2016 Home, Lawn & Garden

Spring 2016

Home, Lawn & Garden

Provided by the Angola & Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

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Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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ANTS • BEES • SPIDERS 4 5 6 8 9 10

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Make the most of mulching How to inspect for roof damage Spring cleaning projects you don’t want to forget Houseplants can clean indoor air Easy and budget-friendly ways to add curb appeal Seeing green: How to help your lawn bounce back from winter Modifications to make bathrooms safer DIY Spoon Mirror Homemade: Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softner, All-Purpose Cleaner, Febreeze How to Grow a Chemical-Free Lawn and More Soil Science!

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

MIKE’S LANDSCAPING & LAWNCARE Locally Owned & Operated Since 1985

Lawn Cutting Design and Planting Service Landscaping Maintenance Installation of HARDSCAPE - PAVERS or RETAINING WALLS

8393 Erie Road, Angola, NY 14006

(716) 549-1687

Make the most of mulching

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awns and gardens can often benefit from the laying of mulch. Mulch serves various purposes in lawns and gardens, and many experienced lawn and garden enthusiasts lay mulch to ensure their properties make it through spring, summer and fall unscathed.

First-time homeowners with little or no landscaping experience may not understand the benefits of mulch, which can be used to strengthen soil and protect properties from the elements.

What is mulch?

Mulch refers to a material spread around or over a plant to enrich and/or insulate its soil. Many homeowners prefer mulch made of wood chips, which is both effective and readily available. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that organic mulches, which include leaves, wood chips, compost or grass clippings, can be used by homeowners who want to develop eco-friendly landscapes.

Why mulch?

Mulching can benefit plants around a property in various ways. Many people lay mulch because the mulch helps soil retain moisture in the summer, when temperatures tend to be at their hottest. This can help plants survive summer heat waves.

Mulch also can be used to suppress weeds. Weeds, which steal moisture plants need to build

strong roots and survive summer, need light to grow. When laid correctly, mulch deprives weeds of the light they need to grow.

Organic mulches can even provide homes for crickets and a type of beetle that feed on weed seeds.

Mulch also can deter harmful pests depending on the type of mulch homeowners choose. When purchasing mulch, homeowners will have to choose between the aforementioned organic mulch or man-made mulches, which may be made of plastic or rubber. While man-made mulches may repel pests, they also can have adverse effects. Plastic, for example, can heat up in the summer and cause plants to burn. Certain organic mulches can repel insects that can threaten plants. That’s because the majority of organic mulches increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the soil, and they also increase the presence of helpful insects that do not pose a threat to plant life. Those helpful insects help keep harmful insects at bay.

Compost is a type of organic mulch that may attract harmful insects. While that does not mean homeowners should shy away from using compost as mulch, they should know that they may need to employ organic insecticides to combat their unwanted guests.

Mulch is a potentially valuable tool homeowners can use to improve the look and health of their properties.

Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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How to inspect for roof damage M

any homeowners do not think twice about their roofs. But when leaks develop, roof repairs and the subsequent costs of such work shed light on how important it is for homeowners to pay closer attention to the roofs over their heads.

Though certain roof issues, like shingles lost to inclement weather, are unforeseeable, many problems can be avoided with routine roof inspection. Checking roof conditions twice a year can help homeowners avoid potentially costly repair work or even more expensive roof replacement projects.

Spring is a good time to inspect roofs, which are often at the mercy of harsh conditions throughout the winter. Heavy snow, ice and biting winds can do significant damage, making spring the perfect time to assess if any such damage occurred and address any issues. * Start the inspection in the interior of the home. Before breaking out the ladder and climbing up to the

roof, inspect the home's interior, pinpointing potential problems that may indicate roof damage. Check for stains on the ceiling which may indicate leaks that need to be addressed. Homeowners with attics should enter their attics and look for signs of water damage, making note of any damp or wet insulation. This will let you know if water has been entering the attic all winter. Pay attention to the location of any wet spots or stains so you can match them up to the exterior of the roof later on. Musty smells also may be indicative of moisture problems, even if there are no visible leaks. * Inspect the roof outside. Grab a set of binoculars and inspect the exterior of the roof. Look at the roof flashing, including around the chimney and other areas of protruding pipes and vents. If the flashing is warped or damaged, moisture might be settling underneath. Sealant around dormers or skylights can also degrade, resulting in leaks. Check for spalling on masonry, such as the mortar of chimneys. Porous areas will allow water to infiltrate.

