Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning first organized a free A/C unit giveaway for veterans in 2016.

Audrey Monell, the company's president, said they surprised the winners wife at their home while her husband was away for active duty. After that experience, Monellknew it would be an annual event.

Now, Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning is gearing up to host its seventh annual Military Hero A/C giveaway, where they will gift one metro Phoenixveteran, retired servicemember or active-duty servicemember a free air conditioning unit along with a $500 cash gift card.

Beginning Sept. 1, Forrest Anderson will be accepting military hero nominations through its website, according to its news release.

Monell said she started the yearly giveaway in 2016 because she and other members of the company wanted to find a way to give back to the communities they live in.

She chose veterans as she said she felt they are an undervalued population, andin part to honor her grandfather, Forrest Anderson, the family-owned companys founder who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was very proud to serve his country and he even did some of his service on the [U.S.S.] Arizona, Monell said.

The giveaway is very importantto her personally, Monell said. She said she feels that despite political and religious differences that have divided the community, honoring military servicemen and women with the free unit was one thing that everybody is able to come together on and agree it's a good thing.

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Monell recalled her experience doing the first giveaway in 2016.

I really didn't understand the impact that this type of giveaway would have until she answered the door and just started crying, Monell said. They don't always feel appreciated in the community, and this small gesture brought her to tears, she was so grateful. I'll never forget the feeling going to her door.

Monell said after that experience, she knew she wanted the giveaway to be annual. The whole Forrest Anderson team looks forward to the two months a year they run the giveaway, Monell said.

Nominations will be open until Sept. 28, at which point a Forrest Anderson staff panel will select up to five finalists. The nomination form requires a name, contact information and the city and state in which the nominee lives. Additionally, there is space to upload a photo of the nominee and explain how they served in the military.

Then, voting will open to community members from Oct. 14-28 on the companys website and Facebook page, where Forrest Anderson will share the finalists service stories.

The free A/C unit also waives all installation fees and includes a $500 cash gift card, which is donated by Razor Thin Media President Cameron Davis, according to the news release. Forrest Anderson also partners with MORSCO HVAC/Bush Supply, who donates the A/C unit and sheet metal, and Smiley Crane Service, who provide the crane service if necessary to the installation, Monell said.

I feel so lucky that our company is in a position where, financially, we're able to do this, Monell said. We are very fortunate to have those people backing us so we can continue this every year.

Reach breaking news reporter Sam Burdette at sburdette@gannett.com or on Twitter @SuperSafetySam

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Read more:

Forrest Anderson will donate free A/C unit to 'military hero' in metro Phoenix - The Arizona Republic

According to the latest RAC Fuel Watch, drivers will still need to pay 172.88p per litre of unleaded and 183.74p per litre of diesel on average. And, despite both prices slowly dropping, it might still take a while for motorists to see a considerable difference.

With that in mind, drivers across the UK have been reminded how they could get the most out of their air conditioning systems and save money on petrol and diesel.

Tom Hixon, Head of Instructor Support at Bill Plant Driving School, exclusively told Express.co.uk: Air con is a modern-day luxury many motorists have within their cars, and it often helps to make journeys more bearable during the summer months.

As positive as air con can be, it will eat into your fuel consumption which isnt ideal in the current climate.

Luckily for drivers, the expert shared some tips that drivers can follow to reduce their cars fuel consumption.

READ MORE:Drivers warned as secondhand VW sells for 25k more than new model

Mr Hixon said: To begin with, it would be easy to think that its best to put your air con on the highest setting as soon as you get in the car, but this actually makes the temperature hotter, as the air con is taking the existing hot air from inside the car and circulating it.

To prevent this from happening, allow cooler air to enter the car and then gradually increase the air con settings.

A simpler tip is to try and park in the shade where possible, this will then create a cooler temperature in the vehicle and will allow the air con system to work quicker and in turn, reduce the amount of time its working for.

Experts have also previously shared tips on how drivers can remain cool without using air con.

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Motorists can put on a dashboard cover on the cars windshield to keep sunlight away from the cars interior.

The heat won't be as overwhelming if there are no hot vinyl surfaces to touch.

Its obviously not a good idea to open windows all the way but leaving just a small crack will promote ventilation and help to keep the car cool.

