The Coulson Group of Companies

Fred's Compost Talk

Once again we are coming to the end of another season when the leaves turn colour. Fall is the time to shift our garden activities to things that will show us some benefits next spring and summer.

Lawns
This is the time to rejuvenate tired lawns by aerating. Apply fall fertilizer to help guard from disease while providing sufficient nutrition to improve winter hardiness and spring green up. Your dolomite lime application should be done in December or January so the spring rain can break down the lime and prepare the lawn for spring growth. The ideal pH is 6.5 to 7.0. During the fall months be sure to keep up with leave removal from the lawn. Leaves that become packed down cut off the air supply and will result in dead spots in the lawn next spring. Piles of leaves also harbour a breeding place for over wintering turf eating insects which will migrate into the law in early spring.

Bulb Planting
Now is the time to start planting those bulbs for a Spring full of colour!. The bulbs that were dug up and stored from the summer can now be cleaned off and checked for rot and mildew. Tulips and daffodils should be plated in mid to late fall about six inches deep and four inches apart. For single bulb planting use a planter trowel. For clump planting dig out an entire area to the proper depth. Loosen soil at bottom and work in bone meal, one teaspoon per bulb. Bone meal should not touch the bulbs. Set bulbs and replace soil then water well.

Garden Sprayers
How to have a trouble free sprayer next spring, Almost all problems with sprayers come from neglecting cleaning, not draining the tank, leaving the sprayer in the sun all summer and not maintaining spryer parts. Here are three rules for maintaining a sprayer. Always clean all parts including filters and nozzle using dish washing soap and rinse thoroughly. Lightly oil all moving parts and gaskets, especially the pump and plunge, now is also a good time to inspect the O-rings and plunger cup and replace any damaged parts. Sprayers should then be stored hanging upside down with the plunger pump hanging separate. This lets the sprayer drain and air circulate and dry the sprayer parts and prevents deterioration of the gaskets and O-rings.

Reminder
Don’t forget to clean your gutters before the rain and wind comes.

Power Equipment

Don’t forget to winterize your power equipment
Drain all gas and run carburetor empty
Drain and refill oil in lawn mowers
Clean or replace air cleaners
Replace spark plus
Sharpen mower blades

September, 2007 Volume 07-128

Fred's Compost Talk

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