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What happened to the rain?

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July 16, 2013

By Jane Garrison

For the first time in many years, we had nice, dry weather in June when the sun was at its highest and the days were the longest of the year. That means we had more early heat, and crops west of the Cascades got a big boost. We can all celebrate by consuming tons of strawberries.

Early, dry weather may be good for crops and farmers, but it could mean stress for some of your garden plants. If your plants look bad, and you wonder if water is the problem, check out the following symptoms:

  • Fruits are different sizes
  • Stunted plants

  • Wilted discolored flowers and leaves.

You can’t tell by looking at just the plant; you have to check the soil. It’s time to water when the top 3 inches to 5 inches of soil are dry. You can buy a probe or just dig down and look.

Shrubs and lawn take different amounts of water. Lawn requires more. The following may help you determine how much water you need for a healthy landscape.

If you live on the hard soils around Issaquah, during drought, water shrubs beds slowly, twice a week until they begin to puddle or run off. Planting beds should be moist to about 2 feet deep.

Lawn is more difficult if you want to keep it green. It needs to be watered to a depth of 6-8 inches each time, which means about 3-4 minutes every day. If you don’t have an automatic system, this is very difficult to do. Rather than drag hoses around every day, just try to deliver about an inch of water per week, and it will probably be able to stay green depending on soil and exposure. Otherwise, brown grass is a good thing for our water supply.

New trees and shrubs need more water than established ones. They need to be watered regularly, because the roots have not spread to take in water from a big area. Basins around new plants help retain the water near the roots, especially on sloped sites or mounds. Watch to see if water soaks in or runs off. Run-off does the plant absolutely no good.

We all need to be aware of the stresses on our water supply and ways to conserve. Consider the following:

Mulch shrub beds to reduce loss of water through evaporation.

Limit lawn areas or allow it to brown.

Use drought-tolerant species or native plants in your landscaping.

Now, go water per the above guidelines and enjoy the rest of the summer. Don’t forget to eat a big bowl of fresh strawberries. They are amazing when they are locally grown.

 

Jane Garrison is a local master gardener and landscape architect. She gardens in glacial till on the plateau.

 

 

Get some help

Visit master gardener clinics on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Squak Mountain Nursery and the Issaquah Farmers Market. Bring problems, samples and photos, or just stop by to visit.

 

Comments

Got something to say?

Before you comment, please note:

  • These comments are moderated.
  • Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
  • Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
  • This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.

What happened to the rain?

Leave a reply

July 16, 2013

By Jane Garrison

For the first time in many years, we had nice, dry weather in June when the sun was at its highest and the days were the longest of the year. That means we had more early heat, and crops west of the Cascades got a big boost. We can all celebrate by consuming tons of strawberries.

Early, dry weather may be good for crops and farmers, but it could mean stress for some of your garden plants. If your plants look bad, and you wonder if water is the problem, check out the following symptoms:

  • Fruits are different sizes
  • Stunted plants

  • Wilted discolored flowers and leaves.

You can’t tell by looking at just the plant; you have to check the soil. It’s time to water when the top 3 inches to 5 inches of soil are dry. You can buy a probe or just dig down and look.

Shrubs and lawn take different amounts of water. Lawn requires more. The following may help you determine how much water you need for a healthy landscape.

If you live on the hard soils around Issaquah, during drought, water shrubs beds slowly, twice a week until they begin to puddle or run off. Planting beds should be moist to about 2 feet deep.

Lawn is more difficult if you want to keep it green. It needs to be watered to a depth of 6-8 inches each time, which means about 3-4 minutes every day. If you don’t have an automatic system, this is very difficult to do. Rather than drag hoses around every day, just try to deliver about an inch of water per week, and it will probably be able to stay green depending on soil and exposure. Otherwise, brown grass is a good thing for our water supply.

New trees and shrubs need more water than established ones. They need to be watered regularly, because the roots have not spread to take in water from a big area. Basins around new plants help retain the water near the roots, especially on sloped sites or mounds. Watch to see if water soaks in or runs off. Run-off does the plant absolutely no good.