* Go directly on the roof and check. Work with a partner and carefully climb on the roof while someone holds the ladder below.

Walk on the perimeter of the roof, looking for peeling or warped shingles, missing shingles, holes, or scrapes. If the roof is compromised in any way, it will need to be repaired. The problem will only grow more significant and repairs more expensive if damage is ignored. Sometimes a repair can be as simple as patching a leak with a new shingle and roofing cement. Popped nails can be pounded down and any curled shingles can be nailed or cemented back into place. * Consult a roofing expert. If you are unsure if your roof has made it through the winter unscathed and would like a second opinion or if you find there is considerable damage, contact a roofing contractor. This person will offer a professional assessment of what can be repaired or if the roof should be replaced. If your roof is metal or features clay tiles, you may not have the expertise to make repairs yourself and will

need to hire a professional. * Check the gutters, too. While you are up on the roof, inspect the gutters and downspouts as well.

Cracked or damage gutters will cause water to leak down the side of the home, potentially damaging the foundation. Clear any debris or leftover leaves from the gutters to ensure the rain can wash through unobstructed.

A post-winter roof inspection can protect homeowners and their families from the elements and reduce the likelihood of potentially costly repairs down the road.

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Spring cleaning projects you don't want to forget to wood floors to make them look even cleaner.

Baseboards Though baseboards might not seem all that dirty, upon closer inspection homeowners might notice substantial accumulations of dirt and dust. Such dirt and dust many not be removed so easily, so homeowners might need to use hot water and a sponge to remove any debris that is clinging.

Curtains

S

pring cleaning is an annual tradition in many households.

After a winter spent cooped up indoors, spring cleaning can rejuvenate a household and provide a great chance to rid a home of a season's worth of clutter.

Donating old clothes and cleaning out the garage are popular spring cleaning projects, but there are a host of additional tasks homeowners can tackle to freshen up their homes this spring.

Floors Simply vacuuming or sweeping the floors might not be enough to banish some of winter's most uninvited guests. Dust has a way of settling into a home over the course of a typical winter, and it's easy for a home's inhabitants to track dirt and debris inside as well. After vacuuming or sweeping floors, go over them with a mop.

Doing so can remove any lingering dust, dirt, debris, and allergens the vacuum or broom failed to pick up. Apply wood cleaner and polish

Curtains also may have absorbed substantial amounts of dust, dirt and debris over the winter. This might be more visible near the end of winter when more sunlight begins to shine through. Clean the curtains in adherence to the manufacturer instructions before you open windows for the season so any wind that blows in does not spread debris onto nearby furniture. Once the curtains have been washed, opening windows may help them dry more quickly.

Bathrooms Bathrooms also tend to bear the brunt of winter weather, as mold and grime can accumulate

throughout a season in which it's too cold to open bathroom windows to let fresh air in after bathing. Inspect ceilings, tubs, shower stalls, and floors for any signs of mold growth or grime.

Mold growth in a home can lead to respiratory problems and exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma, so it's best to inspect bathrooms for any signs of mold growth throughout winter.

If you have let that slip, prioritize such inspections come spring cleaning time.

Furniture It's easy to overlook furniture when tackling spring cleaning, but dust and dirt can quickly accumulate on couches and chairs over the course of winter.

When possible, vacuum furniture to remove any debris that might have accumulated while windows and doors were kept shut, and shampoo any cushions or seat covers that don't pass the smell test.

Spring cleaning encompasses a host of tasks, and homeowners who want a truly clean house should not overlook smaller tasks that can produce big results.

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Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

“Beautiful Landscaping doesn’t happen by accident.”

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

Houseplants can Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC clean indoor air

716-257-6227

- Licensed & Insured - Residential & Commercial - Fast & Friendly Service -

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Your Design ... or Ours

G

ardening is a rewarding hobby that can pay a host of dividends, both for the planet and the people doing the gardening. Healthy plant life can help clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and various air pollutants, while the act of gardening can help gardeners combat stress.

