A hot, humid day couldnt stop Madison Boy Scout Blake Johnson from getting closer to his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

Johnson and 13 adult and Scout volunteers spent all day Saturday, Aug. 22, laying landscape rocks along the north side of the American Legion Post 534 in McFarland to prevent damage from the riding lawnmower striking the building. The crew also installed rocks around the perimeter of the flag pole and floodlight that shines upward toward the flag at night.

The American Legion Post 534 is located at 4911 Burma Road, across the street from McFarland High School.

Johnson, who will be a senior at Abundant Life High School, was responsible for planning, developing and leading the project. According to the Boy Scouts website, life skills developed by Eagle Scouts through these projects added to the skills learned through Scouting remain with them for life. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the organization.

Johnson said the area in front of the building had 28 hostas that were removed and replanted in nearby areas. The grass was removed with a sod cutter, plastic edging was installed, the dirt was graded, landscaping fabric was placed on the dirt and then the crews shoveled in the rocks.

The (wooden) siding was getting chipped up by the lawnmower, and it was running up against the building, Johnson said. They dont have to mow for weeds or pull weeds. It saves the American Legion a lot of work.

The project began after the legion posts chaplain, Dale Sankey, contacted Johnsons troop to see if he would be interested in doing some work around the building.

He mentioned putting a rock border around the building, and I didnt think that seemed so hard, Johnson said.

Most materials used to complete the project were donated by Slinde Trucking and Materials of Madison, McFarland True Value Hardware, Rienders Landscaping Supplies of Madison and Staples Office Supplies in Monona. Concrete Service Company of Stoughton provided the Bobcat.

Johnson, who has been a Scout for 11 years, said achieving Eagle Scout status signifies all the work he has put in as both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout.

After graduating from Abundant Life, Johnson said he may attend UW-Platteville and study to become a mechanical engineer.

McFarland High School sophomore Keegan Bell, one of the Boy Scout volunteers, said it was fun to help Johnson get closer to his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

We all participated in every job and helped out each other in every way, Bell said. It really helps out Blake, and it helps out the other kids with their service hours so they can advance in rank. Its a nice day and Blakes a nice guy. He deserves the Eagle.

Read more:
Scout earns Eagle status with landscaping project | McFarland Thistle - HNGnews.com

Leach said gardeners also should expect to add soil amendments, or elements to improve the soils texture or composition.

The misunderstanding that many new gardeners have is that once you fix your soil, its fixed, but organic matter is constantly shifting, and the hotter and wetter it is, the faster it will decompose and disappear, she said.

Gardeners can make their own soil amendments by starting a composting pile or buying a composting bin that can be turned often, or they can buy organic matter thats not treated with herbicide.

You can buy bagged compost and manure; [however] in manures, if the animal grazed in a pasture treated with herbicide, the manure may have residual herbicides for two years, Leach said. That can keep plants from germinating or can stunt plants. She added that the manure industry is aware of this problem and is trying to better source where the manures come from.

Tim Millard, a backyard gardener in Roanoke, has planted vegetable gardens for the past two years. He created his own composting bin by combining sawdust and grass clippings in a 95-gallon drum that he turns regularly.

It continues to break down so much that by July, I had a pile that was probably 100 cubic yards to put back into my garden, he said.

Millard warns that gardeners should be aware of their soil content before adding anything to it. He evaluated his soil by sending away for a testing kit that revealed he has sandy loam, which could take a little more silt.

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Extend your gardening season with cool-weather plants - Roanoke Times

Global Grass & Lawn Seed Market Report 2019 Market Size, Share, Price, Trend and Forecast is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Grass & Lawn Seed industry.

The report also covers segment data, including: type segment, industry segment, channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.

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For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Grass & Lawn Seed as well as some small players.

Segment by Type, the Grass & Lawn Seed market is segmented intoBluegrass SeedRyegrass SeedFescue Grass SeedBahia Grass SeedBermudagrass SeedBuffalograss Seed

Segment by Application, the Grass & Lawn Seed market is segmented intoLandscape TurfGolf TurfGardensOther

Regional and Country-level AnalysisThe Grass & Lawn Seed market is analysed and market size information is provided by regions (countries).The key regions covered in the Grass & Lawn Seed market report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. It also covers key regions (countries), viz, U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, etc.The report includes country-wise and region-wise market size for the period 2015-2026. It also includes market size and forecast by Type, and by Application segment in terms of sales and revenue for the period 2015-2026.Competitive Landscape and Grass & Lawn Seed Market Share AnalysisGrass & Lawn Seed market competitive landscape provides details and data information by players. The report offers comprehensive analysis and accurate statistics on revenue by the player for the period 2015-2020. It also offers detailed analysis supported by reliable statistics on revenue (global and regional level) by players for the period 2015-2020. Details included are company description, major business, company total revenue and the sales, revenue generated in Grass & Lawn Seed business, the date to enter into the Grass & Lawn Seed market, Grass & Lawn Seed product introduction, recent developments, etc.

