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Avoid herbicide injury to plants

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When weeds appear in the lawn and landscape, many homeowners turn to chemical weedkillers to take care of the problem. Herbicides (weedkillers) kill plants. That is what they are supposed to do. When used correctly, they can be an effective tool. When used improperly, they can damage desirable plants.

Before you reach for a weedkiller, here are some guidelines for using these chemical tools:

1. Read the label — the entire label — before using the product. Many of the “weed and feed” products or broadleaf weedkillers contain a combination of 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba. Somewhere on the label of these products it will note that they should not be used in the root zone of “desirable trees and shrubs.” If you have a landscape with established shade trees, you will be applying these materials in the root zone of “desirable trees and shrubs.”

So what can you do if you have weeds and trees in your lawn? If you just have a few weeds here and there, don’t use an herbicide product over the entire lawn. Spot spray the individual weeds or dig them out. I like the “weed popper” tools like Fiskars Uproot Lawn and Garden Weeder or Grampa’s Weeder (grampasgardenware.com) that use leverage to pop out the weeds along with most of their roots. This avoids tedious back-breaking digging with a hand weeder.

2. If you’re not using a ready-to-use product in a spray bottle, it’s wise to use a separate garden sprayer for herbicide sprays. If a sprayer is not cleaned thoroughly, you can end up damaging your plants with a contaminated sprayer.

To clean a sprayer:

— If you can’t use all the material you have mixed, spray it somewhere in the landscape where it won’t harm plants. Check the label to determine what areas are safe. Do not store any mixed product in your sprayer.

— Check the product label for specific directions on how to clean the sprayer after using the product. If there are none, thoroughly rinse the tank, hoses, wand, nozzle and any other parts with water. Spray the rinse water over a wide area that will not cause damage. Don’t dump it on the ground or down the drain.

— After cleaning the sprayer when using 2,4-D or a similar herbicide, fill the tank with water and add ammonia (1/3 cup of ammonia per gallon of water). Allow it to soak for 24 hours, being sure that the ammonia solution is also run through the sprayer and all its parts before soaking. This will remove much, but not all, of the 2,4-D from the sprayer.

3. Damage to plants from weed killers can also be caused by drift that occurs when sprays are applied when it’s windy. It is hard to find a calm day in this region, but you should never apply herbicides when the wind speed is more than 15 mph. It’s best to wait until the wind is 5 mph or less. Also, the larger the droplet size, the less likely the material will drift off target.

— Marianne C. Ophardt is a horticulturist for Washington State University Benton County Extension.

Garden designer Kate Gould: downsize, no compromise

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First, define how you will use the garden. Think about your lifestyle. As many
of us work longer hours, the time we spend in our gardens has shifted to
later in the evening (on the few days a year when the British climate
allows) and weekends.

So, ask yourself, will you actually dine outside in the evenings? Are you more
likely to sit indoors, reading the paper on a Sunday morning? If you have
children you will probably want to incorporate a play space within the
scheme or an area for cooking and entertaining. Or perhaps you are a keen
vegetable grower and want to include raised beds for cultivating salads or
vegetables.

You may prefer a low maintenance garden that looks good all year round but is
not used very much – possibly incorporating some storage and well-chosen
evergreen planting.

These decisions may seem banal, but defining the use of such a small plot is
extremely helpful – as too much clutter will result in the loss of overall
spaciousness.

Whatever your requirements, once you have a wish list you can start to look at
transferring it into the garden. (Usually at this point you will have
eliminated the more unrealistic asks: ponds, swimming pools, pergolas and
gazebos.) It’s all about balance. Although it is quite amazing how much can
be shoehorned into relatively little space, there does have to be room to
move around comfortably.

There are a few clever design tricks that can be utilised to make the most of
any small garden. Large-format hard landscaping is very effective; unified
boundaries and simple clean lines are a must, while grouping planters and
pots together creates an appealing and less claustrophobic overall impact.

