Gardening with Complete Solutions

FALL HAS ARRIVED

by PJ Kratohvil, Owner of Complete Solutions

These cooler night time temps allow for a great start to the day if you’re out and about in the mornings! It’s a very exiting time of year to be in the business as everyone is getting “Fall Fever” Patio business is in FULL SWING & Landscape Teams have plenty to do!

October is one of the most critical months when it comes to the exterior and landscape maintenance around your home. Here are a few things to contract out or add to your “To-do” list over the next few weeks: shingles have come off during our last

EXTERIOR:

Ensure windows and doors are properly sealed. Restricting unwanted airflow will keep things comfortable inside and help reduce any unwanted guests.

All exposed wood surfaces are painted or sealed to ensure as the cold weather and rain moves in and effected by weather. Check out your roof to make sure no

out, things are protected and less round of summer storms and that the gutters are clean and free of debris.

LANDSCAPES:

Cutback and prune this year’s growth. This will not only help to keep your beds organized but also promote new growth come spring.

Remove, cultivate, fertilize and add new 2” layer of mulch. We lean towards a shredded mulch vs. bark or large cut. It will hold the best, not float, and as it breaks down to offer a great weed / moisture barrier (ensure the mulch is kept below the brick line so you don’t chance having rainwater get in the weep holes during a rain event).

Oct. thru Dec. is a great time to plant larger shrubs and trees. Allowing them to start rooting over the winter months will make the heat of summer a lot less hazardous to their health.

Go ahead as things cool off and cut back on the irrigation. Watering a couple of times a week and ensuring your rain sensor is operating effectively should be sufficient and help your monthly spending.

214.735.1363 | COMPLETESOLUTIONSDFW.COM

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT In Denton County

by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads

October is National Mental Health Month, which provides the perfect backdrop to stop and assess exactly, “How are you doing?” As stressful as life is normally, COVID-19 has magnified stressors in everyone’s life and pushed the boundaries of our mental health.

Statistically, Americans rank high in the realm of mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 26.3 percent of adults 18-25 suffered from a mental health issue in 2018. During 2009-2017, adults 18-25 suffering from major depression increased 63 percent. The senior population (55 and above) in the U.S. is estimated to have 20 percent of the demographic struggling with a variety of mental health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 40 million adults, around 18.1 percent of the U.S. population, suffer with chronic anxiety, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. The U.S. spent $187.8 billion on mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders in 2013. An estimated $70 billion was spent on depression treatments alone, according to a SingleCare report.

These statistics remind us that many of our neighbors in Denton County are struggling with mental health, suffering in silence at an even deeper level with the added pressures of life due to the ongoing pandemic.

Denton County’s MHMR has reported a true struggle to remain connected to their elderly population since the onset of the pandemic. People are not coming out to seek assistance with their mental health struggles due to the risks of contracting COVID-19. Thankfully, CARES Act funding allowed MHMR to receive funds as part of Operation: Connecting Lives to purchase iPads to assist in connecting with the elderly population, especially those in nursing homes who have been especially isolated.

United Way of Denton County is another organization that has been on the frontlines serving our residents in many ways including mental health. UWDC leads the Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team, which advocates and facilitates for a collaborative personcentered behavioral health system to repair and restore lives.

Interested residents can attend a free-8-hour course on adult mental health first aid to equip them with a five-step action plan to respond and refer an adult who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

Another population in Denton County who has a great need for mental health assistance is our inmates, juveniles, and the public in crisis situations.

Incarceration provides a plethora of restrictions, rules, and even isolation while still being among a constant population. Our County recognizes the need to serve this population and keep them healthy.

Denton County has spent over $1.3 million to provide mental health assistance for our inmates and the public experiencing a mental health crisis through the Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Investigative Unit and the Denton County Public Health’s Jail Health Program.

During this month of mental health awareness, let’s do our part to continue these initiatives and assist each other in ensuring mental health services are available to all in need.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you at andy.eads@dentoncounty.com or 940.349.2820 For more information, register for my newsletter at www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup.

PUMPKIN

without Carving

Fall is just around the corner and as you may have recently noticed during your most recent grocery shopping trip, pumpkins have returned once more. Soon it’ll be time to decorate your home with jack-o-lanterns and autumn decor however you may encounter an issue. You have no skills at carving a pumpkin. What makes it worse is that all the pumpkin carving kits have horribly flimsy tools that bend easily and barely make a dent in even the softest pumpkins. What’s worse is having to reach in and scoop out all the slimy seeds and try your best not to get it everywhere. After all that. . . the pumpkin lasts maybe a few days before turning green in the warm humid weather.

Luckily we have several alternatives that are not only easy but also free of pumpkin guts. Since they do not require damaging the pumpkin, it’ll ensure that they last much longer than your standard jack-o-lantern. There are several options to choose from to suit your skill level and talent so you won’t be stuck with a failed pumpkin (we’re lookin at you Pinterest). So take a look then head over to your local craft store.

LEVEL 1

2 pumpkins & 1 can of gold spray paint

Wipe the pumpkin down with soap and water to get off any oil and dirt. Once it’s dry set it outside on paper or anything you don’t mind turning gold. Shake the can for a minute to ensure you get even coverage before spraying a thin even coat around the pumpkin. Wait 20 minutes then apply another coat then repeat 2 more times. Let dry for a day and viola! One can should be enough for 2 pumpkins.

LEVEL 2

1 pumpkin & 1 - 50 yard stool of straw ribbon (raffia)

Start by choosing a pumpkin with a stem. Tie the end of the ribbon around the stem to anchor it. Use the grooves of the pumpkin to guide you, they will also help keep the ribbon from slipping. Use the stem to wrap the ribbon around it before moving on to a different groove (hot glue also does the trick). Once done secure it with a knot and make a bow from the ribbon to place on top.

LEVEL 3

1 pumpkin, paint brushes, black paint & pencil. Draw small jack-o-lanterns around the pumpkin with the pencil. With a smaller paint brush paint the edges of the pumpkins first along with the face. Once all of them have been completed, finish painting the rest of the pumpkin black. You may need 2-3 coats to ensure the pumpkin is fully covered. The end result will be a black pumpkin with cute mini pumpkins revealing the natural orange underneath.