Published in 2011 in the Journal of Health Psychology, a study from researchers in the Netherlands found that gardening promotes relief from acute stress. In the study, two groups of participants were asked to complete a stressful task and then instructed to either read indoors or garden outdoors for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the latter group had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and even reported being in a better mood than the group instructed to read indoors.

But gardening does more than just provide gardeners with a reason to spend some time relaxing outdoors in an effort to relieve stress. Gardeners who raise certain plants may be able to bring those benefits with them when going inside as well. According to an article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives in October 2011, houseplants can work wonders when it comes to improving overall health, removing toxins from air, soil and water by metabolizing some toxic chemicals and releasing harmless byproducts while sequestering such toxins by incorporating them into plant tissues.

Clean indoor air is important for everyone, but especially so for those people who suffer from respiratory ailments like asthma.

In fact, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology considers indoor air filtration an essential part of any strategy to improve respiratory health. But filtration systems and air purifiers

are often not enough, and those who want the air in their homes to be as clean as possible may benefit from introducing certain houseplants into their homes. The following are a handful of plants that can help to improve indoor air quality. · Aloe vera: Aloe vera might be most often associated with hand creams and hand soaps, but the aloe vera plant, a succulent that even novice gardeners should have no problem growing, can clear indoor air of formaldehyde and benzene, two common byproducts of chemical-based cleaners many people use in their homes. · Spider plant: Spider plants are resilient, and that makes them great houseplants for busy men and women who tend to be forgetful when caring for their plants. In addition, spider plants are pet-friendly and can be used to combat benzene, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and xylene. · English ivy: NASA researchers exploring the possibilities of longterm space habitation found that certain houseplants were more effective at cleaning air inside energy-efficient, nonventilated buildings than others. One such plant was English ivy, which can effectively combat the formaldehyde found in certain household cleaning products. · Bamboo palm: Bamboo palms also found their way onto NASA's list. Bamboo palm plants thrive indoors, where they are especially effective at filtering out the chemicals benzene and trichloroethylene.

Gardening has been proven to be a soothing hobby that can help gardeners reduce stress. But the health benefits of gardening can extend indoors as well

Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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Easy and budget-friendly ways to add curb appeal

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urb appeal can help a home get noticed in a bustling real estate market.

Curb appeal also can contribute to the aesthetics of a neighborhood for residents who plan to stay put, and many homeowners feel an attractive exterior is just as important as a comfortable interior.

Homeowners do not have to spend a fortune to improve the curb appeal of their homes. With these strategies, anyone's home can take on a more appealing look.

Clean up A messy, untamed front yard can detract from a perfectly acceptable home. Cleaning up your yard and home's exterior is one of the easiest and most costeffective ways to give the place a makeover. Cut back overgrown shrubs, plants and trees. Make sure the front door is clearly visible and that any walkways are edged and accessible. Store garbage pails behind a barrier and keep trash out of sight. Store children's toys in the backyard rather than strewn across the front lawn.

These simple steps can improve curb appeal instantly.

Spruce up the lawn A well-manicured lawn can go a long way to making a home more appealing. If your thumb is anything but green, hire a professional lawn and garden service to help you establish a lush, green lawn.

Dress to impress The entryway to a home is the first thing visitors will see. Be sure the front door and entryway are in good repair. A pop of color can't hurt, either. If you do not like the idea of painting the door a vivid hue, dress it up with a colorful wreath or another decorative accent. Carry your interior design style to the outdoors as well.

Welcoming accents, such as cushioned chairs or potted plants, also add curb appeal. Consider painting house numbers on a terracotta pot and filling it with plants.

The pot will be decorative and functional.

Rely on symmetry Symmetry is pleasing to the eye and easy to arrange. Use it to frame your entryway and

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Symmetrical use of lighting fixtures, plants, trees, and decorative items really can have an impact.

Few people enjoy approaching a dark home, and outdoor lighting can ensure your property always is well-lit. Remember, curb appeal is applicable both day and night.

Don't forget lighting

Improving on curb appeal can make a difference in how others view your home.

Outdoor lighting adds appeal and safety to a property. Use lighting to accent a special landscaping feature or to illuminate a walkway.