Current fashions in garden furniture have resulted in the appearance of
supersized tables, chairs and outdoor sofas – surprisingly good at creating
the illusion of space. Hammocks or swing seats can also work. But whatever
you settle on, choose an all-weather option – preferably with waterproof
cushions that can be left out and mean the garden will look dressed and be
usable at a moment’s notice.

Further to how you use your small garden is the choice of how it actually
looks. The main surface will be the hard landscaping – such as paths,
sleepers or rockeries – and this needs to be selected carefully. You want
materials that can tolerate the vagaries of the British weather and will
look good with as little ongoing maintenance as possible.

Of course, there’s only so much you can do to defy nature. But if you select
low-maintenance materials, your upkeep will be minimal – making the garden
easier to look after and your enjoyment of it greater. Realistically, most
stone and wood will gradually collect algae, so maintenance will be
required. Accept the need now for some light maintenance – rather than none
at all – and you’ll achieve a happy balance.

Luckily, many natural stones come in a range of light hues and, since light
colours make a small space look much larger, this is probably the way to go.
They are also available in sizes up to 900x600mm off the shelf, which is a
good-sized stone and will help the space to look much roomier. Large-format
pavers tend to open the area up, because the eye picks up the stone itself
and not the jointing pattern.

It is a bold decision to opt for a large paver in a small garden, but it
always pays off. Limestone or sandstone look fantastic, but these need
regular cleaning – so the effort involved has to be offset against the
visual effect. Man-made stones are often easier to look after, but don’t
have the life expectancy of natural stone. And, while many people are phobic
about decking, a good hardwood can last for years and has the benefit of
slim, long-length boards that stretch the eye, making a space feel longer or
wider – depending on how it is laid.

If the garden is particularly small (and in London, where I live, it’s not
unusual to be presented with a space just a few yards square) another trick
is to rotate the design by 45 degrees. This will make the space feel larger
and creates a more interesting area by opening the eye up to the longest
boundary along a diagonal line. The garden will feel more dynamic. The same
goes for different levels; changes of floor height in a small garden can
seem quite daunting – as initially it seems like a way of limiting space. In
fact, the opposite is true.

A change of level adds interest, defines an area, can make a garden feel
bigger and will be more interesting to look at, even when the garden is not
in use. Gentle and regular steps of between six and seven inches high are
ideal – not too high to be uncomfortable and not too low to be a trip
hazard. Walls and raised beds can then be worked up in multiples of these
heights – for example, on a raised bed of 18 inches, steps of around six
inches look perfectly in proportion and act as an impromptu seat or ledge on
which to sit, garden or relax.

You may find this hard to picture but try drawing it out on paper. You will
quickly see that this method serves to create larger planting areas in the
corners of the garden, which can be populated with evergreen shrubs or
climbers to conceal problem areas such as unattractive walls or fences.

From a practical point of view, this is also beneficial to plants, which have
room to grow as they would naturally and take less ongoing maintenance. A
restricted palette is also good in a small space, as there are fewer
distractions to draw the eye. In houses where much of the rear elevation is
glass (in the form of doors or windows), this palette should have a high
percentage of evergreen plants – there’s no point in getting the design
right if the branches are bare for half the year.

Downsizing often results in limited access, which can impact the garden build.
If you don’t have a side gate, thought must be given to the materials.
Everything will have to be carried through the house and, no matter how
carefully handled, planting materials are by their nature rather messy. Yes
they can be bagged – but this process will extend the build time and its
cost.

The large area of usable ground in a garden is the usually the lawn. But in a
small plot is it worth the space it takes up? Will you need a shed for a
mower which takes up more room? More and more people in small gardens are
turning to high quality AstroTurf, which provides a dry, usable and pretty
much maintenance free area that can be used all year.

This really defines a small garden; form and function, give and take.

