there, and then in the spring, they’ll start to reproduce on the way back up north.” Irene stated that the monarch migration is triggered by night time temperatures down in the 50s. She added, “They fly approximately 50 miles a day. They have logged some at 120 miles. They think that they get into the current and fly that way.” She said goldenrod is a preferred food source as monarchs fly south in the fall. The entire migration is 2,000 to 3,000 miles, depending on how far north a monarch is when the migration begins. Milkweed is the main plant associated with monarch butterflies, and Irene said there are
over 100 varieties of milkweed. Milkweed is a perennial, so it will come back year after year, as well as spreading via seeds. She gave out milkweed seeds for all attendees to sprinkle on the ground somewhere. The seeds, she explained, have to experience a hard freeze over the winter before they will germinate, so the seeds should be sprinkled on the ground (not buried) in the fall. Monarchs face a number of challenges, and for years, the overall population has been dropping. Challenges include the loss of habitat, weather extremes, motor vehicles, disease, and natural predation. It is estimated that each year, roughly 2.2 million acres of habitat is lost to development. That equates to losing habitat roughly the size of the state of Illinois every 16 years! Irene explained that because of the declining population, Congress is consid-
A monarch is tagged and released.
Photo by RichWicks
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, September 23, 2019 ering naming the monarch as an Endangered Species. Irene encourages anyone interested in helping to bolster the monarch population by starting a monarch “waystation,” which is essentially just a patch of their preferred flowers. A waystation should include milkweed and other nectar sources. Irene said zinnias are a favorite food source for monarchs, as are many other flower types. More details can be found at the website monarchwatch.org. Irene suggests that anyone interested in raising monarchs should keep the caterpillars and/or chrysalis (cocoon) outside or on a screened porch, so that they’ll experience natural lighting and temperature. She said this helps them develop normally. The Fishburns have a very impressive monarch waystation in their backyard, as evidenced by the large number of monarchs they are able to raise every year. Irene said they’ve raised over 500 in one year, but this year, they are raising around 200. Irene also explained the tagging process, which allows researchers to check on the migration and life cycle of monarchs. For tagging, a small sticker is placed on the wing, and then the tagger logs the applicable information onto a website. Irene grinned as she shared a story of the lengths she has gone to in her involvement with monarchs. She stated, “We’ve gone on vacation in Door County, and we like to go in September… my husband and I will sit on a bench on the shores of Lake Michigan, and wait for the butterflies to come to shore, and we’ll root them on, and for some of the butterflies that look really tired, we’ll pick them up and take them down to Iowa, and save them five hundred miles!” Obviously, Irene and Glen are a monarch’s best friends, and she encourages others to be, as well. When asked why she chose to put on these informational talks, Irene replied, “Mainly because we’re new to this area, and the migration needs help. And anybody can do that.” She welcomes anyone to come visit with her about monarchs as well.
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Page 10
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, September 23, 2019
Three pre-winter lawn care pointers Winter weather can be harsh, especially on lawns. Homeowners who spend much of spring and summer tending to their lawns may fear the impact that winter will have on their oncelush landscapes, making the fall a great time to fortify lawns
against any harsh conditions to come. Homeowners must take grass type into consideration before taking steps to prepare their lawns for the winter. Some grasses are best fertilized in latesummer, while others should
be fertilized in autumn. Coolseason grasses, including fescue and bluegrass, are best fertilized sometime between the months of September and November. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda or zoysia, should be fertilized between July and September. Once homeowners have gained a greater understanding of their lawns, they can begin exploring the various ways to prepare their lawns for whatever winter has in store. Explore winterizing fertilizers Homeowners who want to make their grasses more winter hardy can consult landscaping professionals to determine if winterizing fertilizers will work for their lawns. These specially formulated fertilizers, many of which are made exclusively for cool-season grasses, contain higher levels of potassium and lower levels of nitrogen than early-season fertilizers. Potassium helps strengthen and harden plants, and cool-season grasses may need extra potassium as winter settles in. Homeowners who are not sure if they should apply winterizing fertilizer can conduct soil tests to determine the potassium levels in their soil. If the test indicates the soil has sufficient potassium, then applying a winterizing fertilizer is likely unnecessary. In addition, homeowners who have fed their lawn a bal-
The FCJ reaches over 13,000 households each week. ance of nutrients throughout spring and summer likely will not need to apply winterizing fertilizer. Get rid of fallen leaves While fallen leaves may be integral components of idyllic autumn landscapes, leaves left on the lawn throughout the winter may lead to disease in the grass. Leaves trap moisture and block sunlight and air from reaching grass, and that can encourage the development of disease. In addition, leaves can harbor insects that also may contribute to disease. While it might seem like common sense to delay leaf removal until the end of autumn when all the leaves have fallen, that, too, can prove harmful to lawns. Leaves left laying on lawns for long periods of time can contribute to the same types of damage as leaves left on the lawn throughout winter, so do your best to remove leaves as they fall. Take steps to fight snow mold Homeowners who live in
regions where snow falls into spring or where spring tends to be cold and damp may want to take steps to prevent snow mold. Gray snow mold typically looks fuzzy and gray, and lawns infested with snow mold may develop unsightly gray or brown spots indicative of dead grass. Pink snow mold may be even worse than gray snow mold because pink mold attacks the roots as well as the leaves. To prevent snow mold, continue mowing into the fall, even as lawns grow dormant, clearing the lawn of grass clippings and leaves after each mow. Thick lawns may provide a breeding ground for snow mold, so homeowners whose lawns have a history of developing snow mold may benefit from mowing their lawns into the fall. Winter is rarely easy on lawns, but homeowners can take several steps to prepare their lawns for potentially harsh winter weather.
