If you walk out on your lawn and see some ugly grass you don't want, don't think "ah, that must be crabgrass."
Chances are, at this time of year, it isn't. Crabgrass dies every fall, and at that time it drops seeds in the soil that germinate the next year. Those seeds won't germinate until the soil reaches a certain temperature...much like your "good" grass coming out of dormancy, or spring bulbs like dafodils blooming when the temp is right.
You may have heard, as a rule of thumb crabgrass starts germinating when the forsythia blooms. Well, that just started last week in my area. My neighbors have a forsythia shrub in their front yard so I see it right out the window.
I just now applied Turf Builder with Halts, so don't think you don't have time to do it this spring. In fact, it is probably more important than a weed n feed, such as Turf Builder with Plus 2. You can always apply that one 6 weeks after you apply Turf Builder with Halts. Or, if you have the dandelions now, just spot treat them with Ortho Weed B Gon MAX.
For the area above the transition zone, crabgrass usually will germinate up through the end of May. So, you have definitely have time to put down that important first application of Turf Builder with Halts.
As for that ugly grass you see now, it's probably just tall fescue.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
eeeegads a bug!!!!!
Here is some information on just a few good bugs that can be found in the yard and gardens.....
Solution
Don't let all bugs bug you. Find out which ones are good for your garden.
If you're like many gardeners, the first thing you say when you see a bug is, "Where's the bug spray?" While some bugs cause damage to your garden, Mother Nature has a way of taking care of them. She sends in other bugs. Lady Bugs, Ground Beetles, and Praying Mantises are just a few of the many insects that can help you control real pests in your garden. Make them feel at home by planting nectar-producing flowers, spreading some mulch, and putting out some water for your little helpers.
Prevention and Maintenance
Beneficial bugs that hunt
Hunting bugs are the ones that stalk, kill, and gobble up the pests that attack your plants. Some specialize: Lady Bugs love aphids and scaly bugs. Other hunters aren't very picky: Praying Mantises will eat anything. Still others attack the gooey, slimy, slithery pests in your garden. For instance, Ground Beetles attack slugs, caterpillars, and maggots.
Beneficial parasitic bugs
These beneficial bugs don't kill as quickly as the hunter types do, but they're very effective. They plant their eggs in pests that act as hosts. When the eggs hatch, they eat the innards of their hosts. It's gross, but it works. Tachinid flies are a good example of a parasitic bug, and they make great use of caterpillars. Braconid wasps use caterpillars, aphids, flies, and other pests.
Beneficial pollinating bugs
If you didn't have pollinating bugs in your garden, you wouldn't have a garden. Bumble Bees and Honey Bees bounce from one flower to the next, seeking nectar. While they do it, they pollinate the plants they visit. In fact, Honey Bees are so good at this job that farmers and orchard-keepers pay lots of money for their services.
Solution
Don't let all bugs bug you. Find out which ones are good for your garden.
If you're like many gardeners, the first thing you say when you see a bug is, "Where's the bug spray?" While some bugs cause damage to your garden, Mother Nature has a way of taking care of them. She sends in other bugs. Lady Bugs, Ground Beetles, and Praying Mantises are just a few of the many insects that can help you control real pests in your garden. Make them feel at home by planting nectar-producing flowers, spreading some mulch, and putting out some water for your little helpers.
Prevention and Maintenance
Beneficial bugs that hunt
Hunting bugs are the ones that stalk, kill, and gobble up the pests that attack your plants. Some specialize: Lady Bugs love aphids and scaly bugs. Other hunters aren't very picky: Praying Mantises will eat anything. Still others attack the gooey, slimy, slithery pests in your garden. For instance, Ground Beetles attack slugs, caterpillars, and maggots.
Beneficial parasitic bugs
These beneficial bugs don't kill as quickly as the hunter types do, but they're very effective. They plant their eggs in pests that act as hosts. When the eggs hatch, they eat the innards of their hosts. It's gross, but it works. Tachinid flies are a good example of a parasitic bug, and they make great use of caterpillars. Braconid wasps use caterpillars, aphids, flies, and other pests.
Beneficial pollinating bugs
If you didn't have pollinating bugs in your garden, you wouldn't have a garden. Bumble Bees and Honey Bees bounce from one flower to the next, seeking nectar. While they do it, they pollinate the plants they visit. In fact, Honey Bees are so good at this job that farmers and orchard-keepers pay lots of money for their services.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Received from OCSO on CPR
Thought you might be interested in this.... Dave
Participants
WANTED
60 people Needed to train FREE in advanced first aid/CPR/Emergency Response to respond in the event of a large disaster.
