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All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) chairman Philip Brook said reigning Wimbledon champion Murray's strong two-year grass court record will keep him among the top seeds.

High-calibre grass exponents like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic can also expect to benefit from Wimbledon's seeding system.

Wimbledon bosses also defended hiking prize money for first-round losers by nearly 15 per cent to 27,000.

Total prize money for Wimbledon has risen by 10.8 per cent from last year to 25million, with the winners of the men's singles and women's singles each taking 1.76million, up from last year's 1.6million.

Brook said current champion Murray is likely to remain among the tournament's top seeds, despite battling for form after persistent back trouble.

"We have a surfaced-based seeding system here at Wimbledon," said Brook.

"So we take the ranking points of each player, and add to that the ranking points they hypothetically received last year on grass, and we add to that 75 per cent of the best-performing tournament in the previous year.

"So to put it into context for Andy Murray, as winner of Queen's last year and winner here last year, and a finalist here in 2012, there will be a significant impact on him.

"There will also be quite a significant impact on Federer and Djokovic; there will be some adjustment."

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Murray assured of lofty seeding

Philip Brook, the chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, has confirmed the reigning Wimbledon champion's strong two-year grass court record will keep him among the top seeds in the competition. Players such as former champions Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic can also expect to benefit from Wimbledon's seeding system.

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Officials also defended an increase in prize money for players defeated in the first round, with the total having been raised by nearly 15% to 27,000. Total prize money for Wimbledon has risen by 10.8% from last year to 25m, with the winners of the men's singles and women's singles each taking 1.76m. Last year's prize was 1.6m. The purse for runners-up and semi-finalists has also risen by 10% and for quarter-finalists by 10.2%.

"We have a surfaced-based seeding system here at Wimbledon," said Brook, when asked about Murray's form. "So we take the ranking points of each player and add to that the ranking points they hypothetically received last year on grass, and we add 75% of the best-performing tournament in the previous year.

"To put it into context for Andy Murray, as winner of Queen's last year and winner here last year, and a finalist here in 2012, there will be a significant impact on him. There will also be quite a significant impact on Federer and Djokovic; there will be some adjustment."

Richard Lewis, the AELTC chief executive, said that any Wimbledon qualifier ranks among the sport's world elite and merits increased reward. He dismissed the notion that players would be content simply to take the increased pay cheques for losing in the first round rather than battling to progress.

"The players have worked hard to get there, either they have have got into the championships through their ranking, so that's 12 months of play before. Or there are some wild cards," he said. "So to portray it as 27,000 for turning up and doing nothing . . . I don't think that's valid."

The finishing touches are being put to the planning application to build a roof on No.1 Court. With the application due to be submitted later this year, the aim is to complete the work in time for the 2019 tournament. The alterations will add 900 extra seats - taking the capacity to 12,400.

Wimbledon will be played on 17 courts this year, with renovations to courts 14 and 15 are completed. A host of players complained of injuries because of slippery courts last year but Lewis was adamant that there is no need to make alterations.

"There was an anecdotal problem over a couple of days. Only one or two players took issue with it. We don't feel there are any issues to address on that," he added.

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Murray to retain place among the top seeds at Wimbledon

The seeds will be planted this spring and fall, but the prairie at Benson Park isnt expected to flourish for two years.

Perhaps sixty types of grass and flowers should grow here after herbicides and fire eliminate the weeds that now dominate the 20-acre site. Once its roots run deep, a prairie can take care of itself, but invasive weeds like Reed canary grass and Canada thistle can cast a deadly shadow over a nascent prairie.

This will be the second attempt at establishing a prairie in Benson Park, which saw its first seeding in 2010. In the years since, the prairie plants lost the tug-of-war that theyve lost so many times before since invasive species appeared here.

By last summer, the invasive perennial Canada thistle had taken over the park.

Its not clear why, though a request from the North Mankato City Council to reduce the use of herbicide on the park may have played a role in the thistles dominance. Chemicals were applied to the weeds in places, but it apparently was not enough.

Whatever the cause, so few prairie plants remained from the original planting that a Department of Natural Resources expert recommends starting over.

In 2010, the city paid a private contractor, Monarch Wildlife Systems, at least $14,336 in local sales tax funding to do the plantings and some of the weed control.

The company is apparently out of business, and its Secretary of State filings expired in 2011. Its former owner or manager, Jeff Henry, didnt return multiple voicemails.