The major vendors covered:Hancock SeedPennington SeedThe Scotts CompanyBarenbrug GroupTurf MerchantsGreen Velvet Sod FarmsBonideJonathan GreenPickseedPGG wrightson TurfNatures SeedAllied SeedNewsom Seed

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The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

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Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Grass & Lawn Seed , with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Grass & Lawn Seed in 2019 and 2015.

Chapter 3, the Grass & Lawn Seed competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Grass & Lawn Seed breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 10 and 11, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 12, Grass & Lawn Seed market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2025.

Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Grass & Lawn Seed sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

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Learn global specifications of the Grass & Lawn Seed Market - The Scarlet

Late-summer gardening needs your time and effort. Supplied

The tricky part of gardening is understanding how the seasons change and the demands for your attention change also.

This is late summer and here is what you need to know about late-summer gardening:

Lawn:Days are shorter, evening cooler. This is ideal for grass. The next five to six weeks is the best time of year to sow a new lawn or thicken an old one. The weather works in favour of seed germination and root development, which is also good for growing sod.

Prepare the area with three to five cm of lawn soil or triple mix. Broadcast quality grass seed over the area, rake it smooth and step on it to firm the seed into the soil. Water well. Keep it reasonably wet until germination, which should occur in 10 days to two weeks. Fertilize later this fall.

Veggies:Get weeds under control. A tomato plant does not enjoy competing with deeply rooted weeds for water, soil-borne nutrients and sunlight. No matter what food crop you grow, make sure the garden is as weed-free as possible.

Water. If we run into a prolonged dry spell, where less than two cm of rain falls in a week, water veggies deeply but infrequently. We never water more than once a week. Drying soil drives plant roots deeper, making them more drought-resistant. This is true for flowering perennials also. Avoid watering tomato plants now as the blight is lurking and will be promoted by wet foliage.

Herbs. Allow to dry more deeply than vegetables. Water only once every two weeks in a drought. Exception: basil. Water weekly.

Mulch. This is a good time of year to apply a layer of cedar bark mulch, clean straw or even several layers of newspaper to insulate the soil from weeds and the drying effects of the sun. Your mulch will break down over time, adding organic nutrients to the soil.

Harvest. Pick before the vegetables mature into seed-producing machines. Remember that a pea plant is not programmed to produce food for humans: it is programmed to produce seeds for reproduction. This is true for all plants, including tomatoes, peppers, and the like. Pick, eat and be healthy. And keep picking.

Perennials. Many of your flowering perennials have finished flowering. Cut the finished flower stem off now as many will bloom again later in the season. This works well for veronica, salvia and delphiniums. Many perennials will produce flowers in September through November. Plant garden mums, asters, hydrangeas, rose of Sharon, sedum, perennial hibiscus and even the native goldenrod now.

A special note on golden rod, which was considered a weed not long ago: Experts like Doug Tallamy, who wrote the book Natures Best Hope, tells us that goldenrod is one of the most successful perennial plants for attracting pollinators and insects that are favoured by foraging songbirds. The pollen, by the way, is sticky and therefore does not contribute to the airborne pollen that causes humans to sneeze.

Whether you know a lot or a little, the benefits of gardening are always huge and a bit more knowledge goes a long way.

Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster, tree advocate and a Member of the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of the University of Guelph and Dalhousie University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @markcullengardening, and on Facebook.

Original post:
The Cullens: What you need to know about late-summer gardening - The Beacon Herald

Larry Ukestad first set eyes on iconic Washington Field as a grade-schooler in the 1950s.

Having sisters who attended high school at Fargo Shanley, Ukestad can recall tagging along to Jamestown to watch their boyfriends battle the Blue Jays on their home turf next to the James River. Turf in which the future JHS football coach would recruit his players to help replace in 1973, part of a renovation project that utilized donated sod from an open field near Spiritwood Lake leading up the fields rededication in honor of JHS coaching legend Ernie Gates.

Gates and the Jays hosted state title games at Washington Field in both 1941 and 54 -- falling 6-2 to Minot in 41 and 20-7 to Shanley in 54. The Jays were again slated to host the states largest prep football game at their beloved field in 56 before cold November weather canceled the contest versus Fargo Central resulting in co-championship honors for both schools.

JHS and its storied coach first reigned supreme 1933, defeating Fargo 12-6 on the field at Moorhead State Teachers College.

Ernie, he would dress 90 kids, Ukestad said. I never thought they would ever quit coming out of that old shed.

I thought, My God, that is really something.

Ernie Gates Field, bearing its new name over the past 47 seasons and home to the Blue Jays since 1928, according to newspaper reports, is slated for retirement in 2021. JHS is scheduled to shift its home games to the University of Jamestown campus and Taylor Stadium next fall, the culmination of an $11 million joint capital project between the Jamestown Public School District and UJ to renovate the 86-year-old college stadium.

