2 • MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
Spring lawn & garden checklist (NewsUSA) - Whether you're considering the resale value of your home or are simply resigned to doing maintenance projects to keep your house in good condition, your lawn and garden could certainly benefit from some TLC of the home- and lawn-improvement variety this spring. The exterior of your house commands most first impressions, and even mild winters inflict seasonal damage. If you don't know where to start, a home-improvement project checklist may help. Consider the following lawn- and garden-maintenance tips from home and garden experts at HGTV and MarthaStewart.com: * Remove piles of dead leaves from the lawn. Not only will your grass grow greener, a clean lawn helps maximize fertilizers and pesticides. Don't make the mistake of fertilizing your grass too early though. April is the general benchmark; any sooner might result in yellow spots and dried-out patches of grass. * Check gutters for leaks and debris. Loose gutters cause improper drainage, so water can collect in basements and crawl spaces. Downspouts should point away from the foundation of the house and must be clear of all debris. * Start a roof fund. It's a good rule of thumb to check your roof for rotted, buckled, loose or missing shingles after winter because summer sun will only worsen the damage. Since roof maintenance is so expensive, it's also smart to start a fund before you need it.
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* Remove piles of wood or debris stacked near the home. Firewood should be kept far away from the foundation, and stacked 18 inches off the ground. These preventative measures help keep insect pests from exploring your home. * Don't strain yourself, and stay hydrated. This might be the first time you've done any heavy lifting or spent hours in the sun for months. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, take breaks and stretch your muscles. If you suffer from backaches and muscle strains, keep some relief like Absorbine Jr. on hand. Its herbal ingredients and uncanny ability to ease muscle and back pain make it a must-have for yard work. * Call a professional to clean your AC unit. Heating and cooling experts recommend an annual servicing since clean coils work more efficiently. When the summer's blazing heat drives you indoors, your family will appreciate having an AC operating at peak levels.
MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 • 3
Tips for flower gardening • Those darn rose thorns: Sometimes gloves don't do the trick when trying to prevent being poked by rose thorns. Try using a spring-action clothespin to hold the rose stem. Simply grasp the rose stem with the clothespin and make the cut at the desired length. • Bananas in the Garden? Yes! Banana peels around roses add potassium to the soil, and roses love potassium! Place a few peels just under the soil around your roses; they will eventually break-down. • When should my bulbs be planted? As a general rule, spring flowering bulbs (daffodils and tulips) should be planted in fall and late Summer / Fall flowering bulbs (Liatris) should be planted in the Spring. Planting times will vary, depending on your climate zone, but remember that the earlier bulbs are planted in their required time frame, the better off they will be. • Does a bigger bulb mean a better flower? While a bigger bulb will most likely produce a bigger flower, it does not necessarily mean a better flower. The bulb of a smaller species will produce a smaller plant, but the quality may be equal, if not better than a bulb of a larger species. • Should I pant tulips in sun or shade? Tulips will do well in either sun or shade. What does deadheading mean? Deadheading is the act of removing spent and fading flowers. Removing the spent flower encourages new flower buds and prevents the plant from spending energy on developing seeds. 16078 Irish Ridge Road Calcutta, Ohio
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4 • MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
Five spring steps for a beautiful summer yard (Family Features) Think ahead with a good yard-care routine this year so you’ll have a backyard oasis through the year for entertaining or simply relaxing and enjoying the hazy, lazy days of summer with family and friends. There’s simply nothing that compares to running barefoot through the lush green grass, here are some tips to get started: 1) Begin with a good spring clean up, which includes raking leaves and removing debris, tree guards and burlap. Just be careful not to remove mulch from perennials or shrubs too early, or to rake your flower garden too vigorously. Doing so could damage the soil, tendering new bulbs and emerging plants. 2) Clean, repair, sharpen, lubricate and tune all of your garden tools, mowers and trimmers, so they are ready to go when you are. 3) Testing your soil is the starting point of any lawn fertilization program. Consider testing your soil each time you plant new seed. State Extension services and private labs offer kits that let you mail in soil samples for analysis. The reports will give you an accurate reading of what your lawn needs and how much of it should be applied. While tests don’t have to be done every year, they are a good idea every three or four years. 4) Control crabgrass, dandelions and clover, three of the most common weeds you’re likely to see trying to take hold in your lawn. Crabgrass is best tackled before it emerges from the ground and begins to grow leaves. Conversely, members of the broadleaf weed family - like dandelions, clover, plantain, chickweed, and spurge - require a treatment that comes into direct contact with the plant’s leaves, so they must be dealt with, once they’ve made their appearance known.
