Page 13 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 10-14-2015

Lake LifestyleClear Lake Mirror-Reporter Oct. 14, 2015 • Page 13

Winterizing 101: How to prepare your yard for winter

(Family Features) A beautiful lawn can be the foundation to a happy, healthier to your region will help trees and shrubs thrive. If you fertilize your own lawn, Maintaining Health and Appearance
life and lead to spending more time outdoors. In fact, 86 percent of Americans make sure to follow the product directions and sweep all fertilizer that may reach
consider their lawn important to their home and life. pavement back onto your lawn. Throughout the fall, there are things you can do to maintain your yard’s
“A healthy lawn encourages you to live life outside more with your family, appearance and health, Remove fallen tree leaves and debris from your lawn.
friends and neighbors,” said Dr. Kirk Hurto, Chief Science Officer, TruGreen. Studies have shown mulching tree leaves back into your lawn effectively clears
“There’s no time like late summer and early fall to start preparing your yard for away tree leaf debris that otherwise can become matted and damage your lawn
those spring and summertime outdoor gatherings.” over the winter. Lowering the mower height by one or two settings the last couple
While a recent survey conducted by TruGreen showed that seven out of 10 mowings before winter reduces grass diseases associated with snow. Avoid walking
Americans believe themselves to be knowledgeable about the health of their yard, on frost-covered lawns as doing so may cause brown footprints to appear later
the lawn care experts at TruGreen offer these helpful reminders to get your yard that can remain visible until spring. Clean and edge landscape beds, leaving no
ready for fall: more than 2-3 inches of mulch in the beds.

Aerating Treat trouble spots

Aeration involves removal of soil cores to improve water and air movement Summer can be even harder on a lawn than winter, especially for those
in compacted soils, and aids in promoting deeper and more root growth and lawns located in regions where heat waves and drought are common. In such
thatch management. Long term, your lawn will respond quicker to fertilizer and instances, certain spots on the lawn seem to be hit harder than others, and those
water runoff will be reduced when irrigating. spots should get special attention when winterizing the lawn. Check the soil’s pH
Aerators can be purchased or rented, but homeowners uncomfortable with levels before fertilizing or applying any treatments. Such a test will reveal which
the process may want to enlist a professional to tackle the job. Parents of small spots need the most attention, and treating trouble spots now will make spring
children who spend lots of time in the yard may need to aerate their lawn more lawn care that much easier.
than most, as heavy lawn traffic compresses the soil, a potentially harmful process
that can be reversed via aeration. Don’t procrastinate

Overseeding Putting off the process of winterizing a lawn can put that lawn in jeopardy.
Lawns will turn dormant the closer you get to winter, and they may reject the
When it comes to increasing lawn thickness and health, overseeding can nutrients found in fertilizer as a result. Those nutrients will prove valuable once
be essential. It can help discourage future weeds while also aiding recovery from spring weather returns, so start the winterization process in early fall so the lawn
summer heat, disease and insect activity. Seeding during late summer or early has sufficient time to absorb nutrients and strengthen itself for the seasons to
fall will give grass the maximum time to develop a deep extensive root system come.
and mature before the onset of winter stresses. Aeration is recommended when
overseeding to give seeds more soil contact and provide a moist, protected Pruning
environment required for germination.
Pruning is an essential maintenance practice for trees and shrubs. Landscapes
Feeding can quickly become overgrown if not cared for, but yearly pruning will maintain
trees and shrubs to an ideal size and shape. Remove dead or damaged branches
Fall feeding gives your landscape the nutrients needed to prepare for a from trees and shrubs to prevent rot organisms from invading the trunk and
healthy, green spring revival. Hiring a trained specialist with a plan customized stems of plants.
For more fall lawn care and maintenance advice, visit trugreen.com.