Its the end of an era, Ukestad said. But I think its definitely something that needed to be done for the community and I think itll work out.

Ukestad guided the Blue Jays to its first of exactly 100 victories -- and counting -- at Ernie Gates Field since the 1973 rededication: a 13-8 victory over Fargo South on Sept. 21, 1973.

Jamestowns Doug Hogan took the handoff from Kim Stiefel on a reverse punt return, received a key block from Mike Fisher, and scampered 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the second half.

Ukestad, who coached the Jays from 1970-79, said his players mostly make up his memories of Gates Field, like when Paul Monson, Dean Richardson and Miles Pederson turned into the offensive stars hosting South again on Sept. 16, 1977.

After putting up just 68 yards of offense in a scoreless first half, JHS offensive coordinator Joe Kroeber reportedly delivered a fiery speech in the old shed locker room -- mostly referred to as The Shack -- located at the southeast corner of the field. Jamestown surprised the Bruins, rolling to a 14-0 win with Pederson scoring on the ground from 25 yards in the third quarter and quarterback Monson finding Richardson for a score through the air in the fourth.

The kids are the memory I have, said Ukestad, who in 71 led the Jays to an 8-1 record and a share of the East Region title with future NFL player Doug Beaudoin in uniform. Some were great athletes, but they were all good kids and you always want that.

Former JHS head football coach Larry Ukestad is photographed at Ernie Gates Field on Aug. 10, 2020. John M. Steiner / The Sun

Gates Field would witness a harrowing 8-7 victory over Fargo Shanley in the snow with JHS coach Dudley Butts at the helm on Oct. 23, 1980. Tim Jakowskis successful two-point conversion pass to Mark Goehner in the fourth quarter made the difference, and in 1984 Blue Jay quarterback Jim Roaldson led a 12-6 homecoming victory over Wahpeton by completing a pair of first-half touchdown passes.

Jamestown went 4-1 at home in 80, its best record in the Gates Field era up until new head coach Bill Nold and the Jays duplicated the feat in 1986, part of Jamestowns first winning season since 77 at 5-4 overall.

Jamestown ended Nolds first year as head coach at Gates, defeating West Fargo 16-14 on Oct. 24.

I never heard anyone say it wasnt a great place to watch a game, Nold said. Gates Field is unique in that theres not a track around it. The grandstands are right on top of the field and thats good and bad.

A senior running back for Wahpeton in 72, Nold was reminded early of Gates -- then Washingtons -- close fans and intimate sidelines. On Oct. 27 of that year, the future Jamestown Jimmie rolled up more than 250 total yards while intercepting a pass defensively and accounting for five touchdowns in coach Ray Kuklenskis power sweep offense, as Wahpeton defeated Jamestown 43-14.

But there was another part to Nolds big day.

They used to have tin yard markers attached to the bleachers and I can remember smashing into one of those, said Nold, whose Wahpeton team also ended Jamestowns 71 season with its only loss to split the conference crown. There wasnt a lot of room on the sidelines but it was great for the spectators. There were times when you couldnt hear yourself think between the students being loud and the adult fans.

Itll be something else not to have it there anymore.

Nold essentially oversaw the golden years at Gates Field. From 1990-94, Nolds teams played to an impressive 21-5 record at home, including a 5-1 playoff mark and a perfect 6-0 homestand in 1991.

JHS' Casey Carr (86), Jon Sjomstrom (62), Tim Fletcher (42) and Sean Fredricks (44) surround a Red River ball-carrier during the Jays' 21-0 Class A state semifinal playoff win over the Roughriders at Ernie Gates Field on Nov. 5, 1991. Sun File Photo

Arguably one of the biggest games held at Gates since the 54 title game was the 91 Class A state semifinal played between Jamestown and Grand Forks Red River. In the snow and ice on Nov. 5, the Blue Jays won 21-0 with Sean Fredricks and Tim Fletcher combining for 108 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Cornerback Darin Erstad also recovered an early Red River fumble.

One of my biggest memories was just how doggone cold it was, and I kinda chuckled because Red River was on the east side where the visitors still stand, said Nold, whose Jays ultimately fell to Bismarck St. Marys 21-7 in the state championship game Nov. 9 on a muddy Hughes Field in Bismarck. I remember the northwest breeze in their face the whole game and their big fullback (Mark Murdock) slipping and falling multiple times trying to take handoffs.

The old frozen field was a good thing that year.

The spectrum flipped to hot in 94, the year Jamestown kicked off the postseason on fire -- literally.

