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

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    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

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

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    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.

    More Southwest Yard and Garden:

    Read or Share this story: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/life/sunlife/2020/08/09/subsurface-drip-irrigation-option-new-mexico-turf/3314921001/

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

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

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    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.

    See the original post here:
    Study: Parks in Non-White Neighborhoods Are Half As Large and 5x As Crowded - Streetsblog New York

    An Open Letter to the School Communities in Westchester and Putnam Counties from the Leadership of Teacher and Staff Unions – HamletHub

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    We feel compelled to write to you in a shared voice, as there are universal elements to our concerns about re-entry into the schools this September. It is important to note that this is a discussion about re-entry, not re-opening. The education of children has always been our top concern. One truth that cannot be ignored as a necessary precursor to any successful model of instruction is a safe learning space. Though we will open this September for instruction, the only question is the modality of that instruction.

    All districts in New York were required to create a re-entry plan that addressed three options: full virtual, hybrid, and full in-person instruction. The hybrid model is the most popular one for re-entry this September, but it poses significant risks. The hybrid model requirement gained traction in the state early on, but unfortunately, most of what we have recently learned about COVID-19 and children calls the safety of this model into question. These risks are not a reflection of inadequate efforts by any district or administrative team in protecting the children and staff in their schools. Rather, they are inherent inadequacies when a system designed around instructing students is tasked with creating learning environments that will protect children and teachers during a viral pandemic. Additionally, there has been a failure in state and federal governments to ensure that adequate testing, PPE, and HVAC filtration systems are readily available. The requirements for the district plans were provided by the Governors office and the State Education Department in the middle of July and they were to be completed by July 31. The Governor even added new testing and contact tracing requirements in the first week of August.

    To create truly safe re-entry plans, districts would require more time, direction, and resources. It is telling that neither the state nor federal governments have provided additional resources to help ensure a safe re-entry; districts have been on their own.

    Educators approach every task with a can do attitude. Throughout the months of July and August, teams in each district leaned in and got the job done. The plans were made and it is truly impressive work. The problem, however, is that they are plans to meet government requirements for safety; they are not necessarily plans to make the schools as safe as they can be. The limits of these plans hit close to home this summer when the Greenburgh-North Castle school experienced an outbreak of COVID-19, despite meeting or exceeding all Department of Health guidelines and having a very small student population. As anyone with any experience planning school events can attest, even the best plans on paper never match what happens once actual students are brought in. Every plan assumes a well-behaved student body that will follow all directives and maintain masks and social distancing, even during hall passing. Plans assume we will be able to hire enough leave replacements, substitutes, and monitors to supervise students in the next three weeks. This will not occur. When schools reopen with the potential of being understaffed, it will make an already unsafe situation even worse.

    In every survey conducted about re-entry, the most important condition people require is that the schools be safe. The phrase Maslow before Bloom is never more applicable than the current situation. It is irrational to expect students will be able to learn in any reasonable manner when their teachers and administrators are constantly conveying the need for vigilance in mask- wearing and social distancing. The constant need for vigilance cannot help but be internalized as fear and anxiety. At best, schools will be more similar to a well-meaning prison than an actual rich learning environment where thoughts can be shared and joy can be expressed.

    Before we can return to schools, we must be sure that every reasonable precaution has been met in order for schools to be safe. The goal cannot be to just mitigate risk, but to create the safest possible learning environment. Many of these requirements go well beyond the capability of an individual school district and require action at the state or federal level. We may feel powerless to secure what is necessary; that, however, does not change the reality of its necessity.