Read the rest here:

Drivers urged to use air con in the right way to see best results Works quicker - Express

Heatstroke can affect anyone, whether they are exercising outdoors in the heat or not. While exercisers should take particular caution, even sitting in a hot apartment for several days can raise the bodys core temperature to potentially dangerous levels.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion generally appear before heatstroke sets in.

People experiencing heat exhaustion dont exhibit the behavior associated with heatstroke, Morocco said, but they are likely to:

People who are experiencing these symptoms need to get out of the heat and into shade or an air-conditioned space, drink non-alcoholic fluids and rest.

People experiencing heat exhaustion will usually recognize they are overheating, Morocco said. However, those experiencing heatstroke may not, as the condition worsens with continued exposure to heat.

People can be exposed to increasing levels of heat over a heat wave of a couple of days, or even a week, and slowly get worse and worse and worse, he said. It begins with, Its hot; I feel bad. And maybe they have other medical issues or challenges. And then, all of a sudden, they slip into this state where theyre not able to really recognize quite whats going on with them.

To learn more, take UCLAs Heatstroke Quiz

Stay out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, if possible. If you exercise outdoors, aim for early morning or late evening. When spending a day at the beach or the park, seek out a shady spot. Remind children to rest periodically and drink water.

And when a heat wave hits, look for cool places to be inside. If your home lacks air conditioning, consider heading to a public library or other air-conditioned space. Call your county public health department to ask for the location of cooling centers. Even a few hours in cooler temperatures will help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

The most important thing for folks to realize is that in hot weather, youve got to check on people who are at risk, Morocco said. That includes the elderly; it includes people who have lots of medical problems; it also includes infants and children.

Seniors have a harder time regulating body temperature and may be taking medications that amplify the risk of heat exposure.

Babies and young children dehydrate more easily and are more vulnerable to high temperatures.

Pregnant women can overheat or become dehydrated more easily. Extreme heat also carries an increased risk of preterm birth.

People with chronic illness may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature, and their medications can worsen the effects of extreme heat. Air pollution is often worse during heat waves, which can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Overweight and obese individuals tend to retain more body heat and may be more prone to heat-related illnesses.

Outdoor workers are at risk from the lack of shade and increased body temperatures from their exertions. Its vital that they get breaks, have ways to cool down, and remain hydrated.

Unhoused people are exposed to the elements constantly and may not have water, cooling centers or shade to help them lower their body temperatures.

Pay attention to the humidity: Hot temperatures coupled with humidity are particularly dangerous. If its too humid for sweat to easily evaporate, the human body struggles to cool itself down. Take extra care to avoid overheating when its hot and muggy out.

Stay inside, if you can:Seek out air-conditioned environments, if possible. If you dont have air conditioning, check your county public health department for cooling centers, or go to a public library, the movies, or other air-conditioned environment(s).

Beware the electric fan: When temperatures reach the high 90s, electric fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

Dress for the heat:Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, lightweight clothes.

Listen to your body:If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, stop all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

Wear sunscreen:Sunburn affects your bodys ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.

Drink plenty of fluids:Drink more fluids regardless of how active you are. Dont wait until youre thirsty to drink. And avoid alcoholic drinks or those that are high in sugar.

Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

Never leave children or pets in cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open and when the outside temperatures are relatively mild.

Stay informed: Check the news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters in your area.

Top photo credit: iStock/Liudmila Chernetska

Read this article:

How to stay safe in a heat wave - University of California

After a summer of high temperatures, New Hampshire residents will be sweating out higher electric bills starting next month.

On Aug. 1, Eversource and Liberty Utilities customers saw around a 50% increase in their energy prices, which measures out to an average monthly bill hike of around $70. New Hampshire Electric Co-op customers will be paying around $38 more.

But residents receiving financial assistance could also get a shock on their electric bill. The electric assistance programs currently in place in New Hampshire, the funding of which is administered by the states five community action agencies, doesnt differentiate what a user does with their electricity, state Consumer Advocate Don Kreis said. Regardless of function, the assistance program gives the consumer a break on their electric bill and is funded by the systems benefits charge on each bill sent by utilities.

If youre using your air conditioning, you might well get beyond the threshold of what the state helps to relieve, Kreis said. Running a single window unit for six hours would cost roughly the same as doing two full loads of laundry, and New Hampshire electric bills typically increase around 25% in the summer due to cooling appliances.

The unpleasant effects of those higher prices wont be felt until September, Kreis said. Consumers wont find out until after the fact how hard it was to afford air conditioning during the heat wave.

