Mountain Living - April 2015
- By Mac Lee
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- 05 Apr, 2015
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Lawns & Fertilizer ... and Butterflies and Hummingbirds too!
This month I was going to write about the Monarch Butterfly, an insect that I have become rather fascinated with over the years and one that is vital to our agricultural and horticultural industries, but is rapidly shrinking in numbers in our area. However, I received several calls this month in the extension office plant clinic regarding lawns and fertilizers, so I will save the Monarch for another day and talk a little about lawns in our area.
When the weather in the mountains transitions from winter to spring, people get motivated to do something to hasten along the greening of their lawns. All too often it is off to the big box stores to buy whatever fertilizer is on sale and dump it on the lawn and hope for the best. This is probably one of the worst things to do to encourage a green, healthy lawn. We really need to understand what is going on in our lawns before we can develop a plan to assist it. First and foremost is to do a soil test (available at the extension office) to find out specific information on pH levels and the three basic chemical elements of the soil. Most soils in our area are clay loam, acidic in nature, and are in need of some amendments to provide a proper growing medium. A soil test will tell us what the pH level is and how much lime is needed to “sweeten” and bring it up to ideal lawn growing conditions. For turf grasses in our area a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is optimum for proper nutrient availability. The soil test will also indicate how much nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) is needed in the soil for proper nutrients. These are the 3 numbers on every fertilizer bag, so that a 100 pound bag of 10-18-16 has 10 pounds of nitrogen, 18 pounds of phosphorus, and 16 pounds of potassium. The point is: apply only the needed nutrients and in the proper proportions, based on the results of the soil test. All too often too much nitrogen is applied to bring about a quick greening only to later damage the turf with too much of this chemical when warmer weather sets in.
In our area, cool season grasses tend to perform the best. They grow best in the spring and fall, are less active in the summer, but still maintain a nice color just about all year long. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and ryegrass are examples of cool season grasses. Warm season grasses grow best in the summer and go dormant after the first frost. Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine are examples of warm season grasses. Fall is the ideal time to plant or over seed a cool season turf, but seeding can be done in the spring so long as a crab grass pre-emergent is not applied at the time of seeding as any pre-emergent will cause all seeds, including the good grass seeds, not to germinate. Also remember that the soil temperature needs to be at least 60 degrees for proper seed germination. Sufficient water after seeding is necessary to cause germination and proper root growth and should be reduced after the shoots are 1” to 2”. Sunshine should be at least 6 hours per day.
My experience has been that establishing and maintaining a beautiful turf is part science and part art. Given a little preparation and proper timing, the results can be most rewarding.
That’s all for now.
Mac
p.s. Don’t forget to clean and put out your hummingbird feeders this month. The scout hummers will be back by April 15!
Junaluska Highlands Book Club meets the First Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm. Hostess provides Dessert, Coffee and/or Tea. Book Discussion begins at 7:00 pm.
September 10
Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel
Hostess & Facilitator: Marie Aiken
October 8
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Hostess: Jennifer Conrad
Facilitator: Joyce Brunsvold
November 5
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen
Hostess & Facilitator: Kathie McCracken
December 3
“Eat, Drink and Be Merry!!”
Social Dinner or Dine Out TBD
Hostess: Patti Surak
Helpers: TBD (need 4). If you want to volunteer, let Patti know.
January 7
A Gift of Time by Jerry Merritt
Hostess: Tammy Wright
Facilitator: Kate Gross
February 4
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Hostess: Suzanne Patrick
Facilitator: Kathy Bell
March 3
The Swan House
Hostess: Kathy Bell
Facilitator: Debbie Savage
April 7
Educated by Tara Westover
Hostess & Facilitator: Susan Lee
May 5
“Spring Fling” Social Dinner Meeting
Includes Book Selections, Signups for Hostess and Facilitators/Helpers for 2020-2021
Hostess: Jan Vittum
Helpers: TBD (need 4). If you want to volunteer, contact Jan Vittum.
June, July, August:
Summer Break
Reminders: Hostess sends an email to members in advance of the meeting. Please include: Title/Author, Time, Date, Your Address, Special Info (Parking, etc.) and a RSVP date.
Important: Please respond on/before the RSVP date so the Hostess knows how many are attending. Thank you!!