    To ensure that in-person instruction begins safely, every school district should be putting into place the following measures that create the highest health and safety standards for our students, teachers, and staff:

    1. All building-wide HVAC systems must be upgraded to a minimum of MERV-13 filtration, and if existing systems cannot be upgraded, portable units with HEPA filtration must be available for all indoor spaces.2. There must be uniform standards for COVID testing that help monitor asymptomatic spread. COVID testing must provide accurate and reliable results within 24 hours in order to monitor asymptomatic spread. The current wait time can be as high as 12 days, which is not adequate to help prevent the spread of COVID by asymptomatic individuals infected with COVID in our schools.3. Supply lines for PPE must be prioritized to deliver all necessary PPE to schools in a timely fashion. All schools must have an adequate supply of PPE at all times, including enhanced PPE for students and employees who require it.4. School districts must be able to guarantee that there is sufficient staff to supervise students and provide instruction, even as individual staff members are absent for illness or quarantine, child-care, or personal leaves.5. There must be a 100% virtual option for teachers and students who are medically compromised.6. Plans should require a minimum 14-day shutdown once closed for COVID-19 issues.

    Last year was the most challenging instructional year any teacher experienced. There is no teacher who looks forward to beginning the year using remote instruction. Everything about teaching virtually is more complicated. For educators, their classroom is their space. It is where they conjure childrens dreams and give them the tools to fulfill them. Computers are sterile imposters that rob the experience of the richness of our relationships with our students. Educators and students need to not only feel safe but must actuallybe safein their working and learning environments. Districts and governments need to strive to meet these expectations. There is too much at stake to fall short of the safest possible model.

    Additional Resources

    Hybrid Model Risks:https://www.wired.com/story/hybrid-schooling-is-the-most-dangerous-option-of-all/

    Testing:https://covidstates.net/COVID19%20CONSORTIUM%20REPORT%208%20TEST%20JULY%202020.pdf

    New Information on Children and COVID-19:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-scientists-know-about-how-children-spread-covid-19-180975396/

    https://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/2020/08/12/westchester-doctor-school-chronic-illness/3331348001/

    https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/12/health/covid-kids-school-gupta-essay/index.html

    https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2020/07/29/greenburgh-north-castle-summer-school-coronavirus/5530181002/

    Co-signing PresidentsMichael Lillis, Lakeland Federation of TeachersNate Morgan, Hastings Teachers AssociationVanessa Vaccaro, Ossining Teachers AssociationTom McMahon, Mahopac Teachers AssociationJennifer Maldonado, Hendrick Hudson Education AssociationElisa Rosen, Hendrick Hudson Education AssociationDavid Wixted Scarsdale Teachers AssociationAnthony Nicodemo, Greenburgh North Castle United TeachersMary Claire Breslin, New Rochelle Federation of United School EmployeesSamantha Rosado-Ciriello, Yonkers Federation of TeachersBrenda OShea, Somers Faculty AssociationAndrea McCue, Haldane Faculty AssociationJames Groven, Irvington Faculty AssociationJudith A. Kelly, Teachers Association of the TarrytownsChris Tyler, Harrison Association of TeachersJeanne Whelan, Tuckahoe Teachers AssociationRoseanna Cutietta, Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Federation of TeachersRick Tivnan, Brewster Teachers AssociationCarene Domato, Mt. Vernon Federation of TeachersMelissa Barreto, BOCES Teachers AssociationJeff Yonkers, NYSUT ED 16 DirectorSean Kennedy, Yorktown Congress of TeachersLisa Jackson, Carmel Teachers AssociationJanet Knight, Mamaroneck Teachers AssociationJos Fernandez, Peekskill Faculty AssociationAmy Geiger, Katonah-Lewisboro District Teachers AssociationKathleen Fox, Edgemont Teachers AssociationMiriam Longobardi, Chappaqua Congress of TeachersJennifer Cole, Greenburgh Eleven Federation of TeachersClare Delongchamp Eastchester Teachers Association

    Read more:
    An Open Letter to the School Communities in Westchester and Putnam Counties from the Leadership of Teacher and Staff Unions - HamletHub

    Heres how to create a lush landscape without excessive water usage – KTAR.com

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    (Shuttershock Photo)

    The largest use of potable water in Arizona is for landscaping and as much as 70% of residential water use is outdoors, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. That is a point I cannot stress this enough.

