PAGE 8A Daily Journal ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM
Friday, April 24, 2015
Spring Service & Maintenance Guide
Put grass clippings to use The benefits of
aerating your lawn
Yard Waste Can Make Good Mulch for Roses Mulching roses provides many benefits for the plant. Using organic mulch not only offers protection for roots and keeps the soil moist, but also releases nutrients into the soil. Lawn clippings look nice scattered under rose bushes and are readily available with each mowing. Grass clippings make a beneficial type of mulch when used correctly. Other organic mulches may be used for roses, too, as each has its own benefits.
BENEFITS
Organic mulches, like leaves and grass clippings, provide nutrients to the rose soil. Mulching also helps soil retain moisture, control weeds and protects roots from hot summer temperatures and early freezes or frosts in the fall. Roses are often susceptible to disease, and mulching can help reduce the risk of disease and prevent black spot spores that are splashed up onto roses when it rains. Good mulch offers all these benefits, plus reduces the need to water plants, because mulch helps to keep the soil uniformly moist. Grass clippings also make excellent mulch for garden vegetables and other plants as well. Because they are readily available, grass clippings are a cost-effective way to help plants retain moisture and reduce weed growth.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS
Lawn clippings make good short-lived mulch, but they should not be used if the lawn has been treated with a high nitrogen fertilizer or any type herbicide product, as they can release residue into the soil that can be harmful to other plants.
To use grass clippings as mulch, allow them to dry after mowing and spread loosely around the rose bushes.
Everyone loves a lush, healthy lawn. A beautiful, green yard does everything from provide the kids a soft, safe place to run around barefoot on warm summer days to give your guests a friendly welcome as they arrive at your home. But as the months pass by, even a well-watered and well-fertilized lawn can lose its luster. There's no need to stress about it. The answer may be as easy as aerating your lawn.
A QUICK CHECK
CARING FOR IT
Lawn clipping mulch decomposes rapidly, so it needs to be replenished often. Grass clippings may contain weeds, and because of the clippings' light weight, they are more likely to be blown or washed away. Lawn clippings can also become a fire hazard. When lawn clipping mulch is wet, it doesn't breathe like other types of mulches and needs periodic "fluffing" to keep it from matting and to allow for better air flow and water penetration. You should use a thin layer of grass clipping applied after each mowing. When you use grass clippings for mulch, it is important to allow the clippings to dry out before use, because drying the clippings helps prevent matting. The use of fresh clippings can also lead to foul odors, a reduction in air and water infiltration and may even prevent soil from absorbing water, so letting the clippings dry out is critical.
You can very quickly and easily determine if your lawn needs to be aerated. Dig up a small section of your yard, deep enough to determine the depth of the root system. If you find that the roots of your grass are sitting just an inch or two below the ground, it's time to aerate.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
Through the normal wear and tear on your lawn, with everything from extreme dry conditions to heavy downpours, as well as normal foot traffic, your ground has become compacted. As the ground becomes more and more compacted over time, elements that are important to the grass are unable to fully penetrate the soil and reach the roots. This means your grass may not be receiving the appropriate amount of oxygen, nutrients and even water that it needs to thrive. In addition, even beneficial organisms such as earthworms, whose daily efforts provides easy routes for root systems to grow, won't thrive in your yard either.
See AERATING / Page 9A
Solar Features for the Garden The benefits of rainwater harvesting As more people recognize the benefits of sustainable landscaping, rainwater harvesting — one of the underlying principles of sustainable landscape design — is coming into its own. Rain is a free resource, and collecting and storing it in rain barrels and holding tanks for future use in the home and landscape makes perfect sense. How can you benefit from rainwater harvesting?
BETTER FOR PLANTS
The stormwater runoff from your roof is usually slightly acidic, with a pH of about 5.7, and free from chemicals like fluorine and chlorine. Most plants thrive in soils with a pH of from 5.5 to 7.0, so the natural acidity inherent in rainfall makes for happier plants. Also, rainfall is generally warmer than municipal water, so it is less apt to stress young plants.
USING A RESOURCE
Rain barrels, cisterns and holding tanks are the first link in the stormwater chain. Storing the water that comes from your roof converts a certain volume into a valuable resource. Without harvesting, excess runoff will flow overland, carrying pollutants and contributing to erosion and flooding problems downstream. Collecting excess rainwater can create a great use for something that would otherwise go to waste.
SAVE MONEY
Homeowners who harvest their rainwater and use it to water their gardens and wash their cars report a savings on their water bills of 30 to 40 percent. And as water rates continue to climb in many municipalities, the savings will become even more important to many people's budgets.