Be sure to choose a product that is best suited for your region, especially if living in the south. For a simple spring lawn care routine, try GreenView with GreenSmart Crabgrass Control plus Lawn Food, and Broadleaf Weed Control plus Lawn Food in a zero-phosphate formulation. In addition to handling tough weeds, they also fertilize in one easy application. The broadleaf control kills over 250 of the toughest weeds, as listed on the package label. Look for lawn fertilizers with a slow-release nitrogen ingredient for strong roots and long lasting results. Once you get it on the lawn - you’ll be done for the season because the slow-release nitrogen provides your lawn with controlled, steady nutrition - resulting in thicker, healthier grass. That means no excess growth, and less mowing. 5) Set your mowing height at 2 1/2 to 3 inches and mow at the same height all growing season. Try not to remove more than 3/4 inch of grass at any single mowing. Whenever possible, mow during the cooler morning or evening hours to avoid damage to the turf. For additional lawn care tips and more information about the complete GreenView with GreenSmart product line, visit www.greenviewfertilizer.com or call 1-800-233-1067.
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Tips for planting this year The sooner plants are planted, the more time they have to become established in the garden. Plants purchased in containers may be left in their containers for a few days, however, to avoid the plant drying out, they should be planted as soon as possible. Bare root plants should be planted according to the instructions provided by the nursery. Spring is the best time to plant perennials as they will have plenty of time to get well established prior to the summer heat. Spring is also a good time to transplant and/or divide perennials. Perennials may also be planted during the summer, however, the plants are more susceptible to drying out. If planted in the summer, it is important to water daily for at least one week. Fall is also a good time to plant perennials as the heat of summer has passed and the plants will still have time to become established prior to the harshness of winter. Following are a few planting tips:
will turn to mud when it rains. When the soil dries, a hard crust will form and plants may not be able to penetrate the crust. • Remove all weeds from the garden area. • Plant when the soil, not just the air, is warm. • To make the soil more workable, lightly water the garden area. This should be done approximately one hour prior to planting. Avoid over-watering the area. • To avoid stressing the plants, planting is best done during a light rain, after a rain, in late afternoon, or on a cloudy day. • Mulching around the plants will keep weeds to a minimum, help retain moisture, and keep roots cool. • Make certain the garden area drains well as the plant roots may rot or become disease or insect ridden. • Set plants in the ground at the same depth as they were in the container.
• Over-raking the soil will create very "thin" soil that
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6 • MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
Maximize spring cleaning, minimize the mess
(Family Features) It can be a challenge to keep the house clean, especially for busy families. When the kids are home from school, it means more dirt, mud and sand get tracked in, whether it’s from sports practice or backyard fun. Pets add to the mess, too. In fact, a recent study conducted by the NPD Group revealed more than half of pet owners (51 percent) reported that managing and cleaning up pet hair is their number one cleaning chore. Pierra Jolly, founder and editor of JollyMom.com, a website devoted to her daily trials and tribulations of raising a three year old and Labrador retriever in Atlanta, can relate. “Certain times of the year I typically double my cleaning efforts, making sure that everything is under control just in case we are babysitting, dog sitting or hosting an unexpected cookout or sleepover,” says Jolly. “Unless I stick to my established cleaning schedule, I fall behind.” Keep your sanity with these Jolly Mom tips for minimizing messes. * Clean One Room a Day to Keeps Messes Away - Develop a cleaning schedule where each day is devoted to one room in your home (for example, kitchen on Tuesday, bedrooms on Wednesday). Save the rooms that are considered high-traffic areas for later in the week in case of unexpected company. * Avoid Pet Hair Emergencies - The guests are about to arrive and suddenly you realize that your pet has picked an in-
opportune time to hop on the couch. Tidy up with the Hoover TSeries WindTunnel Pet. Made with pet lovers in mind, it comes with an Air-Powered Pet Hair Hand Tool. Rubber blades collect hair and powerful suction carries it away. A rinsable filter and high-quality HEPA filter helps absorb odors from your furry friends, all for less than $100. Additionally, consider grooming more frequently to help control shedding. * Start at the Top - When you are cleaning a room, start at the ceiling with the corners and light fixtures, and work your way to the floor. Finish by vacuuming to pick up all the dust and dirt from your efforts. * Leave the mess outside - Make sure the dirt from the outdoors stays where it came from. Avoid tracking in grass, mud and sand by establishing a mud room, a place for the kids to store toys, shoes, towels and sports equipment. * Let the Air In - After giving the carpets a deep cleaning, open the windows. Fresh air will speed up the process of drying carpets, allowing your family to enjoy the cleaned rooms without spoiling the hard work. Plus, instead of investing in an expensive carpet cleaning service, try the Hoover MaxExtract77. Not only does it work wonders on dirty carpets, it pulls up a lot of dirty water so your floors dry fast and you’ll be back to living on those deep-cleaned floors quickly. For more information, cleaning tips and discounts on Hoover products, visit: www.Hoover.com.
MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 • 7
New lawn mowers are a cut above the rest (NAPS)—If your lawn mower is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement. In the past decade, engineering advances have produced gas-powered lawn mowers that run cleaner, start easier and are more fuel efficient than ever before, while providing a variety of options that make yard care easier. Gas-powered mowers remain the No. 1 choice among homeowners, accounting for four out of every five mowers sold in the United States, according to The Stevenson Company, a leading consumer research organization. Lawn care experts say they aren’t surprised because gas mowers give consumers so many choices when it comes to power, price and options—something they don’t get with electric and battery-powered mowers, which are mainly an option for homeowners with small yards. “Gas mowers provide a range of power to reliably mow any size yard and even tall, thick grass,” explains Rick Zeckmeister, a vice president at Briggs & Stratton Corporation, which engineers and manufactures gas engines for outdoor power equipment. Today’s gas-powered lawn mowers, he points out, are also in tune with today’s environmentally conscious lifestyles. Since 1995, Briggs & Stratton has reduced carbon emissions produced by its gas engines by 75 percent. According to EPA statistics, all gas-powered outdoor power equipment combined accounts for less than half a percent of all carbon emissions in the U.S. (Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector 1990–2003,
lent compact fluorescent bulb in their home, it would more than offset the carbon emissions from using a gas walk-behind mower for an entire mowing season. “Gas mowers have improved dramatically over the years in every way,” says Zeckmeister. “It would be like comparing a television from the 1990s to a new flat- screen LCD TV you would buy today.” Other innovations and benefits of the newest gas mowers include: • Easy starting, with a single pull of the starter rope or the push of a button, like in the newest cars; • Improved fuel efficiency and advanced muffler systems that produce a more pleasant sound quality and less vibration; • Ample engine power to mulch grass clippings while mowing, turning them into a natural fertilizer for the lawn; • A variety of options to make mowing easier, from mowers that automatically adjust to the walking pace of the person mowing to digital dashboards that show the time, fuel level, maintenance reminders and other information. Briggs & Stratton provides an online tutorial on how to select a lawn mower at www.yardsmarts.com. For information on environmental and product per formance considerations when choosing a new lawn mower, visit www.briggsandstratton.com.
Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA 420 R06 003, March 2006). Based on EPA statistics, if a family replaced a single 75-watt incandescent lightbulb with an equiva-
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8 • MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
Make your home safe from fire, room-by-room
H
FAMILY FEATURES
ome fires may seem like the kind of event that happens to someone else, but the reality is, it could easily happen to you. Approximately every three hours a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Take action now to make sure your home is safer, and that your family knows what to do in case a fire does break out. And don’t stop there — share some positivity in your community by reminding family and friends to change the batteries in their smoke alarms when they change their clocks this fall.
Make a Plan
When a home fire occurs, you have very little time to get out. Having an escape plan that everyone is familiar with is a critical part of saving lives. Yet only 23 percent of U.S. families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely. Draw a floor plan of your home and find two ways out of every room. Sketch the exit routes clearly on the floor plan. If an upstairs window is one of the escape options, make sure you have a fire escape ladder long enough to reach the ground. Make sure every adult knows how to use it. Adults should be responsible for helping younger children. Assign an outside meeting place, so that if the family escapes from different routes, you can quickly locate each other.
