| Weeds on Wood River Trails sprayed
The Blaine County Recreation District is beginning the battle against noxious weeds anew this spring. As directed by Idaho law, spot spraying along the Wood River Trails bike path will begin in the next few weeks, said Executive Director Wally Morgus. The Wood River Trails system runs 32 miles from Bellevue to Ketchum and up into Sun Valley. All spraying will be done in the early morning and areas affected will be clearly marked with signs. The chemical being used has a distinct odor that will linger for several days after being sprayed. Joggers and bikers are cautioned to keep pets out of treated areas until the odor is gone, Morgus said. Noxious weeds are plant species that are not indigenous to a given area and are harmful to native plants and animals.
Storm has weather watchers on edge of seat
Rain, snow, sleet and temperatures around 40 degrees will make for an unpleasant, but probably not alarming, weekend of weather, meteorologists predicted yesterday. A storm that dumped 6 inches of snow in Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas was expected to head northeast yesterday and today. "There's potential for snow in the Pittsburgh area," said Bob Smerbeck, an Accuweather meteorologist. "It's going to be a close call. We're going to be on the back edge and it's going to be right on the edge of rain and snow." City Public Works Director Guy Costa said he pulled crews from street cleaning and pothole patching yesterday to put plows and spreaders on trucks "to play it safe" in case of heavy snow this weekend. Mr. Costa said the forecasts he's heard call for anywhere from half an inch to a foot of snow.
Gardening for children
"Kids Can Grow," a summer gardening program offered by UNH Cooperation Extension 4-H Youth Development and the UNH Master Gardener program, for youth 8-14 years of age, is just about ready to begin. Have you ever wanted to learn more about gardening? Experience the fun and excitement of planting and watching your vegetables and flowers grow? Would you like to know more about where your food comes from and the nutrition found within? Then consider joining the program for a summer of fun. You'll be mentored by a UNH Master Gardener, learn about 3'x5' raised bed gardening, and work as a team with other members in our community gardens and have your very own garden at your home. For information and an application, call the Strafford County 4-H office at 749-4445. The application deadline is April 16, and there is limited space available.
ABCs of Lawn and Turf Benefits
Frequently, those little green factories at our feet are taken for granted. It's easy to overlook the many reasons why a healthy lawn is an essential part of our lives. This primer from the Professional Landcare Network explains why the benefits of turf are as easy as A, B, C. Aesthetically pleasing - The value of turfed areas have been recognized for their beauty since China's emperors maintained mowed grass areas (157-87 B.C.). Today, lawns are an integral part of home landscaping and public parks. Business improvement - Businesses and manufacturing complexes that have well-maintained grassy areas create a favorable impression to the general public, employees and customers. Lawns increase the value of a property by as much as 15 percent. Climate control - Turfgrasses create appreciably cool temperatures, thus working as exterior "air conditioners." Dust filter - Dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere are trapped by turf, keeping our air cleaner and fresher.
Manure's allure
Chicken, horse, cow, bat and even human manure are nothing to turn your nose up at when it comes to soil enrichment, according to local gardening experts.
Using manure for gardening and lawn care is a timeless agriculture practice proponents swear by for its value in adding nutrients and organic material to soil.
What sets manure apart from commercial fertilizers is the organic component, according to Charles Guthal, owner of Guthals Nursery in Clovis.
Southwestern soil can lack organic content because of less natural composting compared with forested regions, Guthal explained.
When enriching soil through use of commercial products, nitrogen, phosphorous and potash are added. All can be found in manure with the added benefit of organic compounds from digested roughage, the lifelong gardener said.
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