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Smart preparation makes winter more enjoyable

Christine — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:30:50 +0000

Smart preparation makes winter more enjoyable

(ARA) – The winter winds may be harsh, but those who live in snowy, cold climates know there is still charm to be found in the season. When you’re relaxing in front of a warm fire or enjoying a rich meal with a gathering of friends, it’s easy to forget the wintry weather just outside the door.

But to keep winter weather concerns at bay, a little preparation can go a long way. As the flakes start to fall, it’s important to get outside and ensure that your home is safe for you, your visitors, neighbors and passersby. While these tasks likely aren’t at the top of your favorite winter activities list, they will save you from bigger headaches as the season progresses. And if you take a smart approach to them, you’ll be able to get back inside sooner, to enjoy the snowy scene in the warmth of your home.

To make your winter weather chores faster and more effective, follow these tips for snow removal.

* Dress for the weather and the task. If it’s cold enough to be snowing, staying warm will be a priority. However, there’s more to consider than just wrapping yourself in scarves and layers of sweaters. The tasks you’re taking on are highly active, so you want to make sure that you won’t overheat under the layers. Choose breathable clothing, like cotton or breathable synthetic insulation layers, to wear under your coat, so that you’re not sweating out in the cold. Additionally, avoid loose clothing or things that dangle – they can easily get caught in equipment, causing injury. Tuck in scarf ends or use a neck gaiter instead.

* Choose shoes that prevent slips. This isn’t a job for your ordinary pair of sneakers. Falling snow and sleet get slippery fast, so it’s important to wear shoes that will keep you on your feet. Shoes with deep treads, made of a material that grips well are the best option. If your winter boots are worn from years of use, it’s time to invest in a new pair that will make working outside more pleasant and safe.

* Let your equipment do most of the snow removal work. Shovels can work well for doing occasional touch ups, but when you have a lot of ground to cover, the job is faster and less physically demanding when you use a motorized snow thrower. The type of machine you’ll need depends on the size of the area you need to clear and the snow load in your area. Husqvarna makes both single-stage, which is best for moderate to heavy snowfall, and dual-stage snow throwers, which can take on the heaviest snow falls. The single stage ST 121E is ideal for smaller spaces because of its compact size and easy maneuverability. If you have more ground to cover and heavier snow, the 1827EXLT, a dual-stage machine, makes clearing long driveways and other large spaces fast and essentially effortless. And with a new trac-drive system, the 1827EXLT can operate on tougher terrain and more extreme conditions.

* Don’t let it sit. It pays to act quickly when it comes to clearing snowfall. Of course, you want to avoid driving on any snow that’s accumulated on your driveway or where you park – doing so will pack the snow down and eventually create icy ruts. But clearing snow early and often on walkways is equally important. If your city is experiencing blizzard conditions with big snowfall totals, it’s a good idea to clear your walks throughout the storm, which will help you avoid dealing with packed-in, heavy snow. Once you’ve got everything cleared, add salt or sand for extra traction and a bit of melting power – just be sure it’s safe for pets and people and won’t destroy any plants adjacent to where you’re spreading it.

There’s no denying that there are some headaches that come along with winter. But if you find smart ways to cut down on the time you spend laboring outside, you’ll be able to enjoy the season as you should – inside your cozy home with friends and family.

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Have more time for football: 15-minute garden and lawn drills

Christine — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:28:01 +0000

Have more time for football: 15-minute garden and lawn drills

(ARA) – Whether tailgating, playing a game of catch with the kids, cheering on your favorite team from the stands or calling plays from the couch – fall means football. A few simple tips can keep outdoor projects from running interference on your weekend game schedule.

Here are 10- to 15-minute garden and lawn drills to keep your focus on the game and yard work on the sideline this fall:

September:
* Lawns can get damaged when kids and pets play on grass that is still wilting from summer heat and drought. Spruce up your lawn by reseeding with a quality grass seed and lawn food specifically designed to help seed germinate, like Scotts Starter Fertilizer. Fall is the best time for grass. Keep the seed and young grass watered and hold off on any weed control until the new grass has been mowed four times.

* Feed the grass. The difference between “so-so” grass and truly beautiful grass, both now and next spring, is two fall feedings. Feeding in early September helps your lawn begin rebuilding grass roots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. Feed again in late October to prepare for winter, using Scotts Winter Guard once new seed is established.

