The Bookworm Sez

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 nice sunny day and, like Wile E. Coyote, a piano falls for When You’re Not Around Later” by Abby Schneiderman and Adam Seifer with Gene Newman on your head. Or a car c.2021, Workman Publishing crashes through the wall $17.95 / $23.95 Canada onto your bed. Or treeclimbing wasn’t such a good 244 pages stress. Start by looking for the 15 documents you’ll need most often, scan them, and decide on the most convenient, best place to store them (hint: it’s probably not in a safe deposit box). Then think hard. Include all your most important passwords, safe combinations, and 4-digit codes in your documentation. You want to make it as easy as possible for a loved one to find any appropriate information in an emergency. Remembering your time-limit, mindwalk yourself through your home and write down anything someone might need to know: alarm codes, maintenance schedules, garbage day, and the names and contacts for repair contracidea. Stuff happens. And “In Case You Get Hit by a Bus” by Abby Schneiderman and Adam Seifer, with Gene Newman, helps your family to know what to do. Why is it that the document you need is never where it’s supposed to be? That’s bad for you, so imagine if a loved one was looking for that document in panic mode. That’s the kind of thing Schneiderman and Seifer are trying to stave off in this book. As the founders of Everplans, they know that saving all your information in one place is “liberating” and comforting. And it’s not that hard to do... First, in every step inside this book, give yourself ten minutes and don’t THE BOOKWORM SEZ By Terri Schlichenmeyer tors. While you’re doing this, you’ll inevitably think about the kids and your pets, so keep a running list of don’t-forgets for them, too. Document your doctors, insurance policies, and benefits you’re entitled to receive. Note your Power of Attorney (POA) and medical POA. Name an executor. If you’re a business owner, make a succession plan. And finally, remove the skeletons from your closet while you can. One way or another, you’ll be glad you did. Eventually. Spring seminar set for April 15

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Join the Benton County Extension Master Gardeners for the annual Spring Seminar on April 15 at 7:00 pm. This session will take place via Zoom.

The featured speakers will be Monika Chandler and Mari Hardel from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Specialist team. The evening will include information on what invasive plants are, how they are introduced and thrive in the environment, and what we can do to be a part of the solution to minimize the spread of invasive species. There will be time to ask questions.

This seminar is free and open to the public. You must register in advance to receive the link to join. To register you can visit https://z.umn.edu/ SpringSeminar or call (320) 255-6169.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

Rose Education Day April 24

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Join the Stearns County Rose Society and the Stearns County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers for their annual Rose Education Day on April 24 from 9:00 a.m. – noon. This session will take place via Zoom.

Jim Beardsley will present “Chemical Safety for the Home Gardener” which will include information on integrated pest management, pesticides for specific rose pests and diseases, safe chemical use and storage, personal protective equipment, and reading pesticide labels.

“Where Do Modern Roses Come From?” a presentation by Dr. David Zlesak, will cover the history of polyantha, floribunda and hybrid tea roses as it relates to many of the newer disease resistant roses on the market today.

This seminar is free. To register, visit https://z.umn.edu/RoseEd or call (320) 255-6169. For questions or assistance with registration, email Katie Drewitz at wins0115@umn.edu.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v Eventually, you’ll be glad you did everything that’s inside this book; but doing so will take a year’s worth of 10-minute sessions. Indeed, “In Case 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

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — As the temperatures continue to warm and frost comes out of the ground, one of the first things on your to-do list might be getting a soil test done. Sending a sample of your soil to a qualified lab can remove the guesswork out of fertilizer recommendations. Excess fertilizer can result in undesired vegetative versus fruit production growth and contribute to pollution in the environment.

Results of the soil test include data on soil fertility, pH, and organic matter. In addition, fertilizer recommendations are provided according to the soil test data. A standard test from the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory will include soil texture, organic matter, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and pH. The most common fertilizer used for a fertility program is nitrogen. Nitrogen (N) is not commonly included with the test results because 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