Bonnie Stebbins has lived in Hannah Village Mobile Home Park in Lebanon since 2005, and she said that shes preparing herself to receive a more costly electric bill next month. To save money, she runs the appliances in her home as little as possible including her AC window units. We do it with a second thought. Do we really want to run this? Is it worth it?

But keeping the air conditioning off leaves her concerned for her health.

Im 70 years old, Stebbins said. And this heat has been really uncomfortable.

New Hampshires Environmental Public Health Track department reported that air conditioning, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly, infants, and people with chronic conditions is essential. Hesitations to acquire or turn on air conditioners due to rate hikes can be dangerous. The department found an increase in the excess number of emergency department visits on days that clock in above 75 degrees and warns against relying on fans as a primarily cooling device, recommending instead staying in air conditioning as much as possible.

While cooling assistance programs which provide relief specifically aimed at electricity used for cooling are a mainstay in warm regions across the country, most states in New England typically use assistance funds for their demanding heating seasons. However, as summer temperatures in the region are more closely mirroring those of states with established cooling assistance programs, like New York, cities and towns are responding at the local level. Last summer, Chelsea, Mass., opened up applications for free air conditioners that came with $300 utility relief checks, and an agency in Portsmouth, N.H., regularly gives out air conditioners to vulnerable populations free of charge.

Listen Programs Director Angela Zhang said that the community service provider has fielded more requests for AC units than it ever has before, and its donation-driven energy assistance fund is stretched to a breaking point.

In the past that fund was only used for heating, Zhang said.

She thought of the program as only running November through April, but Zhang said that in the last decade or so, demand has been year-round.

Over time, we need to think about not just supporting the coldest of winter but also the heat waves in the summer, Zhang said. This is something that well have to think about going forward with climate change.

This year, New Hampshire was able to provide a credit toward electric bills of customers who also qualified for fuel assistance in hopes that it could relieve the anticipated summer spike in electric costs. But the credits provided with money leftover from ARPA funds, which expire at the end of September are not a permanent solution.

Hopefully this relief would give people the leeway to buy a fan or an AC, or at least feel less hesitant to run one, state fuel assistance administrator Eileen Smiglowksi said, adding that in a perfect world, one devoid of funding and demand fluctuations, New Hampshire would put its weight behind a more permanent cooling program. But this year, frankly because of the incredible influx that were planning on seeing in the winter, its not a focus for us.

Kevin Hanlon, weatherization consultant for Liberty and Unitil, said that while cooling assistance is certainly on the radar of the providers, nothing is set in stone yet. New Hampshire is generally considered a heating state, and the subject of cooling and its contribution to someones electric bill has never been a big issue around here, Hanlon said. But the strength of the recent hot spell tied in with the increase in electric rates, and its certainly on the plates of electricity providers.

Like Smiglowski on the state side, Hanlon hopes that providers can pull together their own cooling assistance programs by next summer.

Across the board from the state to utility providers to community action agencies those working in energy assistance recommend weatherization as the first step a homeowner should take toward saving money on utility bills. Installing attic and wall insulation, in addition to other lower-cost weatherization efforts like replacing filters on furnaces, can keep a house both cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter while also reducing energy costs.

Cooling is weatherization, New Hampshire Weatherization Assistance Program Manager Kirk Stone said. Waitlists are currently long for government-funded weatherization programs, which are administered by community action agencies. But Stone urged residents to put their names down anyway. In the meantime, he tells residents to weatherize as much as they can on their own, especially as New Hampshire moves from an expensive cooling season into an expensive heating season.

Go here to see the original:

Summer temperatures put heat on NH to develop cooling assistance programs - Concord Monitor

By NEIL SPERRY

DEAR NEIL: I took this photo last fall at a garden in South Texas. Id like to grow this plant. What can you tell me about it? Will I have any trouble finding it?

Dear Reader: Thats fall aster. Its an heirloom Texas perennial that our grandmamas grew. For many years you only saw it in older neighborhoods, but over the past 30 or 35 years its made its way back into the mainstream retail nursery trade.

It blooms for several weeks, generally in late September and into October. Its often showcased in retail garden centers with their pumpkin displays to take advantage of the contrast of colors. Ask ahead. If they dont plan on having it, they can order it in for you, generally in 1-gallon pots.

