It's that time of year again. Get that Scott's Turf Builder with SummerGuard out and then a week later some GrubEx.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
pond news
We finally have the fountain and lights working.
We have no fishing signs posted because we'd like not to have a lot of people outside of the neighborhood coming in. On the other hand, our pond can be a real nice family place. Please use it safely and respect our property.
Do not litter and do not throw your fishing lines across the fountain power line (this runs between the fountain and the gazebo). Sometimes when repairs are done we are finding hooks in the wiring. One time there was a fishing rod with line tangled around the fountain itself. Please stay off to the sides and if you are dragging, do so on the east side of the pond.
We have no fishing signs posted because we'd like not to have a lot of people outside of the neighborhood coming in. On the other hand, our pond can be a real nice family place. Please use it safely and respect our property.
Do not litter and do not throw your fishing lines across the fountain power line (this runs between the fountain and the gazebo). Sometimes when repairs are done we are finding hooks in the wiring. One time there was a fishing rod with line tangled around the fountain itself. Please stay off to the sides and if you are dragging, do so on the east side of the pond.
Exterior Painting Should Be Done Every 5-10 Years
From WCPO some information you may want to know before you paint the exterior of your home.
Paint the exterior of your house
Paint the exterior of your house
Thursday, May 13, 2010
what about clippings?
From our friends at Scotts.
It's a question we all face when mowing: Should I bag my clippings or leave them on the lawn? In most cases, the answer is easy: Leave the clippings on the lawn! Leaving the clippings will save you time and energy, and it will return valuable nutrients to the lawn.
Like Free Fertilizer
The most important thing you can do for your lawn is to feed it regularly, and grass clippings contain the same beneficial nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients as fertilizer. In fact, clippings can provide as much as one-third of the annual feeding requirement for your lawn.
Less Work for You
In addition to recycling nutrients back into the soil, leaving the clippings will cut down your mowing time and relieve you of the chores of emptying the grasscatcher and hauling bags of clippings out to the curb. It may also be keeping your clippings out of the landfill, depending on how your town handles yard waste.
Some Simple Guidelines
There are a few things you can do to help keep your grass strong and looking good when you leave the clippings. Keep your mower blade sharp and mow regularly at the recommended cutting height for your type of grass. Avoid mowing when the grass is wet. If the grass gets so long that mowing at your normal cutting height will remove more than one-third the length of the grass blades, raise the height on your mower. Mow once at the raised cutting height, then again in a different direction at the normal height. Avoid surge growth by using a slow-release fertilizer such as Scotts® Turf Builder®.
Not a Thatch Problem
Contrary to a popular lawn myth, leaving clippings on the lawn does not cause thatch, which is a layer of partially decomposed grass-plant parts between the soil and live grass. Grass clippings are mostly water, so as long as you mow regularly at the right height, they will break down and disappear rapidly.
The Exception: when Bagging is Okay
There are some circumstances when collecting your grass clippings is warranted. If you see signs of lawn disease, pick up the clippings to avoid spreading the fungus. Grass clippings can also be collected for use in a compost pile or as mulch, unless you recently applied a weed control product to the lawn. Some folks bag their grass clippings for aesthetic reasons or to keep the clippings from being tracked into the house. In most cases, following mowing guidelines will avoid clumps that detract from a lawn's appearance and will keep the clippings small enough to filter down into the lawn.
It's a question we all face when mowing: Should I bag my clippings or leave them on the lawn? In most cases, the answer is easy: Leave the clippings on the lawn! Leaving the clippings will save you time and energy, and it will return valuable nutrients to the lawn.
Like Free Fertilizer
The most important thing you can do for your lawn is to feed it regularly, and grass clippings contain the same beneficial nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients as fertilizer. In fact, clippings can provide as much as one-third of the annual feeding requirement for your lawn.
Less Work for You
In addition to recycling nutrients back into the soil, leaving the clippings will cut down your mowing time and relieve you of the chores of emptying the grasscatcher and hauling bags of clippings out to the curb. It may also be keeping your clippings out of the landfill, depending on how your town handles yard waste.
Some Simple Guidelines
There are a few things you can do to help keep your grass strong and looking good when you leave the clippings. Keep your mower blade sharp and mow regularly at the recommended cutting height for your type of grass. Avoid mowing when the grass is wet. If the grass gets so long that mowing at your normal cutting height will remove more than one-third the length of the grass blades, raise the height on your mower. Mow once at the raised cutting height, then again in a different direction at the normal height. Avoid surge growth by using a slow-release fertilizer such as Scotts® Turf Builder®.
Not a Thatch Problem
Contrary to a popular lawn myth, leaving clippings on the lawn does not cause thatch, which is a layer of partially decomposed grass-plant parts between the soil and live grass. Grass clippings are mostly water, so as long as you mow regularly at the right height, they will break down and disappear rapidly.
The Exception: when Bagging is Okay
There are some circumstances when collecting your grass clippings is warranted. If you see signs of lawn disease, pick up the clippings to avoid spreading the fungus. Grass clippings can also be collected for use in a compost pile or as mulch, unless you recently applied a weed control product to the lawn. Some folks bag their grass clippings for aesthetic reasons or to keep the clippings from being tracked into the house. In most cases, following mowing guidelines will avoid clumps that detract from a lawn's appearance and will keep the clippings small enough to filter down into the lawn.
turf builder time
It's time to for your second application. If you have broad leaf weeds, Scotts® Turf Builder® With PLUS 2® Weed Control is our recommendation.If you forgot the overall plan, see here for the John Conyer Yard Care Program©.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Dandellions
Kill Visible Dandelions
The best way to attack dandelions is to kill the whole plant, taproot and all, and then keep new weeds from establishing themselves in your lawn. To take care of your dandelions, apply a weed-and-feed product, such as Scotts® Turf Builder® With Plus 2® Weed Control in the spring. If that doesn't get them, follow up in 2-4 weeks with an application of Ortho® Weed-B-Gon MAX® Weed Killer for Lawns. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
Don't hand pull them, as they will grow right back unless the tap root (often 2-3 feet deep) is completely removed.
Choke Em Out
A thick lawn is the best method for preventing dandelions and other broadleaf weeds in the lawn. Mow your lawn at a high setting on your mower, and follow a regular feeding program to achieve a lawn that is thick enough to keep weeds like dandelions from
The best way to attack dandelions is to kill the whole plant, taproot and all, and then keep new weeds from establishing themselves in your lawn. To take care of your dandelions, apply a weed-and-feed product, such as Scotts® Turf Builder® With Plus 2® Weed Control in the spring. If that doesn't get them, follow up in 2-4 weeks with an application of Ortho® Weed-B-Gon MAX® Weed Killer for Lawns. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
Don't hand pull them, as they will grow right back unless the tap root (often 2-3 feet deep) is completely removed.
Choke Em Out
A thick lawn is the best method for preventing dandelions and other broadleaf weeds in the lawn. Mow your lawn at a high setting on your mower, and follow a regular feeding program to achieve a lawn that is thick enough to keep weeds like dandelions from
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
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