    Help control landscape water waste by choosing plants native to our climate through xeriscape. This kind of design focuses on water conservation through creative landscaping. It involves combining low-water plants with hard surfaces and encourages water-smart design and maintenance of your property.

    Seven Basic Xeriscape Design Principles

    1. Design your yard with water conservation in mind. Work with a landscaper who specializes in native plants and design.2. Choose low-water plants. That same landscaper can help you select the right plants for your yards soil condition and exposure.3. Limit your lawn. I get it. Sometimes you just want to wriggle your toes in the cool grass. But non-native grass needs lots of watering. Limit it to your childrens play area and pet run. See native options below.4. Irrigate efficiently. Replace whirly-bird sprinklers with an inexpensive drip irrigator, which drips water only on the plant that needs watering. Rig your sprinklers to timers. Invest in an irrigator with a controller that automatically senses when your plants need water.5. Harvest water. Collect rainwater by digging shallow ditches around flowerbeds and/or install a rain barrel at the end of your gutter downspout to irrigate landscape.6. Mulch your plants. Placing mulch on the soil under and around plants helps hold in soil moisture and lower the soils temperature during the summer plus, it keeps weeds away.7. Take care of your yard. A well-maintained plant needs less water. Proper fertilizing, pruning, and weed control can keep your plants healthier.

    Xeriscape Plants

    These plants, cacti, trees, and grasses as suggested by the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association are just a few that require low to very low watering to maintain their heartiness.

    Shrubs

    John Eisenhower, Integrity SaveATree, particularly favors the desert fern. As John noted during a podcast its fern-like leaves are elegant and beautiful, and as a native plant, they have fewer natural problems.

    Though it is shrub-like, it will max out at 20 feet tall. Dont place it near the pool unless you want it covered with yellow puffballs.

    Want to attract hummingbirds? Plant a few pink fairy duster plants. This three-foot, airy shrubs pink furry blooms pop from its evergreen foliage in the spring and fall.

    The exotic flowers of the yellow bird of paradise attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Growing as high as six feet, this plant will add height to your landscape.

    Trees

    Though it grows slowly, the ironwood tree can mature to 25 feet high. With dusty lavender flowers that bloom in the spring, this evergreen tree thrives in the full sun. Its a relatively clean tree so it is okay to plant it near the pool.

    A bold, tropical tree, the Mexican blue palm is well suited to containers and can reach 15 feet high. This slivery blue tree is a beautiful complement to place near the pool.

    White thorn acacia is good for naturalistic landscapes. It is multi-trunked and can grow to 10 feet tall by 15 feet wide. It will bloom small yellow puffballs in the spring and attracts wildlife.

    Cacti

    The Argentine giant cactus boasts fragrant, white, striking flowers that bloom six to eight inches across. At maturity, this cactus will grow to two feet high by three feet wide.

    With its spectacular red, fuchsia and deep orange flowers, the Argentine hedgehog is one of the most colorful cacti.

    Spruce cones make a good container plant. It blooms small white flowers in the spring and resembles a deeper green cholla minus the thorns.

    Grass

    Native ornamental grasses add a softening element and motion to your landscape. The color and form of grasses change throughout the year, creating seasonal interest. Some ornamental grasses can reseed in landscapes. Watering ornamental grasses with drip irrigation will generally eliminate or minimize reseeding.

    Deer grass features lush foliage with green flowers that dry to tan tall spikes. With a mature height of four feet, this grass can be planted near the pool.

    Plant pink muhly for deep pink flower plumes that will be backlit by the sun. This fine grass can grow to three feet high.

    Sideoats grama resembles green waves of grain and has seed stalks that attract birds.

    Succulents

    Before selecting succulents, the AMWUA suggests you check the plants mature size and presence of thorns before planting. Some larger succulents can overwhelm a small garden. For safety reasons, succulents with thorns or spines should not be located next to walkways, play areas, or traffic areas.

