these are the wines that i would like to taste.
$31.00 summers winery charbono 2005 (villa andriana wineyard, napa valley)
$23.99 kostantin d. frank & sons vinifera wine cellars rkatsitelli 2006 (finger lakes)
$22.99 mahoney vineyards vermentino 2006 (las brisas vineyard, carneros)
$18.99 l'ecole no. 41 "bottle fermented" semillion 2003 (columbia valley)
$18.95 shooting star aligote 2005 (washington state)
$17.95 st. amant winery tempranillo 2003 (amador county)
Friday, July 27, 2007
organic lawn 101
organic lawn 101
a step-by-step guide to going pesticide-free lawn by gwendolyn bounds
step one: get a soil test
this shows what your lawn's strengths and weaknesses are. based on the
findings, you can decide which fertilizers and soil amendments, such as
limestone, you'll need as you convert to organic care. test can be done
by pros or with do-it-yourself kits available in stores and online at sites
such as www.gardensalive.com.
take: pay attention to the test and follow what's been suggested.
step two: dump the pesticides
accept that nothing annihilates weeds as fast as chemicals - but know that
with patience, you can eliminate most of them naturally. one key weapon:
a natural corn-gluten herbicide, such as cockadoodle doo weed control or
weedban (available at www.purebarnyard.com and www.extremelygreen.com).
safe for kids and pets, but not when seeding new grass because it stops all
seeds from germinating (apply early spring or late summer).
take: when overwhelmed with weeds consider tearing up the turf and start all over.
invest in weeding tools like dandelion terminator or weed hound. spending 15
minutes every week of hand-weeding will work wonders.
step three: switch to natural fertilizers
organic fertilizers are made from plant, animal or mineral sources such as
bonemeal, sulfate of potash and blood meal, while synthetic ones are
manufactured chemically. both deliver nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to
plants, but organic fertilizers should have actual sources of these elements
listed on the bag. organic brands can now be found in most gardening centers
and home improvement chains, including home depot and lowe's. fertilize in fall
and midspring.
take: be patient. the soil's microorganisms need time to digest organic nutrients,
but after they do, the lawn should retain its color throughout the season.
step four: mow high and water deep
keep grass on the longish side -- 3 inches -- to fight weeds. don't cut the lawn while
it's wet. leave clippings to feed the soil, but rake out clumps so grass doesn't
brown underneath. lawns need about 1 inch of water a week. water early -- 5 a.m. to
8 a.m. is best -- and for concentrated periods. light sprinkling fosters weak roots.
water from late spring to early fall.
take: mower blades must be sharp. alternate direction of cutting the lawn.
it helps strengthen the grass.
step five: enhance the turf
nutrients like compost tea sprays, liquid seaweed and grub deterrents may build
soil biology and fight pests. check gardensalive.com and extremelygreen.com.
take: organic compost should be raked during fall. this help flourish the
grass on spring.
step six: the seedy truth
when nights are cool, grass grows best. fall is the ideal time to over-seed lawn
and fill in any bare spots.
take: when weeds are winning, rototill the lawn, rake up the weeds, add compost
and replant grass. add a little clover, it puts nitrogen back into the soil and
is drought-tolerant and virtually disease resistant.
happy barefooting!!!!
a step-by-step guide to going pesticide-free lawn by gwendolyn bounds
step one: get a soil test
this shows what your lawn's strengths and weaknesses are. based on the
findings, you can decide which fertilizers and soil amendments, such as
limestone, you'll need as you convert to organic care. test can be done
by pros or with do-it-yourself kits available in stores and online at sites
such as www.gardensalive.com.
take: pay attention to the test and follow what's been suggested.
step two: dump the pesticides
accept that nothing annihilates weeds as fast as chemicals - but know that
with patience, you can eliminate most of them naturally. one key weapon:
a natural corn-gluten herbicide, such as cockadoodle doo weed control or
weedban (available at www.purebarnyard.com and www.extremelygreen.com).
safe for kids and pets, but not when seeding new grass because it stops all
seeds from germinating (apply early spring or late summer).
take: when overwhelmed with weeds consider tearing up the turf and start all over.
invest in weeding tools like dandelion terminator or weed hound. spending 15
minutes every week of hand-weeding will work wonders.
step three: switch to natural fertilizers
organic fertilizers are made from plant, animal or mineral sources such as
bonemeal, sulfate of potash and blood meal, while synthetic ones are
manufactured chemically. both deliver nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to
plants, but organic fertilizers should have actual sources of these elements
listed on the bag. organic brands can now be found in most gardening centers
and home improvement chains, including home depot and lowe's. fertilize in fall
and midspring.
take: be patient. the soil's microorganisms need time to digest organic nutrients,
but after they do, the lawn should retain its color throughout the season.
step four: mow high and water deep
keep grass on the longish side -- 3 inches -- to fight weeds. don't cut the lawn while
it's wet. leave clippings to feed the soil, but rake out clumps so grass doesn't
brown underneath. lawns need about 1 inch of water a week. water early -- 5 a.m. to
8 a.m. is best -- and for concentrated periods. light sprinkling fosters weak roots.
water from late spring to early fall.
take: mower blades must be sharp. alternate direction of cutting the lawn.
it helps strengthen the grass.
step five: enhance the turf
nutrients like compost tea sprays, liquid seaweed and grub deterrents may build
soil biology and fight pests. check gardensalive.com and extremelygreen.com.
take: organic compost should be raked during fall. this help flourish the
grass on spring.
step six: the seedy truth
when nights are cool, grass grows best. fall is the ideal time to over-seed lawn
and fill in any bare spots.
take: when weeds are winning, rototill the lawn, rake up the weeds, add compost
and replant grass. add a little clover, it puts nitrogen back into the soil and
is drought-tolerant and virtually disease resistant.
happy barefooting!!!!
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