Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Green | Environmental Conference


Johnson County Community College and Ryan Lawn & Tree are sponsoring an environmental conference in January 2010. Speakers from around the country will be on hand to discuss the affect of lawn and landscape maintenance practices on water quality.

For more information, visit www.ryanlawn.com/green.

If you have an opinion about our environment, I invite you to attend. The event will feature an open forum before lunch to allow attendees the chance to discuss environmental issues.

E-mail me at tarapatty at ryanlawn dot com for more information.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Irrigation Winterization


If you live in the Midwest, it is time to start thinking about winterizing your irrigation system.

If you have an above-ground backflow, it is important to schedule your appointment sooner rather than later to avoid damage from a surprise, early freeze.

"Winterizing" your system involves blowing all the water out of the system to prevent breaks due to freezing and thawing.

If you water the old-fashioned way, like I do, it is important to drain all hoses and store them in the garage for winter.*

*Winter is never the reason I have had a hose fail. My problem is that I keep a spray attachment on the end of the hose and I am absentminded. TWICE, I have left the water on without realizing it. This makes the pressure in the hose build up, until the hose itself splits. Broken hose = annoyed husband.

Friday, September 25, 2009

It's Time to Order Bulbs

"Ronaldo'"
Photo from White Flower Farm

It's not too early to order your spring-flowering bulbs. (I usually plant mine in October.) This year, I am getting Tulips and Hyacinths.

Things to consider before planting:

Site: Will the flowers do better in full sun, shade or a mixture of both.

Planting Depth: Planting bulbs at the wrong depth will prevent them from coming up properly next spring.

Bloom Time: Select bulbs that have a variety of bloom times. I am going to plant a bed of early, mid and late blooming tulips to prolong my enjoyment.

(I REALLY love tulips. Martha said she planted tulips every two years at Turkey Hill. I treat them as an annual, because as much as I hope, they just don't come back the second year.)

Finally, don't err and plant the bulbs upside down. I don't *think* I have ever done this, but every year as I am planting I have to get reassurance from Tom that I am planting the bulbs properly. It is a weird anxiety of mine.

If you aren't ordering bulbs online, be sure to go to gardening centers early. The best varieties will sell out quickly.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Pansy Comeback


It is Pansy time again in the Midwest. Temperatures have cooled off enough for these little gems to thrive. (A good friend in Virginia planted some a few weeks ago.)

Pansies do best in full sun. In the spring, it is okay to plant them in partial shade to insulate them a little against climbing temperatures. However, in the fall, it is probably best to plant them in full sun.

During a mild winter, it is possible pansies will survive to make an appearance again in spring. However, a hard frost will do them in. (Pansies are grown as a perennial in some places, just not the Midwest or the South. They don't do well if it gets too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer.)

If you need more than mums this fall, give them a try.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

SweeTango Apple


To continue the trend of posting about produce, I picked up a new apple variety at the store last night. It is called "SweeTango." It was developed by the University of Minnesota, who previously released the "HoneyCrisp" variety.

"SweeTango" started a touch tart, but overall was very sweet. "SweeTango" is a cross between the "HoneyCrisp" and "Zestar" varieties. It reminded me of "Pink Lady." I enjoy the overall sweetness of the "HoneyCrisp" better than this latest release, but I encourage all of you to pick up a "SweeTango" and give it a try.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Pumpkin Shortage


The cool, wet weather during the growing season has led to a shortage of pumpkins this year. Prices for carving pumpkins will likely go up, and you may have to give up traditional pumpkin pie as the shortage crosses over to a scarcity of canned pumpkin.

I learned this tonight after a bit of Internet searching. I was excited to make some cranberry pumpkin muffins to kick off the fall season and had trouble finding canned pumpkin. One grocery store posted a sign noting pumpkin will be back in stock October 7. The second store I visited said they were told they wouldn't have pumpkin until November.

One thing is for sure: if you are a fan of pumpkin pie and other pumpkin-based desserts, buy pumpkin when you see it. It may not last long!

P.S. Those of you who planted pumpkins in your home garden are smiling now.

Friday, September 18, 2009

You've Seeded, Now What?


If you've recently seeded your lawn, there are certain care practices that will ensure a good stand of grass.

Watering:
The most important is watering. Be sure to keep the ground continually moist the first 3 weeks after seeding. After that, water every other day until you mow the first time. After that, just make sure your lawn gets 1 inch of water per week.

Mowing:
Mow your new grass once it has reached a height of 2-3 inches.

Fertilizing:
You put down a starter fertilizer with your seed. Consider fertilizing again 4-6 weeks after seeding for the best lawn next spring.

Weeds:
The processes involved in seeding churn the soil, which means weed seeds that were laying low are disturbed and may germinate. This is normal. If you want to treat, wait until you have mowed your new grass 2-3 times.

I hope this answers some of your questions about what to do once new grass seed is in the ground. If you have additional questions, send them to tarapatty at ryanlawn dot com.
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