We all need to be aware of the stresses on our water supply and ways to conserve. Consider the following:

Mulch shrub beds to reduce loss of water through evaporation.

Limit lawn areas or allow it to brown.

Use drought-tolerant species or native plants in your landscaping.

Now, go water per the above guidelines and enjoy the rest of the summer. Don’t forget to eat a big bowl of fresh strawberries. They are amazing when they are locally grown.

 

Jane Garrison is a local master gardener and landscape architect. She gardens in glacial till on the plateau.

 

 

Get some help

Visit master gardener clinics on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Squak Mountain Nursery and the Issaquah Farmers Market. Bring problems, samples and photos, or just stop by to visit.

 

Comments

Got something to say?

Before you comment, please note:

  • These comments are moderated.
  • Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
  • Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
  • This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.

Garden Tour starts July 20

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Wes and Cyndi prepare for visitors at the Gladwin Master Gardener Garden Tour on July 20.

Wes and Cyndi prepare for visitors at the Gladwin Master Gardener Garden Tour on July 20.




Posted: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 3:05 pm


Garden Tour starts July 20

By Wes and Cindy Alexander

Gladwin County Record and Beaverton Clarion

We have always enjoyed attending farm and garden tours. Whenever the opportunity arose, we would sign up to participate in the tour, seeing new practices and experiencing new ideas.


Now it is our turn to host one of the stops on an upcoming garden tour. The Gladwin County Master Gardeners and the Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring their sixth annual garden tour this Saturday, July 20. The local garden tour will showcase flower and vegetable gardens and beautiful landscaping throughout the northern Gladwin County area.

We will welcome you to our Farm, Villa de la Cyanocitta cristata, (translates to “Home to the Blue Jay”). We purchased this property when we moved here from Virginia in February 2010. After retiring from careers as agronomists at Virginia Tech University we knew we would continue experimenting in our own garden and orchard.

Several items of interest to gardeners and produce growers will be highlighted; including our deer fence, drip irrigation and intensive planting system.

As soon as the soil warmed after our first winter here, we planted a small family garden and orchard. However, surrounded by woods, we observed a potential deer problem. In Virginia we had many years of research with deer fencing protecting high dollar crops like pumpkins, collards, and peanuts. We also conducted many forage experiments and the deer had to be controlled for any useful data to be collected.

Our deer fence is electric and works on the principle that deer lack depth perception. There are two poly tape fences three feet apart. As a deer approaches the outer fence it stops to contemplate distance between fences before jumping. They either sense the electric or receive a shock and quickly change their mind about entering the garden.

Our second concern was the very sandy, droughty soil. We decided to install a drip irrigation system. The drip system does not require a huge source of water and is something we could install ourselves.

We started selling produce at the Gladwin Farmers’ Market in 2011. The market was located in the parking lot behind the present day market pavilion on State Street. Last year Gladwin City built a market pavilion and we decided to expand our operation. We also sell at the Houghton Lake Farmers’ Market on Fridays.

This year we will market sugar snap peas, rhubarb, radish, spinach, Swiss chard, Romaine, mixed greens, cabbage, potatoes, snap beans, wax beans, tomatoes, summer squash, fall squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. In the future we hope to include fruit in our inventory as our young trees mature and begin to produce. We also specialize in honey and maple syrup. Our bees not only make honey but also are invaluable pollinators. We tap 100 maple trees and evaporate and bottle our own maple syrup.

The Garden Tour is also a means of raising funds for the Master Gardeners. A ticket allows access to all eight stops and cost $8 prior to the tour date or $10 the day of the tour. Tickets are available at Chemical Bank in Beaverton and Gladwin, Flower Scents, Lyle’s Flowers, Stone Cottage Gardens, Chamber of Commerce, Sugar Springs POA Office, and Lakeside Golf Course. For garden tour information, please call 989-429-9639 or 989-426-5220.

More about Landscape

  • ARTICLE: The Art of Gardening
  • ARTICLE: Earth Day Celebration April 19
  • ARTICLE: How to have blooming flowers for any garden
  • ARTICLE: Are you interested in a Community Garden?