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7 uses for fallen leaves By the time autumn hits full swing, many trees will have shed their leaves for the season, and the last vestiges of red, yellow and orange magic will have faded to brown. Raking, blowing and collecting leaves becomes the primary chores of lawn and yard maintenance, and presents most homeowners with large piles of gathered leaves to tend to. It is impossible to count just how many leaves fall to the ground each year, or just how many pounds of leaves get collected curbside, but the numbers are substantial. Cleaning up leaves is considerable work, but not all of those leaves need to be carted away. In fact, there are several different uses of leaves that can be beneficial.
a natural insulating cover that keeps the soil and the plants within a bit warmer over winter.
mulch to cover tender perennials or root crops/bulbs in the ground. The leaves will form
in a dry spot so they can be used in the spring as a weed barrier for spring plantings. They will keep
Did you know?
that's often identifiable by its yellowish tint, and this dead grass, if left to loom in the lawn over the winter, can block air and moisture from making its way into the soil. That can make it difficult for a lawn to recover come the spring and
Before saying "so long" to yard work at the end of autumn, homeowners should remove thatch from their lawns. Thatch is dead grass
will break down and form a crumbly, compost-like material called leaf mold. Even though leaf mold may sound like a blight, it's actually a good amendment to garden soil, improving its structure and ability to hold water. Leaf mold also attracts beneficial organisms that are vital in healthy soil. to green materials in compost piles to improve the health of the compost being formed. According to the healthy living resource Care2, the ideal ratio is 75% brown to 25% green materials in compost. Turn compost piles regularly to aerate them.
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Monday, September 23, 2019
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Page 11
weeds at bay and help retain soil moisture to ensure small sprouts have the resources to grow. lawn supplement. Pass a lawn mower over leaves left on the lawn to break them down into pieces too small to rake. This will help keep the lawn healthy throughout the winter without blocking out needed sunlight.
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them tightly together in cold areas of the home, such as basements or garages. They can act as added insulation. Bags of leaves also can be placed around planting containers to protect them from frost. ing leaves and preserve them.
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press leaves between two pieces of waxed paper until the waxed paper seals together. Or use clear contact paper to achieve the same effect. Fallen leaves can be used in many different ways throughout the year. may even cost homeowners a substantial amount of money to address when winter finally skips town. When removing thatch, resist the temptation to rake with lots of physical force, as raking too hard can harm the lawn. Instead, commit to three or four easy passes with the rake, as this will collect the thatch without damaging the lawn. Many people rent a dethatcher from a nearby lawn and garden supply store, and such a device can make the process of removing thatch much easier. However, be sure to clean the machine before using it on your lawn, as there is no way of telling what condition the previous renter's lawn was in when he or she used the device. Failing to clean the dethatcher can spread disease from a previous renter's lawn onto your own, and that can prove another costly mistake come the spring when your lawn is looking to rebound. If seeding the lawn in early fall, which can be a great time to reseed, remove the thatch before laying down any new seed. If you wait to remove thatch until after you have laid down new seed, then the lawn likely won't benefit from the seed and you will likely just rake the new seed away when it comes time to remove thatch.
Catch up with the Journal
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Page 12
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, September 23, 2019
The FCJ reaches over 13,000 households each week.
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