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News & Notes
Hewson Landscape,Inc. August 2011 |
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| Message from the President, | |
 As a general rule of thumb, whenever temperature and humidity levels reach into the 90's, (or it just gets really oppressive) we usually knock off work at mid day. This is to avoid any heat stroke or related illnesses when working outdoors. It is just brutal using equipment and performing labor intensive duties under these conditions. This month, I'll be attending the annual NJLICA golf outing on August 25th at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club. This is a fund raising event for the organization and gets a great turn out. If anyone is interested in playing with a foursome, feel free to contact me. Lunch and dinner will be served. We just added this new Kubota R520 Articulated Loader to our equipment fleet. We are replacing a Kubota R510 that is literally ready for the junk yard and hard to let go. (Tough to get replacement parts on what's wearing out) Don't forget to water your outdoor plant material! August is a tough month. Stay cool, keep hydrated and remember to replace your electrolytes.
Shelly Hewson |
| Canada Thistle | |
Canada Thistle is an invasive species of the genus cirsium arvense. Contrary to its name it is not a native of Canada. This plant is cited as a poisonous weed. It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant, forming an extensive underground root system that sends up numerous erect stems, reaching 3 feet tall; the stems often lie partly flat but can stay erect if supported by other vegetation. Unlike musk and bull thistles, the stems and flowers do not have spines or prickles. Removing shoots can stimulate growth on underground buds, which can generate new shoots a year or more after top-growth has been destroyed. Hand weeding or mowing will spread the growth of this weed. The flowers are 3/4 of an inch in diameter, pink-purple, blooming in late June through September. After the first flower buds have formed and before they open, now is the time to apply a herbicide, which will move through the plant and injure its root system, wilting it away. Canada Thistle is used as a food plant by the Engrailed, a species of moth. |
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| Hostas Halcyon |
 Hostas Halcyon is a popular perennial among gardeners. Once established, the leaves shade the ground so well that they crowd out most weeds, thus cutting down on mulch in the shrub bed. They never need dividing, but can easily be divided to produce more. Grown for their foliage, they they also produce clusters of funnel shaped flowers grown along tall stems. Flowers bloom during the summer in shades of white, lavender, and blue. The largest varieties are three to four feet tall; the smallest are less than eight inches. The most common leaf shapes are heart - or lance-shaped. Most types grow best in a part shaded spot with well-drained, fertile soil. Plants are hardy in zones 3 through 8. (We are zone 6) They are attractive planted under trees as groundcovers. They look good at the front of a mixed border. The plants also mix well with ferns or with woodland wildflowers such as bleeding heart and Virginia bluebells. You may also use them in containers for a different look. With so many different types, it's easy to create an interesting garden. When planting, be sure to leave them room to grow. It can take a young plant three to six years to mature to its round, full appearance. Keep in mind that a new garden will look better in its second year, third year, and beyond. Slugs are the only major pest, which thrive in the moist, shady areas. To combat slugs you can handpick them off the plant, set traps, and use deterrents such as diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells spread underneath the plants. Wildlife sometimes finds the leaves hard to resist as well. If you have trouble with deer or rabbits, you may need to protect your plants (otherwise they will look like celery stalks when you come home one day). Separate with a fence or try a spray such as Deer-off or Liquid Fence. Although slugs and snails can be serious problems, and leaf spot and crown rot lesser problems, hostas are otherwise virtually disease and pest-free, and are ideal, low-maintenance garden perennials. This cultivar has good slug resistance. This medium Hosta Halcyon can be mixed with other perennials, massed or used as a specimen in the border of a woodland garden. Halcyon produces a lot of seed pods and gives interesting seedlings, including a few with that lavender lovely color. |
| Irrigation Maintenance | |
Irrigation Maintenance and Proper Scheduling
Key water conserving concepts:
1. Adjust for optimum performance at season start up. When turning on your system in spring, it's important to test the system under similar conditions when it will run- for example, the water pressure will be different at 10am due to a higher water consumption versus at 1am when very little consumer use is occurring. You will also need to check each sprinkler heads radius and the coverage it gives you. So many times we have driven by a system that seems to be watering the roadway or your vehicle. This check will also let you know if nozzles are clogged or riser seals have deteriorated and are now leaking.
2. Set up Base Irrigation schedules. Each zone takes into account the particular plant material it is irrigating, specifically plants that have similar water requirements. Once this is established, the controller is programmed.
3. Optimizing your irrigation schedules. Optimizing takes into account the uniqueness of each zone or system. For example, you may have an area that is extremely wet or dry, or compacted or experiences rapid weather changes. Tweaking the irrigation schedule allows you to adjust the water delivery and conserve where necessary. This could prove to be easier said than done in real time, especially if you have to reprogram the clock after every time it rains.
4. Embrace New Technology. Newer controllers aid in water conservation by offering more flexible scheduling options. New nozzles have better distribution characteristics and new valves have been improved to deal with dirty water conditions. All in all, newer technology makes life a lot easier while also conserving water. Might be time to consider an upgrade. |
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The Dangers of Heat Illness | |
The Dangers of Heat Illness
The human body has many ways of coping with excessive heat and maintaining the normal body temperature. For instance, when sweat evaporates into the air, the body is cooled. Illness occurs when too much heat overloads the coping mechanisms. The balance of water and minerals in the body may be out of kilter. Sweating may be halted. The body's core temperature may rise to dangerous levels. If this process continues unattended, brain damage and death can occur.
Here are the three stages of heat illness, and their symptoms:
1. Heat Cramps. This condition occurs when the body has lost too much mineral content through sweating. The cramps typically occur in the legs or abdomen. For treatment, drink fluids and take it easy.
2. Heat Exhaustion. This is a more serious condition. The victim may display a pale or flushed look, as well as weakness, sweating and clammy skin, a headache, dizziness or nausea. Cool off the person by fanning, and applying cool compresses. Have the person drink fluids slowly. The victim should lie down with the feet slightly elevated.
3. Heat Stroke. This is the most serious form of heat illness, and it can quickly lead to death. Signs are chills, confusion, dry, hot, flushed skin and a rapid pulse. Call for a doctor immediately. Cool the person down, using a water hose or ice packs, or placing the person in a cool bath. Apply rescue breathing or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. Do not give fluids by mouth to a person who is unconscious because this can cause them to choke to death.
Here are some ways to prevent heat illness:
· Get accustomed to the heat gradually. If possible, take it easy for a few days until the body can adjust to hot weather.
· Wear light, layered clothing to allow for maximum ventilation. Wear a hat and sunscreen in the sun.
· Drink fluids often. Dehydration is a major contributor to heat illness. Preferred beverages are cool water and special drinks that replace minerals as well as fluids.
· Eat cool, light meals that are nutritious. Lightly salting foods may help maintain the balance of minerals in the body, replacing salt lost through sweating. However, consult a doctor if you must restrict salt intake for any reason such as heart problems or high blood pressure. Salt tablets are not recommended.
· In some work environments, cooled suits are used to keep the body temperature at a safe level. Clothing may be cooled by ice, water or air. Reflective clothing is also available to keep the heat off the skin.
It's important to prevent heat illness and to be alert to its symptoms. Even the early stages of heat illness should be taken seriously, because they are the warning signs of a dangerous condition that can lead to death. |
Hewson Landscape Renovation Survey | |
Please click on the link below and take a four question survey:
Hewson Landscape Renovation Survey
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Shelly Hewson
President, Hewson Landscape Inc. |
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