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June 2014 • www.saukvalleysun.com • Sauk Valley Sun
Home and Garden
Playing in the dirt Kimberly Watley This column from now through November will touch on topics for greenhorn green thumbs, seed sultans and everyone in between. Gardening ideas, tips and your questions will be answered. Email watleykimberly@gmail.com or post on Facebook at www. facebook.com/saukvalley. sun. Timely questions will be responded as quickly as possible. General questions will be answered in the next edition of Playing in the Dirt. It snowed on May 16. I just had to say it to believe it happened and get it out of my system. I realize this is the Midwest and the weather is as unpredictable as a toddler without a nap, but come on! Lucky for us, Zone 5 takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’, and our plants are used to the harsh and ever-changing climate. If you lost a few things, don’t fret, they are only plants. The first couple of years I was overly attached to every single seed. That takes a lot of the fun out of things when we get too serious… even a doctor loses a patient from time to time. For those of you just getting started, you need to hurry. Plan before plant, scout
location, research sun/shade needs, prepare soil, set a boarder or boundary, and if necessary install chicken wire or enclosure to keep animals out of your veggies. Since it’s too late in the game for tulips, daffodils and those other popular early spring bloomers, wait until fall to plant those – don’t forget to leave room in your schematics. Once your location is set, plant tall to low-lying, and
give them space between so there is ample room to grow, along with enough space for you to pull weeds, harvest crop and work it as needed. I have large stones strategically placed throughout my gardens to walk on. They also help to stunt plants that tend to take over. They also make a nice place to sit should I need to rest my back or legs during a marathon weed pulling session. You can use sprays, pel-
Photos: Kimberly Watley
lets and other weed killers. For me, I enjoy pulling them under a sunny sky and being lost in thought. (But no thank you in advance, I don’t want to come over and pull yours too.) At this point of the year, you’re better off beginning with starter plants from garden centers than with seeds. There just isn’t enough time for them to mature. Dig slightly deeper than
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the roots, turn them out of containers, gently tap the roots to help the spreading process, stick them in the dirt and pack them in stopping at the base of the stem; not too deeply. It really is that simple. After everything is where you want it, water thoroughly and plan to water every night or early morning at least for the first week. Subsequent watering can take
place every few days, once they are established; unless there is a major heat wave or high winds dry things out too much. Adding mulch, compost or grass clippings on top of the dirt will help hold in moisture and provide additional nutrients. You shouldn’t water or mow grass under sunny skies because it dries everything out quickly, scorching old and new foliage.
Reynolds United Methodist 150th anniversary celebration: all invited! Reynolds United Methodist Church is celebrating its 150th anniversary Saturday, June 21st at 4pm. The church is located at 2496 Reynolds Road in Ashton, IL. There will be pork chop meals for $8 and hot dog meals for $4. To stave off the heat, homemade ice cream will also be available. There will be music by Burn ‘n’ Bush from 4pm-6pm and the Martins at 7pm. Any wishing to attend are reminded to bring lawn chairs. Parents need not worry about a babysitter as this is a family event and there will be plenty of activities provided for children in the Kids Zone! All are encouraged to attend the Sunday service
following on June 22nd. Sunday school begins at 9:00 am and worship service begins at 10:00 am. For further information about tickets or the church, please call (815) 453-2513, or email at reynoldsumc@ oglecom.com or visit the website at www.reynoldsumc.net. The first organized services began in 1864 and the first church building was erected in 1871. Most of the area’s residents were either born in Germany or born into homes that were German descent, and hence, services, hymnals, Sunday school and the Bible were all in German. It was not until 1912-1913 that English began replacing
German as the predominant language. The first Harvest Home Festival plan was discussed by the Reynolds Church council of Administration on October 10, 1950. C u r re n t l y, R e y n o l d s church offers a wide variety of groups and activities to be a part of: • Sunday School for ALL ages • Nurturing Team • Confirmation Class • Youth Group for Teens • KID ROCK for all children • Bible Study • Adult groups: B.O.B, Free to Be, Homebuilders, etc. • Nurturing Team • Mission Team • Praise Team