Apparently touched off by a crockpot used for melting mouthguards, the current Ernie Gates locker room built in the early 80s to replace The Shack sustained serious damage on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 28, ruining player equipment and delaying that afternoons state playoff quarterfinal between Jamestown and Mandan to Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Former JHS football coach Bill Nold holds burned equipment following the locker room fire at Ernie Gates Field on Oct. 28, 1994. Sun File Photo

Wearing the orange helmets of Jamestown College, the Blue Jays defeated the Braves 14-0 at Ernie Gates before falling to Bismarck St. Marys in the Class A title tilt at the Fargodome later that month.

We were scrambling to find anything that wasnt smoked out, Nold said. Fortunately back in those days, the kids would always take their game stuff home. So game uniforms -- jerseys and pants -- were OK. Everything else was not usable anymore.

Nold, like Ukestad later served as JHS principal, sees the benefit of a shared facility with the local university. After all, the Blue Jays and the Jimmies could be found sharing Washington Field prior to the 1934 construction of Taylor Stadium.

On Nov. 3, 1933 -- the same year JHS won its first state championship -- the main sports headline in the Jamestown Sun read: Cassells Jimmies Down Valley City 42 To 0.

That drubbing of the Vikings occurred at what is now called Ernie Gates Field.

Having a beautiful game field is great, and weve had that in Jamestown at the high school and the university for as long as Ive been around, said Nold, who in 1978 graduated from then Jamestown College. But we spend a day on that game field every week, or every two weeks when were playing on the road.

The thing that I really look at is to make sure we can upgrade and do a good job with our practice facilities. Thats an important consideration for the athletes and their athletic health.

Three more head coaches -- Bill Cahill, Tim Fletcher and current coach Bill Nelson -- and two more Gates Field playoff wins have followed Nold and the 94 Blue Jays.

Cahill directed the Jays past Bismarck 15-14 in the opening round of the Class AAA state playoffs here in 1999. Darin Gerlach churned out 149 yards and two scores on 13 carries in the game, breaking off a 78-yard scoring run in the third quarter, as Jamestown erased a 14-0 deficit at the half.

Nelson, entering his sixth season as coach, and the Blue Jays blanked Devils Lake 20-0 at Gates Field in the state AA quarterfinals on Oct. 27, 2018. Current University of Jamestown freshman Jeremy Williams faked a reverse on the opening kick, took the play 90 yards to the house and the Jays never looked back.

Jamestowns Jeremy Williams (10) returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown behind teammate Aaron Mack (47) in the Class AA state quarterfinal playoffs held at Ernie Gates Field on Oct. 27, 2018. The Jays defeated Devils Lake 20-0. Sun File Photo

All told, Jamestown is 100-118 overall and 7-4 in the playoffs at home since Washington Field became Ernie Gates Field 47 years ago. Nelson has directed 10 of those wins and said saying goodbye will be difficult.

Jamestowns final home game is scheduled for Oct. 15 against Bismarck High.

Getting emotional thinking about it, Nelson said Aug. 11 inside the locker room at Ernie Gates. A lot of people -- a lot of blue and white -- have walked in and out of that door.

Nelsons favorite memory of the historic field to date helped lighten the mood.

Having first latched on as a volunteer assistant under Cahill 18 years ago, Nelson wound up in charge of videotaping games early in his coaching career. The date was Oct. 11, 2002, the Jays were hosting Minot in a driving rainstorm with local broadcaster Mark McKenzie and former coach Nold calling the game on the radio from the press box.

Im right over their shoulders and I can hear them talking. Coach Nold, do you smell something burning? Nelson recalled. They had a space heater down below and of course Im in shorts. Coach Nelson, your legs are on fire!

Here that thing was singing the hair off my legs and I was so into the game I had no idea it was even happening.

JHS head football coach Bill Nelson is photographed at Ernie Gates Field on Aug. 10, 2020. John M. Steiner / The Sun

Jamestowns Casey Conway and Nick Tews combined to rush for 203 yards out of the split-back veer in a 24-14 victory over the Magicians, whod later fall to West Fargo in the Class AAA state title game. Jamestown has only defeated Minot twice since 1998.

You remember the kids, said Nelson, echoing Ukestad. I can name almost every senior that year. You dont forget the names and the faces, and now weve got kids coming back and theyre rising families.

Jamestown Public Schools has committed $2 million to the Taylor Stadium renovation project, which also includes the construction of a turf practice field and locker rooms at the high school.

Nold said he had always envisioned a JHS football stadium at the current high school, which was opened in 2004. But in 2018 a proposed $34.4 million Jamestown Public Schools referendum that wouldve included $7.5 million for a new athletic complex failed with voters.

The Taylor Stadium rebuild, which will include adding lights and replacing its existing grass field with turf, is scheduled to begin this fall in preparation for the 2021 season. Jamestown and Fargo Davies are the only Class AAA schools still playing on grass football fields.

We need a turf field in this town, but we werent gonna get it without going together with somebody at Jamestown College, Ukestad said.

But Gates Field will certainly never be forgotten.

