GOING GREEN
03/31 UDT H&G Pgs 10,11
3/31/10
8:04 AM
Page 1
10 The Union Daily Times/Union, S.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Your source for home and garden information A special for
The Union Daily Times
Extension home economist says trend of growing, buying more fresh produce catching on
COMPOST
Hey, not everyone can be a Master Gardener, but if you want to get back to your gathering roots, Matthews said it’s OK to just plant a few plants. “It doesn’t get any fresher than walking out the back, picking it and bringing it into your kitchen,” she said. “Just get your feet wet.” That doesn’t even have to mean putting the plants in the ground. If you want to start small and don’t have a lot of space, container gardening is the answer. You can grow vegetables that take up little space like carrots, radishes and lettuce or even crops that bear fruit over time like tomatoes and peppers in containers. Container gardening also provides a way to spruce up that dull patio or deck with flowers or even hangers of cascading tomatoes or colorful herb mixes. Planter boxes with trellises also can be used to create a cool shady place on an apartment balcony.
Composting is controlling the natural decay of organic matter by providing the right conditions for composting critters — i.e. mainly bacteria, fungi and protozoa — to convert yard trimmings into a product that can be returned to your landscape and garden. Compost improves soil and can break up heavy clay soils, help sandy soils retain water and nutrients and releases essential nutrients. Compost also contains beneficial microscopic organisms that build up soil and make nutrients available to plants. Improving your soil is the first step in growing healthy plants. If you want to go even further with composting, add some earthworms to the mix. Worms can be used to consume and recycle kitchen waste and other organic FOR matter to create a MORE INFO: nutrient-rich soil amendment To get even more information called worm — on these simple steps to take to go or vermi — green in your garden or lawn, visit the compost. Clemson University Extension Home and Worm compostGarden Center on the Web at www.cleming reduces the son.edu/extension/hgic or call toll free at 1amount of 888-656-9988 to contact a Clemson garbage entering landfills and University specialist. Extension home econimproves omist Rhonda Matthews encourages anygarden one with questions about any home soils and garden issue to call. “That’s while providwhat we’re here for,” she ing a fun and rewarding said. “Call us.” hobby. “It’s gross to some,” Matthews said, “but cool to kids and an awesome soil amendment.”
By NATHAN CHRISTOPHEL [email protected] So you have changed all the light bulbs in your house to be more energy efficient. You are recycling on a regular basis and you’re even walking more than driving — when you can. Those are all good first steps in reducing your carbon footprint. But there also are a few simple ways to go green in the greenest part of your home — your lawn and garden. “There’s really nothing easier than just planting a few plants,” said Clemson University Extension home economist Rhonda Matthews. The level at which to take the eco-friendliness, however, is really a personal choice for families but Matthews said the trend is picking up when it comes to planting, growing and reaping the benefits of going green in the garden. “For a lot of people, their interest has been perked,” she said. “The interest is out there. There are definitely more people heading in that direction.” Matthews said the desire for more fresh and local produce is out there and can be seen in an increase in the numbers of people coming to and taking advantage of Farmers Markets. She added even if a person doesn’t choose to grow their own garden to go green, those Farmers Markets are good options. “It’s amazing,” she said about watching numbers grow at those markets and seeing people bringing reusable bags or boxes in which to carry their produce home. “It’s neat to see folks come in like that.” Matthews said many families might be seeing the light of the “big swirly light bulb” that has come over their heads in the last few years. It’s a money issue and in tough economic times, she said people might be asking why not grow their own produce? “Why in the world would you drive 10 minutes if you can grow it in your backyard?” she asked. “In these tight economic times, families are willing to put those types of changes in place.” But everyone has their own comfort level. Matthews said if families are serious about instituting a more green policy when it comes to gardening, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to conserving the most energy and being the most green. Starting off small with a limited garden or even using container gardening is a good place to start. From there, some of the easiest ways to get up and going are to compost and use mulch. Matthews said reducing the amount of pesticide
S
See Green, Page 11
MORE TIPS FROM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Growing Grass in Shade
Mulching is one of the most important ways to maintain healthy landscaping plants and helps protect or improve the area it covers. According to the extension, mulching really is nature’s idea — it provides large quantities of mulch all the time with fallen leaves, needles, twigs, pieces of bark, spent flower blossoms, fallen fruit and other organic materials. Some of the benefits of mulching, when applied correctly, include: • Prevention of loss of water from the soil by evaporation. • Reduction of the growth of weeds, when the mulch material itself is weed free and applied deeply enough to prevent weed germination or smothering existing weeds. • Keeping the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, maintaining a more even soil temperature. • Prevention of crusting of the soil surface, thus improving the absorption and movement of water into the soil. • Prevention of soil compaction.