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Seeing green: How to help your lawn bounce back from winter

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awns are exposed to the elements throughout the year, and each season brings its own unique set of challenges. Summer heat waves can make it hard for lawns to maintain their lush green appeal, while the falling leaves of autumn can threaten root systems if not handled properly. Winter frost and snow also can pose a threat to lawns, leaving homeowners with some work to do when spring arrives.

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Spring is a season of revival, and that spirit of rejuvenation extends to lawns. When the last vestiges of winter begin to disappear, homeowners can dust off their gardening gloves and start taking steps to revitalize their lawns for the months ahead. · Look for signs of damage. Winter can be hard on lawns, so it's important for homeowners to look for signs of damage before they begin planning any springtime landscaping projects. Salt damage can occur in areas that received heavy snowfall over the winter.

Many communities use rock salt to de-ice snow- and ice-covered roads, and that rock salt is largely made up of sodium chloride, which can draw moisture from grass and cause it to brown. Salt trucks used during winter storms often spit salt out onto lawns, so don't be surprised if you notice brown spots on your grass, especially in those areas closest to the road. Winter lawn damage may also be caused by voles, burrowing mouse-like rodents that make paths beneath the snow to hide from predators and feed on grass blades and roots. Lawns with distinctly matted areas may also have been damaged by snow mold that can weaken turf. · Consult a professional landscaper. Homeowners with considerable experience tending

to damaged lawns can no doubt identify and address problems on their own. That's because many problems are a result of the weather, which tends to be similar and produce similar problems from one year to the next. But inexperienced homeowners should consult professional landscapers before attempting to address problems on their own. Winter lawn damage may be caused by a variety of factors that can produce similar symptoms, and professional landscapers can identify the culprits behind such damage and provide the most effective solutions to restore the lawn. · Remove debris. A light raking can help remove any debris that accumulated over the winter. Such debris, which may include fallen branches and fallen leaves left behind from the final days of fall, can prevent lawns from getting the sun and water they need to thrive.

Remove this debris, but make sure the grass is not frozen when you do, as walking on frozen grass can cause further damage. · Let the grass grow. Mowing the lawn is a chore that's reserved for spring, summer and maybe early fall, but it's important that homeowners don't jump the gun and mow too early after winter. A patient approach allows the grass to reestablish itself, so let it grow a little higher than you normally would before the first cut. When the grass is roughly 4.5 inches high, you can cut it down to three inches and then maintain your normal mowing routine throughout the rest of spring and summer.

Revitalizing lawns in springtime is a priority for many homeowners, who should always consult landscaping professionals if they feel uncertain about addressing any damage they discover during their post-winter lawn inspections.

Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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Ehrlich Pest Control is a full service company providing Residential, Commercial, Industrial Pest Control

• Mosquito control • Weed control • Bird control • Flying insect control

All work is guaranteed and performed by local technicians that live in your communities.

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We are available 24 hours a day

716.989.0385 or 800.621.0309

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

Modifications to make bathrooms safer injuries. Debilitating diseases, instability from an accident or injury or even impaired vision can trigger a bathroom accident. Thankfully, some minor modifications can make bathrooms safer for everyone.

Grab bars Unsteady individuals may rely on towel bars or shower knobs to provide some balance when maneuvering around bathrooms.

But such items were not designed to support a person’s weight and can be slippery, making grab bars the safer choice.

F

ew areas in a home can prove as perilous as bathrooms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says every year around 235,000 people over the age of 15 visit emergency rooms in the United States because of injuries suffered in bathrooms. The majority of these injuries - many of which require hospitalization - result from falls.

Injuries sustained in bathrooms typically occur in and around bathtubs, usually when a person is getting in or out of the tub. Falls occur when people slip on wet surfaces or get dizzy and lose consciousness within the tight confines of the bathroom.

Although bathroom injuries are mostly associated with the elderly, anyone is susceptible to such

Look for bars with slip-resistant surfaces instead of chrome plating.

Bolted-in bars that are fixed to the studs in a wall, provide more reliable support than bars that employ suction to stay connected to the wall.

Install the bars where they provide optimal leverage and stability, such as close to the shower and on each side of the toilet.