The plants grow to be 24 inches tall and wide. Their leaves are tiny and virtually unnoticeable until the plants pop into bloom. Bees and butterflies love it, so it brings excitement to its surroundings.

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Once it finishes blooming you can prune the old flowering stems back close to the ground. Its also a good idea to pinch-prune the plants to remove an inch or so of the growing tips in late spring or early summer to keep the plants more compact.

DEAR NEIL: Im starting to worry about my oak trees during this drought. Weve already had to lower the pump in our well, so we are trying to conserve water. What is the best way to keep them alive?

Dear Reader: Unfortunately, when they need water, nothing short of water will do.

Without seeing your trees I cant really advise you, but much will depend on factors like the species of oaks involved, age of the trees, whether theyre established native oaks or newly planted within the past five or ten years, their vigor coming out of the record cold 18 months ago, depth of soil and so on.

Luckily, were toward the end of the hottest part of the year, so the demand for water should begin to lessen. If you could lay a soaker hose around their drip lines and run it slowly for several hours that would really help, but I do understand the angst of concern over running the well dry. I would not recommend fertilizing them this fall.

DEAR NEIL: I had St. Augustine replaced the last week of April. I have watered faithfully almost every day since, but the grass is very patchy. Only three small areas from a separate batch look good.

I may have a struggle getting restitution from my landscaper. How would I find a consultant to advise me?

Dear Reader: You mentioned that this new St. Augustine was being used to replace prior turf. What happened to it? Before I blame the new grass, Id like to examine if there could be a problem with the setting.

This is the most common problem I have encountered in more than 50 years of doing gardening talk shows, writing gardening columns and doing work for the Extension Service.

St. Augustine is our most shade-tolerant lawn grass. But its tough to get new sod established if there is a great deal of shade. Thats not the landscapers fault.

Watering almost daily is, once the new grass is rooted (a couple of weeks) too frequent and not good for the grass.

Id want to look for signs of gray leaf spot. If you have fertilized the new grass during the summer, that fungus would have been promoted and it would have left the turf looking patchy.

So, there are many factors outside the control of the landscaper that might have contributed to the poor outcome of the new grass. As for a turf grass consultant, you might ask at several sod vendors and at companies that sell professional turf grass supplies to golf courses and athletic fields. They usually know people who are well versed in turf.

The Texas AgriLife Extension turf specialists are good, although dont look to them to take one side or the other. They will identify what problems they see and give their best opinions as to how you can move past them.

DEAR NEIL: Is there a way to transplant runners of English ivy from a neighbors bed into a new bed Im trying to start?

Dear Reader: Perhaps so, but Ive always had great results taking the runners and cutting them into pieces with one leaf per cutting, its petiole (the stem of the leaf) and a 1- or 2-inch piece of the true stem of the ivy, then planting three or four of those cuttings per 4-inch plastic pot filled with loose, highly organic potting soil.

I keep them moist and humid (beneath a loosely draped sheet of plastic this time of year) and in the shade until they develop roots and start sending out new stems.

This works much better and faster than the couple of times I tried digging up footlong stems and trying to transplant them.

Have a question youd like Neil to consider? Email him at mailbag@sperrygardens.com. Neil regrets that he cannot reply to questions individually.

Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.

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Neil Sperry: Fall aster can be great addition to garden - Waco Tribune-Herald

With the ongoing heat waves were experiencing, its all too easy for your lawn to dry up and suffer. This can sometimes be the case even if you water it frequently, so whats the problem here? The fact is, theres a right and wrong time to water your lawn. Do it at the wrong time, and youre just wasting water and encouraging disease, but do it at the right time, and your grass will thank you for it.

Here, we take you through the dos and don'ts of watering your lawn, with a little help from the experts. We will explore when to do it, how often you should do it, and how much water you should use for the best effect. So you can get your grass thick and thriving again in no time.

If you think your lawn is past the point of saving, be sure to check out how to revive dead grass.

You can tell your lawn needs water when the grass loses its vibrancy in color. Tom Hilton, gardening specialist at National Greenhouse (opens in new tab) explains: Theres two key indicators that your grass needs a little love, the first being the colour. If you notice an increase in brownish tones or a less glossy look to it, get the hosepipe out! Another little trick is to take note of how springy the grass is after being stepped on if it stays down and doesnt bounce back, this is another great indicator that it needs watering.

