In This Issue:

• Message from the CEO
• Corporate News
• Operations
• Log Harvesting
• Forestry News
• Mill Report
• Safety Stats
• Information Systems
• Fred's Compost Talk
• Calendar

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By George RoseFred's Compost Talk

Winter has hopefully gone and we should start seeing warmer days. Lawns, trees and flowers will start to grow and the bulbs you planted last fall should soon be showing signs of growth.

Pruning

At this time fruit tree pruning and dormant oil spraying should be done. This is the time to prune trees and bushes before they start to flower. Pruning should not be done when flowering has started.

Pheromone Traps vs Spraying

I have been asked if spraying pesticides was the only way to kill insects in fruit trees. The answer is NO. The use of pheromone traps is one of the most effective and safest ways to control harmful insects in your fruit trees. We all know that insects seem to be taking over our gardens and the fruit on fruit trees. With the new environmental laws always changing, it's getting harder to buy products to control these pests. Pheromone traps work by mimicking the odor given off by the female insect to attract the male for mating. Pheromone traps use a synthetic sex pheromone that is released at the proper time and temperature to attract the insects. The traps are so specific that a different Pheromone trap is needed for each insect targeted.

These traps are excellent for the following reasons.

• Catches just the targeted insect and not the beneficial insects like lady bugs and the lace wing that prey on aphids and many other insect lava.
• Spraying for certain insects also kills the good insects and spraying requires 2-3 applications.
• Pest management with Pheromone traps is environmentally friendly and safe.
• The trap leaves no residue or contamination on surrounding areas and is safe for people, pets and birds.

Lime, Fertilize, Aerate

The lawn has taken quite a beating from all the frost and snow. It will soon need aerating, liming and fertilizing. Here are a few tips to get your lawn into shape.

• Lime: Adding dolomite lime to your lawn puts back calcium and magnesium which is lost during the wet weather. Recommend rate is 20KG per 100M2 of grass, this is done at the end of March.
• Fertilizing: Apply a good starter fertilize (24-4-12) high in nitrogen will keep your lawn green and actively growing and healthy during spring and summer. Recommend rate is using 25KG per 1000M2 or 2.5KG per 100M2. Your fist application should be mid April when the lawn is in active growth and followed by 3 to 4 more applications.
• Aerate: This can be done any time when the lawn is dry and firm enough.

Safety

Remember to make safety glasses, gloves, proper foot wear and ear protection part of your safety garden equipment.