More about Garden

  • ARTICLE: Master Gardeners to host Garden Tour
  • ARTICLE: The Art of Gardening
  • ARTICLE: Community gardens take root in Clare County
  • ARTICLE: 2013 Mid-Michigan Farm and Garden Committee

More about Deer

  • ARTICLE: MAMA WITH HER BABIES
  • ARTICLE: She shakes “Buck Fever” downs “monster” 8-point
  • ARTICLE: Kaytlin Hall
  • ARTICLE: Hillary Aspin: Educating public is part of the biz

Posted in
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Tuesday, July 16, 2013 3:05 pm.


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Deer,



Land Use,



Soil Science,



Drip Irrigation,



Irrigation,



Gladwin County Record

Garden Tour starts July 20

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Wes and Cyndi prepare for visitors at the Gladwin Master Gardener Garden Tour on July 20.

Wes and Cyndi prepare for visitors at the Gladwin Master Gardener Garden Tour on July 20.




Posted: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 3:05 pm


Garden Tour starts July 20

By Wes and Cindy Alexander

Gladwin County Record and Beaverton Clarion

We have always enjoyed attending farm and garden tours. Whenever the opportunity arose, we would sign up to participate in the tour, seeing new practices and experiencing new ideas.


Now it is our turn to host one of the stops on an upcoming garden tour. The Gladwin County Master Gardeners and the Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring their sixth annual garden tour this Saturday, July 20. The local garden tour will showcase flower and vegetable gardens and beautiful landscaping throughout the northern Gladwin County area.

We will welcome you to our Farm, Villa de la Cyanocitta cristata, (translates to “Home to the Blue Jay”). We purchased this property when we moved here from Virginia in February 2010. After retiring from careers as agronomists at Virginia Tech University we knew we would continue experimenting in our own garden and orchard.

Several items of interest to gardeners and produce growers will be highlighted; including our deer fence, drip irrigation and intensive planting system.

As soon as the soil warmed after our first winter here, we planted a small family garden and orchard. However, surrounded by woods, we observed a potential deer problem. In Virginia we had many years of research with deer fencing protecting high dollar crops like pumpkins, collards, and peanuts. We also conducted many forage experiments and the deer had to be controlled for any useful data to be collected.

Our deer fence is electric and works on the principle that deer lack depth perception. There are two poly tape fences three feet apart. As a deer approaches the outer fence it stops to contemplate distance between fences before jumping. They either sense the electric or receive a shock and quickly change their mind about entering the garden.

Our second concern was the very sandy, droughty soil. We decided to install a drip irrigation system. The drip system does not require a huge source of water and is something we could install ourselves.

We started selling produce at the Gladwin Farmers’ Market in 2011. The market was located in the parking lot behind the present day market pavilion on State Street. Last year Gladwin City built a market pavilion and we decided to expand our operation. We also sell at the Houghton Lake Farmers’ Market on Fridays.

This year we will market sugar snap peas, rhubarb, radish, spinach, Swiss chard, Romaine, mixed greens, cabbage, potatoes, snap beans, wax beans, tomatoes, summer squash, fall squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. In the future we hope to include fruit in our inventory as our young trees mature and begin to produce. We also specialize in honey and maple syrup. Our bees not only make honey but also are invaluable pollinators. We tap 100 maple trees and evaporate and bottle our own maple syrup.

The Garden Tour is also a means of raising funds for the Master Gardeners. A ticket allows access to all eight stops and cost $8 prior to the tour date or $10 the day of the tour. Tickets are available at Chemical Bank in Beaverton and Gladwin, Flower Scents, Lyle’s Flowers, Stone Cottage Gardens, Chamber of Commerce, Sugar Springs POA Office, and Lakeside Golf Course. For garden tour information, please call 989-429-9639 or 989-426-5220.

More about Landscape

  • ARTICLE: The Art of Gardening
  • ARTICLE: Earth Day Celebration April 19
  • ARTICLE: How to have blooming flowers for any garden
  • ARTICLE: Are you interested in a Community Garden?

