Search Results for: blog lawn care pesticides

Five Winter Lawn Care Tips

Currently, our lawn is covered with a blanket of fresh snow. Nothing compared to what our neighbors to the north received (more than a foot fell there in less than 5 hours). We just have a couple of inches, but it is enough to get me thinking about what should be done out there prior to the inevitable—I know that we were spared by this storm, but next time I can guarantee we won’t be as lucky. Here are five things you should do before your yard hibernates under a blanket of snow this winter: 1. Aerate. (Otherwise known as … Continue reading →

Facts to Consider on Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! Yes, today is the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day. I’ve written several blogs about this day, but thought one more was in order. Here are a few interesting facts to think about on Earth Day: An acre of tropical forest is lost each second. Americans are among the worst environmental culprits. Although we only make up 5% of the Earth’s population, we use 33% of the paper produced and put out 72% of all hazardous waste. Americans also use 25% of the world’s energy and every two minutes, we use one million gallons of oil. The Environmental … Continue reading →

Making Your Garden Go Green

Although with snow on the ground and more expected, gardening should be the last thing on my mind, I am already planning ahead. The last frost will be here and gone eventually. With everything still dormant, it is a good time to start the planning for the garden season to come. Being more environmentally conscious and gardening go hand and hand. If you want to make your garden really go green this year, try taking advantage of the following tips. Start a compost pile that will nurture your plants with natural fertilizer and plenty of good food. As you clean … Continue reading →

Treating Your Home and Yard for Fleas and Ticks

Most of the time, treating your pets for fleas and ticks with a monthly preventative is enough to keep an infestation out of your home and yard. Most of the time. If the critters are out of control, you may have to take action to evict fleas and ticks from your home. This doesn’t mean you should stop the monthly flea and tick preventative for your pets, either! The absolute best way to keep fleas and ticks off your pets (and out of your house) is to use a preventative all year round. In some areas, where winter temperatures drop … Continue reading →

Well-Owner’s Check List

Do you own a well? Properly constructed wells (private water systems) really require very little to maintain. But, you do want to be aware of any potential problems. This season is a good time to check on that well and do any required maintenance. Don’t know where to start? Here is the well-owner’s checklist. Check the well cap or cover that is on top of your well. Look for cracks or other signs that it needs repair. Check the landscaping and land grading around the well. Make sure that the top of your well is at least one foot above … Continue reading →

Creative Gardening

Beautifully landscaped gardens don’t come cheap… or do they? Yesterday I popped into our local Garden Exchange to pick out a Father’s Day gift for my uncle who is an avid gardener. Boy, some of the items in there cost a fortune… and I was just looking at the plants and flowers. A person could go bankrupt filling his garden with all of the gorgeous options that are blooming in gardening centers. I left empty-handed, but determined. I figured there had to be ways to add to or create a stunning garden without having to rob a bank to do … Continue reading →

Kids and Summer Health Dangers

I am choosing to ignore what the calendar says… Despite the fact that in bold, black, block letters the words, “FIRST DAY OF SUMMER” appear on June 21, we have been experiencing summer-like temperatures in the low 90s for the past 10 days. Amazingly, the blistering heat has not kept the bugs away. I think they are desperately trying to get in our home to escape the heat outside. Meanwhile, my daughter has been making a beeline for the front door—she wants out of the house and into the pool. Don’t get me wrong; I love the warmer summer months … Continue reading →

Pet First Aid Awareness Month

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. It’s the perfect time of year for it, because the weather’s nicer, we’re outside more –as are our pets most likely–and there’s lots to get into. Some of it can be harmful, even fatal, to your dog or cat, but with awareness you can avoid trouble. Below is a list of some of those things. Where applicable, related Families.com articles are referenced for further information. Dangers Lurking in the Garden Lawn and garden care is on many people’s minds this time of year. If your pet’s going to help you, here’s some things … Continue reading →

A “Green” Way To Get Rid Of Garden Pests

It was a balmy 73 degrees today. (Seventy-three degrees in March in Wisconsin—that’s something to brag about.) Our family took advantage of the beautiful weather by visiting a local wildlife sanctuary. After I got a good look at the critters there I came home and surveyed our yard and garden. Lo and behold, not five minutes into my inspection, a big fat fly landed on my arm. (Ah, the welcoming committee doesn’t miss a beat.) With the spring thaw in progress it won’t be long before I am battling bugs and other garden-loving pests. In previous blogs I’ve written about … Continue reading →

How To: Protect Your Child’s Vision

Protecting your child’s precious eyesight is an important task for parents. But do you know what steps you should take to protect your child’s eyes? How about common vision myths? The current issue of Parenting offers an eye-safety checklist, along with information on pinkeye, emergency care and vision myths and truths. First a test. True or false? Sitting too close to the TV will damage your child’s eyes? This is actually false. I tell Tyler all the time not to sit too close and my mother told me the same thing but there is actually no evidence that sitting too … Continue reading →