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Industrial ideas ran out of steam – Peabody Gazette

By RANDOLPH B. ROBINSON

Peabody Industrial Development Corporation

The Peabody Industrial Development Corporation was organized essentially by “main street” supporters and filed for incorporation on April 8, 1966, with the State of Kansas to promote economic development in the city of Peabody.

Several programs were promoted and supported by the corporation in the days and weeks that followed. There was limited success to engage organizations to utilize the Eyestone building in new manufacturing endeavors (after Paramount Products ceased operations) and it was, for a short period of time, occupied by a company manufacturing cabs (Moridge/Full Vision) for farm tractors.

Efforts were made with several prospects for both financing and technical support, but none proved long-lived or able to sufficiently organize. Peabody Industrial Development Corporation ceased operations at some point in the early 1970s.

PIDC and its efforts subsequently became mostly inactive except for some less formalized efforts by business leaders to bring industry to the community. These efforts have had limited success and there currently is no known organized effort being made that parallel the ideas originated by PIDC.

When Peabody Industrial Development Corporation was organized there were a total of 100 shares purchased by 31 Peabody citizens, most of whom were businessmen. The majority of these stockholders are no longer living.

The reason for this notice is to apprise the community and the remainder of living former stockholders about the plan to finally dissolve the long held bank account of PIDC.

Since the ideas originally formulated for the use of these funds has been diminished to zero, it has been decided to forward the funds to the Prairie Lawn Cemetery board to be used for the new wrought iron perimeter fence project and for landscaping projects being planned. The funds will go for a worthy project and will honor those who had a vision for Peabody’s continued business vitality and vibrant hometown atmosphere.

The funds left in the now inactive account at Peabody State Bank amount to $3,712.96. They are to be transferred to the board of Prairie Lawn immediately with the proviso they be used for the current fence project financing and a record made for recognition of the stockholders and the ideas they promoted for the benefit of the Peabody Community.

The listed stockholders names are provided here for recognition and history to remember:

Calvin and Virginia Apollo, W. E. Avery, Brock and Sheryl Baker, Ross Baker, George Becker, Ernest and Mettie Beeton, Vernon Ray and Lucille Beeton, John and Joan Berns, Harry Brown, John and Cleo DeForest, Stanley and Jeanetta Farr, Carroll Harder, Harry and Helen Hanneman, George and Irene Higgins, Fred and Esther Highfill, Harry and Mildred Homan, William Krause, Gaylord and Jean Maples, Ross and Margaret Mathias, Thomas and Jan Pierce, Douglas Porter, Randolph and Betty Robinson, Vernon and Laura Slocombe, Virgil Smith, Thomas Snavely, Arthur and Wilma Stallwitz, C.H. and Irene Stovall, Don Thornton, John Topham, L.C. and Betty Walker, Q. W. Whisler, and Jerry and Carol Whisler.

Beautiful with an exotic name

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Tibouchina ‘Little Beauty’

TIBOUCHINA. No, I’m not speaking another language, though sometimes botanical names of plants do make me feel like that.

Tibouchina, pronounced tib-oo-chee-na, is the beautiful mass purple flowering small tree that you see around the place from about autumn and all through winter.

For many years there were only a few types available and unless you wanted a tree or a very small shrub you could only admire these plants in everyone else’s yard.

Over the past few years though, plant breeders have developed a wonderful range of Tibouchinas that vary in size, from about 30cm to about 2m and vary in shades of purple, from vivid purple all the way through to lilac and white.

These amazing new Tibouchinas also flower throughout the year instead of seasonally.

So you should have shades of purple in your garden for most of the year.

Tibouchinas like very acidic soils, so if you struggle to grow things such as azaleas or camellias in your garden you may also struggle with Tibouchinas.

The good thing about Tibouchinas is that they let you know they need more acidic soil – the leaf burns at the edges, turns brown and eventually the leaf dies.

You could add sulphur to your ground to prevent this. Another, and what I think is a much easier way, is to just grow your Tibouchinas in pots.

Tibouchinas like the full sun and look much better if they get a good haircut at least once a year after flowering.

I use my complete organic slow release granular fertiliser – Organic Link on mine at the turn of every season.

I find this not only keeps them looking healthy and fresh it promotes more flowering.

