SEASONAL TIPS

Cut lawn to 2-4 inches high. 

·          Never cut more than 30-40% of the height of the grass. 

Have yearly soil tests done.

Develop healthy soil with 5-6 inches of topsoil. 

·          Topsoil is composed of three basic groups of organic matter: sand, clay particles and humus.

·          A high proportion of clay particles will create heavy soil that is difficult for air and water to pass through; too much sand will create soil that drains too quickly and cannot retain moisture or nutrients. 

o         Either problem can be remedied by amending the soil with humus or compost material.

Plant pest resistant grass varieties. 

·          A mix of two or more varieties is best. 

Aerate your lawn twice a year.

De-thatch your lawn.

·          Thatch is the layer of grass stems and roots on the surface.

·          You can de-thatch by raking or by using a machine to slice through the thatch.

·          Put a thin layer of topsoil or compost over the lawn.

Maintain proper pH balances.

·          Wild violets put nitrogen back into the soil.

·          Save your grass clippings and use them later for mulch.

·          Soil that is too acidic can be balanced with lime.

·          Soil that’s not acidic enough can be balanced with sulphur.

Fertilize once a year, preferably in the fall.

Water properly.

·          Enough water should be applied each time to reach the depth of the grass root zone. 

·          To find how deep your root zone is, dig down 4-6 inches when grass is damp. Roots should be at least 4 inches deep.  

·          Soil should be allowed to become nearly dry between waterings.

Border your veggie garden with marigolds.

·          Marigolds are a natural insect repellent.  

·          There may be a delay period before you see results. 

·          Be patient.

Mulch.

·          Keeps down weeds.

Hand Picking. 

·          Bugs will sometimes have to be picked off by hand.  Be prepared to get up- close and personal with your garden.

Planting Rye.

·          Over the winter replenishes and adds nitrogen to soil.

·          Rye planted as late as October 15 in southern New England can suppress weeds, prevent erosion and produce ample organic matter by spring.

·          Some growers use oats because they winterkill and are thus easier to manage in spring. However, oats must be planted by mid August to ensure adequate soil protection.

Snakes and Spiders

·          Make friends with these beneficial animals. 

·          They help maintain a balanced eco-system.  
 

Fruits and vegetables. 

·          May have been sprayed with pesticides before being harvested. 

·          Even if the fruit claims it is organic, in the USA, according to FDA regulations, the fruit only has to be 90% organic.  But there is no need to panic. 

o         To keep yourselves and your children healthy, make sure you rinse your fruits and vegetables in  cold, drinkable water. 

o         According to the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, even fruits with thick skins like bananas and oranges should be rinsed well to avoid contamination from whoever else has touched them before you.  When you peel an orange, you are touching the skin, then touching the fruit inside when you bring it to your mouth. 

o         Precautions are the best prevention of any illnesses or pesticide intake.

·          According to the FDA, commercially sold fruit washes developed to supplant consumer fears can leave their own residues and are no more effective in removing pesticides than plain water. 

·          Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to limit exposure to any one type of pesticide, and wash fruits and vegetables just before eating. 

·          If they are thicker-skinned fruits or vegetables, use a brush to scrub them. 

·          Stay away from fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico or South America, as they don’t have the pesticide safety standards we do in the US. 

·          Some countries are still using DDT.

·          Buy organic as often as possible, to reduce pesticide intake.