The DNR prairie expert, Randy Schindle, has helped establish more than a thousand acres of prairie around the state. He said the prairies failure doesnt necessarily mean that Monarch made a mistake.

Every prairie is different and even an experienced ecological engineer can watch a fledgling prairie go out of control, Schindle said.

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Benson Park prairie effort went to the weeds

The abundance of underwater grasses throughout the Chesapeake Bay resurged by 24 percent between 2012 and 2013, reversing a three-year decline, the Chesapeake Bay Program said this week.

Scientists credit better water quality for the "modest" recovery of eelgrass in the bay's shallow, salty waters and the "rapid expansion" of widgeongrass in the mid-bay. The health of underwater grasses is considered a barometer for overall bay health.

"These bay grasses are the canary in the cage, and an indication of water quality and of the efforts to improve water quality," Robert Orth of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science said when he helped release the new numbers.

VIMS, in Gloucester Point, has worked for years to restore eelgrass to the bay, seeing great success seeding the tidal bays of the Eastern Shore. The institute is affiliated with the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg and with CPB a regional partnership of federal, state and local agencies, academic institutions and environmental and nonprofit groups. The partnership is tasked with protecting and restoring the bay, which deteriorated for decades from pollution and nutrient overload from stormwater runoff.

Every year from late spring to early fall, grass beds in the bay are tracked using aerial surveys. While the data is still gathered the same way, this year the grasses were mapped according to salinity zones rather than geographic zones to better reflect different species and how they respond to environmental stressors, explained Lee Karrh, a biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The waters of the bay range from no salinity to sea-water strength salinity.

The latest surveys show an uptick in grass beds from 48,195 acres to 59,927 acres, or about a third of the ultimate goal of 185,000 acres. Orth said most of that increase came from a boom in widgeongrass in the mid-bay

The CBP also updated decades of its past surveys to correlate with the new salinity zone map, Karrh said. Between 1984 and 2013, the data show:

Tidal Fresh Salinity Zone: In the no-salt waters of the bay, grass abundance ranged from a low of 6,900 acres (1995) to a high of 25,481 acres (2008), averaging 12,399 acres. From 2012 to 2013, the zone's grass beds increased by 1,841 acres to 13,990 acres.

Oligohaline Salinity Zone: In the bay's slightly salty waters, abundance ranged from 653 acres (1984) to 13,918 acres (2005), averaging 6,680 acres. Between 2012 and 2013, grasses increased by 78 acres to 5,590 acres.

Mesohaline Salinity Zone: In the bay's moderately salty waters, grass beds ranged from 15,636 acres (1984) to 48,443 acres (2005), averaging 27,851 acres. From 2012 to 2013, they increased 5,598 acres to 25,579 acres.

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Report: Underwater grasses resurge in the Chesapeake Bay

If you want a dog and a lush lawn, you're not out of luck.

Dog urine can damage grass, but highly rated experts in lawn care, landscaping and dog training tell our team that there are several ways your pet and your property can coexist pee-cefully:

The cheapest and easiest way to reduce doggie damage is to hose down and dilute urine right after the dog relieves itself. Then, commit to re-seeding damaged areas of grass as needed.

A top dog trainer says his grass is better able to withstand the effects of multiple dogs when he maintains a 4-inch height and applies organic fertilizer.

Another option, if your dog uses a specific area of the yard, is to cover the grass with pea gravel or artificial turf.

Artificial grass costs about $1.50 to $5 a square foot. Pick a higher density option with a nonporous backing. Choose polypropylene or polyethylene over nylon because poly products won't absorb moisture and will drain better. Using crushed granite as a base material under the turf will also help with drainage. For infill, use silica sand or another product that won't absorb odor.

Many dogs can be trained to urinate and defecate in a designated spot. It may take four to six weeks of effort. Flag off a sizeable portion of lawn to create a large target zone to start. Leash your pet and take it to that area every time it has to go. Always clean up after the dog. Over time, as the pet responds, gradually shrink the flagged-off area to your preferred size. Eventually, you won't need the flags; the dog will know the boundaries.

Get the scoop before hiring

If solid waste in the yard is your concern, consider outsourcing cleanup duty. Besides garnering positive online recommendations, a reliable "pooper scooper" business should be able to provide you with a cost estimate, often based on the size of your yard, the size of your dog(s) and frequency of service.