The blades may also appear to curl over at the ends when the grass is overly dry. You might also spot uneven brown or yellow patches of grass cropping up around your lawn these areas could be getting less water than other sections.

If you want to be sure of the moisture level of your lawn, you can try driving a screwdriver with a 6-inch shaft into the ground. If you struggle to push it in, then that means your lawn is dehydrated.

The best time to water a lawn is actually in the early morning, ideally before 10am. This is because the temperature outside is still cool and the wind and sun are less intense, which gives the water a better chance to reach and penetrate your soil. This climate ultimately makes it less likely for the water to evaporate as soon as you apply it.

Watering any later than this can be counterproductive. According to the landscaping experts at Toolstation (opens in new tab): The main reason we wouldnt advise watering in the middle of the day is because its less effective. During the hottest part of the day, lots of water will be lost to evaporation a waste of both water and effort!

Theres also the option of watering in the evening, which isnt as wasteful, but its still not the best time. The experts at Toolstation continue: Although its cooler at this time of day, if your grass is left covered in water droplets overnight, this can cause diseases like red thread and Fusarium.

Diseases such as these are encouraged by excess moisture on your lawn during the cooler temperatures of the night. Its a prime reason for watering your lawn in the morning versus the late evening. If you have no choice but to water your lawn later in the day, stick to between 4-6pm this gives it a chance to dry out and recover before the sun sets.

Today's best Scotts Green Max Fertilizer deals

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. First, theres the type of grass to consider and then theres the age of the grass as well. On top of that, the type of soil you use contributes.

There are two main types of grass: warm-season and cool-season. Warm-season can typically be found in the southern states, while cool-season tends to grow in the northern territory. If youre unsure of which you have, you can always ask at your local home department store.

With deeper roots, warm-season grass is more drought-resistant and so wont need watering so often. With this type of grass, you could water it in two sessions over the week or do it in one day. Cool-season grasses will need a little more attention. More water is required and it's better to break up the application into 2-3 sessions.

In terms of the soil youre using, keep in mind that clay soil retains water better than sandy soil, which drains more quickly. You may need to water less or more frequently depending on this.

As a general rule, aim to apply 1-1.5-inches of water to your lawn a week, taking into account rainfall and humidity. Its also better to break this down into sessions every 3-4 days, rather than daily or once a week if you can. That way, your lawn wont be too dry or too wet on a regular basis. Bear in mind that your lawn will go dormant when the soil temperature drops through the colder months though. During this time, the grass can survive for weeks without water. Its color will return in the spring time.

However, if youve just planted grass seeds and your lawn is still young, you will need to be more resilient with watering it. At first, you will need to keep the bed moist (the top 1.5 inches of soil), but not saturated. That means you need to water it little and often 1-2 times a day to start with for 5-10 minutes at a time, reducing this schedule once it reaches 1-2 inches in height. Growing grass takes a lot of maintenance, but once its matured it will require less effort.

Its all too easy to overcompensate for the heat and overwater your lawn. The trouble is, this is a wasteful habit which will cost you money, and it wont be doing your lawn much good either.

A tell-tale sign that youve overwatered is when you see water runoff the lawn, down the pavement and into the drain. At this point, the soil is no longer absorbing the water and its literally a waste of money.

If the ground feels overly muddy or spongy, then thats another sign that youve applied too much water. An increase of weeds or thatch can indicate overwatering as well, as can fungal-growth, such as mushrooms.

If you want to check that youre using the right amount of water, theres a couple of options. Tom Hilton recommends one such method: Sprinklers can make this a much easier job, allowing you to get an accurate measurement of how much water youre using by simply marking a container with an inch mark and seeing how long it takes to fill up. This will give you a great idea of how long to leave them on for, but obviously the traditional hose or even watering can methods are still effective.

You can also check the soil regularly as its being watered using a screwdriver shaft. All you need to do is time how long it takes for the water to reach 6-inches deep. Once you have this time, you know how long to leave your irrigation system running in the future.

You could also invest in a flow timer and calculate how much water you lawn requires. With this method you just multiply the square footage of your lawn by 0.62 gallons. The answer gives you the number of gallons you need to cover the entire lawn with 1-inch of water per square foot. We recommend the Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer ($61.86, Amazon (opens in new tab)).

Even if you follow the above guidance, you will need to keep a constant eye on your lawns condition. Regardless of whether you do everything right, the changing climate can still result in you over- or under-watering the lawn by accident. Always check its moisture level before you begin watering, and watch out for sudden heat waves drying it up faster than expected.

