The Official Newsletter of the Lake of the Woods Association, Inc. Vol. 20, No. 22
540.972.2237
LOWA.org
/LOWAssociation
March 10, 2023
Property Owner’s Guide to Helping Improve the Health of Our Lakes Series 1: Chemical Application by Bobby Jones, Director of Facilities
Through the spring and summer months Lake Currents will publish a series of articles on how property owners can help improve the health of our Lakes. Every lot owner can make a positive difference to the health of the Main Lake and Keaton’s Lake by following these principles and practices. Fertilizer Applications Problem: Homeowners use up to 10 times more chemicals (i.e., fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides) per acre than farmers. You do not have to choose between a healthy lake and a beautiful lawn, but neither do you have to buy lawn applications in excess of your needs. Solution: Consider reducing the area that needs application by landscaping or using low maintenance vegetation. Start with a soil test to find out what nutrients your lawn needs. You can pick up a soil test kit at the LOWA Maintenance Building at 114 Fairway Drive. Test every 3 years. Correct other deficiencies first. Soil pH, shade, irrigation (or lack of) may be the problem. Fix them first. Adjust the acidity to around 6.5 pH to aid in retention of nutrients. When you do need fertilizers, apply the 4 R’s of Application. Use Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and the Right Place. • The Right Source Use no-phosphorous, slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. Established lawns need little or no additional phosphorous. Locust Grove Ace Hardware, Home Depot, and Lowes have nophosphorus and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer.
Check out the FY23-24 Budget in Brief Pages 12-13 This is a summary of the approved budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. For more information visit www.LOWA.org/Budget
President's Letter 2 Association News 2 - 10 General Manager 3 Capital Projects Highlights 6 Calendar 9, 10 Budget in Brief 12 - 13 Viewpoints 16 Orange County 21 Classifieds 22 - 23 Employment Opportunities 23
Sun., March 12 Daylight Saving Time Begins Mon., March 13 Early Watercraft Registration Begins Fri., March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Fareways Café, noon-10 PM
Reduce the area needing application by landscaping or using low maintenance vegetation. • The Right Rate Base your rate of application on the soil tests. The tests do not determine the concentration of nitrogen in the soil but do provide recommendations of the rate to apply. LOWA Regulation V.N. prohibits the use of fertilizer containing phosphorus unless a soils test deems it necessary and approval is granted by LOWA. Well-established lawns, where clippings have been recycled, may need little or no nitrogen. Other lawns may need up to 1 ½ to 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Never apply more than 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per application. More is not better! It is better to apply ½ pound per 1,000 square feet at several key times per season. Do not apply more that 50 to 70 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet in a single treatment
See Property Owner's Guide on p. 7
Annual Assessment Invoices Will Mail End of March The new fiscal year for the Association begins May 1, and LOWA is currently finalizing assessment packets and invoices for mailing on March 23. Watch your mail the last week of March for an 8.5 x 11” self-mailer which will be folded in half and tabbed shut for privacy. Members may opt-in to receive the invoice and other documents via email. To do so, visit www.LOWA.org/Forms and complete the electronic transmission form. Submit the completed form to FrontDesk@LOWA.org or drop it off at Member Services.
Thurs., March 23 Orange County Public Hearing Wilderness Crossing Rezoning See page 21 Sat., March 25 Family Bingo Night 6-9 PM, Clubhouse
Mon., April 10 LOWA Special Board Meeting Wake Boat Study Results 7 PM, Community Center, Zoom (Rescheduled from March 13) LOWA Website Links TEKControl (Visitor Management) LOWA.ORG/TEKCONTROL