Jamestown's Grant Geiszler runs the ball wearing a Jamestown College orange helmet at Ernie Gates Field on Nov. 1, 1994. The Jays defeated Mandan 14-0 in the Class A state quarterfinal playoffs. Sun File Photo

It took me awhile to figure it out, but this is a special place, Nelson said. We did a lot of things to make this place home. Were still gonna have our own locker room when we go play at Taylor Stadium, and thats going to be a whole new special thing because were probably going to be the first team to play under the lights over there.

Coach Ernie Gates retired in 1965 and passed away at age 74 in February of 78. His obituary in the Bismarck Tribune credited him as having won three state championships with the Blue Jays when four can be argued.

After running the table and defeating Fargo in 33, Jamestown again went unbeaten in 37 and tied Fargo 6-6 on the road in the final contest of the season. Prior to the cancellation of the 56 title game in Jamestown, the 45 season came down to Jamestown and Williston in the West and Grand Forks and Fargo in the East when winter forced the seasons closure.

Nobody can say how the 56 title game wouldve actually ended had it took place at Washington Field. But its easy to imagine how it wouldve looked.

The crisp November air, fans packed snug to the sidelines, and 90 of Gates blue and white running out onto the field.

Its gonna be missed, man, Nelson said. All good things must come to an end, but theres always bright, new beginnings.

JHS' Page Klostreich (32) fights for yards behind a Paul Kaiser (40) block during the Jays' 16-14 victory over West Fargo at Ernie Gates Field to close the 1986 season. It was Jamestown's first winning season (5-4) since 1977 and was directed by first-year head coach Bill Nold. Sun File Photo

View original post here:
FLY'N THE NEST: Thrilling wins, bitter defeats and a fire, Ernie Gates served Blue Jays well - Jamestown Sun

Q: Creeping Charlie is taking over the land from our backyard down to a pond. What is the best way to get rid of it? I am hoping not to use anything that would run into the pond and be bad for the wildlife. Thank you!

A: Creeping Charlie flourishes in areas that grass does not. Unless you change the environment, it will continue to out-compete grass and come right back with a vengeance. The problem is usually that it is too shady, or the ground is wet or compacted. It may also be a combination of these problems.

You could dig out the creeping Charlie by hand, but that is not very practical with the quantity you have.

You could spray the entire area with Rodeo, which is glyphosate (the same ingredient in Roundup) but does not hurt water life, and kill all of the vegetation, both weeds and grass. You then would have to change the water flow down the hill, maybe with a French drain, so it does not saturate the area you want grass. You would have to somehow core aerate to help with compressed soil. This would not be easy on a steep hill. Then you would have to re-seed or sod.

If it were me, I would learn to like creeping Charlie. It has a bad reputation because we have been convinced by advertising that we need a homogenous lawn, but it is actually not a bad plant. It is low maintenance and does not need mowing or fertilizing. It also provides some nectar to pollinators though not much pollen, which pollinators also need.

Or if you felt really ambitious, you might consider replacing the lawn with something more suitable to the habitat. Lawns, as you point out, can cause chemicals to run off into the water. Replacing turf grass with native plants can help prevent erosion, reduce algal blooms and attract wildlife. There are lots of suggestions here for attractive shoreline plantings: dnr.state.mn.us/lakescaping/index.html.

Written by U of M Extension Master Gardeners in St. Louis County. Send questions to features@duluthnews.com.

Read the original here:
Ask a Master Gardener: In the battle with creeping Charlie, sometimes the best answer is to give up - Duluth News Tribune

Bernd Leinauer, Southwest Yard and Garden Published 2:21 a.m. MT Aug. 9, 2020

Manifold made from a flexible 0.75-inch diameter pipe follows the contours of the turfgrass area. Drip lines are connected to header line using a PVC tee and an adapter.(Photo: New Mexico State University)

This week, the question comes from yours truly (i.e., Dr. Marisa Thompson, regular writer of this column). Ive heard about subsurface drip as an improved way to irrigate turfgrass, so I invited NMSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist Dr. Bernd Leinauer to bring us up to speed. See photos of subsurface irrigation athttps://nmsudesertblooms.blogspot.com/2020/08/subsurface-drip-irrigation-for-new.html

Despite their proven inefficiencies, pop-up sprinklers are still the most common systems for irrigating lawns or other turf areas. Sprinkler overspray, overlap, wind driftand evaporation losses all contribute to water losses that increase overall water consumption and/or decrease plant quality. An alternative to sprinklers is subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). Drip irrigation systems have been frequently used to irrigate trees, shrubs, flower bedsor vegetables, but theyve received little acceptance for turfgrass irrigation. They offer a solution for lawns that are difficult to irrigate, such as narrow strips, slopes, or unusual, irregular-shaped areas, which is the case for many residential lawns.

SDI systems irrigate either from a point (equally spaced emitters) or a line source (e.g., soaker hoses) using polyethylene pipes buried at shallow depths. SDIs benefits have been extensively studied in agriculture, but SDI has received very little acceptance or attention for turf irrigation, despite strong evidence of its water savings.