Next: See how to aerate your lawn and when to do it.

Today's best Garden Sprinklers deals

For more lawn tips, tricks, and how-tos, check out our guides on how to plant grass seed, how to make your grass greener, how to stripe your lawn, how to lay sod, 7 common lawn care mistakes you're probably making right now and 7 ways to revive dead grass.

Go here to read the rest:
Here's the best time to water your lawn according to the experts - Tom's Guide

Q: Im starting to worry about my oak trees during this drought. Weve already had to lower the pump in our well, so we are trying to conserve water. What is the best way to keep them alive?

A: Unfortunately, when they need water, nothing short of water will do. Without seeing your trees, I cant really advise you, but much will depend on factors such as the species of oaks, the age of the trees, whether theyre established native oaks or newly planted within the past five or 10 years, their vigor coming out of the record cold 18 months ago, depth of soil and so on.

Luckily, were toward the end of the hottest part of the year, so the demand for water should begin to lessen. If you could lay a soaker hose around their drip lines and run it slowly for several hours, that would really help, but I do understand the concern over running the well dry. I would not recommend fertilizing them this fall.

Q: I took this photo last fall at a garden in South Texas. Id like to grow this plant. What can you tell me about it? Will I have any trouble finding it?

A: Thats fall aster. Its an heirloom Texas perennial that our grandmamas grew. For many years you only saw it in older neighborhoods, but over the past 30 or 35 years its made its way back into the mainstream retail nursery trade.

More Neil Sperry: Lantanas may fall prey to lace bugs

Fall aster blooms for several weeks, generally in late September and into October. Its often showcased in retail garden centers with pumpkin displays to take advantage of the contrast of colors. Ask ahead. If they dont plan on having it, they can order it in for you, generally in 1-gallon pots.

The plants grow to 24 inches tall and wide. Their leaves are tiny and virtually unnoticeable until the plants pop into bloom. Bees and butterflies love it, so it brings excitement to its surroundings. Once it finishes blooming, you can prune the old flowering stems close to the ground. Its also a good idea to pinch-prune the plants to remove an inch or so of the growing tips in late spring or early summer to keep the plants more compact.

Q: I had St. Augustine replaced the last week of April. I have watered faithfully almost every day since, but the grass is very patchy. Only three small areas from a separate batch look good. I may have a struggle getting restitution from my landscaper. How would I find a consultant to advise me?

A: You mentioned that this new St. Augustine was being used to replace prior turf. What happened to it? Before I blame the new grass, Id like to examine if there could be a problem with the setting. This is the most common problem I have encountered in more than 50 years of doing gardening talk shows, writing gardening columns and doing work for the extension service.

St. Augustine is our most shade-tolerant lawngrass. But its tough to get new sod established if there is a great deal of shade. Thats not the landscapers fault. Watering almost daily is, once the new grass is rooted (a couple of weeks), too frequent and not good for the grass. Id want to look for signs of gray leaf spot. If you have fertilized the new grass during the summer, that fungus would have been promoted and it would have left the turf looking patchy.

More Neil Sperry: How to choose a tree for a sacred spot

So there are many factors outside the control of the landscaper that might have contributed to the poor outcome of the new grass. As for a turfgrass consultant, you might ask at several sod vendors and at companies that sell professional turfgrass supplies to golf courses and athletic fields. They usually know people who are well versed in turf. The Texas AgriLife Extension turf specialists are good, although dont look to them to take one side or the other. They will identify what problems they see and give their best opinions as to how you can move past them.

Q: Is there a way to transplant runners of English ivy from a neighbors bed into a new bed Im trying to start?

A: Perhaps so, but Ive always had great results taking the runners and cutting them into pieces with one leaf per cutting, its petiole (the stem of the leaf) and a 1- or 2-inch piece of the true stem of the ivy, then planting three or four of those cuttings per 4-inch plastic pot filled with loose, highly organic potting soil. I keep them moist and humid (beneath a loosely draped sheet of plastic this time of year) and in the shade until they develop roots and start sending out new stems. This works much better and faster than the couple of times I tried digging up footlong stems and trying to transplant them.

Email questions for Neil Sperry to SAENgardenQA@sperrygardens.com.