    Contrary to popular belief, the ocotillo is a succulent, not a cactus. The ocotillo offers a striking silhouette and attracts hummingbirds. You really need a charcoal black thumb to kill this plant.

    Patridge breast aloe is a great option for small spaces, narrow areas, and containers. Rabbit-resistant and pool-friendly, this one boasts striking markings.

    The soaptree yucca has a tree-like quality with its white clusters on tall stalks. Tip: leave dead leaves on the trunk to avoid sunburn damage.

    AMWUA offers tips additional plants for xeriscape consideration and caring for desert plants while conserving water.

    For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 35 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the Rosie on the House radio program from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays on KTAR-FM (92.3) in Phoenix, 9 to 11 a.m. on KAFF-AM (930) in Flagstaff, and 10 to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson.

    More:
    Heres how to create a lush landscape without excessive water usage - KTAR.com

    Coastal landscaping resources for novices and green thumbs alike – The Coastland Times – The Coastland Times

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    By Katie Mosher, NC Sea Grant

    kmosher@ncsu.edu

    It may be sultry now, but autumn isnt so far off. If youre looking for activities to keep you busy in the cooler months, consider sprucing up your yard. The Coastal Landscapes Initiative, or CLI, has produced several resources over the past year to inspire and assist those interested in nature-enhancing landscaping.

    Most recently, a CLI team produced a set of 10 landscaping design templates featuring native N.C. plants, available here. Each design provides ideal site conditions; a detailed planting guide; seasonal bloom or berry color; an illustration of the plantings at maturity; and maintenance tips.

    These templates can be adapted to fit various yards and gardens, from the coast to the piedmont, says North Carolina Sea Grants coastal resources and communities specialist Gloria Putnam, who oversaw the project.

    Earlier this year, two CLI members North Carolina Sea Grants coastal economist Jane Harrison and sustainablewatersand communities coordinator Christy Perrin held awebinaroffering tips on creating coastal landscapes that will benefit both local ecology and the surrounding community.

    You can think of the webinar like an introductory course to sustainable landscaping, Harrison says. Hopefully people will find our suggestions practical and doable.

    We designed the webinar to be shared in various settings. For example, board members of homeowners associations could watch it and then screen it for their residents, Perrin adds.

    Coastal Landscaping also was the topic of conversation during a recent N.C. Museum of Natural SciencesVirtual Science Caf, hosted by Chris Smith and featuring guests Harrison, Perrin and Putnam. The team described how several CLI design templates can be applied to a yard along a tidal creek in Carteret County, as well as ways to reduce stormwater runoff, among other topics.

    Another CLI resource released this year was aninteractive mapmarking the location of various gardens along the coast that demonstrate environmentally friendly landscaping practices. These sites are generally accessible to the public, although visitors should check on COVID-19-related restrictions.

    Places like the N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island and the New Hanover County Arboretum have pollinator gardens that are really inspiring, says Putnam, who led the project. Visiting sites like these, either online or in person, is a great way to find ideas for your own garden.

    A companiondemonstration garden checklistalso is available for anyone interested in creating their own model site.

    In addition to these resources, last year CLI published abookletfeaturing 34 native N.C. plants including trees, shrubs, grasses, vines and flowers that flourish along the coast. The booklet provides brief descriptions of each plant and its ideal conditions. A companion brochure offers plant snapshots for easy reference.

    For anyone who wants to learn about more species that thrive in coastal sun and salty air, a comprehensive native plant guide is available. Published by North Carolina Sea Grant and the University of North Carolina Press,Seacoast Plants of the Carolinas: A New Guide for Plant Identification and Use in the Coastal Landscapecovers more than 200 species, with color photographs and details about their value to wildlife, relationship to natural communities, propagation and landscape use. Author Paul E. Hosier is a founding member of the CLI as well.

    As you consider your landscaping options, bear in mind that updates can be done incrementally.