More about Garden

  • ARTICLE: Master Gardeners to host Garden Tour
  • ARTICLE: The Art of Gardening
  • ARTICLE: Community gardens take root in Clare County
  • ARTICLE: 2013 Mid-Michigan Farm and Garden Committee

More about Deer

  • ARTICLE: MAMA WITH HER BABIES
  • ARTICLE: She shakes “Buck Fever” downs “monster” 8-point
  • ARTICLE: Kaytlin Hall
  • ARTICLE: Hillary Aspin: Educating public is part of the biz

Posted in
Community

on

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 3:05 pm.


| Tags:


Landscape,



Garden,



Deer,



Land Use,



Soil Science,



Drip Irrigation,



Irrigation,



Gladwin County Record

Gardening tips with the Western Mass. Master Gardeners Association

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) – The Western Mass Master Gardener Association shared some gardening tips and tricks as well as a delicious recipe for stuffed grape leaves.

To learn more give them a call at (413) 298-5355 or visit WMMGA.org .

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch parsley, washed well, chop leaves finely, save all stems
  • 1 cup long grain rice for recipe with meat, 2 cups for vegetarian
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned,
  • 2 scallions, chopped finely
  • Fresh herbs, oregano, basil, (optional: dill, or any you prefer)
  • Salt/Pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef, turkey or lamb, your option

    
Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients, set aside.   
  2. Be Sure to use wild grape leaves, (tender) about 30,  about 50 for mixture with meat, about 5″ in width or larger, wash well, then par boil for 1 or 2 minutes, let cool.
  3. Back side up and stem cut close to leaf, put about 1 very full tbsp. of mixture into center of grape leave, then wrap up burrito style, nice and tight!        
  4. Prepare heavy bottom pan or casserole pan by layering parsley stems in bottom of pot with 2 additional tbsp. olive oil.
  5. Tightly layer stuffed grape leaves in a row, fill in pot until there are no empty spaces, layer on top of each other until done.    
  6. Cover with an inverted plate that fits inside pot (to hold down stuffed grape leaves so they don’t come apart while cooking). 
  7. Add 3 cups water, beef broth, vegetable broth or any broth you desire.
  8.  Bring to a very low boil, or bake in 350 oven for about 3 hours or until liquid is soaked up.
  9. Let stuffed grape leaves rest for 30 min. or so, take out very gently and serve with lemon wedges, tzatziki sauce, sour cream, or whatever you prefer, hot or cold.

Tips for preparing grape leaves:

  • Pick wild grape leaves only. (Grape leaves from grape bearing vines are tough)
  • Wash grape leaves well, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, put into cold water to cool.
  • When ready to stuff:
  • Place leaves vein side up on your counter about an inch apart, place about 1 tsp. of mixture in center of grape leaves.
  • Roll by having wide side down, fold over sides to touch, then start to roll from wider part of leaf up until firmly rolled.
  • Leaves should be about 5 to 6 inches across, try to cut all leaves to be uniform in size.

About the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association:

The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the educational mission of promoting good and sustainable gardening practices. We are volunteers who have graduated from an academic training class and have completed service hours working with the public to advance our mission.

Individuals who complete this training and service are then certified as Master Gardeners.  Although members participate in activities throughout Western Massachusetts, the organization is divided into three sub-regions: Berkshire County, Upper Valley, and Lower Valley which organize activities and volunteer efforts in their respective regions.

Master Gardener programs exist throughout the nation and are typically associated with a state university. Our program originated at the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Massachusetts.  In 1989 due to funding limitations, the program was discontinued at UMass. We have been operating independently since then thanks to a very dedicated group of program graduates.  Our ranks continue to grow.
 

Gardening tips with the Western Mass. Master Gardeners Association

Leave a reply

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) – The Western Mass Master Gardener Association shared some gardening tips and tricks as well as a delicious recipe for stuffed grape leaves.

To learn more give them a call at (413) 298-5355 or visit WMMGA.org .