Note: If you need to switch a date to host, facilitate, help or request a substitute, please contact another member and see what you can work out. We are always willing to help each other!! :)
3 February, 2019
You have likely noticed the new yellow stripping between the entrance and exit gates. This is safety striping to help separate the lanes, but also serves the purpose of directing traffic toward the outside edges of the pavement. This is necessary because the magnetometer that detects the presence of vehicles and automatically opens the exit gate is a little touchy to set up. It has to be sensitive enough to detect small vehicles and open the exit gate for them as well as not being too sensitive when larger vehicle come in the entrance gate. If too sensitive the exit gate will open when vehicles come through the entrance gate, causing additional wear and tear on the gate opening system. The gate group has made numerous adjustments to the sensors trying to get the balance just right.
The roads committee (Charles Gross, Max Wicks, and Frank Lay) volunteers were responsible for getting the new yellow safety striping in place. The roads group has many other responsibilities concerning the J.H. community roads including signage, and road repair. Kudos for a job well done.
Thank you Gate Group (Phil Casso, Jerry Doucet) for your volunteer work in keeping the gate operational.
Kathy Bell is coordinating the meetings for Highlands Residents who want to participate in the book club this year. Meeting start with some general chit-chat, then there is a book discussion followed by light refreshments and merriment.
The Reading Calendar
September 11 “Station 11” by Emily St John Mandel
October 2 “Code Girls” by Liza Mundy
November 6 “The Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin
December 4 Eat Drink and be Merry Social Dinner
January 8 “My Italian Bulldozer” by Alexander McCall Smith
February 5 “Isaac’s Storm” by Erik Larson
March 5 “TBD”
April 2 “TBD”
May 7 Spring Fling Social Dinner + Next year planning
The abandoned husbands club will occasionally meet on the same night for alternate festivities that may include dinner, a movie, or whatever else devious minds can conjure.
Mark your calendars now for the Junaluska Highlands community wide July 4th cook out and social at the pavilion next to the ponds. Planning is underway for this annual Community Event. This is a favorite get together for all residents, lot owners, and their guests. Meet and catch up with all your Junaluska Highlands Neighbors. A member of your party will have an opportunity to briefly tell about a memorable 4th of July, or what the 4th means to you (this is optional).
Junaluska Highlands Community Association
4th of July Celebration Picnic
Monday July 4, 2016 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the JHCA Pavilion
6:00-6:45 Meet and Greet
Appetizers, Welcome New Neighbors, Reflections
on the 4th of July,
Sing Along “America the Beautiful” and Blessing
6:45-8:00 Meal and Socializing
· Picnic is Potluck
· Cost: $5.00 per person. You and your guests are welcome.
· Children under 10 are free. You are responsible for paying for your guests.
· Each family is asked to provide an Appetizer, Side OR Dessert (not all 3).
· Bring your own chairs and beverages.
· Bar-B-Q Pork and Chicken, Paper Plates, Napkins, and Eating Utensils are provided.
RSVP to Joyce Brunsvold no later than Friday, June 24
Include in your RSVP:
· Dish you are bringing -- An Appetizer, Side OR Dessert Indicate any items that may be Gluten Free.
· Number of People/Guests in your party.
Weather Note: In case of inclement weather, Charles and Kathy Gross at 36 Kinross Lane have graciously offered their home for the picnic. Notification will be by email by 4:00pm on the 4th if the picnic has to be moved to the Gross’.
Thanks to David Vittum for the photos (see Gallery) from the Junaluska Highlands [2015] Spring Workday!
Also many thanks to the Home and Property Owners who generously contributed their time and resources to this annual Junaluska Highlands beautification workday and cookout.
There have been several sightings of bears in the JH neighborhood over the past several weeks. The bears are not timid. One was seen up close and personal on the Coleman’s deck. This bear was interested in bird seed that was in a feeder near the deck. Bears are a fact of life in this area and connot be completely avoided.
Be careful around bears. Do not attempt to wrestle with one. Do not allow your dogs to tangle with a bear, as the bear is likely to win this encounter. Do keep food sources and trash containers in bear proof containers or in a closed garage. Do keep your ground level doors closed and locked. Bears can climb, so upper level decks are not bear proof. If you encounter a bear in the outdoors, do not run, as this triggers an attack response. Also, you cannot outrun a bear. Avoid eye contact and back away if possible. If a bear does not know you are nearby, make some noise so he can avoid you. Bear spay is available as a last resort. This is a pepper spray that will burn the bears eyes, giving you time to depart the area (and leave the bear pissed-off). Small spray cans are not effective, only use the large spray cans designed as a bear deterrent (these can spray 20-30 ft in distance). Bear spray can be found at large outdoor/camping stores such as REI, or can be ordered on line from Amazon.
If you have persistent bear problems, contact animal control for additional help. Also let your neighbors know when and where you saw a bear.