FEWER RESTRICTIONS
Nationwide droughts have forced many states to implement water use restrictions during the months your landscape needs water the most. Harvesting and storing your rainwater gives you an alternative supply independent of public sources, letting you keep your landscape healthy and green even in the driest months. A well-designed water harvesting system can save you money on utility bills, limit your impact and your dependency on public water sources and contribute to a healthy, water-wise landscape.
The technology driving solar-powered devices is continuing to expand with products that range from lighting to water features. The garden, patio, and even the porch can benefit from this free energy source with features that are as functional as they are decorative.
THE WELL-LIT GARDEN
There is a wide variety of solar products that make excellent lighting features for the garden and patio. While solar stake lighting has been serving garden pathways for many years now, there are currently many designs and style options that can be adapted to any garden décor scheme. New products like garden lanterns also demonstrate great versatility in terms of style. From beautiful Asian style fixtures or more traditional solar lamp posts or solar table-top lamps for the deck, these solar powered lighting options fuel up on sunshine all day and provide the landscape with light during twilight and evening hours. For gardens that require more substantial lighting systems, there are also solar spotlight systems and even solar security lights that provide substantial lighting and reliability. Motion activated security lights are designed to be weather resistant and may even boast adjustable settings for customizable light. Without wiring, these devices are innovative solutions for sustainable lighting outdoors. Many homeowners simply enjoy the decorative elements that solar-powered lighting fixtures embody. From glowing mushroom lights to strings of butterfly lights, there are lots of designs to consider. Gnomes, elves, fairies, woodland animals — there are many garden statues that include a solar lighting feature in their design. Strands of fairy or tea lights add a decorative aspect to porches, gardens, or even special garden nooks. If these elements are too kitschy, there are plenty of nondescript styles that add light without infringing upon the natural beauty of the garden.
WATER FEATURES
Solar powered birdbaths and fountains are ideal for large gardens where a power source is unavailable. These products allow gardeners to add a fountain anywhere on the landscape. You could add a single or double-tiered bird-
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bath at the back of the yard or employ a decorative solar fountain as a central garden feature. There are many styles from rustic water features to classic-looking models. A solar cascade can add a pleasing appearance and soothing sounds to a patio or porch without any need for electricity. The solar technology behind these products has made them attractive to eco-friendly households and their reliability is proving better than ever. Moreover, gardeners can find solar-powered fountains and water features in styles to suit cottage, Asian, classic and even Southwestern gardens. In addition to powering the water movement itself, solar water features are also designed to bring light or colored light to water features. Want to add a colorful show to a garden pond? There are solar water features that can be used in garden ponds both large and small.
STORM DAMAGE?
HAIL DAMAGE? HOME REPAIR? WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
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Friday, April 24, 2015
ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM Daily Journal PAGE 9A
Spring Service & Maintenance Guide
How to check your belts and hoses The belts and hoses on your car, which can be some of the cheapest and simplest parts on your car, can also be the most critical. Because they keep your engine and all its accessories running, a breakdown of a belt or hose can easily leave you stranded at the worst possible time. Worse yet, they can often lead to costly damage to your car's engine or other more expensive parts. Here are things to look for.
OWNER'S MANUAL
Always check your owner's manual for the recommended life of belts and hoses under the hood. Even if they appear like they're in good shape, belts and hoses often fail starting with their insides — the places you just can't see. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and always assume a service has not been performed unless you have the records proving it has been.
HOSES
Paint protection How to safeguard, improve your car's finish A shiny, highly reflective finish is what most people think of when they imagine a nice car. New cars come with paint that can retain its sheen for many years if properly cared for, which is one way to improve both the appearance and value of your car. People will simply pay more money for a car that has a great looking paint job. Thankfully, keeping your car's paint looking good is a relatively simple job.
KEEP IT CLEAN
The most important step in protecting your car's paint is to clean it frequently. Dirt, road grime and bugs can be very abrasive if left to sit on the paint surface. Your car is always vibrating and moving when you drive, which makes the particles dig in and dull the paint finish rather quickly if left in place. Washing your car on a regular basis will keep it protected and looking good at the same time.
USE MILD SOAPS
Some car owners are tempted to save money by using the harsh dish soaps that they already have sitting in the kitchen cupboard, but this can be a huge mistake. Dish soaps are formulated to cut through heavy food grease, and this harsh action can also cut through the clear surface of your car. To protect your paint, always use soaps designed specifically for car finishes. Carefully read and follow all the directions of products you buy, and be gentle with the finish of your car. Hard scrubbing can wear it down prematurely, so gentle but frequent washes are a much better choice.