Some Tibouchinas don’t like the cold so if you get heavy frost they will need protection.

But which Tibouchina to choose? With nearly 10 new types being released, which one is right for you?

Here’s the quick lowdown. All the new Tibouchinas form dense shrubs. Just a small trim and fertilise in between flowering will keep them neat and compact.

Tibouchina

Tibouchina Groovy Baby – About 30cm high, large vibrant purple flowers most of the year, doesn’t mind the cold.

Tibouchina Little Beauty – About 1m high, large vibrant purple flowers most of the year.

Tibouchina Peace Baby – About 1m high, large white flowers with pink stamens, red tinged new growth, doesn’t mind the cold.

Tibouchina Allure – About 1m high, lilac flowers in autumn and spring.

Tibouchina Carol Lyn or Jazzie – About 1.5 – 2m high, large vibrant purple flowers with a white centre, flowers most of the year.

Tibouchina Imagine – About 1.5m high, masses of light purple flowers with a white centre cover this shrub for most of the year.

Tibouchina Chameleon – About 2m high, a unique multi-coloured flowering display with the flowers starting almost a pure white, then changing to mauve, followed by a deep pink.

Tibouchina ‘Illusion’ – About 2.5m high, perfect for hedging, the flowers open white with a blush-pink margin, then mature to deep pink tones, creating an amazing display in spring and autumn.

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Garden Club plans tea-rrific luncheon

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Tea pots of floral arrangements will accent the Garden Club of Brookfield’s 50th anniversary luncheon at Fox Hill Inn on Thursday.

The luncheon theme is tea. A presentation by a representative of the Bigelow Tea Co. will share information on the healthy benefits of tea and the origin of teas in different countries. Secrets for making the perfect cup of tea will be revealed, as well as more tea facts, organizers said.

“You’re not suppose to squeeze the tea bag,” Garden Club president Joanne McKendry said, with a laugh. “That’s a no no.”

McKendry noted the goal and emphasis of the club has changed since it was first established in 1962 — keeping up with the times.

“We believe our role is to conserve our environment,” McKendry explained. “We weed out invasive species. We look for organic ways to sustain our gardens.

“Unlike years ago when chemicals were used to kill all of the insects, we now know that some insects add to the biodiversity of a garden,” she said. “Some provide nutrients for the plants. Others, nutrients for the birds that eat them.”

“Our club theme this year is `Sharing our Garden,’ sharing it with nature and letting it exist in nature’s balance,” McKendry added.

Started with 10 members, the club has grown to a membership of 40.

In 1966, it took on its first major project when the Honor Roll of Veterans plaque was installed at Williams Park and club members planted and began maintaining the Williams Park Memorial Garden there.

In 1978, the club engaged professor Rudy Faveretti, of the University of Connecticut, to design a historic Colonial garden to accent the circa 1800 museum building on Route 133.

“The club planted and began maintaining the museum garden,” club historian Jan Stanco said. “In 2002, the gazebo there was funded by Philip Bach in memory of his late wife, Arlene, who was a master gardener and past president of the club.”

The gardens and landscaping the club has done over the years include the landscaping of the Brooks Quarry senior housing complex, a “Welcome to Brookfield” sign and plantings near Kohl’s, and an America flag and pole installation with flowers planted around it at the intersection of routes 133 and 25.

“I grew up on a farm in Iowa,” Stanco said. “We have a saying there: `You can take the girl out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the girl.’ When I retired 10 years ago, I joined the garden club.”

McKendry, Stanco and the other members said they strive to benefit their community, whether having an active voice in the preservation of the Still River area, maintaining gardens around the town of 16,000 or sponsoring presentations on topics from building greenways to cooking with herbs.

The Garden Club of Brookfield 50th anniversary luncheon at Fox Hill Inn, 257 Federal Road, Brookfield, Sept. 20, 11:30 a.m. Reservations $35/person, 203-775-3876.

Neuhouser’s plea: Best to shop local

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About two years before the recession hit, Kenton Neuhouser says, his accountant told him to close his business accounts at a big bank and start a relationship with a smaller, local bank.

I never took the time to do it, said Neuhouser, the owner of Neuhouser Nursery, which also operated a landscaping company and a garden and gift shop. I had been with them so long, about 30 years, he said.