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch parsley, washed well, chop leaves finely, save all stems
  • 1 cup long grain rice for recipe with meat, 2 cups for vegetarian
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned,
  • 2 scallions, chopped finely
  • Fresh herbs, oregano, basil, (optional: dill, or any you prefer)
  • Salt/Pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef, turkey or lamb, your option

    
Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients, set aside.   
  2. Be Sure to use wild grape leaves, (tender) about 30,  about 50 for mixture with meat, about 5″ in width or larger, wash well, then par boil for 1 or 2 minutes, let cool.
  3. Back side up and stem cut close to leaf, put about 1 very full tbsp. of mixture into center of grape leave, then wrap up burrito style, nice and tight!        
  4. Prepare heavy bottom pan or casserole pan by layering parsley stems in bottom of pot with 2 additional tbsp. olive oil.
  5. Tightly layer stuffed grape leaves in a row, fill in pot until there are no empty spaces, layer on top of each other until done.    
  6. Cover with an inverted plate that fits inside pot (to hold down stuffed grape leaves so they don’t come apart while cooking). 
  7. Add 3 cups water, beef broth, vegetable broth or any broth you desire.
  8.  Bring to a very low boil, or bake in 350 oven for about 3 hours or until liquid is soaked up.
  9. Let stuffed grape leaves rest for 30 min. or so, take out very gently and serve with lemon wedges, tzatziki sauce, sour cream, or whatever you prefer, hot or cold.

Tips for preparing grape leaves:

  • Pick wild grape leaves only. (Grape leaves from grape bearing vines are tough)
  • Wash grape leaves well, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, put into cold water to cool.
  • When ready to stuff:
  • Place leaves vein side up on your counter about an inch apart, place about 1 tsp. of mixture in center of grape leaves.
  • Roll by having wide side down, fold over sides to touch, then start to roll from wider part of leaf up until firmly rolled.
  • Leaves should be about 5 to 6 inches across, try to cut all leaves to be uniform in size.

About the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association:

The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the educational mission of promoting good and sustainable gardening practices. We are volunteers who have graduated from an academic training class and have completed service hours working with the public to advance our mission.

Individuals who complete this training and service are then certified as Master Gardeners.  Although members participate in activities throughout Western Massachusetts, the organization is divided into three sub-regions: Berkshire County, Upper Valley, and Lower Valley which organize activities and volunteer efforts in their respective regions.

Master Gardener programs exist throughout the nation and are typically associated with a state university. Our program originated at the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Massachusetts.  In 1989 due to funding limitations, the program was discontinued at UMass. We have been operating independently since then thanks to a very dedicated group of program graduates.  Our ranks continue to grow.
 

Tips on Living and Gardening in the Southwestern Desert

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Have you ever wondered what it is like to live in the desert in the summer heat and winter dryness? Or even, perhaps, what it is like to garden in the desert?

After writing about Texas-based JM Dry Goods owners Michelle Teague and Jon Davidson’s garden shop, Hijo, and landscape designer Mark Word’s nursery, Jardineros, Remodelista editor Alexa turned to them for expert advice on how to survive the extreme elements of the desert. Here is what she sourced for Gardenista.

Photography by Michael A. Muller for Gardenista.

Gardenista: What should a Southwest gardener know about first starting a plot in the region?

Jardineros: In the beginning stages of establishing a garden, make sure you can identify and commit to the removal of bermuda grass and nutsedge. Also, soil should be amended with water-holding compost before planting. Many sites will be full of weed seeds just waiting for you to add water—try to be patient and consistent about weeding. It could take several seasons before your new beds are truly free and clear.

GD: How do you protect yourself from the elements?

Michelle Teague: I’m never without a hat! I love my old Persol sunglasses and I also have been addicted to Kiehl’s Super Fluid SPF 50+ since I’ve been at the nursery out in the sun. It’s very lightweight, perfect for the Texas heat. And you’ll always find us at Jardineros under the Hijo porch shade sipping Topo Chicos.

GD: From local pests and desert animals?

Michelle Teague: I just discovered JAO Patio Oil, a botanical plant-based bug repellant—highly effective in Texas where mosquitoes are pretty serious. And it smells insane.

GD: How and when do you water your garden in Texas?

