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Letter to the editor

It's time to take care of equipment

By MARY COLLISTER, Times Correspondent
Published January 1, 2008

It is hard to believe that winter has begun.

The temperatures we have been enjoying certainly seem more springlike. The humidity even seems high for this time of year.

The recent rains were a welcome relief as everything was very dry. Usually in December I can get away with only adding supplemental water about every two weeks, but with the temperatures in and out of the 80s, I have had to continue weekly watering. Hopefully it will cool down and our yards' need for water will decrease.

As gardeners, we can always find something to do in our yards, but if you're strapped for time, there is really not much that absolutely has to be done right now.

Keep the leaves raked from the grass, just raking them into the planting beds as mulch or placing them in your compost pile.

Also, weeds need to be removed. They are opportunistic and if ignored this time of year will strike with a vengeance in the spring. Apply a pre-emergent weed killer to your lawn in late January or early February. Mowing has been curtailed, but don't let your lawn get too long as this will also encourage weeds.

If your grass appears brown and dry, it may be from lack of water or just a natural dormancy. But if the brown has a tinge of red, the grass probably has a fungus. If so, spray with a fungicide twice during the next two to three weeks. Even if we do get some cold weather, it won't kill the fungus, which can kill a lawn fairly rapidly.

This is a good time for some mental exercises about your landscape. Think about what worked and what didn't in the past year. Plan your improvements and changes. Make lists.

Look for ways to conserve water, and take a moment to look through gardening catalogs. Mark a few choices you might want to try in your landscape.

Clean out your tool shed or garage. Look closely at all your tools. Replace or repair as needed. The correct tool in good shape will help make your landscaping chores easier.

Overhaul your power equipment. Change oil, filters and sharpen blades. Wipe your metal tools, including rakes, shovels and hand tools, with oil. Lightly sand the wooden handles, then rub with a protective oil or stain.

Make sure your tools are stored away from moisture so they don't rust. Renew your resolve to clean the tools after each use to increase their life span. Get rid of duplicates or tools you don't use. Some gardeners like to store their metal tools, such as trowels and shovels, stuck into a bucket of dry sand. This will help keep them clean and rust free.

Mentally improving your landscape and physically preparing your tools for the spring will put you ahead of the garden season. Take the time to do this now while continuing to enjoy your winter garden.

[Last modified December 31, 2007, 20:28:05]