Gardens in the real world and those that live for just a week – like the one
I’ve built at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show – should all apply these basic
design principles. The use of a garden is vitally important to me and with
every Chelsea garden I have built – as with every private one – the space
has to be practical. So, this year there are places to sit, different
levels, wide steps and walkways which allow easy routes through and link
hard landscaping. This is mainly concrete and contrasts with more
complicated areas of “crazy paving”, which add texture and colour.

The plot is 33ftx33ft (10mx10m) and by digging down to create different levels
and sending the layout off at different angles, I hope to demonstrate that
even small spaces can look dynamic, interesting and ultimately larger than
they really are. Some of this is smoke and mirrors; much is clever compact
design, using the tricks described here.

The point is, with a bit of magic and know-how, every small space can become a
private oasis.

For more information and details of the Volkswagen up!, visit volkswagen.co.uk/up

AreaSnapshots

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Bingo fundraiser set May 30 at KC

A bingo night to raise money for the Butte High Travel Club will be held on Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 224 W. Park St.

The cost is three cards for $5, with prizes awarded. Proceeds will help club members raise money for trips to New Zealand and Australia in June 2013, and London, Paris and Barcelona in June 2014.

For details, call Kristina Mengon at 533-2103 or email to mengonkk@butte.k12.mt.us

Tim Norbeck resigns at Central, takes Boulder job

Tim Norbeck, Butte Central High School principal for the last 10 years, has resigned.

Norbeck submitted his letter of resignation to the Butte Catholic School Board on April 24. He has accepted a new position as superintendent of Jefferson High School in Boulder.

Norbeck’s last day with the Butte Central Catholic Schools will be on June 30, according to Activities Director Chad Peterson.

— Renata Birkenbuel

 

Garden group plans meeting at Archives

The Butte Garden Study Group meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz St., on the second floor.

Three programs are planned: “Principles of Home Landscaping” with Kellee Anderson; a video on “How Tall Trees Absorb Water”; and “Growing Delphinium and Larkspur.”

This is the last month to pay this year’s dues before a member is considered delinquent. Annual dues are $20 or $25 per household.

Election of the club president also will take place.

Questions: Call 723-6656.

Butte farmers’ market to open

The Butte Farmers’ Market will open for the 2013 season on Saturday, May 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Park Street between Main and Dakota in Uptown Butte.

The market will run every Saturday for 20 weeks through the summer until Oct. 5. For details, call 497-6464.

Mainstreet’s market coordinator will also be on site throughout the Saturday market to answer questions.

The market features such items as bedding plants, farm fresh eggs, chickens, fruits and vegetables from Hutterite colonies near Choteau, Hmong vegetable gardens in Missoula and from several truck gardens and nurseries in the Butte area. Art and crafts by artisans and vendors from throughout Southwest Montana also will be available.

Free Landscaping Workshop in Plymouth

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If you want ideas for how you can make changes to your yard the City of Plymouth is holding a “Water-Smart Landscaping: Using Rain as a Resource” workshop for free.

You will get personalized advice from a landscape designer — and discover practical, low-cost tips for attractive and healthy landscaping that uses rainwater efficiently. The ideas you get at the workshop will help you reduce the need for sprinkling, fertilizer and frequent maintenance while also saving you money and minimizing storm water runoff.

The workshop will show examples of how to create low-cost, multi-functional landscape features in your yard to meet your needs and benefit the environment. Through aerial photos, you will receive advice on your specific property.

To register, send an email to watersmart411@gmail.com. Please provide your name, address and contact information.

The workshop is on June 4, 6 – 8: 30 p.m. at the Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave. N.