I just wanted to send you information that you could share with your contacts regarding a grant that we’ve received at Red Cross to train 60 people in advanced first aid/CPR/Emergency Response to respond in the event of a large disaster. This grant will allow us to offer our normally $300 emergency responder course for free to people who are willing to become Red Cross volunteers and make a commitment to respond to work in one of our shelters or other places as required should we have a major disaster. Please call me or email with any questions you might have. I’ve attached the schedule for training. Our March class has already started but there is still a class in April and another one in May. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mary Ann Russell
Volunteer Manager
American Red Cross of Central Florida
407-894-4141, ext. 5639
maryannr@centralfl-redcross.org
Emergency Responder and Professional Rescuer CPR Class
Participants
WANTED
60 people Needed to train FREE in advanced first aid/CPR/Emergency Response to respond in the event of a large disaster.
I just wanted to send you information that you could share with your contacts regarding a grant that we’ve received at Red Cross to train 60 people in advanced first aid/CPR/Emergency Response to respond in the event of a large disaster. This grant will allow us to offer our normally $300 emergency responder course for free to people who are willing to become Red Cross volunteers and make a commitment to respond to work in one of our shelters or other places as required should we have a major disaster. Please call me or email with any questions you might have. I’ve attached the schedule for training. Our March class has already started but there is still a class in April and another one in May. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mary Ann Russell
Volunteer Manager
American Red Cross of Central Florida
407-894-4141, ext. 5639
maryannr@centralfl-redcross.org
Emergency Responder and Professional Rescuer CPR Class
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A FUN DAY AT THE PARK
Have you ever wondered what to do on a pretty day? Here is something that the whole family can go to, and it is very close, with the gas prices the way they are, every little bit helps. Wekiwa Springs State Park.
RiverFest 2008: You're Invited!
WHAT? 3rd Annual RiverFest: Music, wildlife displays, children’s nature crafts, book signings, pontoon boat rides, wildlife artists from the 2nd annual Wekiva Plein Air Paint-Out.
Food available.
Canoe/Kayak races the next day.
WHO? Public invited. Sponsors: Friends of the Wekiva River, Inc., along with other area environmental organizations
WHEN? March 8: 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Canoe Races: Wekiva Marina March 9, 8:30a.m. registration.
WHERE? Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, off Wekiva Springs Road . Free parking and shuttles available at First Baptist Church of Sweetwater,
3800 Wekiva Springs Road , Longwood. Park admission free on the day of RiverFest.
Canoe/Kayak Races launch at Wekiva Marina in Longwood.
WHY? For residents and visitors to see, enjoy and learn more about Central Florida ’s unique water resources and wildlife, and the urgent need for protection.
QUESTIONS? Call Deede Sharpe, FOWR Publicity, at 407-647-7487
RiverFest 2008: You're Invited!
WHAT? 3rd Annual RiverFest: Music, wildlife displays, children’s nature crafts, book signings, pontoon boat rides, wildlife artists from the 2nd annual Wekiva Plein Air Paint-Out.
Food available.
Canoe/Kayak races the next day.
WHO? Public invited. Sponsors: Friends of the Wekiva River, Inc., along with other area environmental organizations
WHEN? March 8: 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Canoe Races: Wekiva Marina March 9, 8:30a.m. registration.
WHERE? Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, off Wekiva Springs Road . Free parking and shuttles available at First Baptist Church of Sweetwater,
3800 Wekiva Springs Road , Longwood. Park admission free on the day of RiverFest.
Canoe/Kayak Races launch at Wekiva Marina in Longwood.
WHY? For residents and visitors to see, enjoy and learn more about Central Florida ’s unique water resources and wildlife, and the urgent need for protection.
QUESTIONS? Call Deede Sharpe, FOWR Publicity, at 407-647-7487
Friday, February 8, 2008
BOHA Meeting
Next month we will be having our annual Bent Oak Homeowners meeting at Clay Springs. It is very important that we have a good turn out for this meeting because if we do not have a quorum we will have to reschedule the meeting again, and it is not cheap. If you are not able to attend please use your proxy, they do count toward the quorum. So mark it on your calendar MARCH 10TH, see you there..... Dave S.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Bent Oak Morning Walk
The Bent Oak ImageBy
Rebekah McReynolds
“……Here we are with live coverage of the newest extreme sport: morning walking.
Today’s competition is in Bent Oak and the course conditions couldn't be more perfect. The neighborhood has wonderful families with children, pets, and cars. Last night’s shower has left wet, heavy landscape plants and perfectly slick sidewalks. The competitors are warming up now. Most are dressed in conventional walking attire: shorts, t-shirts, walking shoes. Several are sporting headphones and dark glasses. There are some team and some solo entrants. Let’s review the rules and procedures. Walkers are to walk the entire neighborhood, staying on the sidewalks. Penalties result from leaving the sidewalk, falling, cussing, or giving up prior to the finish line.
