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Beaver Creek Nursery
812-689-5595
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NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2013
 | Besides that, I'm
126 years old!
What do you
Expect?
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Life among the Weeds
It has definitely been an extra long winter. Even the illustrious Punxsutawney Phil missed this one! Of course one might consider how reliable a groundhog with a name like Punxsutawney Phil could actually be. So, now that we all are aware that "reality spring" and "calender spring" are two entirely different occurrences this year it is worth noting that much of March 2012 was giving us many days of upper 70's and even low 80 degree days. Having said that, we all know that warmer temperatures are definitely just around the corner and it is time to get prepared to catch the unwanted weeds that will surely follow in both your landscape beds and your lawn. You all are probably aware by now, since I preach it every spring, but just to hound you even more, it is time to start putting your pre-emergent weed inhibitor down on your landscape beds. If you wait until you see the ugly little weed heads popping up you have waited too long and you will be pulling, digging or spraying to rid your beds of them . Hint: As usual, we have Treflan available here for sale and it is much cheaper than Preen.
Now....on to your lawn!
This is the time of year when you actually have the ability to rid yourself of two of the most notorious lawn weeds; Crabgrass and Nutsedge. If you procrastinate too long you will be sorry. As the ground temps start to hit 55+ degrees both of these "annual" weeds will start to germinate. So, you might ask, how do I know when the ground has warmed up to 55-60 degrees? Do I need to come purchase some special thermometer that wilI cost me a fortune and I will rarely use? Of course not! Although the thought of some extra early spring cash "IS" appealing, you can figure this out by just observing Mother Nature. Here is the "Hint" so get all comfy and ready for the BIG news.......Watch the Forsythia and the Lilacs!! When the forsythia bloom the ground is warming and by the time the lilacs start to bloom it is "plenty warm". So, now that I just saved you a ton of money how about coming to the nursery and sharing in the wealth?..haha
Ok, enough said! On to the weeds! | |
Crabgrass....YUK!
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To make this simple, anytime now through the end of April give or take a few it is time to apply a pre-emergent to your lawn to prevent the crabgrass from taking hold. A granular product called Dimension is perfect for this. It will not stain your lawn and can be easily applied with a lawn seeder. Actually, while you are applying the Dimension to prevent the crabgrass from taking hold, why not fertilize your lawn at the same time. Good idea? If you agree than try a product such as 19-0-5 with Dimension already in it. Just spread it and you have killed two birds with one stone. Note: It is a good idea to apply this prior to a rain to help work it down to soil contact.
The next thing to do for weed control is to rid yourself of the broad-leaf weeds which will start to show up about 4-6 weeks later so mark your calender. Or you can again observe Ma Nature. When you see the dandelions just starting to come alive it is time to apply another dose of weed getter. Although the Dimension will help to suppress many other weeds it is mainly designed to nail crabgrass. So, since you have already taken care of the crabgrass now you need something else to stop the other weeds. And, why not apply a second shot of light fertilizer to help nurture your grass while your at it. A great product for this is 15-0-5 with Viper. It will not only nail the remaining weeds but it will also feed your lawn again. Hint: And, of course we have both of these products available for sale. Now all you need to do is clean up the mower, sharpen the blades and get ready to mow a healthy, weed free lawn. On to the Nutsedge.  | Yellow Nutsedge....YUK, YUK!!
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Well this is where all my "previous work" pays off....at least for me! Having previously discussed this nasty, hard to kill little weed that will definitely "take over" especially in damp areas, and since being redundant is in itself redundant, please follow this link to an earlier Newsletter if you want to know more about this nasty, nasty weed. So, want to know more about Nutsedge?.... click here . Now, how's that for being "redundant"? Hint: Is it being redundant to say "of course we have the stuff to get rid of this ugly, nasty, hard to kill weed available here for sale".
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Things to "Worry" About....
Since the weather will obviously ( we all hope ) be warming up it is also time to alert ourselves to some of the "dangers" lurking in and around our yards and our "go to" fun areas.
Many of you, especially us "prime of life timers" may be aware of these ever present dangers but just to be on the safe side here are a couple of things you may like to know. And, I'll bet ( not much of course this time of year ) that I will tell you something here that most if not all of you do not know. So, pay close attention. I promise to make it short and to the point!
Here we go.......
I am sure most of you know or have heard.....
"Leaflets of three, let it be"...."Leaves of three, quickly flee"....."Berries of white, poisonous sight". Yep....were talking about Poison Ivy. But can you truly recognize it if you saw it? Many people don't and they wind up with some nasty, itchy blisters that can last for 2-3 weeks. UGH!
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Poison Ivy....up close and personal!
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Poison Ivy has dark green, slightly shinny leaves that as the sayings above go, are found in groups of three. These can either be smooth or notched. It is normally found as a vine growing up even the tallest of trees, along roadsides and in fence lines, in shrubbery and flower beds, but, in some instances it can be found as a small shrub. All parts of the plant are "poisonous" at least to us humans. Animals and in particular, pets are not allergic to it but can bring the "itchy, gooey" stuff home with them on their coats.
NEVER, EVER burn poison ivy as the inhaled smoke or fumes can cause serious consequences.
 Poison ivy is easily recognizable in the fall when it turns red.
Next "Scary plant"..... Poison Sumac
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Staghorn Sumac...NOT Poison Sumac
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This is NOT Poison Sumac. Poison sumac is only found in extremely wet areas such as bogs and areas of continual standing water where most trees cannot grow. It would be extremely rare for you to find this plant and it is often confused with the plant in this photo which again (being redundant this month) is STAGHORN SUMAC!!! Notice the upright growing fall seed heads. With poison sumac all berries and seed droop toward the ground and are not held upright like a Stag Horn. Staghorn Sumac has jagged leaves and hairy stems as opposed to the smoothness of Poison Sumac. Again, It would be very, very rare for you to run into Poison Sumac so take this one off your list of worries.
And the 3rd and final "Dangerous and Scary" plant to "worry" about is ......
Poison Oak
And this is where I think I will get most if not all of you. It DOES NOT EXIST IN INDANA!!!!!!!!!! How about that????????? Now, don't you feel a bit relieved?????? and........
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Now that you all are
"worry free"
Enjoy.....
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A Closing Thought
"I must confess, I was born at a very early age"
....Groucho Marx
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Beaver Creek Nursery
Southeastern Indiana's Largest
& Most Unique Nursery
812-689-5595
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