ANGIE HICKS is the founder of Angie's List, a resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home repair to health care.

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Can a lush lawn and your dog co-exist?

TOMORROW is Anzac Day which marks the traditional start to seeding season 2014/15 right throughout WA.

As of tomorrow, hundreds of tractors with airseeders in tow will take to the paddocks in an attempt to sow early canola before the break of the season.

Despite the lack of rain on the horizon, April 25 is still the day pegged by many to produce optimal crop growing conditions.

And the significant boost of confidence given by last year's good season (for most) meant a number of growers in the Kwinana port zone had even taken the opportunity to get going before that date.

While historically, growers in the Albany Zone were some of the last to take to their tractor seats, it also seemed the record 2013/14 season had given some the confidence to get a bit of a head start this time around as well.

A number of growers, including Scott Winspear at Gnowangerup, took the chance to scratch in some early sheep feed before planning to get stuck into the bulk of their canola and cereal seeding programs within the coming weeks.

In Corrigin, Des Hickey had already witnessed the germination of some of his canola crops thanks to some stormy weather and heavy rains which fell a couple of weeks ago.

But there is still a long way to go before this year's crops would be delivered to CBH sites right throughout the southern half of the State.

Katanning Farmanco agronomist Frank Boetel said the majority of his clients and farmers in his area would wait for Anzac Day to get stuck into their seeding programs.

He said as of tomorrow, they'd jump into the substantially-sized dry-sown canola and lupin rotations despite each program being assessed on an individual basis and risk management profile.

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Gearing up for Anzac Day

Getting your lawn ready for summer usually begins with raking. Remove deadgrass, old leaves and any other debris that accumulated over the winter.

Raking also allows you tosee any bare or worn areas that need attention, and it increases the likelihood of soil contact if you need to reseed some spots.

Aerate: Lawns that are heavily trafficked or were buried under large piles of snow for a significant amount of time can suffer from soil compaction.

You can hire a professional to aerate your lawn for you, or you can rent a core aerator, with hollow tines that will pull small plugs of soil out of the ground, allowing increased movement of water, nutrients and oxygen into the soil. Aeration also can increase the soil contact with seeds and promote new growth.

Seed: Fall is usually the best time toreseed thin or bare patches or to establish new lawns, but spring is the season we're in, and if your lawn needs seeding, do it now.

Apply the seed with a drop-type seeder or by hand.After sowing, lightly rake or drag the area. The seed should be covered to a depth of one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch. Roll the area lightly to ensure good contact between the seed and soil.

If you want to overseed an existing lawn, a slit seeder willensure good seed-to-soil contact.

After you plant the new seed, water lightly but regularly to make sure the reseeded areas stay damp until the new grass grows in.

When purchasingseed, select a high-qualitymix that is best adapted to your site. In the Quad-City region, Kentucky bluegrass is the best choice for sunny areas that receive at least six hours of direct sun each day. Choose a seed mix that contains at least two or three bluegrass cultivars. Because Kentucky bluegrass is slow to establish from seed, perennial rye grass is often included in bluegrass mixes to speed establishment.

The fine-leaf fescues(creeping red fescue, hard fescue, chewings fescue, etc.) are the best grasses for shady locations. In lawns that contain sun and shade, select a seed mix that is about 60 percent Kentucky bluegrass, 30 percent fine-leaf fescue and 10 percent perennial rye grass. Kentucky bluegrass will be the dominant grass in the sunny areas while the fine-leaf fescues will thrive in the shaded portions of the lawn.

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Lawn may need raking, reseeding

Spring has sprung, and there are many activities to enjoy now that the warmer weather has arrived. Many homeowners make the most of warmer weather by tackling projects around their properties.

While autumn is a better time to overseed a lawn for new growth, satisfactory results still can be had if seeding is done early enough in the spring. Grass needs ample time to establish roots and grow strong before the summer heat takes its toll. Many types of grass need six to 12 weeks of ideal temperatures and growing conditions to germinate and produce a sturdy grass that will grow and endure.

Seeding can be done to rejuvenate an existing lawn and fill in bare spots. It also can be done to start a lawn from scratch. The following are some tips to help make seeding projects more successful.

Begin by raking the lawn to remove thatch and any fallen leaves leftover from autumn and winter. Raking also enables you to inspect the lawn for bare patches or matting of grass that may be indicative of a fungus or other problem.

