Now is the time to apply Corn Gluten Meal. The recent cool spells may have delayed seed germination for some of the summer weeds. If we get warm temperatures there is a good chance that seeds will begin to pop open. I normally tend to discourage application of CGM after mid March, but cool temperatures dictate seed germination. With severe weed infestations make your first application at 20 pounds per 1000 square feet; follow up with in a month with a second application at a rate of no less then 10 pounds per 1000 square feet. The more CGM you put out the more easily the roots from the germinating seed will be able to find the product and die off.
If your turf is so healthy that weeds cannot grow and no longer needs CGM go ahead and fertilize now. Green Sense All Purpose Fertilizer can be used on all plants, vegetables trees and turf areas. Apply at a rate of 20 pounds per thousand square feet.
Please measure your lawn to ensure proper coverage. One of the mistakes most people make is not applying enough fertilizer. Most people guess the size of the lawn; therefore they guess at how many bags they need. They usually guess wrong and do not put out enough of the product. The lawn starves and becomes weak allowing weeds to take over.
I know this for a fact since I have been to many a yard with my handy rolling measuring tape. I have proven over and over again that the customer is not always right… when it comes to measuring.
STEP 1: Create a plot plan of the lawn to use to record different measurements of each section of the lawn.
STEP 2: Know that you measure width and length and multiply these totals for square footage.
STEP 3: Measure each section of lawn individually: left side, right side, side yards, back yard.
STEP 4: Calibrate your spreader. Start with 10 pounds of fertilizer and apply it over 500 square feet. If you have some leftover, the setting is too low.
STEP 5: Write all this information down and save in an area so that you can refer to it as needed. Keep track of the date of application of products and re-apply every three months. If it is easier to do this on the calendar of your Outlook Express, do so.
Beneficial nematodes love the cool soil temperatures of the early spring and are more active now then they will be in July and August when soil temperatures warm up. Now is when a lot of the insects or larvae are still in the soil becoming easy prey for the BN’s.
Pruning
Roses: Except for early blooming varieties and climbers, roses can still be trimmed.
Crape Myrtles: DO NOT BUTCHER. Trim only branches that are no wider then a pencil. Remove branches that are injuring others or that may damage structures or cause injury to humans by hanging too low.
Fruit Trees: Prune branches to allow easy access to fruit and to encourage air movement and sunlight to center of tree.
Trees (EXCEPT LIVE OAKS AND RED OAKS IN TEXAS): Trim as necessary to avoid damage to structures, utility lines and vehicles. Most pruning done removes branches that are low to allow more sunlight to the soil below. This can make trees ugly by leaving a “celery stalk” effect. Many times you can get enough sunlight to an area by feathering the crown. That means pruning every other branch on the exterior of the canopy.
Do not prune oaks now until late August or better yet wait until November. Proper timing may prevent trees from harmful insects that transfer Oak Wilt.
We are doing applications of deep-root feeding. Deep-root feeding improves the soil by placing organic foods, nutrients and microbes next to the root system of your trees. The high-pressure applications displace compacted soils allowing air and moisture easy access to the once compacted soils.
Dormant oils: Entomologists are predicting another outburst of webworms, aphids and other damaging insects for 2008. Dormant oils suffocate or damage internal organs of many insect pests. If you have not made an application of this beneficial spray, do so now or call us. We are ready to apply this product to cut down damaging or unsightly insect populations.
Prostate
In my newsletter for January 2008, I mentioned my (not so) yearly physical that I had in preparation for my trip to South Africa. Part of the exam included my prostate. Ouch!
I knew that I had a problem since I had to go to the restroom quite frequently and would have to stand there for what seemed an eternity. As the line of men waited impatiently for me to finish I tried my hardest to push with no results, a gentle stream, almost a dribble was all that came out.
I know all males will develop a prostate problem and I should have gone to the doctor as soon as I realized that I had a problem. Maybe it was my ego that kept me from having someone point out that I was not as young as I wish I were. I am developing problems associated with age. I have to face the fact that at 54, I am going to have to make changes in order to try and remain as active in my life as I need or want to be.