That all changed one December day four or five years ago. Neuhouser called the bank and asked that some money be taken from his credit line and placed in his companys checking account. The bank cheerfully agreed to do it.

About an hour later, though, the bank called back.

Out of the blue they canceled the line of credit that Id had for years, Neuhouser said.

The bank, he said he was told, had decided that small-business loans were high risk and it was closing down its small-business lending operation.

The timing couldnt have been worse. In the previous year, Neuhousers business had actually operated at a loss for the first time. All businesses rely on a line of credit, he said, but when he called other banks, they said to come back when you show a profit again, he said.

The change in banking policies was stunning.

We used to be treated like royalty, Neuhouser said.

Banks looked at businesses assets and willingly lent them money, and in 30 years, he said, he had never missed or been late on a payment.

Suddenly, assets meant nothing, he said.

Its like you wake up one day and theyre telling you the exact opposite, he said. Theyre telling you youre great, and then you wake up and theyre telling you your assets are worthless, you have to show better cash flow.

Once you lose your line of credit, its hard to continue when the economy is bad, Neuhouser said.

So Neuhouser was suddenly the victim of two vicious blows to his livelihood.

First, there was a recession that pinched sales.

We had the same traffic flow, Neuhouser said, but the tickets were a lot smaller. Everyone was so cautious about what they spend.

Then there was the loss of credit.

There were the constant jabs from the competition, big-box stores ranging from groceries to hardware stores to discount houses selling nursery goods.

To be an independent business you have to stay on the cutting edge and offer items that the big-box stores dont sell, Neuhouser said. You have to stay ahead.

Then came the summers heat and drought. It was too hot for people to go into their gardens. Bans on watering lawns left some people with the impression that they werent allowed to water their gardens, either, so they quit buying plants.

Sales dropped to practically zero.

Tuesday, Neuhouser finally gave up. No financing, no sales, horrible weather had killed another local small business.

In announcing that he was closing and throwing 21 people out of work, Neuhouser put out a little plea that people shop local.

Small businesses make up the majority of businesses in the city and state, and that money (that they make) stays in the community, he said.

Its an old refrain, but unfortunately the majority of people dont listen, Neuhouser said. Get out and see what the locals have to offer before you go to the big-box store and buy everything.

Eco tips for a home spruce up

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Start with a list of everything you have and apply the principles of re-use, recycle and reduce.

Garden calendar

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Growing with Master Gardeners Conference: All-day educational program for environmentalists and gardeners of all levels. With keynote speakers, classes, shopping and lunch. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. University of Michigan Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen, Dearborn. $40. Material fee for hands-on classes not included in registration fee. Download online registration and submit with payment. Space is limited. 734-768-6860. www.mgawc.org.

Yardeners of St. Clair Shores Fall Plant Exchange: Tailgate party in the parking lot. Please label all plants. 9-11 a.m. Sat. St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 E. Eleven Mile, St. Clair Shores. 586-415-7110.

Michigan State African Violet Society Semiannual Display and Sale: Free seminar at 11:30 a.m. Experts will be on hand all day to provide growing tips. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro, Ann Arbor. Free. Recently installed parking meters charge $1.20 an hour with a max of $5 per day. LynnAllen0413@comcast.net .

Planting Spring-Flowering Bulbs: The variety of bulbs and tips on proper planting techniques and care will be discussed. 10 a.m. Sat. English Gardens. Free. www.englishgardens.com.

• 7345 Grand River, Brighton. 810-534-5059.

• 4901 Coolidge, Royal Oak. 248-280-9500.

• 6370 Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield. 248-851-7506.

• 22650 Ford, Dearborn Heights. 313-278-4433.

• 44850 Garfield, Clinton Twp. 586-286-6100.

• 155 N. Maple, Ann Arbor. 734-332-7900.

• 22501 Kelly, Eastpointe. 586-771-4200.

Gardening with Ornamental Grasses: Learn how grasses can enhance your sunny or shady gardens throughout the year. 10 a.m. Sat. Telly’s Greenhouse, 3301 John R, Troy. $5. Register online. 248-689-8735. www.tellys.com.

Invasive Plant Workday #2: Remove non-native invasive plants at the nature center. A great opportunity for community service hours and master gardener hours. Bring work gloves and water. 1 p.m. Sun. Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford, Dryden. 810-796-3200. www.sevenponds.org.