See more here:
When oak trees need water only water will do - San Antonio Express-News

Trodding across pockets of brown, stringy grass, the Hamilton High Yankees went to work on their schools patchy baseball field.

They were all dressed in uniform. Not the traditional Yankee green. Their work clothes under the July sun were a mandated plain-white T-shirt and black shorts. Theyd only receive their Hamilton uniforms after they made it past the final cut day on the 25th.

Let them earn the Hammy colors, head coach Norris Milton said. I try to show pride in the school.

Over the last couple of years, that pride has been tested for many football programs in the Los Angeles City Section. COVID-19 dealt a near-crippling blow to schools already struggling with overall enrollment and student participation in sports. Teams such as Manual Arts and Crenshaw that once fielded more than 50 players on varsity can now barely muster 25.

In the next five years, if nothing changes, said Jefferson coach Jason Grant, I dont see City football being in existence.

Jefferson High football coach Jason Grant.

(Luca Evans / Los Angeles Times)

But itsnot dead yet.

A fresh wave of coaches has entered the Los Angeles Unified School District in recent years coaches whove been molded in the City, who are invested in not just football but the larger community, who are trying to bring pride back to their programs.

Theyve now come through that cycle of seven-on-seven, travel teams and all that, former Dorsey coach Paul Knox said. They kind of know the ins and outs now. And I think theyll be able to get kids in there. I think youll see a little resurgence in the City in the next three to four years.

Each has their own philosophy to keeping City football alive.

For Milton, the key is finding diamonds in the rough.

Perhaps sitting in a humid athletics office, with its sticky tiled floor and stray wires poking out of the walls, wasnt exactly what he pictured when he shipped out to California from Georgia in 2015. He certainly didnt anticipate being named an athletic director during COVID-19 just a year after he started as head football coach at Hamilton. Yet hes fully invested.

Were getting more kids interested on campus, Milton said. That was my main focus to really get kids on campus to want to play football.

After he came to the Yankees in 2019, he met the kids for the first time Aug. 1, giving them two weeks to prepare before their first game. He had 22 players. They went 2-9.

It was a struggle, Milton said.

Hamilton High football coach Norris Milton.

(Luca Evans / Los Angeles Times)

He boosted the number of players to 75 in January 2020 before COVID-19 hit. Finally, after two years, Miltons managed to get 75 students signed up again, following a surprise 9-4 record last season.

Over half of those students, Milton said, had never played football. Also serving as a PE teacher, he had to walk Hamiltons halls to find talent. During lunch periods, hed head out to the field with rising junior Jason Benson and toss a football around, eventually convincing him to come out for the team.

Kids come to Hamilton for the schools strong arts and theater programs, Milton said, not football. But Hamiltons enrollment, at about 2,500, is bustling in contrast to other LAUSD schools. Somewhere, theres an All-City player hidden away in those Yankee classrooms.

Theyre here its just getting them to buy into what it takes to be an athlete, Milton said. I aint going to say thats the struggle, but thats what I really want to try to find at the school.

For Hawkins coach Ronald Coltress, its about building tradition.

In 2016, Hawkins, one of the most dominant programs in the City Section, had to forfeit all 13 wins because of eligibility violations. Coltress, who had no idea about the scandal, was hired as an assistant in 2017. They went 0-11. Then he inherited the reins.

It was kind of overwhelming, because I didnt think I was ready to take over the program, Coltress said.

Hes been reaching into a bare cupboard ever since.

Its just like, Were Hawkins. What are we known for? Coltress said. Well, theyre known for that thing [in 2016] since then, nothing.

Hawkins High football coach Ronald Coltress.

(Luca Evans / Los Angeles Times)

He had the minimum number of 18 players on the roster in 2020 to be eligible to play. Last seasons 7-5 record, however, sowed seeds of promise.

When he first arrived at Hawkins, Coltress never saw alumni return to games. Thats starting to change. Former receiver Steven Romero, who graduated in 2020, is a frequent visitor now. His brothers, Nicholas and Dominick, are now on the team.

Once they have a program to believe in, a school, tradition, I think thats how you keep ahold of kids, Coltress said.

Its tough to watch inner-city schools struggle with engagement particularly storied programs like Crenshaw and Dorsey, Coltress said. Yet coaches across the City are committed to rebuilding.

You can make it at those schools, Coltress said. You can make it at Hawkins.

For Grant, the key is preserving talent at the youth level.