It is an enlarged prostate, no polyps. I was not even recommended a colonoscopy.
I was given a prescription for Flomax.
I trust my doctor and trusted him to the point where I did not seek more information about Flomax and began taking the pills the same day I received the prescription.
After five days I noticed that I was able to play three sets of tennis for the first time in months without taking a bathroom break, thus avoiding a bunch of ribbing from my tennis bunch.
I became aware that I was not “going” as much as I used to and when I did “go” it took less time. I kept taking the pills for two months until I ran out. When I went to refill my prescription I asked the pharmacist if there was an alternative to Flomax?
“Why do you want to change, isn’t it working?
“Yes. I just want something that is made from natural products rather then chemical.”
“I would stick to what is working.”
There was more said, but at age 54 I cannot remember things as well as I used to. I do remember that I walked out without a refill.
I went home and looked up Flomax on the Internet.
I found out that the prostate also contains some smooth muscle tissue that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder and all the way out. When the prostate gland is enlarged, it puts pressure on the urethra, causing problems with urination. Men with enlarged prostate glands may have trouble starting urination, a weak urine stream, and need to urinate frequently. I was showing effects of all three symptoms.
After reading several articles there was one that finally in a clearly written paragraph cautioned against side effects: Men using Flomax are subject to a number of common side effects that include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, headache, backache, chest pain, cough, sore throat, sinus problems, weakness, and sexual side effects. In some men, fainting can occur. You should use caution when driving or operating heavy equipment until you know how Flomax will affect you.
I suffered none of the side effects, but knew for sure that if my medication could cause these symptoms I did not want to take them any longer so I read on. “Flomax relaxes the muscle in the prostate gland.”
I did another web search, this time I typed in: “medication relaxes the muscle in the prostate gland.”
After hours of looking for related items I gave up without finding any product to replace Flomax.
On Saturday January 5th, while I was driving north on Oak Lawn I saw a big bright banner advertising “First Saturday Sale 25% off!”
I immediately pulled into their crowded parking lot and upon entering the crowded store I was greeted by a young man who offered me help.
I immediately explained to him that I had been looking without success for an alternative product to Flomax. As I was telling him about my quest he started walking down an aisle and stopped in front of a bottle labeled Prostate 5LX by New Chapter.
“Bingo!” The label said it all, however my salesman continued to “preach.” He did not bore me and actually spoke to me in terms that I could understand. To make sure I was paying attention he asked me a question: “Do you participate in sports?”
“Yes, I try to play tennis.”
“Do your knees and ankles hurt after you play?”
“Yes, I was going to get some fish oil while I was here, too.”
“New Chapter makes another product called Zyflamend.” As he walked around to the opposite side of the aisle he was telling me that this product that he was about to show me would act as an anti-inflammatory. This would reduce the size of my prostate and cure me of my aching tennis knees and joints. “And you may not need the fish oils!”
On February 14th I flew into Newark and then drove to Annandale-on Hudson, just south of Albany. Henry Hutcheson and I were going to a memorial service for his nephew. We stopped for breakfast and then continued on to Bard College. I went to the bathroom right before we got our rental car and did not have to go again until we arrived at the college’s guesthouse.
The memorial service, which is one that I will never forget, honored the short but wonderful life of Warren Hutcheson.
His fellow students remembered their time with him at the school and on some of the trips abroad. Songs were written, music composed, letters were read. The president of the school, Leon Botstein, read us a letter sent to him by Warren. Warren asked the president what he did in his spare time, what motivated him to become who he is today and other important questions that most college students could care less to know the answers.
For the next four days Henry and I traveled through the northeast down to North Carolina. Not once did I have to ask to pullover, as a matter of fact I never felt the urge to find a bathroom until we stopped for gas or food.
Anyone who is taking Flomax should ask his doctor about Prostate 5LX by New Chapter. I did not, but I have always lived on the edge.
The store I went to is called Sundrops and is located at 3920 Oak Lawn. Their phone number is 214-521-0550. My salesman is Shane, but I am sure that the entire staff is knowledgeable enough to answer any questions about the products in their store.
To find out more about New Chapter’s many herbal remedies visit their website.