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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — APRIL 2/APRIL 9, 2021
This book helps readers plan ahead for the unexpected It’d be just your luck. “In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now You’re outside, enjoying a for When You’re Not Around Later” nice sunny day and, like by Abby Schneiderman and Adam Seifer with Gene Newman Wile E. Coyote, a piano falls c.2021, Workman Publishing on your head. Or a car crashes through the wall $17.95 / $23.95 Canada onto your bed. Or tree244 pages climbing wasn’t such a good idea. Stuff happens. And “In THE BOOKWORM it’s probably not in a safe (POA) and mediCase You Get Hit by a Bus” SEZ deposit box). cal POA. Name by Abby Schneiderman and By Terri Schlichenmeyer Adam Seifer, with Gene Then think hard. Include an executor. If you’re a busiNewman, helps your family all your most important ness owner, to know what to do. passwords, safe combinations, and make a succesWhy is it that the document you need 4-digit codes in your documentation. sion plan. And You want to make it as easy as possiis never where it’s supposed to be? finally, remove the skeletons from your ble for a loved one to find any approThat’s bad for you, so imagine if a closet while you can. priate information in an emergency. loved one was looking for that docuOne way or another, you’ll be glad Remembering your time-limit, mindment in panic mode. That’s the kind of you did. walk yourself through your home and thing Schneiderman and Seifer are write down anything someone might Eventually. trying to stave off in this book. As the founders of Everplans, they know that need to know: alarm codes, mainteEventually, you’ll be glad you did nance schedules, garbage day, and the saving all your information in one everything that’s inside this book; but names and contacts for repair contracplace is “liberating” and comforting. doing so will take a year’s worth of tors. While you’re doing this, you’ll And it’s not that hard to do... 10-minute sessions. Indeed, “In Case inevitably think about the kids and First, in every step inside this book, your pets, so keep a running list of give yourself ten minutes and don’t don’t-forgets for them, too. stress. Start by looking for the 15 docDocument your doctors, insurance uments you’ll need most often, scan policies, and benefits you’re entitled to ST. CLOUD, Minn. — As the temperthem, and decide on the most convereceive. Note your Power of Attorney atures continue to warm and frost nient, best place to store them (hint: comes out of the ground, many of us are itching to spring into lawn and garden work. One of the first things on your to-do list might be getting a soil test ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Join the ment, and what we can do to be a part done. Benton County Extension Master of the solution to minimize the spread This time of year, I get numerous Gardeners for the annual Spring of invasive species. There will be time phone calls about fertilizers and other Seminar on April 15 at 7:00 pm. This to ask questions. soil additives. Sending a sample of your session will take place via Zoom. This seminar is free and open to the soil to a qualified lab can remove the The featured speakers will be Monika public. You must register in advance to guesswork out of fertilizer recommenChandler and Mari Hardel from the receive the link to join. To register you dations. This not only makes good ecovisit https://z.umn.edu/ nomic sense, but also helps ensure ferMinnesota Department of Agriculture’s can Noxious Weed Specialist team. The SpringSeminar or call (320) 255-6169. tile soils without excess fertilizer applievening will include information on This article was submitted by cation. Excess fertilizer can result in what invasive plants are, how they are University of Minnesota Extension. v undesired vegetative versus fruit prointroduced and thrive in the environduction growth and contribute to pollution in the environment. 30676 County Rd 24 Sleepy Eye, MN. 56085 Results of the soil test include data www.mathiowetzconst.com on soil fertility, pH, and organic matter. office@mathiowetzconst.com addition, fertilizer recommendations 507-794-6953 In are provided according to the soil test In All We Do, Farm Friendly Since 1924 data. A standard test from the We Do It Right! University of Minnesota Soil Testing – Aggregates – Grove Removal Laboratory will include soil texture, – Building Pads – Hauling organic matter, phosphorus (P), potas– Demolition – Site Grading sium (K), and pH. The most common – Ditch Cleaning – Terraces fertilizer used for a fertility program is nitrogen. Nitrogen (N) is not common– Farm Drainage – Equipment Sales & Service ly included with the test results because An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
You Get Hit by a Bus” doesn’t overlook any part of American life, in an effort to ensure that your anxiety is eased some. Schneiderman, Seifer and Newman do a completely thorough job with that, and they admit up-front that not everything is mandatory. This lends a sense of “ahhhhhhh” right away. If you don’t have Document X, don’t sweat. Still, hints on how to find the top 15 most-needed docs and a few more worksheets might’ve been nice. Be scared by reading “The Big CloseOut.” Be comforted by skipping directly to tips on memory-making. Use what you need here. Flexibility is key to Everplans’ plans and to this book, and you know how many “what-ifs” you’ve thought about in the past year. Now, you’ll always think about them. And since you’ll need a book like “If You Get Hit by a Bus,” you’re in luck. Look for the reviewed book at a bookstore or a library near you. v
Soil testing for lawn, garden
Spring seminar set for April 15
MATHIOWETZ CONSTRUCTION
of its mobile and ever-changing chemical forms in the soil. However, recommendations are given based on lawn care practices, plant or crops being grown as indicated on the form. More than one sample may need to be collected and analyzed in your yard and garden. For example, one sample from your vegetable garden and a second from your lawn should be collected. The soil test form provides instructions on how to collect a sample. The University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory completes soil analysis for farm or for home and garden. A local private lab may also be an option for you. The standard soil test from the University of Minnesota will cost $17. Additional testing can be added for small fees but starting with the basic test is usually recommended. Most county Extension offices have the submission forms and soil testing bags. The information can also be found at http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden. This article was submitted by Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension. v
