Yard Advice From U. of Ky. Extension Program

http://ces2.ca.uky.edu/boone/TimleyGardenTips

This is a link about year-round yard care. I had NO idea what I need to be doing NOW. It covers veggies/shrubs, etc. I found this very helpful. Hope you do ,too. Now get out there!(Please note that last night was directed only at me!)

Customer Service - Pak Mail

Pak Mail 813
Mason, Oh 45040
(513) 770-0256
* Have something large and awkward to ship?
* How about getting the best value for small package shipping?
* Need something sent overnight?

Pak Mail is the most comprehensive packing and shipping business you will ever use.
We help our customers do everything from sticking a stamp on a letter, to packing and shipping delicate crystal, to crating heavy machinery going overseas.
Pak Mail Shipping
1. We Ship Anything, Anywhere!
2. 1st Class Customer Service
3. We pack to the highest standards
4. Declared Value Coverage Available
5. Reliable
6. Custom Packaging Available
7. Quick Turnaround
8. Our experience speaks for itself
9. Dependable
10. Incredible References
You know it's been a long time since someone really "grabbed" my attention with customer service. Usually it's a tag line, or a video you watch as a "new hire". I actually had a bloggable (is that a word?) experience. I was mailing my cookbook back the publisher, it was snowy and Staples seemed too far. I stopped in PAKMAIL www.shipcincinnati.com by Krogers' strip mall (near Socialville Foster). The owner was there and knew the other customers by name. He shook my hand and showed me where they were shipping to (Someone was moving to China!) He gave me coupons, fridge magnet, and discussed how he could help me do future shipments, the how and the where. They even called me the next day to let me know my package had arrived to it's destination. He wasn't hard sell, just a good sell. I'm not into shipping AT ALL! I got the impression he actually had a passion about, well, shipping. I will return to him simply for the support. I don't do much shipping, but thought a good business deserves a mention. How about you? What business in our area do you think deserves support and why?

Test

Hey - I am a virgin blogger. Just testing if this works.

spring warning

Ok - I know that with the weather as it is you are not thinking spring ... well it's coming and it's coming soon. So, in time for spring when all of the birds and the bees are out ... pay attention.

springtime

It's a little early yet but not too early to start making those 2009 yard care plans. The first application should be mid-March so back by popular demand, here it is, the John Conyer Yard Care Program©.

First Application

Mid March to April 1st depending on soil temps

Scotts® Turf Builder® With Halts® Crabgrass Preventer
This could be the most important application of the year and timing is critical. Crabgrass seeds begin germination when soil temps reach 60 degrees. This product will not kill crabgrass. It only “HALTS” the seed germination.

Second Application (use one of the two listed)
May 15th ish

Scotts® Turf Builder® With PLUS 2® Weed Control - Use if you have a broad leaf weed problem) I do not have a broad leaf weed problem so I use – see below
Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer with 2% Iron – May 15th ish

Third & Fourth Application
Mid June ish

Scotts® Turf Builder® With SummerGuard – This is a good product for pet owners. This will kill off ants, armyworms, billbugs, chiggers, chinch bugs, crickets, fleas, grasshoppers, mole crickets, mealy bugs, sod webworms (lawn moth larvae), spiders, ticks, weevils. It also feeds and strengthens grass for the upcoming hot months.

Mid June ish one week after above treatment

Scotts® GrubEx® Season-Long Grub Killer – This is very important. I skipped this last year and spent more money fixing dead spots than the twenty dollar bag would have cost me. Grubs are bad in many ways. One they come to the top of the soil in mid June. They will chew the grass roots off and kill your grass. You can tell if you have them if you grab a fist of grass and it comes right up. Grubs also encourage moles, skunks and other animals that will eat them. This product has no fertilizer in it.

Fifth Application
Mid August

Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Fertilizer with 2% Iron - Nothing special here, just a feeding. This can be skipped if you want

Sixth Application

Mid September

I will be over-seeding this year with a better seed than what the builder used something more heat tolerant. Over seeding is simply seeding over the existing lawn. I will probably only do the front. It is tough to the entire yard and keep the seed properly watered.

When over-seeding I will use: Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer – This has a lower nitrogen content allowing for good seed germination. Keep lawn damp as much as possible. The cool damp nights help this in the fall.

Step 1 – Full Yard Aeration – helps loosen compacted clay soil
Step 2 – Seed front yard only
Step 3 – Apply Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer and keep seed damp

Seventh Application

Thanksgiving

Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard With PLUS 2® Weed Control – You will not see any immediate results from this. This is a jump start for next spring and it will kill off any cool season broad leaf weeds. This product helps root production and helps store carbohydrates for the winter.

neighborhood health program

In case you haven't been paying attention, in addition to the Western Row roadwork looking good, Donatos and Penn Station have moved into the neighborhood. They are at 4200 Aero Drive - the corner of Tylersville and Western Row; well within walking distance especially once the bike trail along Western Row is finished. But more exciting is that a Blue Ash Chili is opening there in March.

As part of part of our neighborhood health awareness program I would be happy to organize walks to these for breakfast or lunch if someone would be willing to buy my meal.

winter fun

It's gone now thanks to the warm sun but in case you missed it ...