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

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STATEWIDE -- This year's winter brought a lot of snow. During a typical winter that snow would periodically melt, and give the grass a chance to air out. However, that didn't happen this year. Now, experts predict many lawns could suffer due to a disease called snow mold.

"The grass gets matted down and no air gets to it so it starts to rot, and when it starts to rot this mold develops, and it can spread through the yard and it's tough to get rid of," said Chuck Hafner, owner of Chuck Hafner's Farmers Market and Garden Center.

If you're a homeowner itching to dive back into yard work, the first thing you should do this year is rake your grass to air it out. If you notice any dead spots, experts suggest starting the seeding process as soon as possible.

"For grass seed to germinate there are some certain conditions, it has to be in contact with the soil, which you just make sure you rake the area up, you have to keep it moist, and it likes cooler weather, which usually around that 60 degrees to germinate," said Hafner.

If you reseed now, you'll be more successful than trying to do it in the summer when you'll need a sprinkler constantly running to keep the grass alive. This is also a good time to lay down crabgrass control, fertilizer, or mulch.

"It keeps the weeds down, if you go two to three inches it suffocates the weeds, won't allow the weeds to grow, it retains the moisture in the soil so if you have a dry summer then your shrubs will have more moisture and as it decomposes it releases nitrogen back into the ground, it's a good organic additive to the ground," said Hafner.

However, you'll want to avoid planting most kinds of flowers until at least the second week of May when any frosts should be over.

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Long winter means tough yard work ahead

EAGLE Allan Nottingham has been part of Eagle County aviation almost since, well ... before the beginning.

The Eagle County Aviation Association honored Nottingham for his time, his service and the laughs.

Allan has been buying fuel for getting annuals for ... I dont know how many years, Paul Gordon with the Vail Valley Jet Center.

Heres what we know about dates. In 1964, Nottingham bought a 1954 Cessna 180 and flew it all over our spiral arm of the universe. He owned it for 50 years. That plane taught four of his five children to fly.

The airport was built during World War II as a refueling station for cross country military flights. Nottingham remembers, as a kid, standing in the middle of the grass airstrip as planes landed. A B-24 might have crashed back then. Or not. It might have just landed, refueled and taken off again. Or it might still be a military secret. Allan just smiles.

Not long ago, he sold his hangar and plane. He watched that plane taxi onto the runway and fly away with its new owner, and legend has it that a tear might have come to his eye. Not true that was just excess awesomeness leaking out.

Flying tall tales

All kinds of stories fly around at an event like this, mostly about hilarious near-death experiences. But lets be clear: You dont get to live as long as Allan has if you fly reckless; hes a skilled and careful pilot. But once in a while, stuff just happens.

Steve Jones flew with him often. Its a matter of friendly contention whether Jones likes flying so much that he bought his own plane, or whether he was so scared he bought his own plane. Nottingham and Jones just smile when you ask them.

There was the time in the early 1960s when Allan had some 80 sheep stranded on Red and White Mountain after a series December snowstorms dumped about four feet of snow. Nottingham and Fred Collett were flying some hay to them two bales because thats all Nottinghams plane would hold. Collett sat in the back and kicking hay out to the sheep. Did we mention that to get the hay in and out, Allan had to take the door off the plane? That would explain why, when his foot slipped, Collett almost fell out.

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Eagle County aviators honor Allan Nottingham

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.

Change your habits: 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.

Change your yard: 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.

Change your dog: 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 coexist?

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Hampton University will install synthetic turf at Armstrong Stadium later this spring and the field will be ready well in advance of the 2014 football season.

"A huge deal," HU coach Connell Maynor said. He said a new, state-of-the-art turf field is a recruiting tool and will allow the team to practice outside in bad weather.

Poor conditions forced the Pirates indoors on several occasions last season, because both Armstrong Stadium and the practice field behind the stadium have natural grass surfaces.

"You can't expect a football team to go out and win a football game, not practicing outside and having to practice inside in the gym," Maynor said. "That's going to be huge for our football program and the direction we're trying to take it, where we won't miss a practice."

Installation will begin after graduation, May 11, and is expected to be complete by the end of June or early July, Maynor said. He said the cost of the project is approximately $800,000, but that the expense will be offset by savings from maintaining a natural grass field.

"You're talking about a turf (field) that's going to last you 10-15 years," he said. "You look at the cost of painting a grass field, seeding, watering, upkeep, maintenance, you're saving a ton of money by going with the turf."

Hampton U. officials selected AstroTurf's 3D Decade product, which comes with a 10-year warranty and is considered one of the industry's best and most durable surfaces. Old Dominion installed similar surfaces at S.B. Ballard Stadium and the football practice fields at the L.R. Hill Complex.

The present field at Armstrong Stadium will be excavated. Base construction and a drainage system will be installed before the artificial surface is laid down.

HU's home opener is Sept. 6 against William and Mary.

Fairbank can be reached by phone at 757-247-4637.

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Hampton University to install artificial turf at Armstrong Stadium