Metro Detroit Hosta Society: “Hybridizing for Young and Old” by American Hosta Society President Doug Bielstein. 7 p.m. Mon. First United Methodist Church, 1589 W. Maple, Birmingham. Guests welcome. Hgold2843@comcast.net.

Dill Wreath Workshop: Participants will wind a base of dill stems and prepare it for decorating with fresh herbs. With Judy Cornellier. 10 a.m. Sept. 29. Telly’s Greenhouse, 3301 John R, Troy. $15. Register online. 248-689-8735. www.tellys.com.

Basics of Landscape Design: Learn how to create an exceptional landscape with tips from professionals. 10 a.m. Sept. 29. English Gardens. Free. www.englishgardens.com.

• 7345 Grand River, Brighton. 810-534-5059.

• 6370 Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield. 248-851-7506.

• 4901 Coolidge, Royal Oak. 248-280-9500.

• 22650 Ford, Dearborn Heights. 313-278-4433.

• 44850 Garfield, Clinton Twp. 586-286-6100.

• 22501 Kelly, Eastpointe. 586-771-4200.

• 155 N. Maple, Ann Arbor. 734-332-7900.

Northville Novi Garden Club meeting: “Winterizing Your Garden” by Lisa Steinkopf. 6:30 p.m. social, 7 p.m. meeting Oct. 8. Northville Art House, 215 W. Cady, Northville. Membership: $25 single, $35 couple. Connie: 248-380-0500. http://gardenersnorthville-novi.org.

Ecological Volunteer Workday: Help collect native prairie grass seeds. Tools, gloves, water and snacks provided. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. 3-5 p.m. Oct. 9. Oakwoods Metropark, 32911 Willow, New Boston. Free. Contact for more information and register by Oct. 8. Allison Esper: 810-227-2757, ext. 6086.

Troy Garden Club: “Trees for the Urban Landscaper,” with Mike Barger, owner of Mike’s Tree Surgeon. 11:45 a.m. check in, noon light lunch, 1 p.m. guest speaker Oct. 10. Big Beaver United Methodist Church, 3753 John R, Troy. Visitors welcome. $7 guest donation. Reservations. 248-879-7363. www.troygardenclubmi.com.

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Garden calendar

Detroit Free Press

615 W. Lafayette, Detroit 48226

E-mail: events@freepress.com

Gardening tips for the fall season

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Summer went by so fast. I feel, like others, that it just started.

Harvest your figs as soon as they are ready to avoid fruit beetles that lay their eggs in ripe figs.

Fall is a busy season for gardeners. We have to start cleaning up. I am already raking leaves, harvesting late veggies, and cutting the last blooms.

Now is the time to pull out all plants that are done and to get started with cold weather crops. II have a large amount of plants in terracotta pots. They have to be emptied and cleaned before you put them away for the winter. Tip: put newspaper in between each pot; this way, in spring they will come apart easily.

All the dirt from your pots should go into the compost. If you have a large spot like I do for your compost, put over ripe tomatoes, melons, squash, even peppers. You do not want them in the corner. Their seeds can sprout again next year.

The one thing I have learned over the years is that you should not put Morning Glory vines into the compost. I did that one year and had Morning Glory vines on everything. I love them on my back fence, but not in my garden! I know I have said it before, but put all the leaves you rake up in the compost.

I love figs, as many of you know. I just planted my last two fig trees this year. My friend Keith starts them from cuttings and gives them away. Well, in one of my books (after eating 50 or more figs this season), I read about a fruit beetle that will lay eggs on ripe figs. They are especially fond of the figs that have an ostiole or “open eye” on the end. They crawl into the fig from that hole and lay their eggs. This bug only likes ripe figs. So, harvest your figs as soon as they are ready. Now, I will leave the really ripe figs for the birds.

Someone asked me if they should prune back their lavender; yes, it is ok to prune it in early fall, but only enough to tidy up the plants. The right time is early spring. Cutting too late in the fall stresses the plant and often kills it.

Happy gardening!

To join The Lyndhurst Garden Club, please call 201-939-0033.

