Simple Steps to a Better Lawn

By Sheldon D. Barker
Source: Tennessee Yardstick Workbook 

Mowing height:

Most of us cut our grass to short, particularly in the hot dry part of the summer. The higher the turf cutting height, the more extensive the root system. Deep root systems help to hold soil in place, prevent erosion and need less watering.

Cool Season Turfgrasses Mowing Height

•    Tall Fescue 2.0-3.5 inches
•    KY Bluegrass 1.5 – 2.5 inches
•    Fine Fescue 1.5 – 2.5 inches

Warm Season Turfgrasses

•    Bermuda grass .75 – 2.5 inches
•    Zoysia .75 – 2.0 inches
•    Centipedegrass 1.0 – 2.0 inches

Mowing frequency & timing:

To reduce the amount of stress on your lawn, mow less during times of drought. Avoid mowing in the heat of the day to protect air quality.

Check and Treat for pests:

Have you had small brown spots in your yard that quickly spread out a couple of feet? Maybe you have dandelions, or other weeds in your yard. Whatever, the problem proper identification of the pest is important. If you need help with identification, contact the UT Extension office

Fertilizing:

The first step is a soil test. Find out what nutrients you need to add and how much. Grass clippings are high in nitrogen. By leaving grass clippings on your lawn, you can fertilize one less time per year!

Shaded areas:

Neither cool nor warm season grasses do well in shaded areas. Consider alternative covers like a simple mulched shade garden.

Groovy Grandmas and Gregarious Grandpas

Part 1

Written by: Aneta Eichler

 

“Every time a child is born, a grandparent is born too”

 

                On January 17, 2014 I achieved the most esteemed position in all the land….I became a grandma!  Grandparenting can be a very rewarding experience.  However, I must warn you that becoming a grandparent makes one a new person.  When you become a grandparent your identity, roles and relationships will change.  Your relationship with your child will make dramatic changes as he/she begins their new role as parent and you begin the role of support staff.  So how can we be a groovy grandma or gregarious grandpa and still honor our relationship with the parents?

            First, you must realize that parents are the fulcrums of grandparent’s relationship with grandchildren.  It is imperative to build a strong relationship with the parents, especially the son/daughter-in-law.  Grandparents should respect the right of new parents to make their own mistakes without being too critical or judgmental.   Make a conscientious effort to being kind, understanding, compassionate, non-judgmental, supportive, loving and caring.   

            Second, demonstrating good communication skills can be the strength of your new found role.  As the patriarch of the family you have the opportunity to offer leadership concerning the family as a “team” and setting a positive example.  Holding regular family meetings gives you the opportunity to assess family members’ needs, offer support where requested and help them develop coping skills. Be sure to respect their requests on issues pertaining to the grandchildren (o.k. a little spoiling might be necessary for their survival, but in all things important, be sure to respect the parent’s wishes).

            Third, as a grandparent, you will want to realign your priorities and obligations.  Enjoying those grandchildren will require a time commitment that may have previously been spent on hobbies, work or community involvement.  However, your child will be thankful for an occasional break and you will be blessed by spending time with those precious grandchildren.  Be sure to communicate your availability to the parents and ask them to respect your time as well. 

            Fourth, remember that your children are still your children.  They still need you as their parent.  I recommend spending individual time with your child, without the grandchild.  Talk to them about their work, their hobbies and interests.  Let them know you still care for them.  Being a parent can become overwhelming at times.  Try to put yourself in their shoes to understand their experiences. Use this alone time as an opportunity to encourage them and give them loving guidance (when requested).     

            In this article we have looked at some tips for building a strong relationship between parents and grandparents.  In part 2 we will look at building strong relationships with your grandchildren.  For more information on grandparenting contact the Extension office at 423-949-2611 or visit our website at http://sequatchie.tennessee.edu or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/UTExtension.Sequatchie. 

           

Cold Weather and Insects

Did the cold weather have an impact on insect pest?

By: Sheldon D. Barker, County Director

We saw some extremely cold weather in the first three months of 2014. Thus the question, “Did the cold weather have an impact on insect pests?” Well, the answer, that depends.

Many insects have survival methods for extreme cold.  While the cold may have affected some pest, others may have survived. Scott Stewart, IPM Extension Specialist with UT Extension and other Extension Entomologist have written on this and they conclude, “It depends on the bug.”

While the Sequatchie Valley and surrounding mountains saw temperatures below zero, many insects can survive much colder temperatures. Many insects overwinter by hiding from the cold. For example, Japanese beetles overwinter as larvae in the soil. They simply burrow deeper to avoid the cold.

Fire Ants require persistent cold temperatures to be affected. According to Karen Vail, Extension Urban Entomologist at the University of Tennessee, we have not experienced the continuous cold temperatures needed to cause widespread death of fire ant colonies. Fire ants have massive mounds, and to be impacted by the cold the ground has to freeze as deep as their nest.

What about mosquitoes? Well, Alaska is known for its mosquitoes, which says a lot for this hardy pest.

We also have several invasive pest that can cause problems besides fire ants. The brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive pest from Asia, now well established in the Knoxville and Nashville area, is well established in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware and other surrounding states. It is also moving north from these states, thus the brown marmorated stink bug seems to do well in the cold. According to Dr. Stewart hot summers may negatively affect the spread of this pest in the South.

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, a forest pest that is of serious concern in Eastern Tennessee, effects the Eastern Hemlock. “The lethal temperature for the woolly adelgid is minus 4 or 5 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Richard S. Cowles, a scientist with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Temperatures in parts of the area did fall below this level, however we will just have to wait and see.

For the most part many of the common pest we see around our homes and gardens will be around this summer, so be ready!