Chairs A bath/shower chair can make bathing safer. Pharmacies and medical supply retailers carry these sturdy, plastic chairs and stools which can fit inside of a shower or tub. They enable a person to rest his or her legs and sit while bathing. When remodeling a bathroom, have a seating area built into the design of the shower enclosure so that the addition looks seamless.

and then swing their legs over the ledge of the tub rather than stepping over while standing.

Walk-in showers Some homeowners are eliminating tubs from their homes altogether. A walk-in shower provides a barrierfree entry into the shower, making it safer for those who have difficulty stepping into and out of bathtubs.

Lever-style fixtures Knob temperature controls on faucets can be challenging to grasp for people with arthritis or poor grips. Lever-style fixtures are easier to maneuver and can help prevent scalding. These levers also are easier for children to manage.

The National Kitchen and Bath Builders Association recommends installing pressure-balanced and temperature-controlled valves in the bath and shower.

Forgiving flooring Tile may be preferred around the bathroom, but it can be cold and slippery. Investigate other waterresistant flooring materials that may be softer underfoot and offer greater traction. Rubber flooring made from recycled tires is one option that is gaining ground for its practicality and sustainability.

Changes around the bathroom can alleviate many of the risks that contribute to the hundreds of thousands of injuries that occur in bathrooms every year.

Transfer bench Many injuries occur when people are attempting to get in and out of the tub or shower, but a transfer bench can greatly reduce the risk of such injuries. The bench is placed outside of the tub, and users just sit on the bench

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4255 Clark Street Hamburg, NY 14075

“do-it-yourself”

Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

Spoon Mirror

Garden

BROCKMAN BROTHERS Mason Contractors • Est. 1958

here’s what you’ll need: 300-400 plastic spoons (flexible) 1 can of spray paint 7” circular mirror hot glue gun & sticks large piece of cardboard (approx. 2’ x 2’) ruler painters tape a few sharp pencils

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Here’s what you’ll do: 1. Line ruler about a ½” away from the edge of the cardboard. Make 3 holes- one at 0”, one a 3.5”, and the last at 9.5”.

2. Next, align ruler with the edge of the cardboard and trace the perimeter. Cut out, leaving a little space above the 0” hole for the center mark of the circle.

3. Using the tip of the pencil, double-check the holes to make sure they go all the way through to the other side of the cardboard.

4. Lay the compass on the center of the remaining cardboard. Put one pencil in the 0” mark on the compass and push all the way through the bottom cardboard for stability. With the other pencil, trace a circle at the 3.5” mark, and another circle at the 9.5” mark. Cut out circle at the 9.5” line.

5. Draw a line down the middle of the cardboard, and draw a small diamond shape (about the size of a dime) ¾” from the edge. Carefully cut out the shape. This hole will be what you’ll hang the mirror from.

6. Cut each spoon at the base of the spoon handle. Note that it will be much easier to cut the flexible style plastic spoon.

7. Lay the mirror face down on the painters tape roll. Place a line of hot glue at the cut line of a spoon and place on the back of the mirror, approximately ½” from the edge. Repeat this process about 17 more times, leaving a little bit of space in between each spoon.

8. Once the glue has dried, flip the mirror over and tape off the glass with your masking tape, so that when you paint the spoons later, the paint doesn’t get on the glass.

9. Find the center on your cardboard. Flip the mirror over and add a decent amount of glue to the high spots on the backs of the spoons. Flip back, line it up in the center, and press down. Once dry, you’re ready for row number two.

10. Row two is the trickiest row of them all. You may have to cut off a little bit of the side edges of the spoons in this row to make them fit flush behind the first row.

11. Continue each row until complete, gluing each spoon so that it sits in between two spoons from the previous row.

12. Be sure to glue around the hanging hole, not over.

13. Time to paint! Make sure to paint at all angles, covering all the nooks and crannies. Wait at least 30 minutes for the paint to dry before peeling away strings left behind from the hot glue. Remove the tape once paint is completely dry. Now it’s time to hang your masterpiece!

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

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Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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Homemade Laundry Detergent

Homemade Fabric Softener

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

4 Homemade Febreeze Recipes

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

Homemade Fabric Softener

Homemade Laundry Detergent

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

6 cups water 3 cups white vinegar 2 cups hair conditioner

PREPARATION

1. Pour all ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag.

2. Close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until completely mixed.

3. Scoop out inot containers.

4. Use 3 Tbsp. per small load (or 4-5 Tbsp. for large or heavily soiled loads) .

*Note: This recipe makes a large amount of laundry soap!