BBB Watch: Staycation tips

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Stay-at-home vacations, or “staycations,” can mean a variety of things to different people. For some, it means getting lots of home and garden projects done such as painting, repairs, or tending vegetable gardens. For others, it means having budget-friendly adventures at or close to home such as visiting nearby parks and attractions, attending a neighborhood block party or camping in the backyard. The BBB recommends the following tips to consider when planning a “staycation”:

– Know your budget. Breaking the bank to vacation is not a good option, but fortunately, most consumers are budgeting wisely and making smart decisions. According to an American Express survey, American households can expect to spend about an average of $1,200 per person on summer vacations. It’s no surprise staycations have become commonplace.

– Look for options close to home. There are plenty of fun things to do nearby where you live and ClearPoint Credit Counseling’s eBook, Budget Vacations in Your State can help you discover different options. In this free eBook, there are several exciting opportunities listed for each state and this could inspire you to conduct your own search for other free and inexpensive activities in your own backyard.

– Research deals before making a decision. No matter what your vacation plans are, the BBB recommends that you visit www.bbb.org ahead of time to make sure businesses or offers are legitimate.

– If you choose to travel, be prepared. Those of you who still plan to travel this summer will be among more travelers than last year. Eighty-six percent of travelers are planning trips this summer (up 5 percent from last year), according to TripAdvisor. Thanks to lower gas prices, more people will travel by car than by air.

For more tips, visit www.bbb.org.

Insider Tips, Sshhhhh….

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Fremont Oktoberfest starts this Friday, September 21st and here is the behind the scenes, the True Hollywood Story, the condensed soup version of what you need to know to make the most of your Fremont Oktoberfest weekend, but sshhhh it’s a secret.

Tip #1: Buy Your Tickets in Advance – If you purchase your tickets online in advance, consider yourself a VIP! By-pass the lines and make your way into the Fremont Oktoberfest Tasting Garden faster. Or pick up tickets at the Tap House Grill, our exclusive Advance Ticket Outlet. Hurry! Ticket prices do increase on Thursday, September 20th at 11:59pm. Bonus: Use promo code DUNKEL at checkout for two extra tasting tokens.

Tip #2: Head Straight for the Stein – If you want to skip the microbrew tastings and go big, purchase a Non-Tasting Admission to the Fremont Oktoberfest Tasting Garden for $15 and head straight to the Tap House Grill Buxom Beer Garden where “buxom” means big! Sit and sip on your choice of a ½ liter stein or a 1-liter stein of Bayern Oktoberfest and Bayern Pilsener.

Tip #3: Go Vertical! Don’t miss out on Deschutes Brewery’s vertical tasting of their Black Butte Porter, paired with Theo Chocolates and Beechers Cheese. Check out our website for pairing details.

Tip #4: Enter to Win a Ford Escape – While crusin’ through the Fremont Oktoberfest Tasting Garden, be sure to cruise by the Ford booth and enter to win an all-new 2013 Escape. For every person that registers at the event, Ford will make a donation to Feeding America.

Tip #5: Download the Fremont Oktoberfest Mobile App:

If you want to ditch the paper program and prefer an electronic version instead, download the Fremont Oktoberfest mobile app, presented by the Seattle Times, for a virtual program in your pocket! Easily navigate the festival and see what’s pouring. Now available for iPhone and Android.

*Use promo code DUNKEL for TWO EXTRA tasting tokens! For more information about tickets or Fremont Oktoberfest check out our website or hang out with us on Facebook or Twitter. We will see you this weekend, cheers!
Fremont Oktoberfest

Gardening tips from the Master Gardeners

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We’re quickly closing on what has been a challenging growing season. As fall arrives it’s important to clean up your garden beds and foundation plantings. Good garden sanitation will help decrease over-wintering insect pests and many plant diseases next year. If you didn’t get a chance to add mulch to your ornamental beds earlier this year you still have time to get it done before winter. A 2-3 “layer of mulch will help moderate soil temperatures and decrease weed germination (and your weeding) next spring.

Our vegetable team reports that Late blight (LB) has been confirmed in Wayne County (tomato) and in more fields in Allegany (potato) and Onondaga (tomato) counties in the past week. It is likely present in many other locations. LB spores can be carried by winds up to 30 miles, and can destroy a tomato or potato crop in just 2-3 weeks!

I have been growing Plum Regal Tomato for canning for 3 years now and it seems to have very good LB resistance and the plants still look great. They produce a fairly heavy crop although they are later to ripen than some other varieties.

