Grass is Always Greener
October 13, 2011
If you still have moderate weather with warm days and cool nights, go ahead and add seed to your lawn to fill in bare areas. Look for a seed suitable for your area — sun or shade or mixed. Some seed packages also are indicated for fall.
It is best to seed when it’s not windy. Clear area to expose soil. Apply one half of the total seed mixture in one direction. And the remaining amount at right angles. After seeding, rake the lawn area (light touch with the rake) to mix the seed into the top level of soil.
Keep the surface soil moist. Sprinkle with water set at a low level to keep seeds in place until the seedlings start to grow. And then keep watered on a regular basis if no rain in forecast.
If all works out — you’ll have more grass to mow next spring!
Feel Better, Look Younger
April 4, 2011
Give the outdoor gym a chance this spring. And there are no initiation fees to pay!
- You can burn as many calories in 45 minutes of gardening as in 30 minutes of aerobics.
- Women 50+ who garden at least once a week had higher bone density scans than those who walked, jogged or swam.
- One hour of weeding burns 300 calories.
- A manual push mower burns 500 calories an hour (the same rate as playing tennis).
Grass is Not Always Greener
September 11, 2010
Fall and spring are the best seasons to reseed your lawn or fill in bare or weak lawn areas. Before you reseed, if the ground is too dry and difficult to be penetrated, water the lawn a few days in advance of the laying the seeds down. It is important to keep the seeds moist until they seed. Then water every few days until sprouts a about 1 1/2 high.
When you reseed, consider using an all purpose fertilizer at the same time. One brand, Milorganite 6-2- 0, is a product that uses organic nitrogen as the base. It’s safe for turf and plants. Plus, it doesn’t burn!
