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In This Issue:

Welcome
Inspirational Messages
Gardening Tips

	Selecting a Lawn Company
	Crape Myrtle Care
	Raccoons & Squirrels
	Garden Insect Control
	September 11th Events
	Partners
	Garden gear, plants and more

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Inspirational Messages:

1 Peter 4:9-11

9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. 11 Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

Need more protection for spiritual growth? Here is More Inspiration from iLifetv

 
GrandParents Day - Sept 10, 2006

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, & no culture comparable to that of the garden." -Thomas Jefferson to Charles Willson Peale, 1811

"Selecting Your Lawn Maintenance Company" If you have needed to select a professional lawn maintenance contractor for your home landscape, I don't need to remind you how finding a reputable and dependable company can be a difficult task. It many times seems the company you hire to mow your lawn can in turn cost you big bucks in costly renovations from improper and/or irresponsible mowing and trimming practices. According to Green Industry standards and University recommendations let's sort through the basics in selecting your best choice in lawn mowing and maintenance concerns for your home and or commercial property. Believe it or not to be in the mowing business normally all you need is a truck,trailer,equipment and a county occupational license. Prior experience or training is not required by most city, state, or county regulations. Combine this fact with the high income possibilities in the Green Industry, and you have a potential for disaster. Though these tips may not guarantee you'll locate a professional, they will surely help to identify, and guard against hiring, many unprofessional gardening companies. The following tips will help you ultimately make a sound choice based on common sense and sound industry practices. 1) Before allowing any company to provide lawn mowing, trimming, or fertilizing check to see if they are licensed and insured. Find out how long they have been in business, and if they have any "verifiable" references (minimum of 3) or any prior training or classes taken in horticulture or turf maintenance. 2) Make sure they provide you with "Proof of Insurance" to prevent your liability in the event they injure themselves and/or anyone else while on your property. 3) Call and confirm a minimum of (3) Three business references before allowing maintenance to your property. 4) Receive a "Written Estimate" of the work they will perform, and what these services entail. Will they provide insect,disease,and weed control? If so, they must be licensed to do so, or "you" can be held responsible for their actions on your property in regards to pesticide chemicals used. (note: as a homeowner you are not required to be licensed to treat your own property). 5) Always pay by check (not cash) and make payable to a business, not an individual. I know these measures seem possibly unreasonable to you for something as simple as "mowing your grass" but there are countless stories of significant damage to property, and life, when the homeowner or business hired a lawn company without taking the steps to protect their interests. Many times the lowest price wins the business. However, in the long run financial losses will greatly exceed the benefit of low price in costly turf or plant replacements, and possible legal issues. You can receive a detailed "fact sheet" on this topic from your local University cooperative extension office and/or agent. Please remember this is only a brief outline, there are many other considerations you should make before hiring a landscape maintenance contractor. "Crape Myrtle Trees Sticky with Black Dirty Look" Have you just noticed your beautiful Crape Myrtle Trees getting a bit rough looking, leaves all shiny and sticky….leaves covered with a Black sooty look? More times than not you'll be dealing with insects as the cause. Check carefully underneath the leaves for white, yellow, or brown blotches which may be insects called scales. Also be sure to look for a tiny yellow insect crawling on the leaves and flowers about the size of a pinhead…they are Aphids. Both these insects move over the leaf surfaces and secrete a sticky substance called "honeydew" which will build up heavy on leaves and begin to grow "sooty mold" fungus. This problem will also affect many varieties of plants as well. To control this problem you may use insecticidal soap for Aphids, and Horticultural Oil with insecticide for the scale insects. There are many safe products available from your local garden center to eliminate scales and Aphids from your garden plants. Once you have controlled the insects the sooty mold will simply wash off with rainfall or a rinse from the pressure nozzle on your garden hose. Be sure to follow all product label directions when using pesticides. Gloves and eye protection should be used at all times. For more information you can log on to www.scotts.com to identify your lawn landscape concerns, and actions required. Please note insect and disease problems are highly promoted during hot dry conditions, or periods of excessive rainfall. Proper fertilization pruning, and trimming will greatly reduce your insect problems in the garden.

"Raccoons or Squirrels in your Potted Plants"
Many a gardening enthusiast at one time or another has had to deal with an array of wild critters tearing up their beautiful plants in pots. Though Raccoons and Squirrels are a real nuisance, and most likely will return. Here is something that will slow em' down a bit, and possibly chase 'em off for good. From you local Grocery or retailer purchase some "moth crystals" and sprinkle around the base of your potted plants, and even lightly in the soil surface of the pots….(not too much) animals have very sensitive smell and moth crystals should send them on their way. If these critters continue there are also various sprays available from gardening catalogs which work well in controlling an array of wildlife. You can also place a trap for catching Raccoons in the garden. Bait with peanut butter, honey biscuits, or sardines. Be very careful when trapping wildlife due to the possibility of disease and infection. Trapping is best addressed by a professional. However, this service may not be cost effective in your circumstance. The average cost for a trapper can range from $75-$250 per occurrence. In the event of significant property damage by wildlife the average trapping fee may well be cost effective in the long run.

"Use Hose-End Insect Spray for Garden Insect Control"
Have you recently noticed a multitude of Ant Mounds taking over your Paver driveway and walkway, or pool patio? This problem may be increased during periods of heavy or frequent rain as ants seek higher ground. Here's a quick easy fix. In your local home and garden center locate the "hose end" insect sprays. There are many brands available from Spectracide, Ortho, and other Garden Insect Control Companies. My choice is Ortho-Max for 2-4 month residual insect control. Simply attach this product to your garden hose and thoroughly soak your "hardscape" areas, and even your landscape beds to control an array of insects. Be sure to follow all label directions before applying. Make sure the product you are using is labeled for "outside" use only, and safe for landscape plants. When you are soaking the "hardscape" (Paver deck areas) be sure to spray up to the building foundation, you may even spray about 12"-24" onto the wall to provide a barrier control to help stop insect penetration to the interior of your home. Along with following all label directions for your safety and product usage, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection always when using chemicals. Normally this application will control insects for up to 30 days and sometimes longer. I find that at my home spraying every 45 days during the summer keeps bugs in the garden and the deck to a minimum. In the winter every other month may be adequate for control. For more info you can log on to www.scotts.com for a complete list of insects and products for their control in the region of the country you live.

Garden Gift Certificates from Yardiac

Fall Gift and Lawn Cleaning Suggestions:

Flowers of a Country Harvest

Flowers of an Autumn Cornucopia

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September Travel:
We have gathered some top travel tips that should help you with your travel and vacation plans.

In commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of the Sept. 11th tragedies and in honor of the memories of all those lost, here are listings for some events in the USA:

1. NYC Press Release.
2. Library Events around the USA for remembering Sept 11th.
3. Universities throughout the USA planned events.
4. Commemorative events throughout the United States from non-profit professionals.
5. Families of September 11th - 5th Anniversary Commemorations around the USA.

Check your local area for other events honoring those lost on this tragic date.

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About Tim Alan:
Tim Alan is the "Host" of the Hit TV Series "Eye On Gardening" airing coast to coast on iLifeTV. Tim holds a B.S. in Horticulture and an A.S. in Turfgrass Management from the University of Florida. Tim's career in the "Green Industry" spans over 20 yrs; directing, installing, and managing large scale commercial landscape operations. For more info you can log on to the show website at www.eyeongardening.com.

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Be sure to catch Look Up Orlando's Radio Show on Fox affiliate AM 1190 WAMT Orlando Florida. For more, log on to www.lookuporlando.net and click the "On Air" tab to listen live, or hear the archived show.

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