Oshawa residents learn how landscaping and design can deter crime

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Seminar offers security ideas

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Tips from Durham Police and SCOP

– Bars on windows can be a fire hazard if you need a quick escape — consider a storm window as an extra layer of glass that intruders would need to break — it creates a lot more noise for them

– Having a front porch promotes a lot more socializing and activity in the front of the house which deters potential intruders in the neighbourhood and makes you an extra set of surveillance eyes, while enjoying yourself

– Eavesdropping intruders could know you’re out of the house if a phone rings unanswered from inside — turn your phones down when you’re out or vacationing

– Hanging planters over house windows can make intruders feel turned off by having something to handle and possibly make more noise

– Lock sheds, especially if they have tools or ladders which could be used to gain access to the house

– Put front door lights and sensor lights up high so no one can touch the bulbs

OSHAWA — While tending to yards and landscaping this spring, residents can use techniques and make adjustments around their property to make their homes less enticing to criminals.

A City advisory committee, Safe City Oshawa Partnership and Durham police, offered the public information about crime prevention through landscaping and exterior design.

On May 7, a small team of people from the City, Durham Regional Police, SCOP and the community held a seminar at the Northview Community Centre on Beatrice Street to discuss what techniques people can use around their homes to be proactive about crime and unwanted behaviour.

The methods include eye-pleasing ideas such as the arrangement of gardens, lighting, benches and posts along with various adjustments around the property.

Oshawa Councillor Bob Chapman said most of the concern from the public concerned break-ins.

“There’s lots of interesting approaches you can use to keep people away from windows and doors,” said chairman of SCOP, Paul Dobbs of Oshawa.

The committee helps educate the public and prevent crime within the community.

Having air conditioners on the upper level of the house where they can’t be removed to gain entry inside, planting gardens under windows and putting bottles on the inside of window sills or planters in front of windows can act as obstacles.

“Offenders really like the path of least resistance,” said Dr. Hannah Scott, who teaches victimology and crime prevention through environmental design at UOIT.

She began examining crime prevention through landscaping and exterior design when she taught at the University of Memphis and was at the May 7 meeting in Oshawa, to share her advice.

“One of the most common things homeowners do (for security) is get cedar shrubs,” she said.

However, she and Mr. Dobbs said a common mistake is to build a high wall of them so that criminals are hidden from the public if they do find the chance to slip onto their property.

Keeping sight lines clear with smaller hedges and trees trimmed of low branches, along with sensor lights for night doesn’t allow opportunities for trespassers to hide on someone’s property.

Mr. Dobbs warned that homeowners should be cautious that technology such as sensor lights and alarm systems don’t go off too often, making them lose their element of alarm and urgency for homeowners and possibly their neighbours.

Crime prevention through landscaping and exterior design is also used by municipalities for public buildings, including the Oshawa courthouse where there are clear sight lines, special benches to prevent skateboarding, stone posts to block cars from rolling up to the building and comfortable spots to gather in groups so there are always plenty of eyes watching the area.

Residents can have an assessment done on their home by police by contacting Constable Hawrychuk of the crime prevention and community services unit at 905-579-1520 ext. 1775 or through e-mail at phawrychuk@drps.ca.




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News


Investigator ready to dig into Oshawa City Hall allegations


Investigator ready to dig into Oshawa City Hall allegations

Raising a stink: Residents find silver lining in dark mushroom farm cloud

  • More students to enjoy the great outdoors in Claremont
  • Oshawa men charged with human trafficking
  • York-Durham Heritage Railway set to open for 17th year

Eagle Scout Project Spruces Up Easton Senior Center’s Gardens

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Joel Barlow High School junior Christoph Dow, 17, of Easton earned his Eagle ranking as a member of Boy Scout Troop 66 for a project completed at the Easton Senior Center last September.

Evidence of the landscaping work Dow undertook can be seen in the gardens behind the building. Val Buckley, director of the senior center, said the 1,500 bulbs planted by the Boy Scouts are coming in nicely this spring.

Christoph said volunteering at the Easton Senior Center over two summers sparked the idea for his Eagle project.

“I saw a great area of need in the outside area, because they were short-staffed and couldn’t keep it maintained, I took it upon myself to give them a head-start and make the gardens more manageable,” he said in a recent telephone interview.