Jardineros: It’s best to choose your plants carefully and water them only as needed. In the summer, a bit of late afternoon wilting is normal but if plants don’t perk up after sundown, it’s a sure sign they need a drink. Here in Austin and other parts of Texas, we’ve experienced record temperatures and severe drought several years running. To protect the water supply, our city and others have implemented irrigation restrictions. We find that the best way to water less is to do it more efficiently, such as by installing more drip irrigation systems and avoiding spray heads. Always water in the early morning or evening to reduce water loss by evaporation.

Above: Jon Davidson of Hijo Shed reads up on native Southwest gardening.

GD: Favorite hardy, drought-resistant plant?

Jardineros: We like Mexican Olive, as well as a variety of tall grasses including Blue Grama, Alkali Sacaton and Blonde Ambition.

GD: What’s your take on container gardening versus planting directly into soil?

Jardineros: In most cases, it’s better to plant directly into the soil; the temperatures can be extreme and containers can dry out or freeze quickly.

For a deeper look at desert gardening, Southwestern style, visit Gardenista’s post Hijo in Austin: A Garden Shop in a Shed at Jardineros Nursery.

Related:
5 Plants that Don’t Need Much Water

Six things you should know about rainwater harvesting in the desert – Off

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Water harvesting in Tucson,AZWater harvesting in Tucson,AZ

Makes you parched just to look at it

TUCSON AZ – New techniques and revival of old skills can make a little water go a long way, even here in the Catalina foothills.

1. The secret to urban water harvesting is using the many impermeable surfaces that surround us: roofs, streets, sidewalks and driveways. The runoff from those surfaces amounts to a huge amount, if properly collected and used for irrigation. In rural situations, create as many hard surfaces as you can.
2. Good collection techniques can triple the amount of water that falls, so for example, the patch of garden that now needs irrigation would get about 12 inches a year. That’s still pretty dry, but it does just lift that patch out of a “desert” definition. Diverting rainfall from your rooftop and driveways can provide quite a bit of water for irrigation.

Recommended book on Rainwater harvesting


We suggest sealed, light-proof collection barrels to thwart mosquitoes and evaporation. The water in the collectors – and they have to be pretty big, because even a small area of rooftop collects a lot of water very quickly – can be used for hand-watering or hooked up to a hose.
3. Another part of good rainwater use is designing the landscaping so that water flows into rather than off of it. Most landscaping is planted in mounds – the reverse of what we should be doing. Instead of a mound, make a bowl-like topography that will hold the water runoff and organic matter. Leaves and grass cuttings, instead of going to the dump, will go into the depressions, improving the soil and increasing water infiltration. About 12-14 percent of the solid-waste stream is yard trimmings. Instead of going to the dump, it should be used on-site to enhance soil fertility.
4. City officials are learning to love these once-revolutionary ideas. In Tucson, the average residential street drains 1.25 million gallons a year, per mile. That’s enough water to irrigate 400 native trees per mile, one tree to every 25 feet. This converts a water-draining street to a water-harvesting street. In Nevada, you would get a third of water we have, but that’s still a significant amount of water. Here in Tucson an ordinance was just passed by the City Council that all new city roads must harvest at a minimum all the water from a half-inch rainstorm. That’s a great beginning.
They don’t have to worry about leaks, they don’t have a water bill. They’re reducing costs and they have a much more livable, beautiful community. So we get these multiple benefits.
5. Harvesting rainwater also would take some pressure off of the Colorado River by avoiding the significant evaporative losses that happen in Lake Mead. Also, rate-payers won’t have to pay for the energy used to pump the water up from the lake.
6. The Southern Nevada Water Authority is not a fan of “gray water” or used-water collection, Lancaster notes. (SNWA officials cite a study in Western Australia that showed an uptick in water consumption after homeowners installed gray-water reuse systems.) So the local water authority is not promoting gray water.

For more information on the Las Vegas discussion, go to www.harvestingrainwater.com

Changes coming to the Ross-Ade south end zone

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10/13/12 Wisconsin vs. Purdue

Exponent File Photo

10/13/12 Wisconsin vs. Purdue

Fans sit in the south end zone of Ross-Ade when Purdue faced Wisconsin Oct. 13, 2012.




Posted: Monday, July 15, 2013 10:00 am
|


Updated: 2:31 pm, Mon Jul 15, 2013.