Room by Room Bedrooms
The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when most families are asleep. Do not trap electrical
cords against walls. Heat can build up, posing a fire hazard. Use only lab-approved electric blankets and warmers. Make sure cords are not worn or coming apart. Do not leave electric blankets switched on all night unless they are marked “suitable for all night use.” Keep bedding, curtains and other combustible items at least three feet away from space heaters. Never smoke in bed. Replace mattresses made before the 2007 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. By law, mattresses made since then are required to be safer. Have a working smoke alarm in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
Living Room
Do not overload electrical outlets. Never run electrical cords under carpets. Check all electrical cords for fraying or other signs of damage.
Only light decorative candles when adults are in the room. Use stable candle holders that will not catch fire. Blow candles out when you leave. During a power failure, do not use candles or oil lamps for light. Keep battery operated flashlights and lanterns in easily accessible places. Candles used for light in the absence of electrical power cause one-third of fatal home candle fires. Make sure you have a working smoke alarm in each room, including the living room.
Kitchen
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Never use extension cords to plug in cooking appliances. They can overload the circuit and start a fire. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Keep anything that can catch
fire away from the cooktop. This includes potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels and curtains. Keep the cooktop, burners and oven clean. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire. Wear short, close-fitting clothing or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
Garage
Store all combustible materials away from regular sources of heat, such as water heaters, space heaters, boilers and furnaces. Keep wood finishes, spray paint, paint thinners and other flammable products in a dedicated storage container with a closed door. Store all combustible materials in their proper containers and be sure they are clearly marked. Keeping the garage tidy can also help keep it safe. Get rid of stacked boxes, newspapers, recycling and trash. They can be instant fuel for a fire.
For more tips, visit www.Energizer.com.
Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery
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2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program, created by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). This program reminds people to check and change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors during the fall time change. Installing smoke alarms on every level of the home can give your family precious minutes to get out and get to safety. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one. Once a month, check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button. Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 • 9
Illustration courtesy of Getty Images
10 • MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
Tips to halt spring termite infestations
(NewsUSA) - While you're trying to find every available reason to be outside this spring, termites are doing the exact opposite -- trying to worm their way indoors and devour your walls and floors. And they certainly aren't feasting for free. "Termites have an insatiable appetite for cellulose found in wood, eating 24-hours a day, seven days a week. They cause serious and costly damage and can compromise the structural stability of a home," said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). "NPMA advises homeowners to have their homes inspected annually, especially if they've noticed swarmers." Swarmers are winged termites that arrive in early spring, eagerly looking to set up a new colony. Although they appear similar to flying ants, it's important that homeowners do not mistake the two species, since termite infestations that are left untreated can quickly damage the structural integrity homes. To make matters worse, damages caused by wood-destroying insects, such as termites, are typically not covered by homeowners' insurance policies -- leaving you to foot the bill. The "silent destroyers" and their saw-toothed jaws can significantly reduce the longterm property value and financial investment of a house. The NPMA estimates that termites cause at least $5 billion in property losses each year in the U.S. Termite season usually begins in early March and lasts through June. The NPMA recommends these tips to prevent termite infestations: * Inspect the perimeter of a home for rotting wood, mud tubes or a visible termite presence. Pay particular attention to doors and windowsills, looking for shed wings. * Avoid water accumulation near a home's foundation by diverting water away with downspouts and gutters. * Never bury wood scraps in the yard. If your home is newly built, remove any remaining grade stakes or tree stumps on your property. * Maintain a one-inch gap between soil and wood portions of a building. * Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation. * Do not stack firewood or lumber near home, and inspect it carefully before bringing indoors. * If you suspect you have an infestation, contact a licensed pest professional. Termites cannot be controlled on your own. Learn more about choosing a qualified pest professional at www.pestworld.org.
MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 • 11
Keep the pests out of your garden • I have a ton of earthworms in my garden, is this good or bad? Earthworms are very beneficial to the garden. They aerate the soil as well as feed on decaying matter in the soil. Keep in mind that chemicals are toxic to earthworms, so use them sparingly. • Protect your tender young plants from cutworms with a collar: Cutworms look like hairless caterpillars that take a bite or two from the stem of young plants - usually right near ground level. The damage will look like the stem was actually bitten. The plant may be fortunate enough to survive the attack if it is able to develop new growth from the root, however, many plants may die due to the cutworm nibbles.