KEEP IT WAXED
While very new cars will generally not need to be waxed — and some waxing processes could actually damage the clear-coat surface if you're not careful — most cars will benefit from regular waxing as they age. A high-quality carnuba wax is a great choice to keep your paint shiny and protected. It can be a laborintensive process to apply, but it will also leave an invisible protective coat that should last eight to 12 weeks and make your finish shine like new. For a longer lasting finish, paint sealants are another option. These chemical coatings have the same protective and shining capabilities as natural waxes, but they're designed to be more durable so they do not need to be applied as often.
Aerating Continued From Page 8A NITTY GRITTY
Aerating essentially is a process that makes your ground less compacted by removing many small shafts of the soil. By removing these shafts, you are providing an easy route for water, nutrients, oxygen, and even organisms to enter the soil. Aerating can by done in a number of methods. Perhaps the most inexpensive method is by purchasing a small, hand-held aerator. While this method is the cheapest, it also takes a significantly longer time than other methods. You can also purchase or rent a motorized aerator, or contact a lawn service company to perform the task for you. Keep in mind that most lawns will need to be aerated at least once or twice a year for the optimal health of your grass. So while it may seem expensive to purchase an aerator initially, the purchase may pay off after just a couple of seasons.
TAKE ADVANTAGE
After you have aerated your lawn, you now have an easy route to directly to the root system of your lawn. Take advantage of this by sprinkling organic fertilizer or compost directly onto the lawn and then watering. You will notice a drastic improvement in the health of your lawn in just a couple of days.
Every time you have your oil changed (generally every 3,000 miles), make sure you check the condition
of your hoses. They should feel moderately soft when you pinch them. If they feel hard and brittle or soft and squishy, they need to be changed before they break. You should also look for any visual signs of wear, such as blistering, cracks or any obvious damage.
DRIVE BELTS
Have the tightness and condition of all the belts under your hood checked. Many cars use a single serpentine belt to turn all kinds of devices, from the power steering to the alternator, air conditioning compressor and water pump. A serpentine belt failure will bring your car to a total halt, so don't let it get too worn out. It's far too risky.
TIMING BELTS
If your car has a timing belt, follow the replacement schedule precisely, even if it feels like it's in good shape. Timing belt failure can cause serious, expensive engine damage on most cars. You can avoid thousands of dollars in repairs by having the timing belt changed on schedule, which is typically every 60,000 to 90,000 miles depending on the vehicle.
Tire care: What you need to know Nothing affects your car's performance and safety like the quality of your tires. While other parts may make your vehicle more fun or comfortable, your car ultimately depends on four small spots where the rubber touches the pavement. Your tires may make a bigger difference than you think, too. Good, wellmaintained tires will result in a better ride, improved handling, predictable handling in wet or dry conditions, and most importantly, the safety of you and your passengers. Keeping your tires in good condition isn't difficult, but it does take some regular attention.
INSPECTION:
Give your tires a visual inspection at least once a month. You'll want to check the tread depth to be sure it meets your state's requirements and the proper tolerances for your vehicle. A lack of tread can be downright dangerous because it reduces traction. Also check for punctures and cracks in the sidewall.
PRESSURE
Also once a month, you should check your tire pressure to make sure it is set at the correct level for your vehicle. Pressure that is too low or two high can increase wear on your tires, hurt your gas mileage and be unsafe to drive. Make sure you check your spare tire's pressure, too, just in case you'll need it.
ROTATE
Every 6,000 miles you should have your car's tires rotated. This will help ensure they wear more evenly, which extends their life and
keeps the traction level more consistent over time. If you have to replace your tires, it is highly recommended to replace them all at the same time for safety reasons. Replacing only two tires can lead to different front-to-rear grip levels, which can make your car spin and be difficult to control in emergencies.
ALIGNMENT
Check your vehicle's service manuals to see how often it will need a suspension alignment. If you find your tires are wearing unevenly or too quickly, that could be a
sign that you need an alignment right away. It's a good idea to have your car's alignment checked annually.
BALANCE
Finally, every time you have your tires rotated, you should also have them balanced. Extremely unbalanced tires can sometimes be felt through the steering wheel, and even minor balance problems can cause premature wear to your shocks and struts. Ultimately, keeping your tires balanced will make your car last longer and drive more comfortably.
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402 5th Street, Park Hills, MO
powell_automotive@att.net
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