[ In Garden & Landscape ]Soil Test NowInformation obtained from a soil test will help you select the proper liming and fertilization program to obtain optimal growth of lawn, garden and ornamental plants...
[ In Garden & Landscape ]Just a Few TipsIf you are spreading the ashes from your woodburning stove in your garden, be aware that over time you are raising the pH of your soil. Have your soil pH tested before applying anymore wood ashes...
[ In Garden & Landscape ]Liming of SoilOver a period of time, Dawson County soil tends to become more acid. Rainfall, irrigation, soil erosion, crop removal, and the use of the ammonium form of nitrogen all contribute to a gradual lowering of the pH...
[ In Parks and Green Space ]Are You Over Mulching?We have long been aware of the importance of not placing excessive amounts of soil over the roots of established trees and shrubs. However, we sometimes fail to understand that excessive use of mulch around shallow rooted plants has the same detrimental effect...
[ In Parks and Green Space ]Protect Honeybees from PesticidesOne of the best ways to reduce honeybee kill is for farmers and gardeners to use pesticides correctly. By limiting sprays and use pesticides only when bees are not present we can reduce bee kills...
[ In Garden & Landscape ]August Garden TipsDuring hot, dry, August days, avoid deep cultivation in your flower beds. Loosening the soil under these conditions reduces water uptake by increasing loss of soil water and damaging surface roots. Plants often look much worse after cultivation than before...
[ In Garden & Landscape ]Gardening Tips for JulyWeed removal in a garden is important for a number of reasons. It conserves moisture, conserves nutrients in the soil and helps prevent the spread of disease and insects...
[ In Health ]Reduce MosquitoesFemale mosquitoes lay their eggs on water or in places that later become flooded. Standing water provides a great place for the female mosquitoes to lay eggs. The days between rains when water is not being flushed out of areas can lead to mosquito problems...
[ In Health ]Good Year for TicksAfter Lyme disease, the second important tick-borne disease is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It is characterized by a sudden onset of chills, fever, headache, and bloodshot eyes. The name “spotted fever” refers to the rash that appears two or four days after the onset of fever...
[ In Garden & Landscape ]Fescue Lawn CareOne of the best things about fescue is that it stays green year-round. It will grow well in full sun and fairly dense shade; however, it performs better in moderate shade...