LIFE
JANUARY 3, 2013 • ALEXANDRIA RECORDER • B5
Five resolutions for the Kentucky gardener to live by Question: I recently moved to the Northern Kentucky area from out east. What tips can you give me for successful tree, lawn and garden care in this area? Answer: This is a chance for you to “wipe the slate clean” of past gardening mistakes, learn in the present and create a future of successful gardening and landscaping in Northern Kentucky! Here are “5 Gardener’s Resolutions to Live By.” 1. I will NOT prune trees or shrubs in the fall, since this is a harmful practice which leads to more winter damage. I WILL prune spring-blooming ornamental trees and shrubs within two weeks after their flowers drop off in the spring. I will prune true pines in June, but other evergreens like spruce, juniper, fir, arborvitae and yews in early March, along with summerblooming trees and shrubs (like Rose-of-Sharon, Annabelle Hydrangea and Goldenraintree). 2. When I do prune trees, I will NOT leave branch
stubs, I will not top trees or pay someone else to top them, and I will not apply “pruning paint” or Mike “wound Klahr dressing” to HORTICULTURE cut surCONCERNS faces, since these practices lead to weaker branch attachment, internal wood and trunk decay, sunscald, frost cracks, poor wound closure, and increased tree disease and insect attack in future years, greatly shortening the life of the tree. I WILL make proper pruning cuts, just outside the “branch collar” (swelling where a branch attaches), or will hire an I.S.A. Certified arborist to do the pruning for me. 3. I will NOT mulch to a depth greater than 3 inches around trees (smothers the roots), and will not do “volcano mulching” or even let the mulch touch the trunk of trees, since that leads to bark decay and vole damage
to the bark. 4. I will NOT try to stop moles using grub control chemicals, poison peanuts, broken glass, chewing gum, exhaust gas or spinning windmills, since none of these methods work. I WILL use mole traps, set from 4-6 p.m., or use mole repellents like Mole-Med or Mole-Exit, or use proven products such as TomCat Mole Killer with Talpirid. 5. I will NOT apply lime or wood ashes to my garden, lawn or landscape unless I know the soil pH is too low, since these products both raise the soil pH and can make some nutrients unavailable to the plant at high pH levels. I WILL utilize the free soil testing services of my local Northern Kentucky Extension Service office to find out whether or not I need to add lime, sulfur, phosphorus or potassium. If you will follow these guidelines in 2013, you and your landscape will be off to a good start.
COMING UP Eco-Gardening Trends: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, Boone County Extension Office. Everyone welcome for this free class on rain gardens, pollinator gardens, edible landscaping, stump gardens, vertical landscaping, and rooftop gardening. Please register early by calling 859-586-6101, or enroll online at www.ca.uky.edu/boone Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, Boone County Extension Office. This is a free opportunity to pick up your Kentucky Commercial Pesticide Applicator CEU credits. Please register early by calling 859-586-6101, or enroll online at www.ca.uky.edu/boone
Mike Klahr is the Boone County extension agent for horticulture.
Homebuilders name new officers Community Recorder The Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky has announced its 2013 officers and directors. The leaders were installed at a Dec. 14 ceremony at the Newport Syndicate. “We are excited about what 2013 holds and what our leadership can do to guide our association as the housing recovery gains steam,” said Brian Miller, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky. “We have accomplished a lot in 2012 including restructuring our board, executive leadership and a good deal of our governance. We have been redesigning the HBA for the 21st century and on top of that are in the midst of drafting our 2013-2016 strategic plan. This group of outstanding leaders is bringing new ideas to the table to make sure that our HBA continues to be one of the largest, most relevant HBA’s in the nation,” Miller said. Officers for 2013 are: President, Adam Chaney, Terrace Holdings, LLC Vice president, James Kegley, The B.O.L.D. Co. Inc. Secretary/treasurer, Jason Yeager, Ashley Building Immediate past president, Bill Butt, Bill's Remodeling & Electric Inc. Associate president, Desiree Webster, NuVo Technologies Associate vice president, Walt Dunlevy, Forge Lumber The board of directors are: Phil Drees, Terrace Holdings
Tom Spille, Spille Builders and Developers Diana DeVore, Guardian Savings Bank Art Fischesser, All-Rite Ready Mix Anita Kosco, The Newport Syndicate Patrick Townsend, Patrick’s Custom Hardwood Flooring Inc. Paul Metzger, Land Development Council president, Fischer Homes Pat Parshall, Sales and Marketing Council President, NKY Publishing The mission of the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky is to promote and enhance the integrity and visibility of the con-
Summerfair Cincinnati is now accepting exhibitor applications for the 46th Summerfair, being held May 31through June 1-2 at Coney Island. The fair features more than 300 fine artists and craftspeople from across the country. Artists exhibit and sell works in 10 categories, including ceramics, sculpture, painting, photography, jewelry, fiber, and mixed media. A youth arts entertainment area and a variety of gourmet arts round out the experience for visitors and art aficionados.
NON-DENOMINATIONAL Family Worship Center 97 Three Mile Rd. Wilder, Ky. 41076 859-441-5433
SERVICE TIME Sunday, 10:45 a.m.
LOVE & FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
Chaney
Kegley
720 York St., Newport KY 41071 859-581-4244 Pastor: Gordon Milburn Sunday School: 9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 am Sun. & Wed. Eve Service: 6:00 pm
Or pick one up at a local retailer.
Join in the wintertime fun at... Butt
Yeager
Learn To Skate
Webster
Dunlevy
Summerfair accepting exhibitor applications Community Recorder
struction industry and the members of the organization through advocacy, communication, education and political action.
Exhibitor applications will be accepted until Feb. 8. Applicants must apply online through ZAPP at bit.ly/VOZqli. All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, comprised of artists and art educators with backgrounds in the categories offered at Summerfair. In order to be considered, works submitted must be original art produced by the applicants. Exhibitors will be notified on March 8 regarding their acceptance. For more information on Summerfair 2013 regarding fees and the application process, call 513-531-0050.
6 week classes begin Thursday, Jan. 10th or Saturday, Jan. 12th. Ages 3 years to teen/adult.
Cost: $65.00
Includes free skate rental and six free public sessions. Register by January 7th and save $5.00 Call 859-344-1981 ext 0 for more information
Instructional Hockey
8 week classes begin Tuesday, January 8 6:00-7:00pm For beginners 4 - 10 yrs. Girls welcome. Free equipment rental.
Cost: $65.00
Plus USA Hockey registration fee for new players.
Please call to pre-register at 859-344-1981 x 0 Equipment fitting: Sunday, Jan. 6 from 1:00-3:00pm
2638 Anderson Road • Crescent Springs, Ky 41017 • 859-344-1981