Quick Links
 
Thatch All, Folks! 
grass
Though you tend to think only about the inch or two of each grass shoot that you actually see, there's a whole root system working underneath it.
 
Over time, some of those roots decay, causing thatch -- a layer of dead material. If allowed to grow thicker than half an inch, thatch can choke a lawn of water and air and slowly strangle your lawn like some sort of invisible boa constrictor.
 
To help control thatch, apply a mid-summer feed of TurfNuture. Mechanical dethatching is best done in mid to late September. Also, try raking a quarter inch of top-dressing soil over your lawn, which can accelerate the thatch's decay rate. But don't overdo it and try to eradicate all the thatch, since a thin layer actually protects the roots beneath it. 
   
 
Lawnmower Wake-Up and Take-Out
 
It soon will be time to bring your lawnmower out again, but after a long winter hibernation there's things to do before firing it up and taking it out for a spin.
 
First, remove the spark plug wire.
 
Then check the blade for sharpness. If dull, remove it and sharpen with a file.
Sharpen mower blade throughout the growing season after every fourth mowing. Sharp blades improve the lawn's appearence.
 
Also, clean the housing inside and out.
 
Discard old gasoline before the first startup. Old gas could gum things up.
 
Lubricate all moving parts including wheels, and then fire it up and head out for a spin.
 
Remember safety too. Before you hit the turf, check for debris that can become deadly missiles.
 
With a little care and extra effort you will have a beautiful lawn all summer long.
Join Our Mailing List

Bird Feeding is Guilt Free Unless...

In theory, bird feeders are simple. You hang it, fill with seed and watch your feathered friends. But here's a wrinkle: Feeders can harbor diseases (such as salmonella), and spread them to your winged guests.

Luckily, the solution is simple. Just take the feeder down and clean it monthly with a soap, water and bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water).

Also, make sure to remove any leftover food with each filling. Be sure to hose down or rake the area below the feeder to remove accumulated bird droppings. One last reminder, clean your feeders whenever you see a sick bird at your feeder station.

Wedel's News

Ask George:

Q. After the snow melt my lawn looked very poor. What should I do first to improve turf quality?

A. Most lawns would benefit from a light raking, before green-up begins, to fluff up the matted grass.  Raking after snow melt will help dry out turf and stop further snow mold damage.
 
Bare or thin turf areas should be seeded after raking.  Grass seed sown soon will get off to a better start than seed planted in warmer weather.Use Scotts Step I for Seeding for crabgrass control. Crabgrass doesn't grow in shady lawn areas so skip these areas.
 
Shady lawns don't need to be fed as often; 2 - 3 times a year is adequate.
 
Any lawns that were not fertilized last November should be fertilized at half rate with Scotts Lawn Pro Lawn Fertilizer as soon as possible to encourage early spring green-up. The best time to apply lawn crabgrass preventer is April 28 through May 8.
Ask Roger:

banner for newsletterQ. Should I stop feeding birds in spring and summer?

A. The answer is no. There may well be things in life to feel guilty about but feeding birds shouldn't be on the list.

We feed birds in spring for the same reason we feed them in any season because we enjoy watching them at our feeders.  For seed eating birds, late spring and early summer is actually the most difficult time of year for finding food.  Natural seed sources mature in the fall and are eaten during the course of winter.  By spring, they are largely depleted so birds visit feeders in greater numbers. The ebbing of the food supply coincides with a very busy time for birds since they are expending energy nesting and feeding their offspring. Adding crushed and baked egg shells provides extra calcium during egg laying season. Calcium deficiency is not uncommon in female birds during spring and summer.

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year to feed birds.  Not only are there more birds around but there are more daylight hours to watch them.  Nothing beats sitting outdoors and hearing them as well as seeing them.  By the way, the myth that young birds will become feeder dependent and starve if you go on vacation and your feeder goes empty is not true.  Remember - as long as you keep your feeder clean and sanitary there is no guilt when feeding birds.
 DIY Cold Frame
  
Now's a good time to think about growing seedlings, and a great place to grow them is in a cold frame. Cold frames are easy to build and they help ease new plants into unpredictable spring weather.
 
A cold frame is a season extender that allows you to harvest from the colder months to spring. The frame keeps the soil from freezing and when it's early spring, you'll be ahead of the season with harvests of great vegetables.
 
To build a cold frame you'll need:
  • An old window
  • 4 pieces of plywood
  • 12 nails
  • Hammer
  • 2 stakes
  • 2 screw eyes
  • 2 hooks
  • 2 lightweight chains
Step 1. Take an old window and build a square frame out of plywood to fit under the window. Make sure one side faces south.
 
Step 2. Lay the window on top of the frame in the garden.
 
Step 3. At the north side of the window drive into the ground two stakes that are two feet high--one at each corner. Then, screw a hook (frame side) near the top of the stake. Repeat on the other stake.
 
Step 4. Attach a lightweight chain from the hook on each stake to the farthest side of the window. The chain will link one screw eye to a corresponding hook. You can shorten the chain by putting the hook on a different level link. This will open the window higher or lower to let different levels of light in.
 
Shop Wedel's for:
  • Area's best seed selection
  • Plant flats
  • Peat pots
  • Fertilome Seed Starter Soil
  • Heat mats
Test Your Soil - Free
 
Spring is here! The calendar says so and the weather says so. This is the perfect time to begin projects that will lead to having a lush, green lawn. One of the first steps you can take is to have your soil pH tested. Proper pH ensures that your grass plants can absorb the nutrients you provide. If the soil pH is too high or too low those nutrients are locked in the soil making it much more difficult to have the lawn you desire. Altering the pH is simple to do but you need to know what and how much to use. That's where Wedel's can help. Bring in a section of sod, about 8 x 8 inches square and be sure to dig deeply enough to include the roots of the grass. You will be able to replace that secton of sod and not be able to tell it ever left your yard. One of our Wedel lawn experts will examine the root structure, soil composition and test for the pH. Our expert advice will help you to have a lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood. And remember, this service is always free at Wedel's! 
wkzo
Saturday Mornings
 
Birdwatch
8:00
with host Roger Taylor
 
Over the Garden Fence 9:07
with host Andy Wedel
 

  Note from the Editor

   Welcome to the first issue of Wedel's News! You are here, at the beginning, so I hope you are as excited as we are with the prospect of keeping in touch throughout the year. This is where we will bring interesting and informative articles to you:  news of what is new at Wedel's; tips on lawn, garden and landscape projects; ideas on how to make your outdoor living even more enjoyable. But we want it to be more than that.
 
   We want Wedel's News to be the newsletter you look forward to receiving and the best way to do that is to ask you what you would like to see...what features will be of greatest interest to you. Take the time to drop me a line at my address below and let me know what you'd like to see.