Dust off the mower and trim the lawn short, especially if it was left long at the end of last season. This will help seed penetrate the blades of grass and get to the soil beneath.

High-traffic lawns may need aeration to counteract compacted soil. Moss on the ground is often an indication of compaction. Aeration will help with this problem, as it pokes holes into the soil to enable oxygenation that keeps new grass robust and promotes faster growth. Lawn aerators can be rented from many garden centers.

Spread a mixture of topsoil and compost over the top of the lawn. This will add nutrients through organic matter to the lawn and create a good base for the new seed to take root. It will also help strengthen any existing grass and promote long-term health.

Test a sample of the soil to check the pH. Grass prefers a neutral pH, but some soil tends to lean toward the acidic side, especially if you see the presence of moss. Knowing the pH will help determine just how much lime per square foot you will need to adjust it accordingly. Liming is a corrective measure and does not need to be used on a healthy, thriving lawn.

Invest in a spreader to add seed to the lawn. The spreader will have various settings that enable you to calibrate the rate of seed dispersion depending on your walking speed. Fill the spreader with seed and begin to walk around the lawn. Drop spreaders require you to apply seed in rows with no overlap. Broadcast spreaders will cast seed widely and may need some overlap to guarantee complete coverage.

Spread another thin layer of compost mix over the seed and water thoroughly. The compost will help keep moisture in while the seeds germinate.

Originally posted here:
Spring Lawn seeding basics

Long term alfalfa productivity depends on successful stand establishment. Achieving a profitable stand of alfalfa is the result proper field selection utilizing proven production practices to ensure germination and establishment.

Field Selection

Establishment of alfalfa seed requires a well-drained soil for optimum production. Poor soil drainage can cause problems with soil crusting which may cause poor soil aeration, micronutrient toxicity, and ice damage during winter.

Soil Fertility

It is important to remember to take soil samples before planting to determine pH and nutrient status of the field. There are 18 nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients) essential for alfalfa growth. Some of the most important macronutrients include:

Planting Alfalfa

Failure to successfully establish alfalfa could be expensive causing issues with production soil erosion. Some considerations for planting alfalfa include: (1) seedbed preparation; (2) seeding dates; (3) seeding depth and rate; (4) whether or not to seed with a companion crop; (5) 100% alfalfa seedings vs. alfalfa-grass mixtures.

References:

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Considerations for spring seeded alfalfa

CALGARY - After decades of planning, three years of construction, and a $600 million price tag, the Calgary International Airports new 14,000-foot parallel runway will land its first flight on June 28.

CEO Garth Atkinson, speaking to reporters following the Calgary Airport Authoritys annual public meeting on Thursday, said the project is now in its final phases.

Weve got some grass seeding to do, some paving on the shoulders, there are some LED lights to go in, Atkinson said. This runway was planned over 40 years ago ... So to see it all come to pass through a lot of planning, a lot of design and construction, and so many efforts by so many people over the years is quite exciting.

The new runway will be the longest in Canada, capable of landing the largest aircraft in the world with fewer payload restrictions. Last year, NAV Canada opened a new $25 million air traffic control tower at the airport to give controllers a clear line of sight to the new runway. From ground to tip, the new tower measures more than 300 feet nearly twice the height of the old one.

Its possible the old air traffic control tower could be torn down soon, Atkinson said.

We were going to see if anyone wanted to lease it. But its a very particular building and it doesnt look like its necessarily suitable to lease, he said. If nothing comes along, it will likely be demolished ... If land development is moving along well, well probably take down the old tower either this year or next year.

The new runway is just one component of the major expansion going on at YYC. In October of next year, the airport plans to open a new international terminal with 22 new aircraft gates. There are 1,600 construction workers on the new terminal site each day, and Atkinson said that will ramp up to 1,800 next month.

Atkinson also spoke about the airports efforts to secure another direct flight to Asia, in particular China. Right now, Air Canadas Calgary-Tokyo flight is YYCs only direct link to the Asian continent.

We are focused like a laser beam on China, said Atkinson, adding YYC officials have been there several times in the last six months and are planning another trip there in the near future.

However, he said Beijings international airport is so busy that landing slots are limited. He added a Calgary flight wouldnt be economical unless it enabled passengers to make convenient connections to other Asian destinations.

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New runway to land first flight June 28