If you think your tomatoes or potatoes may have LB or need more information, contact our Master Gardeners at (315)331-8415. If you’re plants become infected don’t compost them.

Upcoming events
Gardening Hotline: Our Master Gardeners are in the office on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon to answer your home garden and landscape questions 331-8415 ext. 107. Master Gardeners are a great resource for new gardeners and for troubleshooting home garden and landscape problems including weeds, lawn issues, wildlife, insect pests and plant diseases along with control recommendations. Plant and insect samples can be brought to the office for identification or diagnostic work. During non-hotline hours you can leave your sample with our secretary or in the drop box at the end of the building. Please put insects in a sealed plastic container (so they won’t get crushed) and plant samples in sealed plastic bags. Remember to label them with your name and daytime phone number where we can reach you. We also offer soil pH testing (cost is $3 per sample) and can help you with soil test interpretation.

Holiday greens workshop: What could be better than spending a Saturday morning creating wonderful holiday decorations out of evergreen boughs? Start the holiday season off with our workshop on selection and use of holiday greens to decorate your home. This year’s workshop will be on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Casey Park Lodge in Ontario. During the 3-hour session, participants can make a fresh wreath, an evergreen swag, and a 15-inch tall tabletop tree to take home and enjoy through the holiday season. Bring your small pruners, wire cutters, and an old pair of gloves and try to arrive around 8:30 a.m. The cost of this workshop is $30 per participant. To register send your check to: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wayne County, 1581 Rte. 88 N. Newark, NY 14513-9739. Please memo Greens Workshop on your check. Registration will open Oct. 1 and close when we receive 45 paid registrations.

Info for woodlot owners: For information and webinars on forest health visit www.cornellforestconnect.ning.com/
Game of Logging 2012 sessions at the Arnot Forest this fall: Level I on Saturday, Sept. 29; Level II on Sunday, Sept. 30; Level III on Friday, Oct. 12. For more information go to: www.cornellforestconnect.ning.com and scroll down the left side.
Federal Income Tax on Timber: For a key to your most frequently asked questions go to: www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/library/taxpubfaqs.pdf.

Monthly garden and home grounds tips
• Fall is an excellent time to have your soil tested. Call our office for more information.

• As the weather becomes cooler ladybeetles, box elder bugs, and flies look for warm locations to spend the winter and often become a nuisance to homeowners especially during early spring. Take time now to exclude these unwanted pests by sealing up cracks and spaces where they gain access into your home.

• If you still have fresh herbs, either in containers or in a protected area of your garden it’s not too late to preserve them. Harvest herbs in the morning and use a rubber band to hold small bunches (8-10 stems) together. Then hang them in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight to dry. Drying can take one to two weeks depending on the plant and its moisture content. Remove crisp-dry leaves from stems before storing them.

• Clean up dead asparagus stalks to reduce cover where asparagus beetles can overwinter.

• Soon it will be time to plant Garlic. Garlic should be planted 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes. Separate cloves and plant them 4-6 inches apart in the row tip side up and 1-2 inches below the soil surface. As a general rule, the larger the clove, the larger the bulb will be at harvest so pick the largest cloves to plant. Only plant disease free cloves (avoid cloves with brown spots) and don’t plant them where they were planted last year. After the ground freezes mulch the planting area to help reduce heaving of bulbs. In clay soils remove or rake back straw/mulch once growth resumes in the spring to reduce excess moisture around developing bulbs. It’s also important to keep the garlic weed free as the weeds will compete with the garlic for nutrients.

• Mow newly established or renovated lawns when seedlings are 2.5 inches tall. Make sure your mower blades are sharp so you don’t pull the seedlings out of the soil.

• Avoid applications of broadleaf weed control when temps fall below 50 degrees or before expected rainfall.

• Bring houseplants in before the end of the month. Check them regularly for insect pests.

• If you’re planning a new garden next year prepare the soil now. Add amendments this fall provided a soil test indicates that you need them.

• When planting new trees make sure there aren’t any encircling roots and keep trees well watered until the ground freezes. After the ground freezes you can add a layer of mulch. Make sure you keep it a couple of inches away from the trunk.

• Are you a home canner? Are you following the new canning guidelines? If you would like information about canning, call 331-8415.

Good Gardening!