Keep mosquitoes from ruining your barbecue
remove leaves by raking, blowing or bagging when mowing to prevent smothering of the turf. Grass will grow long after deciduous trees have dropped their leaves. If grass cannot be seeded by mid-September it would be preferable to wait until spring to avoid the leaf problem. Ideally the mowing height should be one-half to 1 inch higher than normal. Turf growing in shade needs a large leaf surface to take advantage of what light does filter through the leaves. Mow on a regular schedule, never removing more than one-third of the leaf area at one time. It is also important to remove clippings to prevent further reduction of light to the turf. Grasses growing in heavily shaded areas require only one-half to two-thirds as much nitrogen as grasses growing in full sun. Reducing the amount of nitrogen to grasses growing in the shade reduces the incidence of disease. Fertilize shady locations at the same time as turf grown in the sun. For maximum tolerance to disease and environmental stress, maintain the soil pH, potassium and phosphorus levels as recommended by soil tests. The frequency and quantity of water needed for shady areas is less than that required for sunny areas. Water infrequently but deeply, and only when absolutely necessary. Light, infrequent watering encourages shallow roots, and increases disease problems associated with turf growth in shade. Most of the same disease problems exist in both shady and sunny areas. Those diseases associated with high moisture and/or high humidity may be more serious in shady areas because air movement is reduced and surface moisture remains longer. Good cultivar selection and good management practices should reduce the severity of these diseases. Ornamentals that have dense canopies and shallow roots normally result in failure of turfgrass stands even if proper management practices are used. When possible, select trees and shrubs that are deep-rooted and have relatively open canopies. Some species that generally cause fewer problems include sycamores, many oaks and most elms. Undesirable species include ash, willow, poplar and some species of maples. Some measures can be taken to aid turf survival, whether desirable or undesirable ornamentals are present. Selectively prune branches, particularly low branches, to aid in air movement and light penetration. Ideally, the lowest branches of trees should be over 6 feet above the soil surface. Remove any unnecessary trees and shrubs. Use recommended species and sufficient spacing between plants when placing new plants.
(MS) Few things exude the spirit of summer more than a backyard barbecue. Casual attire is expected, and the a good time is had by all. One thing that can ruin even the best barbecue, however, is the uninvited guest with a big appetite. And it's not Uncle Frank. Mosquitoes might not ask for a third or fourth hamburger, but they do tend to feast whenever they get the chance. At best, mosquitoes are annoying and pesky. At worst, mosquitoes pose a serious health risk to adults and pets, as mosquitoes can carry viruses that result in illness. But mosquitoes don't have to ruin your outdoor plans this summer. Instead, taking a proactive approach before the summer season starts can help reduce the risk of mosquitoes dropping by your next barbecue. The following methods can make your yard less attractive to hungry mosquitoes, ensuring Uncle Frank will be the only one filling up at the next barbecue. • Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets and similar water-holding containers. • Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside and cover trash containers to keep out rainwater. • Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis. • Change water every
See Grass, Page 11
See Mosquitoes, Page 11
Photo from Metro
Homeowners can do several things to keep moquitoes from ruining their next backyard barbecue. 6DQG0XOFK3HDW0RVV*UDYHO%ODFN.RZ
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3/31/10
8:04 AM
Page 1
10 The Union Daily Times/Union, S.C., Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Your source for home and garden information A special for
The Union Daily Times
Extension home economist says trend of growing, buying more fresh produce catching on
COMPOST
Hey, not everyone can be a Master Gardener, but if you want to get back to your gathering roots, Matthews said it’s OK to just plant a few plants. “It doesn’t get any fresher than walking out the back, picking it and bringing it into your kitchen,” she said. “Just get your feet wet.” That doesn’t even have to mean putting the plants in the ground. If you want to start small and don’t have a lot of space, container gardening is the answer. You can grow vegetables that take up little space like carrots, radishes and lettuce or even crops that bear fruit over time like tomatoes and peppers in containers. Container gardening also provides a way to spruce up that dull patio or deck with flowers or even hangers of cascading tomatoes or colorful herb mixes. Planter boxes with trellises also can be used to create a cool shady place on an apartment balcony.