PREPARATION

1. Pour all ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag.

2. Close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until completely mixed.

3. Scoop out inot containers.

4. Use 3 Tbsp. per small load (or 4-5 Tbsp. for large or heavily soiled loads) .

4 Homemade Febreeze Recipes INGREDIENTS RECIPE #1 Bottle1 cup fabric softener 1 cup white vinegar 2 cups water

RECIPE #3 3 cups water 3 TBS fabric softener 3 TBS rubbing alcohol

RECIPE #2 2 cups water 1 cup fabric softener

RECIPE #4 2 cups water (warm) 1/4 cup fabric softener 1 TBS baking soda

PREPARATION

1. Place ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to mix.

2. Test a small unnoticeable area first before using to make sure no discoloration or damage occurs.

3. Use as needed, shaking well each time before use.

1, 4lb. 12oz. box of Borax 1, 4lb. box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 1, 3lb. 7oz. box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 1, 3lb. container Oxy Clean 4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated 2 containers Downy Un Stopables

*Note: This recipe makes a large amount of laundry soap!

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon Borax 1/4 cup white vinegar 2 cups water 30 drops essential oil blend (see below)

PREPARATION

1. Boil the water. Pour it into a large glass measuring cup or pitcher with a spout.

2. Add the borax and stir until dissolved.

3. Add the vinegar.

4.Let cool, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle.

5. Drop in the essential oils *Handy Hint: Add the essential oils AFTER you pour the cleaner into the bottle because the essential oil’s scent can “stick” to your measuring cup or pitcher.

Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

How to Grow a Chemical-Free Lawn and More Soil Science!

by David R. Clark

A

lush, green, healthy lawn can be an asset to your home landscape and it’s just a rake away from perfection!

After our long, cold winters here in western New York and Southern Ontario, many folks view the annual greening of our lawns in spring as a true sign that the snowy months are about to become a memory. Or so we hope--

The most important thing one can do for a truly great lawn (and for other garden areas) is to perform a soil test. What this procedure gives you is a current snapshot of not only what the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium macro-nutrient levels are in your soil right now, but it also gives you the pH level, which is more important than the N-P-K as it affects nutrient availability in the plant root zone. Plan to perform a soil test in March, once the soil thaws. Test kits can be purchased at your local garden center.

The pH scale is read from 1 ->14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline.

Our local soils are rarely highly alkaline. Most turf (lawn) grasses grow best in a slightly acidic environment with a pH range of 6.2 -> 7.0. Soil pH can be lowered by half a point—from 7.0 to 6.5, for example—by increasing soil nitrogen. Adding compost, manure, or organic soil amendments like alfalfa meal to the soil can help drop pH over time by increasing bacterial populations. Organic matter “buffers” soil, especially sandy soils. Soil acidification also makes life more difficult for many weeds.

Weeds are early successional plants that evolved in thin, alkaline soils. In acidic soils, many weeds are weaker competitors.

Work lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH) at least 6 inches deep into the soil for the best and quickest results. Please note that lime and sulfur can take up to 2 - 3 months or longer to react with soil.

Sulfur works best during the warm-

er months of the year, as it needs the soil biota (the living bacterial and fungal portion of soil) active.

If your soil test shows a neutral pH of 7.0, and you want to lower it to 6.5 -> 6.8, you would need to add 7 pounds of sulfur per 1000 square feet (1.2 pounds per 100 square feet). A soil test should be performed 3 months after application (June) and may require that the soil be treated again (September). Mid-August into September is the best time to renovate your lawn.

If your lawn is infested with crabgrass, the use of a pre-emergent herbicide in spring will prevent the seeds of this pest from germinating. Corn gluten meal is a good alternative to traditional chemical pre-emergent herbicides. Plan to apply the corn gluten when your forsythia shrubs are in full bloom.

Allow a 3-4 week (better yet 6 weeks) window after applying corn gluten before over seeding your lawn, as it will also keep grass seed from germinating!