Advantages of SDI compared to sprinklers include energy savings due to a lower operating pressure, no human exposure to irrigation water, reduced plant disease pressure, and water savings. Water savings of 50% to 90% have been reported when turf was irrigated using SDI. With SDI, water is applied directly in the rootzone only to the area requiring water. Savings result from improved distribution uniformity (no sprinkler overlap), no water loss due to wind drift, and no evaporation losses during irrigation. Another advantage is that turf areas can be used during irrigation, which is important for golf courses or athletic fields.

Arguments against SDI include higher installation costs and difficulty in determining spacing and depth of pipes or emitters. Other arguments against SDI are based on inaccurate assumptions, including a perceived inability to establish SDI irrigated turf from seed or sod, a perceived interference with regular maintenance, and a perceived inability of SDI irrigated rootzones to leach salts.

Potential additional costs of SDI depend on a number of issues, and therefore will vary from substantially more to less than sprinkler systems. Costs for material and installation (labor) depend on the soil type, sizeand shape of the irrigated area. Areas that require many connections to the header lines can be significantly more expensive than a sprinkler system for the same area. However, SDI systems used on areas that require only a few connections to header lines (e.g., long and relatively narrow areas of turf) can be less expensive than sprinklers

Research has shown that SDI-irrigated turf can be fertilized with granular fertilizer without any loss in color or quality. If sufficient soil water is present, nutrients from the granule will become plant-available regardless of whether water is applied from the surface or subsurface. However, most large turf areas with an SDI system have an injection system and apply liquid fertilizer. Home lawns can also be fertilized with a hose-end sprayer (foliar/liquid fertilization tool). If granular pesticide applications require watering-in from the surface, either hand watering or a temporary surface irrigation system may have to be used. Core aeration can be applied if the drip lines are installed below the penetration depth of the core aerator. Deep tine aeration cannot be conducted on SDI-irrigated turf.

We have no published data available on the longevity of SDI systems. We recommend that all SDI systems be installed with filters (disk, screen, or sand) and flush valves to prevent clogging from sediments/particles. Potential root intrusion can be addressed by using products (e.g., Toro DL2000, Netafim TECHLINE HCVXR, or Rainbird XFS) that offer technology that protects the emitter from root intrusion. Our oldest SDI system was installed in 2003 and is still working fine.

SDI systems in lawns should be installed 3 to 6 inches below the surface. It is easiest to install if the pipe network can be placed directly on the ground and subsequently covered with soil up to the appropriate depth. However, an SDI system can also be trenched into soil that is already in placeor trenched into an existing lawn

The drip line depth and emitter spacing depend on the type of soil, type of grass, and whetherthere is a slope. Our general recommendation is to place emitters and drip lines 1 foot apart, particularly in sandy soils. However, for finer-textured soil, such as silt or clay, emitters can be spaced up to 18 inches apart. On slopes, lines should be placed closer together at the top but farther apart at the bottom to account for internal downhill water flow. If SDI is used close to driveways, walkways, or other hardscape, place emitters no more than 6 inches away from these surfaces to avoid dry soil along that border.

Drip lines are usually connected to header lines, also called manifolds. Commonly used SDI lines are 0.5 inches in diameter, but manifolds should be larger and can be anywhere from 0.75 to 2 inches, depending on the length of each drip line and the lawns size. Larger manifolds should be used on each end of the drip line and allow for sufficient water supply at the appropriate pressure to each drip emitter. If areas are small and drip lines are relatively short, manifolds can be made of drip line.

For more gardening information, including decades of archived Southwest Yard & Garden columns, visit the NMSU Extension Horticulture page (http://desertblooms.nmsu.edu/), follow us on social media (@NMDesertBlooms), or contact your County Extension office (https://aces.nmsu.edu/county).

Guest author Dr. Bernd Leinauer (NMSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist, @NuMex_Turf) is based in Las Cruces and performs research in turfgrass water conservation. Regular author Dr. Marisa Thompson (NMSU Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist) is based at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas.

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Considering subsurface drip irrigation? Here's what you need to know. - Las Cruces Sun-News

Decades of racist transportation policy have saturated non-white neighborhoods in heat-absorbing asphalt and shortchanged residents of those communities of greenspaces that might absorb all that heat resulting in parks that are half the size as those in majority-white communities, a new study finds.

Parks that serve majority non-white populations are, on average, half as large 45 acres compared to 87 acres, according to an analysis of 14,000 cities conducted by the Trust for Public Land.

Communities with a majority of low-income households fared even worse: their collective park space was just 25 acres in the average urban area, compared to 101 acres in richer areas.

Those discrepancies have particularly dire implications during the ongoing pandemic, when many free indoor spaces remain shuttered and residents are turning to often scarce parkland for socially-distanced recreation.

