Good-Bye Summer! Fall Clean-up Tips – Series Part 2

This summer has been hot and dry and although it may seem too soon, fall will be here before we know it! You’ve probably already had it with your lawn - it's natural.   As summer winds down, the tendency is to put lawn care on the back burner until spring blooms anew. But by taking time to put your yard and landscape “to bed” in fall, your lawn will reap the rewards. Give your lawn a healthy start next spring-follow along this week to learn some helpful fall tasks.

Air out the soil. Thatch build-up and foot traffic can compact soil, which cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply to the roots.  Aeration loosens soil and literally airs out the earth. Soil plugs that are removed can be left on the lawn - they will eventually break down, providing nutrients to your lawn. Balding turf, matted-down grass, sparse new growth, pools of water and tough ground are signs you need to aerate.

Level and reseed. Start spring on level ground by filling ruts and low spots where water collects now. Early fall is the best time to reseed a lawn so turf roots establish before winter. Loosen soil with a dethatching rake, add a soil amendment and evenly apply seed.

Good-Bye Summer! Fall Clean-up Tips – Series Part 1

This summer has been hot and dry and although it may seem too soon, fall will be here before we know it! You've probably already had it with your lawn - it's natural.   As summer winds down, the tendency is to put lawn care on the back burner until spring blooms anew. But by taking time to put your yard and landscape “to bed” in fall, your lawn will reap the rewards. Give your lawn a healthy start next spring-follow along this week to learn some helpful fall tasks.

Feed your lawn. Think of fall fertilization as refueling and replenishing your lawn after a long, hot summer. Fall fertilization will help maintain your lawn’s root health and replenish nutrients that were expended in summer
months. Fall feedings should be timed when plants are still absorbing nutrients, so don’t wait too long. Depending on your region, fall feeding can take place beginning on Labor Day or into early October.

Remember to water. Before you put away that watering can and retire your sprinklers for the season, remember that thriving plants are still thirsty. Water early in the day to avoid evaporation and disease development. And water deep: When you see moisture soak into the soil of container plants and beds, apply another dose.

Survival Guide: Recognize Which Clouds Mean Danger – Series Part 5

During severe weather outbreaks, conditions can change rapidly and the weather can turn volatile quickly. It is crucial to follow severe weather and tornado-related watches and warnings during episodes of severe storms. Keeping a weather radio nearby, with extra batteries handy, is a must. If you are out on the open road, staying tuned to severe weather alerts and being able to read the clouds for severe weather can help save your life. This is the final in a series of ominous-looking clouds we presented this week.

Asperatus Cloud

An abundance of heat in the atmosphere is needed to produce enough energy for the dramatic, rolling formations of asperatus clouds. Another factor is the interaction of very moist air (often on the fringes of thunderstorm complexes) with very dry air. The darkness of the clouds is likely due to the large amount of water vapor.  Asperatus clouds are not necessarily accompanied by stormy weather. In fact, they have often been observed without the development of thunderstorms.

Survival Guide: Recognize Which Clouds Mean Danger – Series Part 4

During severe weather outbreaks, conditions can change rapidly and the weather can turn volatile quickly. It is crucial to follow severe weather and tornado-related watches and warnings during episodes of severe storms. Keeping a weather radio nearby, with extra batteries handy, is a must. If you are out on the open road, staying tuned to severe weather alerts and being able to read the clouds for severe weather can help save your life. This week we present a breakdown of ominous-looking clouds and the dangers associated with them.

Thunderstorm Anvil Cloud

Anvil clouds are the flat top of a thunderstorm, or cumulonimbus cloud. They can spread up to "hundreds of miles downwind from the thunderstorm itself," according to the National Weather Service. Lightning can strike from anvil clouds, even far away from a thunderstorm. Lightning described as striking "from out of the blue" is usually from an anvil cloud that has drifted from a thunderstorm.



Mammatus Cloud

Striking mammatus clouds can sometimes be seen below thunderstorm anvil clouds. The rounded and smooth look of mammutus clouds captivates onlookers. They are often found underneath anvil clouds of severe thunderstorms; however, they can form underneath clouds associated with non-severe thunderstorms as well.