Place them around the plants that they like to nibble on - you will soon notice less nibbling. • Coffee Grounds to repel some insects: Some people like to use used coffee grounds to deter insects and some animals. Sprinkled around plants, the insects and animals do not like the smell. • Got Cabbage Worms? Put a few handfulls of plain white flour in a paper sack, prick several small holes in the bottom of the sack, and sprinkle the flour over your cabbage plants. The worms ingest the flour and nothing else.
To make a collar, try using a washed-out yogurt container with the bottom cut off. Place the container over your young plant and press into the soil about one inch. There should be two inches of the container above the soil. Doing this will prevent cutworms from climbing over or sneaking under the collar to bite the plant's stem. • Mosquito plant vs. those pesky mosquitoes: The mosquito plant, also known as the citronella plant, is not all it's cracked-up to be. Simply having one will not repel mosquitoes. The mosquito plant is a scented geranium and is a relative of the common garden geranium. This plant contains citronella oil, which is only released when the leaves are crushed. The oil is the ingredient necessary for repelling mosquitoes. I like to break a few leaves off the plant and rub them onto my skin. Beats using those nasty chemical sprays! • Mothballs to the Rescue! To ward off rabbits and rodents, try using mothballs.
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Growing a better garden 1) Although many seasoned gardeners suggest drawing a detailed plan of your desired garden (shape and plants to be planted), we feel this is not necessary until you have selected your garden location and learned more about plants that may do well in this location. A garden plan will be necessary later on (step 5). To begin, select a spot in the yard for your garden. This can be along a wall or fence, around a tree (or group of trees), or in the middle of the yard. Use a garden hose to make the outline of the garden. This will allow you to determine the actual size and shape of your new garden. Keep in mind: plants growing near a tree will compete for water with the tree, therefore, plants suited for dry areas are perfect for around trees. 2) The area selected for your garden dictates the amount of light and/or shade. Before digging-up the dirt and/or weeds, determine the amount of sunlight the selected garden spot will receive verses the type of garden you want...Do you want a full sun garden? A shade garden? Will your selected location receive sun all day? About 6 hours of morning sun? About 4 hours of afternoon sun?... Many plants require a certain amount of sun in order to grow well. If there are specific plants you strongly want in your new garden, do a little research regarding its light requirements before settling on a garden location. Keep in mind: the sun is positioned higher in the sky during the summer than in the fall, winter, and spring. Leaves on trees will create shade that may not be present during the
winter and spring months. A garden can have different amounts of sunlight. For example, if your new garden is along a wall on the east side of a building, the plants closest to the wall will be shaded by the building before those plants farther away from the building. 3) Your new garden spot can now be “worked”. Basically, this means you can now remove the grass and/or weeds, add soil amendments, and begin planting. This step covers the removal of grass and weeds. To remove grass and weeds, the best bet is to actually dig-up the grass and weeds with a shovel or spade - following the hose layout (step 1). You may roto-till the garden area without removing the grass and weeds, but chances are great they will come back. An alternative to digging-up the grass and weeds is to use an herbicide (such as Round-Up) and spray the grass and weeds, following the package directions. Once the grass and weeds show obvious signs of death, you can roto-till the garden area. Keep in mind: if starting a garden near or around trees, tree roots may interfere with the tiller’s tines. A shovel may be inevitable. 4) Once the garden area is clean of grass, weeds and debris, you need to amend the soil. Many plants are sensitive to the wrong type of soil (acid or alkaline levels may be too high or low or the soil lacks nutrients). You may simply add compost, aged manure, peat, or sand to your soil to give it fresh nutrients as well as proper consistency (all of which may be purchased at your local garden center). If you can visibly see that your soil has a high