The researchers found that small parks were more likely to be located in areas with unusually high population densities and a majority of poor, non-white residents. Green spaces that serve people of color are typically five times more crowded than their white-serving counterparts, and parks that serve poor residents are four times as crowded as rich ones.

But of course, avoiding catching coronavirus at your favorite pocket park on a busy day isnt the only health risk posed by insufficient greenspace (and over-abundant asphalt) in our cities. Thats because trees can play an outsized role in regulating the temperatures of our cities overall just as extra-wide, car-focused roads can play an outsized role in heating cities up to dangerous levels.

In addition to providing shade, trees act as natural air conditioners unto themselves through the process of evapotranspiration, channeling water from the ground and releasing it through the surface of their leaves, cooling the surrounding air by up to nine degrees. And a high density of trees, such as a well-planned park, can have a stunning, neighborhood-wide cooling effect: the Trust for Public Land researchers found that the ambient temperatures around homes located within a 10 minute walk of a park were as much six degrees cooler than areas located beyond that range.

People who live in concrete jungles built around the automobile, by contrast, dont get to enjoy all that free, natural cooling and as a result, they suffer a host of health outcomes whether or not they ever step foot on our deadly, car-clogged roads.

More than 65,000 people every year are admitted to an American emergency room for conditions like heat stroke and heat exhaustion, which can impede circulation and interfere with brain, lung, and kidney function, often to fatal effect. Excessive temperatures contribute to the deaths of an average of 5,600 people each year in the U.S. a number thats just barely lower than the average 6,000 pedestrians who are killed by drivers each year. And 81 percent of those deaths happened in urban areas, largely among people who were simplyexistingin an over-paved city environment, rather than among rural people, for instance, who were laboring in a field on a hot day.

Even worse, modern conveniences that could theoretically cut the death toll, like air conditioning, come at a financial cost that the many residents of the hottest and most heavily-paved environments simply cant afford. Researchers have found that the phenomenon of energy poverty is already approaching epidemic levels in many nations, and that poor residents who adopt air conditioning see their electricity costs skyrocket an average of 35 to 42 percent.

Of course, many poor (and predominantly non-white) Americans simply have no choice but to skip the window unit and try to live with the heat even if it literally kills them.

In California, for instance, emergency-room visits for heat-related illnesses jumped 35 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the increases were steeper for certain groups, the researchers noted. Hospital visits increased an average of 67 percent for Black Californians and 63 percent for Latinos; among White Californians, however, they rose only 27 percent. Urban heat islands and lack of access to air-conditioning are frequently cited as factors.

So how can we expand access to life-saving green space for non-white neighborhoods without displacing the residents in the process?

The authors of the Trust for Public Land stress that its crucial to learn from the racist legacies of projects like New Yorks Central Park (and more recent examples) and work with communities to build the kind of green spaces they want most.

This is why a lot of us emphasize the issue of representation, said Carolyn Finney, author of Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors. Its not that people of color dont care about their parks. Sometimes, its that no one has ever asked them what they think. Cities need to make space for their voices.

As cities undergo the long-term collaborative process of reclaiming car-focused space to build large parks in BIPOC communities, there are still ways to cool things down in the short term. Planting trees in vacant, city-owned lots, repurposing parking spots with sod and planters, and even putting a micro-forest on a flatbed truck are all innovative options. And of course: dont forget humble street trees, which have the added benefit of calming car traffic and providing a natural barrier for pedestrians when theyre planted on grass verges between sidewalks and roadways.

There is no excuse for ending the disparity in quality green space access between white and non-white communities. And as we continue to brainstorm green stimulus ideas to save our planet from climate change while getting Americans back to work, theres no better time than now.

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Study: Parks in Non-White Neighborhoods Are Half As Large and 5x As Crowded - Streetsblog New York

Q: I have trouble growing alliums in Atlanta. If they come up, then they dont come back the next year. Am I planting the wrong varieties ? Lynda Houser, email

A: As easily as wild onion, Allium canadense, grows in lawns, youd imagine that any member of this genus would grow well in Georgia. I have planted several species and varieties of ornamental onion over the years, but most did not succeed. The one I had the most hope for, Allium christophii, did great, with huge blooms, for a couple of years and then petered out. My friend Erica Glasener says she has had the best success with Millenium ornamental allium.

Q: Our blueberry bushes are 10 years old. This year, a good many of the green berries are falling off if you lightly touch them while picking the ripe ones. Any ideas? Nora Singley, McDonough

A: The most common cause of premature berry drop is poor pollination. Try to remember whether you had heavy rains during blueberry bloom time. Rain could have inhibited insect pollinators and might have damaged individual flowers. Without pollination, young berries dont mature.