“……And the starter gives the signal to begin. Our first leader looks to be a young woman pushing a baby carriage. Oops! She just hit the toys left in the sidewalk by children playing last night. Dodging that skateboard sure did make the carriage rock precariously. Gaining quickly on her is a man wearing headphones deep into his thoughts. Look out! He was watching the dog chase the cat and he didn’t see the car parked in that driveway extending over the sidewalk until he bumped right into it. Looks like he may be out of the walking. This lady looks like a real competitor…no headphones; dark glasses so that she can look straight ahead. What lousy luck! She just got caught up in that shrub growing out over the walk and now she’s becoming tangled in the grass runners growing over the pavement. This caused her to look down and she was unaware of the low hanging tree branch, made even heavier by the recent rain, until it hit her in the head. Really can’t blame her for cussing like that, but the penalties are mounting. The pack is thinning with only a few serious contenders. Oh no! What a pile-up! Careful as they were rounding that curve, one by one they have hit those slick algae-covered sidewalks and they are sliding and falling. As the paramedics rush onto the course, the remaining contestants are simply giving up and returning to their homes. I see treadmills being delivered to several houses. Wait…there is one more contestant. He (or she—it’s hard to tell) is wearing a fully padded, water proof body suit, crash helmet, safety goggles, and has been carefully testing each sidewalk and using a pressure washer when necessary before proceeding I think this contestant will finish the course! What a champion!
Sadly, the above scenario is all too real. We are fortunate to have sidewalks throughout our neighborhood. Each homeowner is responsible for the walkway between his property lines. Please check your sidewalks and driveways today. Almost every sidewalk with overhanging trees will haveheavy algae growth. Furthermore, many of these trees have very low-hanging limbs that need trimming. Growth of landscape plants and weeds has outpaced the most avid gardeners. Please do not wait for someone to fall in front of your home. Walking our quiet neighborhood is one of the greatest pleasures of living in Bent Oak. Let’s all do our part for safety.
Rebekah McReynolds
“……Here we are with live coverage of the newest extreme sport: morning walking.
Today’s competition is in Bent Oak and the course conditions couldn't be more perfect. The neighborhood has wonderful families with children, pets, and cars. Last night’s shower has left wet, heavy landscape plants and perfectly slick sidewalks. The competitors are warming up now. Most are dressed in conventional walking attire: shorts, t-shirts, walking shoes. Several are sporting headphones and dark glasses. There are some team and some solo entrants. Let’s review the rules and procedures. Walkers are to walk the entire neighborhood, staying on the sidewalks. Penalties result from leaving the sidewalk, falling, cussing, or giving up prior to the finish line.
“……And the starter gives the signal to begin. Our first leader looks to be a young woman pushing a baby carriage. Oops! She just hit the toys left in the sidewalk by children playing last night. Dodging that skateboard sure did make the carriage rock precariously. Gaining quickly on her is a man wearing headphones deep into his thoughts. Look out! He was watching the dog chase the cat and he didn’t see the car parked in that driveway extending over the sidewalk until he bumped right into it. Looks like he may be out of the walking. This lady looks like a real competitor…no headphones; dark glasses so that she can look straight ahead. What lousy luck! She just got caught up in that shrub growing out over the walk and now she’s becoming tangled in the grass runners growing over the pavement. This caused her to look down and she was unaware of the low hanging tree branch, made even heavier by the recent rain, until it hit her in the head. Really can’t blame her for cussing like that, but the penalties are mounting. The pack is thinning with only a few serious contenders. Oh no! What a pile-up! Careful as they were rounding that curve, one by one they have hit those slick algae-covered sidewalks and they are sliding and falling. As the paramedics rush onto the course, the remaining contestants are simply giving up and returning to their homes. I see treadmills being delivered to several houses. Wait…there is one more contestant. He (or she—it’s hard to tell) is wearing a fully padded, water proof body suit, crash helmet, safety goggles, and has been carefully testing each sidewalk and using a pressure washer when necessary before proceeding I think this contestant will finish the course! What a champion!
Sadly, the above scenario is all too real. We are fortunate to have sidewalks throughout our neighborhood. Each homeowner is responsible for the walkway between his property lines. Please check your sidewalks and driveways today. Almost every sidewalk with overhanging trees will haveheavy algae growth. Furthermore, many of these trees have very low-hanging limbs that need trimming. Growth of landscape plants and weeds has outpaced the most avid gardeners. Please do not wait for someone to fall in front of your home. Walking our quiet neighborhood is one of the greatest pleasures of living in Bent Oak. Let’s all do our part for safety.
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