To obtain his Eagle, a scout first must earn 21 merit badges in categories such as First Aid; Cycling, Hiking, or Swimming; Environmental Science; citizenship and family life. He achieves the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life before pursuing the Eagle, the highest rank in scouting.

A scout has to show leadership by planning, organizing and overseeing the carrying out of a project to its completion. Then a presentation is made to the Eagle Board of Review, which has to approve it as worthy of an Eagle Project.

Over 50 Volunteers

Christoph said the Eagle project was planned to take two weekends to complete, but over 50 volunteers came forward and were able to complete it in one.

That weekend, the Boy Scouts and adult volunteers went to work weeding, planting, trimming and mulching in the gardens and repaired a brick wall on the outside of the property.

Christoph expressed his gratitude to Eagle coordinator Brian Glatvel, Dave and Lee Hardisty and to Peter Kochersperger, the current scoutmaster.

“The Eagle project was sort of a culmination of everything I
had done over the past five years,” said Christoph, who got into scouting when he was 11. “Just in the sense I was able to apply my leadership
and outdoor skills, it helped show my sense of awareness in the community.”

Special Recognition 

Christoph’s parents, Ian and Suzanne Dow, watched him receive his rank of Eagle in a ceremony at Notre Dame Church in Easton on April 7.

State Rep. John Shaban showed up to give me an official
recognition from the Connecticut State Assembly and letters of recognition from higher
ups nationwide,” Christoph recalled.

He said the letters came from offices ranging from the sergeant major of the Army to the President and Vice President of the United States.

“I put them in a commemoration book,” Christoph said.

Boy Scouts usually finish their participation when they turn 18, according to Christoph, adding his Eagle will allow him to be active with the troop until November. When he leaves scouting, he said he’ll miss being around his fellow scouts most.

“You get
to make a lot of new friends and you also watch the younger scouts mature, which is
really good,” Christoph said. “When you pass on the traits of leadership to the younger scouts, you know
you’re making a difference.”

Bear Creek Gardens: Best Landscaping Service

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Those wanting an impressive yard, whether or not they were born with a green thumb, need look no further than Bear Creek Gardens for their landscaping needs.

The business was named the Best Landscaping Service in the area as part of the Best of Maury County readers’ poll.

“That’s awesome,” Charlie Williams, who runs the garden center, said about the business’s win. “We have a lot of repeat customers, so we feel grateful.”

The business has won the award seven years in a row. Jason Daughrity leads a staff of 14 people in landscaping, design, irrigation, outdoor lighting and the full-service garden center on Bear Creek Pike.

Williams said a lot of new customers come after seeing nearby lawn transformations.

“We’ll do this neighbor’s house, then the next thing you know we’ll have three more houses on the same street,” Williams said.

The garden center has occasional sales, like the one going on throughout May where all old inventory is 40 percent off.

Bear Creek Gardens, 200 Bear Creek Pike in Columbia, is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday. More information may be obtained online at www.bearcreekgardens.net or by calling (931) 840-0030.

Five owners open their gardens in Home Garden Tour June 1

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If you’ve been thinking about getting some chickens for homegrown eggs, the Backyard Chicken Program on Saturday, June 1, will help you learn what all is involved. This program, sponsored by Smith and Cherokee County Texas AM AgriLife Extension offices, starts at 9 a.m. in the Cherokee County Expo Center. Registration is at 8:30 a.m..

The morning session will cover laying flock breeds, nutrition, diseases, housing and regulations. The speaker is Dr. Morgan Farnell, associate professor, Extension program leader and specialist for poultry management. After a catered lunch, attendees will tour Poppa Skinny’s Farm near Dialville, which raises chickens, pork, seasonal produce and fruit using sustainable and organic production techniques.

The cost is $25 (includes lunch) and requires an RSVP to 903-590-2980 by tomorrow, Friday, May 24. For more information, contact the Smith or Cherokee County Extension offices.

Keith Hansen is Smith County horticulturist with the Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service. His web page is EastTexasGardening.
tamu.edu. His blog is agrilife.org/etg.