Composting is controlling the natural decay of organic matter by providing the right conditions for composting critters — i.e. mainly bacteria, fungi and protozoa — to convert yard trimmings into a product that can be returned to your landscape and garden. Compost improves soil and can break up heavy clay soils, help sandy soils retain water and nutrients and releases essential nutrients. Compost also contains beneficial microscopic organisms that build up soil and make nutrients available to plants. Improving your soil is the first step in growing healthy plants. If you want to go even further with composting, add some earthworms to the mix. Worms can be used to consume and recycle kitchen waste and other organic FOR matter to create a MORE INFO: nutrient-rich soil amendment To get even more information called worm — on these simple steps to take to go or vermi — green in your garden or lawn, visit the compost. Clemson University Extension Home and Worm compostGarden Center on the Web at www.cleming reduces the son.edu/extension/hgic or call toll free at 1amount of 888-656-9988 to contact a Clemson garbage entering landfills and University specialist. Extension home econimproves omist Rhonda Matthews encourages anygarden one with questions about any home soils and garden issue to call. “That’s while providwhat we’re here for,” she ing a fun and rewarding said. “Call us.” hobby. “It’s gross to some,” Matthews said, “but cool to kids and an awesome soil amendment.”
By NATHAN CHRISTOPHEL [email protected] So you have changed all the light bulbs in your house to be more energy efficient. You are recycling on a regular basis and you’re even walking more than driving — when you can. Those are all good first steps in reducing your carbon footprint. But there also are a few simple ways to go green in the greenest part of your home — your lawn and garden. “There’s really nothing easier than just planting a few plants,” said Clemson University Extension home economist Rhonda Matthews. The level at which to take the eco-friendliness, however, is really a personal choice for families but Matthews said the trend is picking up when it comes to planting, growing and reaping the benefits of going green in the garden. “For a lot of people, their interest has been perked,” she said. “The interest is out there. There are definitely more people heading in that direction.” Matthews said the desire for more fresh and local produce is out there and can be seen in an increase in the numbers of people coming to and taking advantage of Farmers Markets. She added even if a person doesn’t choose to grow their own garden to go green, those Farmers Markets are good options. “It’s amazing,” she said about watching numbers grow at those markets and seeing people bringing reusable bags or boxes in which to carry their produce home. “It’s neat to see folks come in like that.” Matthews said many families might be seeing the light of the “big swirly light bulb” that has come over their heads in the last few years. It’s a money issue and in tough economic times, she said people might be asking why not grow their own produce? “Why in the world would you drive 10 minutes if you can grow it in your backyard?” she asked. “In these tight economic times, families are willing to put those types of changes in place.” But everyone has their own comfort level. Matthews said if families are serious about instituting a more green policy when it comes to gardening, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to conserving the most energy and being the most green. Starting off small with a limited garden or even using container gardening is a good place to start. From there, some of the easiest ways to get up and going are to compost and use mulch. Matthews said reducing the amount of pesticide
S
See Green, Page 11
MORE TIPS FROM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Growing Grass in Shade
Mulching is one of the most important ways to maintain healthy landscaping plants and helps protect or improve the area it covers. According to the extension, mulching really is nature’s idea — it provides large quantities of mulch all the time with fallen leaves, needles, twigs, pieces of bark, spent flower blossoms, fallen fruit and other organic materials. Some of the benefits of mulching, when applied correctly, include: • Prevention of loss of water from the soil by evaporation. • Reduction of the growth of weeds, when the mulch material itself is weed free and applied deeply enough to prevent weed germination or smothering existing weeds. • Keeping the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, maintaining a more even soil temperature. • Prevention of crusting of the soil surface, thus improving the absorption and movement of water into the soil. • Prevention of soil compaction.