Changes coming to the Ross-Ade south end zone

By ANDY FLORES
Summer Reporter

Purdue Exponent

The Purdue Athletic Department is looking into giving Ross-Ade a bit of a face-lift.


Several concepts have been presented by HNTB construction company to remodel the south end zone. HNTB has done construction on other projects like the renovation of Mackey arena. The last time construction was done at Ross-Ade was 2003 and it did not involve the south end zone. The construction done on Ross-Ade was to fix the concrete around the stadium. Now the athletic department is floating three ideas to redesign the bleachers that have been a staple in the south end zone for 50 years. The plans, however, would decrease seating from 62,500 to 57,500 in the stadium.

One concept calls for simply removing the bleachers from the stadium and landscaping the grassy area where the bleachers used to be in a decorative fashion. Another plan that was presented entailed putting in different seating and moving the student section to the south end zone. Athletic director Morgan Burke was not fond of the idea of displacing the students.

“I think it has some merit to it, but I really don’t think the students would be into it,” Burke said. “They might like the south end zone, the way it’s going to be reworked, but it just seemed like a pretty steep hill to climb.”

The third idea would be terrace level seating with a club underneath. Burke liked the idea of an open-space club where people could walk around and socialize with one another. This idea is in part to appeal to the younger graduates who want to come back with several friends and enjoy a game.

“To me when somebody leaves school they have quite got to the point where they’re married, (have) kids and all that stuff, they’re coming back to see their buddies and friends,” Burke said. “We don’t really have a good young peoples mingling space. “

All three ideas include adding a new video scoreboard in the south end zone and a smaller video board above the north end zone. Also the plans include landscaping the area around the south end zone.

Since the story has surfaced, Burke said the feedback he has gotten is about how space should be decorated. There have been several blogs that have drawn up renderings with decorative ideas they would like to see in the south end zone.

“We’re trying to figure out what the house scope looks like and they want to put the paintings on the wall,” Burke said. “They’re afraid we’ll forget the locomotive or we won’t put themes into it … that’s the easiest part.”

The south end zone has the most affordable seating in Ross-Ade, which has caused concern for some who think they may not be able to afford coming to see the football team. However, Burke insists a plan for affordable seating in the north end zone will be put in place.

“You can make the price points so you don’t take people out of the stadium,” Burke said. “That’s why I keep saying we’ll have an option, we can do family friendly pricing in the north (end zone). I don’t think people have to worry about that.”

Josh Helmholdt, a recruiting analyst for Rivals.com, said stadiums play a large role in a recruits decision to attend a school.

“The game day atmosphere, the stadium (and) playing in front of x amount of fans, all of that is factored in and considered, and part of that vibe that they get from their experience on campus,” Helmholdt said.

There is no timetable for the new design as it is still in its infancy and Burke still has to meet with Purdue president Mitch Daniels and the Board of Trustees. Also, the ideas have to be surveyed by the public to see how they receive the different concepts.

Posted in
Sports,
Mens,
Football

on

Monday, July 15, 2013 10:00 am.

Updated: 2:31 pm.

Home Gardening Display at the State Fair Offers Ideas for Urban Farmers …

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market study
done by the Scarborough firm. Sacramento tied 4th in US cities in Top Local Market
for Home Gardening, reporting 58% of Sacramento home owners had gardened within
the previous 12-months. The national average was 49%.

The State Fair took note, recognizing a strong, community-wide desire
to grow their own food, while acknowledging space can be limited, adding an
exhibit called Urban Farming to The Farm this year.

As you walk beneath the trellised squash, you are surrounded
by displays of square-foot gardening, vertical vegetables, meal specific
groupings such as salsa or spaghetti, edible landscaping, companion planting
and more. Each with detailed instructions, volunteers happy to explain, and a
smartphone scanner for easy recall access when you get home.

You can learn tips on drought tolerant herbs from the water-wise-guys in the Save Our Water tent and get hands on cooking lessons in the
daily, Dirt to Dish demonstration on the Bring the Farm Home
patio.

Click here for water-wise irrigation tips. 

Click here for demonstration schedules.

For more garden tips from The Farm click here.