    Adopting new landscaping practices might seem daunting at first, but you dont have to tackle everything at once. You can start by planting a native, for instance, or by top-dressing your grass with compost. Harrison says. Our various CLI resources can guide you on small and large projects alike.

    For more information about the Coastal Landscapes Initiative and for additional resources, visit go.ncsu.edu/coastallandscapes.

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    Circle Gallery exhibition sheds light on living, working gardens – University of Georgia

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Magnolia Moses, who lived in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, is among several rural African American residents featured in Richard Westmacotts 1992 book and exhibition titled African-American Gardens and Yards in the Rural South.

    It is on display and available for public viewing Aug. 20 through Oct. 15 at the College of Environment and Designs Circle Gallery, which is located in the Jackson Street Building. The gallery interior is currently closed, but the display may be seen through the interior glass windows. Please wear a mask and keep safe distance from others when visiting.

    Until the 1990s, much of the study of gardens in the American South concentrated on those of the elite and powerfulleisure gardens of ornament that added grace to an estate or homestead. These gardens emphasized the visual impact of Anglo-European landscapesthink of the highly formal gardens of Versailles in France or Blenheim Palace gardens in Englandand conveyed the wealth of the owners.

    Vernacular landscapesspaces created with only local materials available to the people who live on-siteare also part of the rich history of Southern gardens. Westmacotts groundbreaking study shone light not only on the fascinating uses of these vernacular spaces, but also on the values of the people who lived there and maintained the gardens: ingenuity, self-reliance, hospitality and generosity.

    The gardens featured were actual living and working spaces where many activities take place, from family gatherings to shelling peas to long talks with neighbors. Their aesthetic was directly tied to the work and pleasure married in these outdoor rooms. One standout feature was the swept ground, which made it easier to see unwelcome guests, like copperheads and rattlesnakes, and aided in fire prevention by preventing dried plant materials from growing too near the foundations of a homes raised wooden structure. Not only was the cleared, sandy yard a practical characteristic, but it was a cultural connection to the past: the swept yard was a direct import from life in West Africa where many enslaved Americans came from originally.

    Westmacotts book addresses three essential questions: How do rural African Americans manipulate space? What factors or conditions influence the use of these spaces? Why has the use of yard garden space changed through time?

    The gardens, Westmacott argues, trace the conditions of enslavement, tenancy and land ownership. They are not simply outdoor sites of respite; they are evolving landscapes that tell important stories of a history that was largely ignored until the last decade of the 20th century.

    Westmacott, who taught landscape architecture for many years at UGA, was born in Singapore and raised in England and received an MLA degree from the University of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at the College of Environment and Design. He and his family settled on an early 19th century farm in Stephens, Georgia, in 1977, where he became friends with local people living off the land. Moses, who was part of the inspiration behind African-American Gardens, was an immediate neighbor who became a good friend and mentor.

    For more information about the display or Westmacotts book, contact Melissa Tufts, director of the Owens Library and Circle Gallery at the College of Environment and Design, at mtufts@uga.edu. Learn more about the Circle Gallery at https://ced.uga.edu/resources/circle_gallery/.

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    Circle Gallery exhibition sheds light on living, working gardens - University of Georgia

    Birding: To enjoy and help birds, give them places to bathe – Chinook Observer

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    In 2018 I wrote several articles on some of the birds that were among the bathing beauties of the birdbath in our yard. Thinking back on who the visitors were, got me thinking about easy and/or interesting ways to provide water for our bird friends.

    We know that water in motion attracts birds, so adding this aspect will likely bring more birds to the bath. One method I have used is to take a gallon milk jug, punch a small hole in the bottom, tie a string around the neck and hang it over the bath and let it drip. The jug could be hung from a tree branch if the bath is under a tree or it could be hung from something like a shepherds hook that is positioned over the birdbath.