On July 16, he lounged on a bench on the sidelines at a seven-on-seven tournament at El Camino Real High. Jefferson had come to play. Only nine players showed up.

Typical L.A. City Section, he muttered.

To even be able to participate, he had to pull an incoming freshman, whod be starting the year on junior varsity, to play quarterback. As he spoke, his 11-year-old son sat on the other end of the bench. Grant pointed at him.

He was gonna play quarterback today if I didnt go play my ninth-grade quarterback, he said. For real.

Last summer, Grant said, he walked into seven-on-seven games with 11 players and still had opposing programs trying to recruit his players, he said.

If youve got any kind of talent, somebodys going to be in your ear, Grant said.

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When former alumnus Grant was recruited to Jefferson, right before the COVID-19 pandemic, he issued an ultimatum to the administration: The L.A. Demos youth program had to be rebooted. Out of commission for three years because of low turnout, it kicked off again last season. Grants coaching staff is now filled top to bottom with coaches involved with the Demos. Its his blueprint for encouraging the youth in the area to stay.

A couple weeks after that futile El Camino Real tournament, Grant had about two dozen players signed up. Above the roster minimum of 18, and a whole lot more than the 11 at the same time last season.

At Jeffersons first practice in helmets July 28, Grant knelt on the sideline, ripping up a few blades of grass. This sod, he explained, was the same turf standouts like Romeo Doubs, now a rookie receiver with the Green Bay Packers, had starred on.

His players walk the same halls Doubs did. Walk the same streets around Jefferson. Grant wants them to realize whats the difference?

View post:
City Section football programs on the rise with rebuilds - Los Angeles Times

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No practice on the prairie | Yarns of Yesteryear | leadertelegram.com - Leader-Telegram

(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

It is Thursday, August 18, 2022, and the Cleveland Browns are days away from playing their second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, August 21 at 1:00 PM EDT.

Here is the Thursday edition of Browns Nation news and notes.

The Browns added OT Wyatt Miller to the roster on Wednesday.

Miller was recently waived by the Carolina Panthers and has struggled to find a landing spot since entering the NFL as a UDFA in 2019.

The Browns will be his eighth NFL team as he enters his fourth season.

To date, he has been limited to practice squad duties.

Wide receiver Travell Harris was waived to make room for the addition of Miller.

The #Browns have signed T Wyatt Miller and waived WR Travell Harris.

Miller was signed as an UDFA by the Jets in 2019 and has spent time on the Bengals, Seahawks and 49ers practice squads. He has spent most of the 2022 training camp with the Panthers.

Camryn Justice (@camijustice) August 17, 2022

Martin Emerson made a huge Pick 6 play in the Week 1 preseason game against the Jaguars.

MARTIN EMERSON PICK-SIX pic.twitter.com/XafxwdJWzR

Tru Maroon Nation (@TruMaroonNation) August 13, 2022

This play propelled him to a second-place ranking among defensive rookies after the first preseason game, according to Pro Football Focus.

Top defensive rooks from Preseason Week 1 pic.twitter.com/g5thZiMFAa

PFF College (@PFF_College) August 17, 2022

We hope to see much more of that in the weeks to come.

New grass has been planted for the Browns preseason home opener against the Eagles on Sunday.

It takes 10-14 days to root in properly, per Daryl Ruiter; however, it was just planted over the weekend.

#Browns installed new sod at @FEStadium following the MGK concert Saturday night. Takes 10-14 days for it to root properly. They're playing on it Sunday. Hope the miracle grow works some OT this week.

Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 17, 2022

Among things to keep an eye on Sunday are the players, coaches, score, and the grass.

The Eagles are in town, and joint practices begin today.

Cleveland bound.#PHIvsCLE | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/wxP08eJeUp

Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 18, 2022

This is a reunion of sorts as Coach Stefanski grew up in Philadelphia and was an Eagles fan as a child.

Speaking of Stefanski, a fan noticed that EA Sports improved Stefanskis likeness in theMadden 23 video game.

Well wellwe'll. @EAMaddenNFL FINALLY got this Beautiful Bastard accurate @Browns #Browns pic.twitter.com/wg5Bc5FTpE

Clint Planck (@cjplanck88) August 18, 2022

While this image looks like Stefanski, we also see a resemblance to Steelers legend Franco Harris.

Happy Thursday Browns fans!

Read the rest here:
Browns Nation News And Notes (8/18/22) - Browns Nation