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Winter Holiday Decorating Made Easy

by Lucky on Nov 28, 2011 (0) Comments

While the ground may be frozen, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring plant life to your holiday parties. Now that Thanksgiving is over, let’s move on to the next Holiday season.

Festive plants such as poinsettia positioned around your home can help bring nature indoors for the holiday season. For those in warmer climates, place a few hardier plants such as pansies or snapdragons on your doorstep to greet visitors. If you’re a fan of mistletoe, hang it from a well-trafficked doorframe. But keep it away from pets or small children as it’s poisonous when ingested!

What’s your favorite plant of the season?

For more cold weather decorating ideas, visit here.

Simple Thanksgiving Decorations

by Lucky on Nov 23, 2011 (0) Comments

Forget that trip to the party store. For this year’s holiday feast, consider the great outdoors for all your decorating needs. Bundle up the kids and head outside to gather colorful leaves, nuts and sprigs to decorate the holiday table.

Glue a maple leaf to a piece of paper and make a turkey out of it. Or stick a chestnut on a strip of paper with each guest’s name on it as place cards. Let your imagination run wild (as the kids run around the yard) for a stress-free Thanksgiving.

What’s your favorite holiday dish? Recipes are welcome!

Let’s Talk Turkey

by Lucky on Nov 21, 2011 (0) Comments

We mentioned pumpkins in a recent post, but did you know that turkeys are big business in the U.S., too? The industry is estimated to be valued at over four billion dollars. But do you know which country consumes the most turkey of all?

Yes, it’s also the United States (7.7 kg of turkey per capita in 2009)

source: http://www.poultryegg.org/economic_data/

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and relaxing time with family and friends!

Turn Over a New Leaf

by Lucky on Nov 17, 2011 (0) Comments

We’ve talked a lot about fall cleanup lately. Now it’s time to get specific about what on earth to do with all those leaves?

You could burn them, but unless you live near a fire house or far, far away from dry brush, it can be a dangerous way to go.

A greener alternative is to compost them, if you have enough space in your yard. Leaves decompose at varying rates, but you can count on at least one year, if not two, to create leaf mulch in your compose pile.

Not sure how to go about doing it? Check out this article for helpful hints and a nifty picture to show you how!

4 Ways to Winterize Your Garden

by Lucky on Nov 14, 2011 (0) Comments

Aside from clearing up the last bits of lawn debris, there are many other things you can do to ensure your garden is winterized.

Give your grass a last, final cut.
Use a mulching mower to cut the last of the leaves. If you don’t have one, rake them up. The worst thing is to leave whole leaves on the ground, which can result in dead patches in your lawn come springtime.
Protect those perennials, but beware of using too much mulch, which can attract mold and rodents.
As mentioned in an earlier post, be sure to get your spring bulbs into the ground now before the earth freezes.

What would you recommend?

For more winterizing tips, check out this article.

The Great Pumpkin

by Lucky on Nov 11, 2011 (0) Comments

Did you know that pumpkins are Big Business?

The United States produced 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkin in 2010 – which is estimated to be worth $117 million. Do you know which state produced the largest number of pumpkins (in weight) last year?

Leave your answer in our comment box if you know!

The first person to answer correctly wins a set of TurfMutt stickers.

It’s for the Birds!

by Lucky on Nov 09, 2011 (0) Comments

Did you know that feeding birds early in the cold season keeps them coming back all winter long?

So while the blaze of autumn gives way to winter gray, you can invite color back into your space by putting up a bird feeder.

Sunflower seeds are by far the most nutritious food for birds. But beware that a build up of hard shells can damage your new grass come springtime.

Either collect them before they accumulate or offer up seeds without the shells.

Suet balls are another favorite, but be sure to remove any of the non-biodegradable netting after the birds are done with it. For more ways to attract birds to your lawn this winter, visit this site.

Fall into Physical Fitness

by Lucky on Nov 02, 2011 (0) Comments

Did you know your backyard is one of the best fitness spaces you have?

Raking leaves for about an hour can burn up to 350 calories.

Taking your furry friend for a run around green spaces can do the same.

Whether you trim back stray branches or clear out the brush, doing yard work in the fall is a great way to get fresh air and stay fit while doing your plants some good too.

Just like your garden, your body needs sunlight to create the necessary nutrients to remain healthy as the cold weather sets in. So grab a rake, or your pet’s leash, and let the fitness begin!

Fall Maintenance for Spring

by Lucky on Oct 31, 2011 (0) Comments

As we put away our barbecue grills and sweep up the last of the leaves, spring may seem like a long way off. But maintaining your lawn mower is one great way to be sure your spring starts right come March or April. Like any other piece of equipment, a lawn mower requires cleaning so be sure to brush off and perhaps sharpen the blades, drain the fuel properly and store it in a dry place. For other lawn equipment maintenance tips, check out this article.

Bulb Gardening for Beginners

by Lucky on Oct 24, 2011 (1) Comments

If you want a colorful garden next spring, consider planting your bulbs now before the first frost sets in. Flower bulbs are best planted when the ground is cool (around 40 to 50°F), but be sure to plant them a good six weeks before the ground freezes. The good news is that the bulbs themselves store all the nutrients they require – so no fertilizing is needed. As the Dutch say, “Bulbs don’t like wet feet,” so make certain you plant them in an area that drains well. Come springtime, you’ll be glad you did!

For more bulb-planting tips, consult this guide.

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Did You Know…

Lawns do an excellent job of capturing water runoff and lessening dust and particulate matter pollution, versus alternatives such as hard surfaces, mulched areas and impervious or bare surfaces.

According to a Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) 2006 Publication, turfgrass not only decreases dust emissions, but for controlling soil erosion, a live, functioning grass cover, including urban lawns, is a cost-effective option, since a grass root system is one of the most effective in soil stabilization because of the fibrous, dense character of its roots.

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