The drought and high temperatures this past summer have left our lawns in really bad shape. That means the rains we have received this fall brought on lots of weeds.
If you want to tackle them now, you first need to know what type of turf grass is in your lawn and do the right thing for that type of grass.
In Bermudagrass lawns, you can spray a glyphosate (RoundUp) product on a warm, sunny day. These products will not hurt Bermudagrass while it is dormant. But they won’t work on cold, cloudy, rainy days. And if you wait till the Bermuda starts to turn green, you’ll kill your grass, too. Check with us for the gener4ic Hi-Yield products that have the same chemical as RoundUp, but cost less.
St. Augustine lawns don’t go completely dormant, so you can’t safely use glyphosate on these lawns. Most other weed killers don’t work unless the weather is hot. BUT we do have a Ferti-Lome product that will kill broadleaf weeds at temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees F. This product won’t kill any wild grasses, but will help with dandelions and other non-grassy weeds.
If you’re not sure what you have, bring us samples and we’ll be happy to help.
Here’s a story that will make you cry. CASA director Ron Bryant told us Saturday about a little girl who had to be removed from her home last Dec. 26. When the CPS and CASA workers asked her if she got anything for Christmas, she replied, “I got a whippin’.”
We were discussing the unfilled angels on the Child Advocates Christmas tree, and how some of these neglected and abused children won’t get much for Christmas. Somehow, the community always comes through with something for these youngsters.
But if you really want to help this holiday season, if you want to give something that will truly make a difference, check into being a volunteer for Child Advocates of Archer, Clay, Montague and Wichita Counties.
CASA volunteers are more than mentor or buddies for children in foster care. They are investigators, counselors, advocates for the child in court, and yes, buddies and mentors. It’s not easy. It requires hours of training and a commitment to spend several hours per month looking after the best interest of children who may not have anyone else in their corner. And it can break your heart.
It can also be the most worthwhile thing you will ever do, for a child and for your community.
This Christmas season, contact CASA at 940-766-0552, and ask about becoming a volunteer. It may just be the best present you’ll ever give.
Dr. John A.A. Thomson turns 100 years old next week. You may not know him, but back in 1939, Dr. Thomson invented the vitamin and hormone concoction known as SUPERthrive. Lots of folks have seen remarkable results when they use SUPERthrive to revitalize ailing plants.
I always get a laugh out of the product’s packaging — Dr. Thomson was so enthusiastic about his product that he wanted everyone to know absolutely EVERYTHING about it! The labels are crowded with facts about SUPERthrive and he includes long flyers in every case, in case you want to learn even more.
And when we would see him at trade shows, you couldn’t walk past his booth without hearing WAY more information that you had time to listen to.
Even just a few years ago, Dr. Thomson was still working the trade shows, still just as enthusiastic as ever about his product and its results. Says a lot for his product’s effect on him as well as sick plants!
Happy birthday to a real character and inspiration!
Plant pansies, ornamental cabbage and kale, snapdragons and dianthus.
Plant trees, shrubs and perennials.
Be sure to water your yard thoroughly before any hard freeze — dry soil will freeze deeper and cause more damage to plants.
Mulch with bark to conserve moisture and insulate plants’ roots.
Many birds will “cache” or hide seeds for use during the winter. With natural foods sources at a low point this year, provide plenty of fresh bird food from Wild Birds Unlimited.