Creative ways to Winter plants to
recycle leaves brighten spaces

Leaves cascading down from leaves to a compost pile or use them their chicken coops. Dry leaves also color. Preserve favorite leaves with a Spring and summer have the colorful blooms and rich greenery that make
trees indicate the arrival of autumn. to fill container plants before adding may create more comfortable and lamination machine or by sealing them the great outdoors so lush and inviting. Autumn is awash in vibrant colors that
However, colorful and awe-inspiring regular potting soil. drier conditions for goats and other between heated sheets of waxed paper. beckon people outdoors to explore. But winter has a poor reputation with re-
autumn leaves can be a hazard if left • Insulation: Collect leaves to livestock. Goats may look to recently Cut out the leaf shapes and use for gard to natural beauty. While it’s true that many plants and wildlife retreat
to lie on the ground too long. mound over delicate perennial plants fallen leaves as a nutritious food source. hanging window decorations. into hibernation come the colder temperatures, some choose the wintertime to
Fallen leaves form a dense insulator and shrubs. The leaves will add more Gather the leaves and let the goats • Recreation: Leaves have long bloom. Other plants and shrubs continue to hold on to their leaves and color
to protect trees’ roots and prevent warmth to the soil and may help plants munch before you further rake and been favorite toys for children, who despite the cold.
competing plants from growing. make it through harsh winters. Just compost the leaves. eagerly await jumping into large piles Hardy winter plants do more than just survive the snow and ice. Many
Decomposing leaves also provide remove the leaves slowly when spring • Decorations: Natural leaves can of fallen leaves. Fill paper bags with thrive and have the potential to add that unexpected touch of color to an other-
nutrients for the tree. But wet leaves arrives so that the soil underneath can be used as decorations both inside and leaves and draw a target on the front. wise dreary landscape.
can be a safety hazard and leaves left on get the sunlight and water it needs to outside a home. String freshly fallen Let kids test their skill aiming for the In addition to berry bushes that can feature bright red, yellow and orange
the lawn through the winter can pose thrive. Leave some leaves in the yard so leaves together and wrap them around targets. Children can camouflage their berries perfect for holiday decorating, plenty of other plants are visually appeal-
a threat to the grass. These are just a that animals can use them as nesting a grapevine wreath for a rustic door clothing with leaves and masking tape ing through colder temperatures.
couple of reasons why so much effort material and line their dens for the decoration. Leaves can be placed in and have a more intense session of • Camellia: Camellias grow flowers similar in shape and size to roses. They
is placed on leaf clean-up in the fall. winter. clear vases and put on display for a “hide and seek.” range in shade from light pink to bright red. Camellias can bloom all year long
The following are some creative ways to • Stuffing: Create whimsical cheap way to showcase some autumn in moderate temperature zones. Even in colder zones, some cold climate hybrids
recycle leaves that fall from your trees scarecrows as part of your autumn can continue to add welcome color to the garden.
in the weeks to come. decoration scheme. Gather older • Evergreen holly: Perhaps the evergreen holly is the quintessential winter
• Mulch: Shredded leaves can make clothes that you no longer use and stuff plant. Green shiny leaves and bold red berries can be a bright spot in a winter
for a great amendment to fertilizer for the sleeves of shirts and the legs of pants garden. A holly hedge also can serve as a wind and privacy barrier.
garden beds and even the lawn. Leaves with leaves, which are less expensive • Snowdrop: These delicate white blooms often pop out of a layer of snow
lying on the grass can be mulched into and easier to come by than straw. Use a even before the first crocuses of spring. Snowdrops can wait out harsh weather
small pieces with a mulching mower few pieces of straw around the neck and and even extended snow events before eventually sprouting.
so they don’t choke the blades of grass. hand areas of the scarecrow for visual • Winter jasmine: If you want to create a mid-winter color splash, consider
Leaves also can be broken down with effect. Tie off with twine and display the climbing winter jasmine, which is hardy in zones 5 to 10 and blooms in
a string trimmer, a leaf blower that has your scarecrow. January.
a vacuum function or a commercial • Bedding: Chicken owners • Winter vegetables: Planting cabbage, spinach or swiss chard can give you
shredder/chipper. Add the shredded can use fallen leaves as bedding in something fresh to eat through late autumn and even into winter if you have a
greenhouse or cold frame in the yard.

Check out this page weekly for fun tips on a variety of topics. Brought to you by these community minded sponsors.

MASTER * ECONOMICAL 910 Hwy. 18 W.,
FLOORS FOOD Clear Lake, Iowa
4th & Main Ave., Downtown Clear Lake
Sales & Installation STORES Grocery: 357-5773
402 S. 15th St., Clear Lake • www.carpetone.com (641) 357-5271 Meat: 357-5769
Main Avenue, Clear Lake • (641) 357-5241
(641) 357-7869 Mon.-Sat.
8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Clear Lake We’re A Tire Store 322 Main Avenue I-35 & Hwy. 18, Clear Lake • 357-2366
Independent Telephone ... And A Whole Lot More! Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 The Perfect Place For

Company 880 Hwy. 18 W., Clear Lake (641) 357-7121 Senior Living
325 State Street
107 North 4th Street (641) 357-7117 Garner, Iowa 50438
(641) 923-3621
357-2111 Glen McIntire 425 Tiffany Drive
Owner/Manager Mason City, Iowa 50401
Visit us at: www.cltel.com (641) 423-7121

1204 N. 25th St., Clear Lake • 641-357-0757 ✯✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯✯ 2309 3rd Avenue S.
Clear Lake, IA
12 N. 4th Street • 357-2131 • Fax: 357-2133 405 27th Ave. South • Clear Lake, IA 50428
(Intersection of 4th Ave. S. & S. 24th St. ... e-mail: [email protected] • www.clreporter.com 641-357-7083 • Email: [email protected]
just North of Pritchard Auto)

(641) 231-8026