What about fertilizer? I bet your soil test shows that you have little to no nitrogen (for leaves and shoots), a deficient level of phosphorus (flowers and roots) and a deficient level of potassium (tubers, roots and fruits). Fertilizer bags have numbers on the label such as 5-10-5, 10-10-10, etc.

These numbers represent the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively. A good lawn fertilizer has the numbers: 10-16-20.

Benefits of grass cycling: Grass cycling supplies about 20-30% of the fertilizer requirements of most grasses. Leaving your clippings on the grass after mowing is beneficial as they return nutrients back to the soil. However, it is only beneficial if you follow proper watering, mowing, and fertilizer guidelines. Avoid over fertilizing as it can cause vigorous shoot and stem growth, which contributes considerably to thatch buildup.

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What about mowing? This is my least favorite, but necessary landscape task, when I would rather be outside planting beautiful flowers, and keeping up with other more important gardening tasks. Dull mower blades rip and shred the grass leaf blades, providing you with a brownish cast to your lawn, even with the best care. Keep your blades sharp. Raise the mower deck to no less than 2 ½”…better to 3 or more inches. Lawns with a 3” leaf blade length shade the plant crowns and soil surface, conserve moisture, and reduce weed infestations, including ground ivy.

Here is a Lawn Care Schedule: •March – perform soil testing.

•April – weed management: apply pre-emergent corn gluten meal, and Borax (to control ground-ivy: (see Mid-August to October entry) •Late May – apply fertilizer, right around Memorial Day. •Summer – lawns need 1” of water per week to survive, and 2-3” of water per week to grow. Water in the early morning hours to reduce disease opportunities. Irrigate to 1” depth, 2-3 times per week. DO let your lawn go dormant during the hottest part of the summer. Not only will you avoid getting sun-burn and heat stroke, (and enjoy a margarita on your deck), this summer dormancy is ok for turf grasses.

Don’t worry- it will green up once temperatures fall and moisture becomes available. One of the best choices of drought-tolerant grasses are fine fescues. One of the worst choices of drought-tolerant grasses is ‘Kentucky Blue”.

•Mid-August to Mid-September: Re-seed and /or renovate your lawn. Apply Milky-Spore and/ or Grub-Ex to control grub and Japanese beetle populations. Do not treat you lawn routinely with insecticides.

•Mid-August to October – Control broadleaf weeds. Our good friend “Creeping Charlie” or Ground -Ivy “Azadirachta indica” is a difficult nuisance pest to eradicate. Borax, commonly found under the trade

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name of “20 Mule Team Borax” applied at the rate of 20-30 oz./ mixed in 1 gallon of water (applied as a spray) may provide control.

•November – Thanksgiving Day is the best time to fall fertilize your lawn. So, put the turkey in the oven, and get out there and fertilize!

•November forward – curl up with a good gardening book, and enjoy your winter holidays. We’re gonna do this again next year!

References:

David Chinery, Cornell Cooperative Extension

Educator Rensselaer County Sally Jean Cunningham www.garden.org/calculators/?q=form&type=sulfur www.grow-it-organically.com/changing-soil-ph.html www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene3de4.html

David R. Clark: Biography

•International Gardening Speaker, Television Personality, Garden Writer •Horticulture Instructor: The Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo, NY •Horticulture Professor: S.U.N.Y. @ Niagara County Community College, Sanborn, NY •Visiting Horticulture Instructor: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA •Floral Design Expert, Computer Technician, Social Media Liaison: The Plant Place & Flower Basket, Amherst, NY •Board of Directors: Niagara International Association of Florists, Buffalo, NY & Ontario, Canada Holding a degree in Floriculture from S.U.N.Y@Cobleskill, David Clark is a multi-talented Educator and Trainer, Event Director, Garden Show Judge, Floral Symposium Stage Designer and successful Wholesale Florist, with over 30 years’ experience in the Professional Ornamental Horticulture Industry. www.DavidClarkWNY.com www.greatgardenspeakers.com Email: david3777@aol.com Phone: 716-997-4363 Twitter: @david37771

7884 Sisson Hwy. • Eden, NY 14057 Just three miles south of the Village of Hamburg

Retail Greenhouses NOW OPEN

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Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers • Spring 2016

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Spring 2016 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers

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