Keep mosquitoes from ruining your barbecue
remove leaves by raking, blowing or bagging when mowing to prevent smothering of the turf. Grass will grow long after deciduous trees have dropped their leaves. If grass cannot be seeded by mid-September it would be preferable to wait until spring to avoid the leaf problem. Ideally the mowing height should be one-half to 1 inch higher than normal. Turf growing in shade needs a large leaf surface to take advantage of what light does filter through the leaves. Mow on a regular schedule, never removing more than one-third of the leaf area at one time. It is also important to remove clippings to prevent further reduction of light to the turf. Grasses growing in heavily shaded areas require only one-half to two-thirds as much nitrogen as grasses growing in full sun. Reducing the amount of nitrogen to grasses growing in the shade reduces the incidence of disease. Fertilize shady locations at the same time as turf grown in the sun. For maximum tolerance to disease and environmental stress, maintain the soil pH, potassium and phosphorus levels as recommended by soil tests. The frequency and quantity of water needed for shady areas is less than that required for sunny areas. Water infrequently but deeply, and only when absolutely necessary. Light, infrequent watering encourages shallow roots, and increases disease problems associated with turf growth in shade. Most of the same disease problems exist in both shady and sunny areas. Those diseases associated with high moisture and/or high humidity may be more serious in shady areas because air movement is reduced and surface moisture remains longer. Good cultivar selection and good management practices should reduce the severity of these diseases. Ornamentals that have dense canopies and shallow roots normally result in failure of turfgrass stands even if proper management practices are used. When possible, select trees and shrubs that are deep-rooted and have relatively open canopies. Some species that generally cause fewer problems include sycamores, many oaks and most elms. Undesirable species include ash, willow, poplar and some species of maples. Some measures can be taken to aid turf survival, whether desirable or undesirable ornamentals are present. Selectively prune branches, particularly low branches, to aid in air movement and light penetration. Ideally, the lowest branches of trees should be over 6 feet above the soil surface. Remove any unnecessary trees and shrubs. Use recommended species and sufficient spacing between plants when placing new plants.
(MS) Few things exude the spirit of summer more than a backyard barbecue. Casual attire is expected, and the a good time is had by all. One thing that can ruin even the best barbecue, however, is the uninvited guest with a big appetite. And it's not Uncle Frank. Mosquitoes might not ask for a third or fourth hamburger, but they do tend to feast whenever they get the chance. At best, mosquitoes are annoying and pesky. At worst, mosquitoes pose a serious health risk to adults and pets, as mosquitoes can carry viruses that result in illness. But mosquitoes don't have to ruin your outdoor plans this summer. Instead, taking a proactive approach before the summer season starts can help reduce the risk of mosquitoes dropping by your next barbecue. The following methods can make your yard less attractive to hungry mosquitoes, ensuring Uncle Frank will be the only one filling up at the next barbecue. • Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets and similar water-holding containers. • Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside and cover trash containers to keep out rainwater. • Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis. • Change water every
See Grass, Page 11
See Mosquitoes, Page 11
Photo from Metro
Homeowners can do several things to keep moquitoes from ruining their next backyard barbecue. 6DQG0XOFK3HDW0RVV*UDYHO%ODFN.RZ
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