    Small birds such as chickadees and nuthatches are often aced out of using larger birdbaths so a small one suits them better because there is no competition from the bigger birds that cant use it. I use a piece of pottery which is designed for a small plant. I fill it daily, and it works well. Black-capped chickadees use it regularly for both drinking and bathing. They find it just the right size when it comes to taking a bath. Other small birds such a goldfinches and house finches can easily make use of it too. My miniature birdbath is about 5 inches in length, 4 inches wide across the middle and about 2 inches deep. I only fill it up to an inch and a bit to keep the depth of water relatively shallow. This ensures that it doesnt intimidate birds that dont like deep water. It is placed it on a pedestal about 3.5 feet high and close to cover, but in position to avoid droppings or other debris from falling into the water.

    We seldom see songbirds bathe in such things as large, open swimming pools due to the deepness of the water. Thus, check out the depth of your birdbath. As mentioned above, tiny birds wont venture into deep water, but larger birds such as robins will. Another way to make a relatively deep birdbath more enticing for smaller birds is to put a large flat rock on the bottom to create a shallow end (about 1 inch of water) Small birds can happily use the shallow end for splashing, by sitting on the rock, while the larger birds can use the deep end.

    Adding a water feature to the landscape is another way to have water in motion. A small pond with a waterfall works well if the water falls over large rocks that are relatively flat on top. Like the birdbath idea above, the flat rock provides a shallow place where small birds can splash. My pond was like this, but I recently replaced it with three basalt water towers. Fresh water splashes over each of the three, large, rock towers 24 hours a day. It is perfect for all of the birds that visit my yard, including cedar waxwings, American robins, house finches, house sparrows, and American crows. Yesterday, an orange-crowned warbler stopped by. The birds both drink and bathe. Larger birds, such as partridge or pheasant, are also drawn to the yard by the bubbling sounds of the water tumbling over the picturesque water feature. They present themselves at the base of the towers where they can easily sip from the cascading water.

    A birdbath, no matter what its size or shape, especially if it includes water in motion, can encourage a greater variety of birds to stop there. Perhaps they will stay around long enough for you to see and enjoy them!

    Common Birds of the Long Beach Peninsula, by Kalbach and Stauffer, is available from Bay Avenue Gallery, Time Enough Books and the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau.

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    Birding: To enjoy and help birds, give them places to bathe - Chinook Observer

    Tips to enhance your backyard with water features – Rocky Mount Telegram

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Enhancing your backyard? Experts say that the sights and sounds of water features make them one of the most impactful additions to consider.

    Water features not only increase visual interest, but the bubbling sounds add a sense of calm to any outdoor space, said landscape designer Doug Scott of Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta, Ga. They also attract birds, butterflies and more, literally bringing life into your backyard.

    So how do you select the right water feature for your yard? According to Scott, here is what to consider:

    Fountains:

    Fountains create the sights and sounds my clients are looking for and they do it in a way that accommodates their potential space and budget constraints, Scott said.

    Water gardens and fishponds:

    The added bonus of fishponds is that youll be able to enjoy the beauty of koi and goldfish while providing them a home, Scott said.

    Scott cautioned that when compared to other water features, fishponds do add expense and necessary periodic maintenance. Beyond stocking the pond, you will need a pump to aerate and circulate the water, as well as vegetation to create oxygen and provide a natural food source. Additionally, you must provide adequate protection for the fish from the land and air predators that likely will pay your pond a visit. On the plus side, fishponds will attract an abundance of non-predatory wildlife to your yard.

    Although adding a pond or water garden is more involved than just buying a fountain and plugging it in, the life itll bring to your family outdoors is limitless, Scott said.

    Waterfalls and streams:

    To learn more, check out the new Exmark Original video, Done-In-A-Weekend Projects: Go With the Flow, in which Scott discusses the various benefits, maintenance needs and other considerations of each water feature type. The episode can be found by visiting Exmark.com/Backyard. Exmarks Backyard Life is part of a unique multimedia destination focused on helping homeowners make the most of their backyard. While visiting the site, you also can access other Exmark Original Series, including Prime Cuts, Done-In-A-Weekend Extreme Projects and Dream Yards.