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concentration of clay, you will need to add sand, peat and compost which will give substance to your soil. If your soil is visibly sandy, you will need to add compost to give your soil bulk and valuable nutrients. Amending your soil will also neutralize the acid level - making it suitable for a larger range of flowers. To add these items to your soil, empty the bags directly on top of the existing soil, spread it around, and roto-till it in. If you do not have a roto-tiller, use a shovel to "dig and flip" it into the existing soil (insert the shovel into the ground, pull out a shovel-full of dirt, flip the shovel over dumping the dirt on top of the compost and repeat these steps throughout the garden area.) 5) Determine the plants you want to plant. To assist in the selection of plants, click here to view our plant library. Remember to consider the height, flower color and light requirements of each plant. When purchasing plants, there should be a tag or label that describes the plant as well as its preferences to light. It is a good idea to draw your garden on a sheet of paper before planting and decide the location of each plant within the garden. A few points to consider: Taller plants block the view of shorter plants, so plan your garden accordingly (taller plants to the back of the garden if your garden is along a wall or fence, or in the center of the garden if planting a circular or oval garden). Bright colored plants (orange and yellow shades of flowers) tend to make a garden look hot in a full sun gar-
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MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 • 13 den. They do, however, brighten up shady gardens. Dark colored plants (red and blue shades of flowers) tend to make a garden look cool in a full sun garden. In a shade garden, dark colored flowers may appear to be lost in the shade. 6) Watering is very important ! The tags and labels that came with the plant upon purchase will indicate the water requirements of each plant. It is a good idea to plant those plants with similar water requirements together. There can be a few water requirement groups of plants •N E W -Bed d in g Pla n ts •Bu lk & Prep a cked Ga rd en S eed s •Cra b Gra ss Con trol/Preven tion •L a wn S eed •S eed Pota toes •On ion S ets •Ga rd en Tools •Pla n tin g S u p p lies
within one garden (for example, several different plants that require little water in one area of the garden and several different plants that require more water in other area of the garden). As a general rule, your plants should be watered every day for the first week, about every two days for the second week, and at least once a week thereafter. This will enable your plants to establish strong roots.
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7) Mulching your garden will prove very benefi-
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14 • MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
The changing nature of gardening It appears that gardening is now going through some rather significant changes. As the "baby boomers" like myself get older, we are less inclined towards heavy outdoor activities on a regular basis. Coincidentally many of our home gardens and landscapes are pretty much completed as desired and we are doing mostly minor improvements and upkeep.
many options available to us to provide for both ourselves and natures critters by utilizing plants that are food sources in addition to being structural elements of a landscape such as a hedge or a canopy tree. While I am not by design into feeding the deer, I do like to provide for the birds and squirrels, and do attempt to provide them with sources of good as I develop the garden.
The increasing cost of land has resulted in most average new home sites being smaller than was the case during the heyday of suburban development. The exception are those few homes at the very high end of the housing market which have landscapes running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The current economic situation not withstanding, has also curtailed the size and scope of home gardens and landscapes. This translates into generally less space which in turn reduces the quantity (and variety) of trees, shrubs etc., that one might have used in the past. However that does not mean that we also must lessen the quality of what we employ in developing our home landscapes. The opposite is actually true. Smaller spaces are often easier to develop as the scope of the project can be more precisely defined to fit the lifestyle and desires of the property owner. When we as professional landscape designers develop out door areas, we are in essence creating defined spaces or outdoor rooms in which to carry on various outdoor activities. Smaller spaces tend to suggest more intimacy and it forces our hand to more creatively explore our options, all to our clients advantage and enjoyment. In effect less is more!
The change in thoughts towards gardens can have other benefits. A recent article in the February/March 2012 issue of National Wildlife, A National Wildlife Federation publication, features a homeowner in Hartford, Conn., that took a very small urban yard space that was bare, bleak and foreboding and turned it into a colorful and bodacious garden of beauty. Not only did she create an improvement and a project of joy with her own property, but the ripple effect was a wave of transformation throughout her entire neighborhood. Consequently most of her neighbors also removed their "security" and often locked chain link fences and developed similar garden spaces. Interestingly, the incidence of crime rate in her area dropped dramatically. People now spend time outdoors tending and enjoying their gardens as the entire area reaps the benefits of an overall improvement in property appearances and values. They also enjoy a lower incidence of crime and have a enhanced feeling of community. This has also lead to folks staying in the neighborhood and improving their properties rather than moving out and "up".
