The gardener without years of experience will do well to
consider planting a mixture of grasses rather than a solid
turf of a single species. If he knows exactly what he is
doing, and understands how to control the diseases which
might attack his particular single species of grass, the
chances are it will survive and thrive without serious
injury.
But the beginner rarely has the necessary skill and
knowledge for this, and, even when he does, he often runs
into unforeseen trouble. If conditions change—such as an
extremely wet or dry year—a solid turf of one species may
suffer severely, whereas one containing several grasses will
pull through in good shape.
Disease is a good example of the type of problem a mixture
may help avoid. The fungi which attack grasses are quite
specific in their action. That is, some will attack fescues
but not bluegrasses, while others attack bents but not
fescues. Except for rust, which is largely airborne, most of
these turf diseases are spread by contact from one blade to
another.
If the turf is made up of more than one species, this plant-
to-plant contact is broken. I have seen one section of a
lawn, seeded wholly to Common Kentucky Bluegrass, go down by
late June when attacked by helminthosporium leaf spot, while
another part of the same lawn—planted with Chewing's Fescue
and Highland Bent in addition to the bluegrass—showed only
an occasional area affected by the leaf spot. Both areas
were maintained exactly the same.
Another advantage of mixtures is that they tend to adjust
themselves to the varying soil conditions often found within
a lawn, and also to differences in sun and shade. It is not
uncommon for the same lawn to have one area that receives
three hours of sun­shine while a short distance away it has
sun all day long.
One of the very real problems a seedsman has, for example,
is in recommending a grass to the man who doesn't know what
a sunny lawn is. I have actually studied lawns which the
owner claimed received sun "all day long" and found they had
four hours or less.
This is often true in cities, where the line of parkway
trees and the house form barriers that cut off the sun until
late in the morning and then block it again early in the
afternoon.
By doing just a little research, which often amounts to
asking a representative at your local nursury or home supply
store, you will find the perfect mixture of grass seed for
your needs and avoid many troublesome and time-consuming
problems.
About The Author:
FREE information on how to have the yard of your green
dreams, visit All About Your Lawn today! It's FREE!
Click here: http://www.AllAboutYourLawn.com


Unique gift ideas for the Holiday Season! Go Digital!
Unique gift ideas for the Holiday Season! Go Digital!
Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season
why not consider using your cherished photos to create a
unique personalized gift for family and friends?
There are so many ways now, made easy with online sites and
programs, to create unique personal gifts using your digital
photos. Photo Books offer a way of creating a high quality
photo album, book bound with text and artwork options.
Calendars are always a perfect little gift or stocking
stuffer, what Grandmother would not love a calendar of her
precious grandchildren? Online sites offer easy ways of
editing pictures as well, change to black and white, sepia,
antique, add frames, create post cards, stickers, blur
edges, so many ways to spruce up your photos and have a
little fun in the process! Place your photos on mugs,
mousepads, aprons, magnets, coasters, tote bags, and tee
shirts. Create personalized Holiday greeting cards as well.

Another unique idea is to have a collage of your photos
created. Collages are perfect unique gift ideas for anyone.
Photos are blended together for a seamless look. Themes
include; weddings, babies, children, parties, trips, family
reunions, or anything you can think of. Collages can then be
framed for display or used on mousepads, calendar pages, or
any other photo gift.
A calendar for the grandparents, using pictures from
throughout the year and a few themed collages. New baby in
the family? A baby collage printed on a mousepad for the new
mother or father to have for their office. A collage of
wedding photos for a newlywed couple, matted and framed and
tied with a red ribbon makes a lovely gift!
So this year, forget the bath salts and take the plunge into
the digital era and give unique gifts that your family and
friends will cherish forever!
About the Author:
Barbara Ryan operates Cherish Collages, a business dedicated
to creating unique personal keepsakes from digital or
scanned photos. Http://www.cherishcollages.com , email:
info@cherishcollages.com


Use Ladders Safely
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each
year more than 511,000 people are treated for cuts, bruises
and fractured bones from improper use of ladders. More
than 300 people a year die from ladder related injuries.
When choosing a ladder be certain the ladder is able to
carry the amount of weight that will be applied.
Inspect the ladder. Be sure the spreaders can be locked
when open and that there are safety feet on the ends.
Check for loose or bent rungs.
The ladder should be clean of grease, oil, mud, snow and
other slippery materials.
Carry a single or extension ladder parallel to the ground.
Hold the side rail in the middle of the ladder for balance. Always carry a stepladder in the closed position.
The ground under the ladder should be level and firm. Do not set the ladder up on a muddy surface.
Set the base of your ladder one foot away from the wall for every four feet of ladder height.
Do not use bricks, boxes, etc. to raise the height of the ladder.
Keep all ladders and other tools at least ten feet from any power lines.
Keep ladder off of window panes or sashes.
If using the ladder in an orchard, turn the ladder sideways, and ease into the tree. Place a straight ladder so that if a limb breaks, it will fall into the tree.
Never lean a ladder against a movable object.
Never use a stepladder as a straight ladder.
Face the ladder when you climb up or down. Hold on to the
side rails with both hands. Carry only necessary tools on a belt, use a rope to raise heavier equipment.
Never overreach. Always keep your body centered between the rails.
Wear shoes with nonskid soles. Don't wear leather-soled
shoes; they can be slippery. Shoelaces should be securely tied. Make sure shoes and hands are clean and dry.
Don't try to "jog" or "walk" the ladder to a new location
while standing on it. Climb down and reposition the ladder.
Never use a ladder in high wind.
Never use the top two rungs of a ladder.
On stepladders, never stand on the paint shelf, spreaders or back section.
Never stand on the top rung of any ladder.
And finally, never, never leave a raised ladder unattended.
For more information on ladder safety visit:
http://www.apluswriting.net/health/ladder.htm
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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net