    Installing a water feature in your yard is an effective way to add vitality and beauty to the space. However, it is important to understand the long-term maintenance requirements of your specific project.

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    Tips to enhance your backyard with water features - Rocky Mount Telegram

    How to tell if your plants are water-stressed out – Record Searchlight

    - August 16, 2020 by Mr HomeBuilder

    Leimone Waite, Master gardeners Published 5:00 a.m. PT Aug. 14, 2020

    Make sure you follow these 3 tips for a healthy vegetable garden. USA TODAY

    Q: What is wrong with my hydrangea? The outer part of the leaf has suddenly turned a lighter green while the middle part of the leaf is dark green. This is happening to most of the leaves on the shrub.

    A: This sounds like the classic symptoms of water stress, especially given the very hot temperatures we had this past week.On these hot days the soil dries out and plants wilt and then are watered and rehydrate;however the cells in the outer margin of the leaf have suffered too much damage to fully recover. Because the damage occurs so fast, plants are not able to relocate chlorophyll to other leaves so the damaged portion of the leaf retains a dull green color.

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    Even if your yard is receiving regular irrigation, on really hot days the water requirements of plants can dramatically increase and you may need to increase watering accordingly. I have plants in potsI have to water twice per day on days when temperatures are over 105 degrees and it's windy. There are ways to help manage the need for extra watering, such as moving potted plants into the shade on hot days, or mulching around plants keep them from drying out as quickly.

    The first signs of water stress in landscape plants and trees include wilted or drooping leaves that do not return to normal once temperatures cool at night, curled or yellow leaves that may fold or drop, leaves that change to a grayish or bluish green color, sunburned leavesand new leaves that are smaller than normal.

    Ornamental grass or lawns may show water stress by changing to a bluish gray color rather than a vibrant green or have wilted blades of grass. As things dry out further, the tips of the grass may turn yellow and then eventually brown. Another quick check to see if the lawn is water stressed is tosee if the lawn grasses retain a footprint for several minutes. If theydo, the grass needs more water. If these hot temperatures persist and the lawn does not receive adequate water, it may gradually turn brown and go dormant.

    Monica Ho, Mai'Ana Airport Plaza manager, takes pride in growing vegetables and succulents in a garden she created at the 78-unit apartment complex in Tamuning on July 29, 2020. Pacific Daily News

    The good news for your hydrangea is that it should recover as long as it continues to get adequate water. You may want to remove leaves that are heavily damaged, being careful not to remove the leaf bud at the base of the leafas these will grow into new leaves. You can fertilize the plant to help with new leaf growth, but choose a low-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer and use at the lowest recommended rate. Too much nitrogen fertilizer stimulates rapid growth and increases the need for more water, causing even more stress to the plant.

    More master gardener columns:

    Really ripe: Know when to pick your peppers, tomatoes

    Home grown: Online program trains master gardeners at home

    Once this heat spell is over, dont forget to dial back your irrigation timer, as overwatering can be just as stressful to plants as under watering. Signs of overwatering include drooping leaves or lower leaves becoming yellow and dropping, and lawns that feel spongy or turn yellow.

    Master Gardeners(Photo: Master Gardeners)

    You can find additional information for managing water stress in the University of Californiapublication Keeping Plants Alive under Drought or Water Restrictions. It's free to download at https://bit.ly/3akWnyp.

    The Shasta Master Gardeners Program can be reached by phone at 242-2219 or email mastergardener@shastacollege.edu. The gardener office is staffed by volunteers trained by the University of California to answer gardeners' questions using information based on scientific research.

    Read or Share this story: https://www.redding.com/story/life/2020/08/14/how-tell-if-your-plants-water-stressed-out/3340772001/

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    How to tell if your plants are water-stressed out - Record Searchlight

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