With a wide array of hardscape material possibilities that now are available, one no longer needs to content with a boring 12 ft. by 12 bare concrete pad and a cheap basket weave or board fence as the primary elements of our outdoor living area. There are numerous colors, styles and textures of manufactured stone pavers and wall stones on the market. A little imagination can lead to some truly creative types of privacy screens, some which may incorporate plant materials. Low voltage lighting systems which are quite energy efficient and easy to maintain, allow us to considerably extend the hours of use of outdoor spaces while in turn providing safety, security and ambience all which results in greater enjoyment of our outdoor spaces. We also have a much enhanced selection of slower growing, or as some erroneously call "dwarf" plants. Do not confuse "dwarf" plants to mean that they will stop growing at a certain size without extensive pruning. Nearly all "dwarf" plants will eventually grow as large as the standard of the species, it is just that they take a whole lot longer to do it. Nonetheless, by using the "dwarf" plants, it allows us to include more of what we might like in developing a garden or landscape with an understanding that in time some pruning or removal is required. Our changing gardens now often include a wide array of herbaceous perennials, perhaps some small fruits and even colorful vegetables providing us food crops. There are
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In the same article there is reference to recent research by Andrea Fabor Taylor and Frances Kuo at the University of Illinois has found that gardening is not only to be considered a "hobby" like knitting, but it is an essential element in the development of healthy children. They found in their research that children who have at least equal time at outdoor activities to "screen" time, are less likely to have mental, physical and social development problems and disabilities. They refer to this as "nature deficit disorder" which results in increased incidence of childhood depression, asthma, vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes. Providing ample outdoor play time where there is interaction with nature is akin to preparing healthy and delicious meals from scratch verses opening a box and micro waving some pre prepared food. Children need to be outside engaging in exercise and activities that include learning a respect and love of nature. So you ask what can I do? Well I say; "get off your butt and start gardening. Do it for food or for fun or both." Encourage your children and or grandchildren to do likewise. One of our clients, Mrs. Bernice Monter of Lisbon, a retired octogenarian teacher, is an avid gardener and tends a sizable garden of mostly flowers. Despite her diminutive size, she is a powerhouse of sharp wit, seemingly endless energy, and bountiful good humor. She attributes her good health of body, mind and soul to her gardening activities, and reports she rarely has trouble sleeping during the gardening months. We can all learn by her example. So get up, get going, and get gardening! Skip McCullough, apld #156 CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE DESIGNER at MEADOWBROOK NURSERY & LANDSCAPE.
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MORNING JOURNAL SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2012 • THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012 • 15
Tips for planting seedlings • Don't drown the seedlings: Starting seedlings indoors is a gratifying experience, however, watering of these youngsters can be damaging. Try planting seeds in a seedstarting tray that contains several individual cells - leaving one cell empty. To water the seedlings, pour water into the empty cell. The water will drain into the tray and be soaked up by the seedlings.
determine which type of plant the seeds will come from. Knowing the type will determine whether or not the seed is worth saving. There are two types of plants: Open-pollinated and Hybrid. Open-pollinated plants are just that...plants that have been allowed to freely pollinate. Seeds saved from open-pollinated plants will most likely produce plants similar in characteristics to their parents.
• Multiply your plants with seeds! Collect seeds from your perennials in the fall. Snip off the seed "pods" and gently remove the seeds that are hidden within. If necessary, remove the chaff (papery covering over the seed) from the actual seed. In the fall, the seeds can be dropped onto the soil in the desired location.
Hybrid plants are those which have been produced by crossing two open-pollinated varieties in order to achieve specific characteristics such as flower color or size. Seeds from hybrid plants will produce plants that are lacking in characteristics most desired by the parent plant.
In northern climates, the winter snow cover will provide moisture and protection for the seeds - they will germinate in the spring. In warmer climates, the seeds may need to be lightly pressed into the soil in order to germinate. • How long do seeds last? If seeds are kept in a cool, dry location they can last for several years. Place the seeds in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Silica gel packets placed into the seed container will keep the humidity level down. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, kohlrabi, endive, cucumber, lettuce, pepper, radish, sunflower, and tomato seeds can be stored for at least five years. Beans, carrots, celery, parsley, peas, pumpkin and squash can be stored for at least three years. Corn, onion, parsnip and spinach seeds are not recommended for storage for more than one season. • Can seeds from this season's plants be saved for next season? It is first important to
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Meadowbrook Nursery and The Landscape Co. “Creators of Distinctive Landscape Solutions” OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE
George (Skip) McCullough B.A., A.P.L.D. #15
7273 STATE RTE. 164 LISBON, OHIO
330-424-3484
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