Q: When do we trim blackberry bushes that have finished bearing? Ours have several really tall green canes. They are so heavy they are leaning over. Carol Brown, Twiggs County

A: You should prune blackberries a few weeks after harvest. This will give you enough time to note the new canes that emerge to replace the canes that fruited. Canes that had fruit will not bear again, and can be cut back to the ground. The replacement canes can be shortened as needed to fit your trellis. I recommend you cut your tall canes back to a reasonable picking height so they can grow side shoots during the summer.

Q: Can a rainbow eucalyptus tree survive in South Georgia? I love the tree. Kathy Sistrunk, Albany

A: The amazing multicolored bark of this tree, Eucalyptus deglupta, is certainly eye-catching! The weather may be hot in southern Georgia, but this eucalyptus likes it even hotter. Miami and farther south are good places to grow it. If you are interested in eucalyptus trees that are more cold hardy, check out Southern Eucs (southerneucs.com).

Q: I tested my pH with an inexpensive tester, and it looks to be between 7 and 8. What type of grass sod would do well in this pH? I get mostly sun and partial shade in a corner. Scott Ellsworth, email

A: The pH test kits you buy from garden centers are not very accurate. I doubt it says on the package what the accuracy range is, but I bet it would be plus or minus 1 point. In other words, the pH really could be anywhere between 6.5 and 8.5. Most grasses grow fine in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. I dont think you need to worry about your pH. In mixed sunshine and light shade, zoysia grass does very well.

Listen to Walter Reeves segments at 6:35 a.m. on Green and Growing with Ashley Frasca Saturday mornings on 95.5 WSB. Visit his website, http://www.walterreeves.com, follow him on Twitter @walterreeves, on Pinterest, or join his Facebook Fan Page at bit.ly/georgiagardener for more garden tips.

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Ornamental onion is not easy to grow here - Atlanta Journal Constitution

The NFL has made some sweeping decisions as they return to facilities amidst the coronavirus pandemic. One of those has been forcing all 32 teams to stay at their home facilities for training camp. Another will be specific dates when teams are permitted to report to camp.

Either way, the Steelers won't be making their yearly trek to Latrobe and Saint Vincent College, instead taking their training camp to Heinz Field. During a recent virtual press conference Mike Tomlin spoke about his overall comfort level with staying at Heinz Field, and concerns he has with the situation.

"We have additional space than the 100 yards." Tomlin said about only having one field at his disposal. "There is perimeter space that we also have to use. From time to time, we work on a one-field structured format. Whether we are working at the indoor or working at Heinz Field. We have had several practices at Heinz Field."

Having the 100 yards, and then some, at Heinz Field for the team to utilize might be fine, but it doesn't mean Tomlin doesn't have some hesitation about the situation.

"My only concern about the utilization at Heinz Field is not space, it is about the wear and tear of the field. Our intentions are right now -- on a regular scheduled basis to be determined -- that we will get on buses and come to the South Side and utilize our grass fields here from time to time in an effort to help preserve those fields. But that schedule is yet to be determined. But those are the only concerns about Heinz field as a venue regarding the field surface."

Heinz Field certainly has had its share of criticism over the years. Whether it was the mud bowl on Monday Night Football vs. the Dolphins in 2007, or a myriad of moments when the chunks of sod coming off the turf would resemble a golfer's divot more than a player trying to make a cut on a professional playing surface.

The Steelers switched to a natural grass surface a few years ago, compared to the hybrid grass they formerly used, which allows them to re-sod the field as necessary. Plans are already in place to have the field replaced as many as three times in 2020.

Tomlin's biggest issue with the set up the NFL is ready to roll out is how much time he will have to prepare his team for an actual football game.

"Im not comfortable, but I imagine none of my peers are comfortable either, so Im comfortable with that." Tomlin said. "Physical conditioning is going to be a significant element of this process. Its going to define their journey and ours collectively. Those that are communal conditioners are working at a disadvantage in this 2020 environment. Those that are new to professional football and whats really physically required of them through the evaluation process are working at a distinct advantage.

"We talk openly about that elephant in the room. It doesnt lessen the anxiety. Man, we better have a group of guys that come ready to work from a physical conditioning standpoint, and if we do, we will be able to navigate the other challenges. If we dont, all the other challenges are going to be magnified. That is a true statement for us and the other 31 [teams] as well."

Members of the Steelers have been taking Tomlin's words to heart and have been putting in a great deal of work this offseason, and putting it on their social media platforms. However, Tomlin is absolutely correct when he talks about all teams having the same inconveniences. All teams will be staying at their facilities, and all will have the same amount of time to prepare for the 2020 regular season.

Uniformity is something commissioner Roger Goodell has preached since the league decided to hold the NFL Draft as scheduled. No one would be able to return to facilities until all 32 teams will be able to return. This policy remains true, and the league is expected to provide dates for players returning for training camps in the coming weeks.

As more updates are released you can expect to see them right here at DKPittsburghSports.com.

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Mike Tomlin is comfortable at Heinz Field, but not with time to prepare the Steelers - DKPittsburghSports.com