0 TE © @ 6 The Dallas Post Spring Home Improvem 40 D '® nt Wednesday, April 19, 1995 What to do now in the yard By RALPH EDWARDS Huntsville Nursery It's spring time! A changeable time, warm then cold, winter is losing its grip, summer is begin- ning to take hold. Spring is a wonderful time here in the North- east. Our thoughts turn to re- newal and rebirth. As our world awakens from winter's sleep the grass slowly turns a wonderful spring green, seen only at this time of year. The trees slowly bud and the familiar sounds of birds and wild- life not heard for months fill the air. We seem to have this primal urge to dig into the earth, get our hands into the soil. Oh yes, this is spring. Spring is a frenzy time in the yard and garden world. On a warm day we are like bees around the hive as we buzz around our homes and yards with many proj- ects to do. I'd like to talk about some of those yard and garden projects done in the spring. A good cleanup of the yard and garden is essential. Clean up those leaves, twigs, branches and cinders irom along the road and drive. Put them on the compost pile. A good cleanup gives imme- diate gratification. A little raking of the lawn areas removes thatch and allows moisture and nutri- ents to penetrate lawn surfaces. After your initial cleanup, in- spect trees, shrubs and evergreens for damage and prune out broken branches. Perennials not cutback in fall can be cut back to ground level at this time. Feeding of lawns and plantings is the next step. A good slow- release lawn fertilizer along with lime is essential for good lawn health and color. Crabicide can be applied to prevent crab grass at this time. For lawns in bad shape a tilling job, topsoil and reseeding can restore problem areas or entire lawns. Feed all plantings with common fertilizers such as 5-10-5, Hollytone, Plan- tone, Miracle Grow or Miracid. Tree and shrub fertilizer spikes are great for larger trees, shrubs or evergreens. Don't forget to till the garden, add some compost, lime and fertilizer and then it's ready for planting. Your yard and garden should be in pretty good shape by now. You also should consider replen- ishing your plant bed mulches. Common mulches are shredded bark mulch and peat humus. Decorative stone is also popular. Freshening up your mulches gives a nice appearance and also helps to hold moisture in the soil, keep down weeds and keeps the soil cooler in the heat of summer and warmer in the cold of winter. Mulch is like a protective blanket for your plant's roots. A product like Preen & Green incorporated with mulch is great for feeding and controlling weeds all season long and allowing you to still plant flowers and even vegetables into treated soil. As the weather warms this spring, get out and get that yard work done. It's very satisfying and great exercise. 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Soil pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with O being the most acid, 14 the most alkaline and seven neutral. Most soils natu- rally have pH levels ranging be- tween five and eight. “Most flow- ers do well in a range between six and seven, so chances are you won't need to change your soil's pH much,” says Nuss. Don't guess when it comes to fertilizing and changing pH. Overapplying chemicals can harm soil and plants as well as pollute groundwater and streams. “Excess lime raises the soil's pH above what plants can toler- ate, makes it more difficult for them to draw nutrients from the soil and slows growth of beneficial soil microorganisms,” says Nuss. “Some flowers prefer a more acid soil and can suffer from iron defi- ciencyifyou apply too muchlime.” Soil test kits are available at Penn State Cooperative Extension county offices and larger garden centers for a nominal fee. County extension kits include instructions for collecting soil samples as well as the address of Penn State's soil testing laboratory. Samples can be mailed or delivered to the labo- ratory. You will receive test results in about two weeks. Results include levels of potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, along with the soil's pH. Also included: are recommendations for the kinds and amounts of fer- tilizer to apply and how much lime - if any - to add to the soil. “If you're planning to grow rhododendrons, azaleas, laurels or other flowers that prefer acid soil, you may need to apply a chemical such as sulfur, which lowers pH," says Nuss. “Apply no more than the recommended amount.” Till the recommended materi- als about five inches into the soil. While working with the soil, re- move stones. sod clumps, weeds and debris. “Work in several inches of or- ganic matter,” says Nuss. “There's little danger of adding too much. Composted kitchen scraps, well- rotted manures, lawn clippings and decayed plant material all are good forms of organic matter. They Currently, oil holds the largest share of U.S. energy consumption -- about 40 percent. Natural gas ac- counts for 25 percent of U.S. con- sumption; coal 23 pereent, nuclear 8 percent and-hydro-4 percent: help retain water and supply nutrients for your flowers.” After tilling, your soil is ready for seeds or transplants. Feed transplants with a starter solu- tion containing two tablespoons of high-phosphorous fertilizer diluted in a gallon of water. Pour one cup of the solution around the roots of each new transplant. “Phosphorous is critical for getting new flowers off to a good start,” says Nuss. “Without it, roots will develop slowly and plants will be weak.” Add two to three inches of or- 2 > > The Dallas Post Spring Home Improvement Wednesday, April 19, 1995 7 A beautiful flower garden begins with the soil ganic mulch on top of the soil around your plants. Mulch helps keep soil moist, prevents erosion, discourages weeds and builds up the soil’s organic matter. “Mulch also tends to be more attractive than bare soil in an ornamental garden,” says Nuss. “It keeps mud from splashing on your flow- ers and gives the ground'’s surface uniform color and texture.” Several kinds of mulch are available at garden centers, in- cluding wood bark chips, shred- ded bark and peat. If you use grass clippings, leaves or well- decayed compost, periodically loosen them with a hand cultiva- tor or hoe to prevent surface crust- ing. , When your plants begin to flower, sprinkle two tablespoons of high-nitrogen fertilizer on the soil about six inches away from the base of each plant. This will enhance flowering and give plants a boost for the rest of the summer. “If you fertilize too soon, however, you will delay the plants’ maturity and decrease the number of flow- ers.” says Nuss. “Wait until the first flowers open.” Finally, retest your flower gar- den'’s fertility and pH levels each year for several seasons. If re- ports remain similar, you can reduce sampling to every three or four years. “Nutrient levels and pH gradually change over time,” says Nuss. “It's important tokeep monitoring the soil to keep levels optimum.” Soil test kits may be purchased for $6 at Penn State Cooperative Extension offices orin 111 Argric- ultural Analysis Services Labora- tory, Tower Road, University Park, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ALUMINUM SIDING CLEANING Hot Water Preparation Before you make a final decision, call the experts. The latest technology in the area. & PAINTING « We Thoroughly Hi- Complete Aluminum Siding Refinishing Including Awnings Ne ede eV \ DR NTN eee] Complete Cleaning/Painting Service $125 OFF | S50 OFF | $25 OFF Exterior Painting ¥ Any Deck Cleaning I Exterior Cleaning (New business only) « with this coupon One coupon per customer 3 i ROCCOGRANDI PAINTING CO. § 288-3792 5 § Not valid with other offers. Offer expires SVE VAM I Not valid with other offers. 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