* Create patches of color in your landscape by filling pots with fall flora. Replace tired-looking summer plants with mums, asters, pansies and flowering cabbage. Look for special displays at local garden centers and add Miracle-Gro potting soil to your containers for big, beautiful blooms.

* Clean up the garden. Perennials may now be past their prime and the summertime vegetable garden may be looking a bit sparse. If so, cut them back. This will help keep bugs and disease away. Use what you cut to start a compost pile.

October:
* Prevent tree leaves from smothering grass. Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves will not insulate the lawn during winter. In fact, they can block vital sunlight and cause turf to thin. So, drop the rake and mulch leaves to dime-sized pieces with a lawn mower. Leave clippings on the lawn to allow leaves to recycle back into the soil, providing food for earthworms and soil microbes.

* Plant spring-blooming bulbs now for bursts of color later. Visit a local garden center for a great selection of daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, tulip and other spring-flowering bulbs. Plant in masses or tuck patches into other beds for a surprise of spring color. Feed with Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Bone Meal for strong root development.

* Due to cooler temperatures, fall is a great time to plant a tree or shrub. Soils stay warm late into the fall which allows for good root development and less transplant shock. Roots will also have an easier time starting new growth again in early spring, and plants are often on sale in autumn. Be sure to use Miracle-Gro Quick Start Transplant Starting Solution to help prevent transplant shock and provide essential nutrients.

November:
Mow at a “summer height” of 2 to 3 inches until your grass stops growing – into early winter. Do not lower your height for the final cut.

* Clean up tools for a fresh start next spring. They have served you well all season, but now it is time to put them away. To prevent rusting, give tools a good cleaning before hanging up, and then spray a light coating of common household oil. When finished mowing for the year, perform any mower maintenance before storage for winter. Sharpen mower blades, change the spark plug, and be sure to drain the gas or run the engine dry of fuel.

With these quick drills in the rotation, the garden and lawn will stay in tip-top shape leaving plenty of time to catch games. They also will look great for any impromptu tailgate parties. These simple tasks will make life easier next spring and give the garden and lawn a head start.

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Collecting Rain Water: Good For Your Garden & The Planet

Juliet Farmer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:13:52 +0000

Whether you live where it rains or where it pours, there’s a great, easy way you can conserve water for garden use.

Where I live (Calif.) that’s a very big deal, as we Californians head into a third consecutive drought year.

Rain “harvesting” isn’t a new concept, but let’s just say this oldie is a goodie.

It’s as simple as setting up a simple capture system to redirect rainwater off the roof to a barrel.

Collecting Water - photo by Prem Anand

Whether you use a wine barrel to collect rainfall from your rooftop or recycle waste water from household sinks, bathtubs, showers and washing machines, you’re doing your water bill and the planet good.

If all this sounds like too much work, there’s always a very easy way to save–turn off the sprinklers during the winter, sunless it’s really dry and windy, in which case run them every so often. Get to know your sprinkler system and learn how to turn it off.

According to local experts in my hometown, Sacramento residents devote 60 percent of residential water use to their outdoor irrigation, and of that, 40 to 60 percent is wasted, as most homeowners over water by 200 to 300 percent.”

You can buy rain barrels here. Or buy a whole rain water collection system here. Or, take a baby step and turn off your sprinklers in the winter time.

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Frost Protection In The Garden

Juliet Farmer — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:14:14 +0000

Winter is tough on plants, which are often exposed to hard wind, rain and freezing temperatures, not to mention snow.

Luckily, there are ways to protect the pants in your garden and yard from frost. When the temperature drops to freezing, or 32 degrees, frost damage can be minimal and only affect a leaf or two. But if the temperature continues to drop, plant cells will freeze, and non hardy plants will die.

Of course the best way to protect your garden from frost is to only grow plants that can withstand the frost. Ask a qualified local nurseryman what plants are suitable to grow in your area.

If the forecast calls for frost where you live, cover your garden plants before dusk. Use newspaper, cardboard, plastic tarps, bed sheets or any other lightweight material to create a tent of protection. Remove the covers in the morning after the frost has thawed.

Potted plants can be brought indoors overnight, or brought under cover on a porch or patio.

If despite your best efforts, frost damage occurs, leave the dead or damaged parts intact, as they will provide limited insulation from further frost damage.

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