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Show Page 6 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume II, Issue XIII 1 July 2000 Mulching Cools, Protects, and Enriches the Soil Mulching involves placing a layer of organic material around plants. As mulch decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil. This provides important nutrients for plants and an ideal environment for earthworms and other organisms that help enrich the soil. the mulch layer varies for each material: Mulching can recycle yard wastes and improve your soil. Mulch protects soil from erosion, prevents weed growth, conserves soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperature, reduces compaction, and keeps clean and dry any fruit or vegetable that touches the ground. You will help insulate the root zone and lower evaporation rates if you liberally apply mulch. Be careful not to smother the plants. As the mulch breaks down, add more material to the top throughout the growing season. After harvest, work the mulch into the soil to integrate the organic matter, or leave it on the surface to decay naturally and be carried into the soil by earthworms. The best place to look for mulch materials is in your own yard. Grass clippings and leaves work well for mulching if they are dry and weed free. Avoid adding clippings to your vegetable garden from lawns that have been treated with weed killer within the last two mowings. If you live near farming areas, you may be able to get old hay from a farmer of feed store. Compost makes an excellent organic mulch material. It adds nutrients to the soil and has a natural appearance. Wood chips and bark work well around trees and shrubs and make attractive walkways through gardens. Apply mulch when plants are established and soil is warm. First, water your garden well. Then place a layer of mulch around the plants. Thickness of Dry grass clippings 2 inches hardwood mulch,straw, or wood chips 2 to 4 inches Compost 3 to 4 inches Dry leaves 6 inches Shredded On the farm. Leaving the previous year’s crop stubble on the soil surface is called conservation tillage. This practice helps keep wind from blowing soil particles and helps stop rain from washing soil away. Also, research is showing that leaving crop residues helps hold carbon in the soil and aids in reducing greenhouse gasses. This practice is often used in combination with other conservation measures such as wind strips of contour farming. Note: This information provided courtesy of the USDA, NRCS, National Association of Conservation Districts and the Wildlife Habitat Council. NEW HOURS: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed Sundays Buy 3 Perennials Get 1 FREE Happy Pets By Vicki Kunau Dr. Etta Baker, our very own Valley veterinarian, has excellent advice on traveling with pets in hot weather, heartworm signs and prevention, and advice on how to recognize foxtail problems. The summer heat can create a lifethreatening situation in as little as ten minutes. The body temperature of dogs left in a vehicle can become excessive, even with the windows cracked and the car or truck parked in the shade. Dogs don’t sweat and can only pant to reduce body heat. This is not a very efficient way to cool down when closed in a car. The first signs of over heating are panting, red gums, and restlessness. Immediately taking the animal out of the car and cooling the animal with cold water, sprayed over the body and taken by mouth should lower the body temperature. If the body temperature continues to rise, the next symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and coma. When these symptoms are present your pet is on the way out. Immediate cooling and veterinary care are necessary to save your pet. In both circumstances veterinary care is required because once your pet has overheated, the pet is more easily prone to doing it again. To avoid hypothermia, lower the body temperature of very small dogs using cool instead of cold water. Carrying a squirt bottle of cold clean water is a solution used by many traveling show dog owners. Your pet can be squirted with water and the evaporation of the water will help cool the pet. Most shows dogs know how to drink from a squirt bottle and your dog will pick up on this too. Make sure that water is available for your pet at all times. When traveling with pets it is also important to always bring along a leash and collar. Using them will help you avoid many accidents. Teach your pet to wait while you get out of the car, giving the pet permission to get out only after the collar and leash are securely on. Dogs love to jump out of the car when their owners do. Bring a crate and teach your dog to stay in it. This is not to punish, but to provide a safe and quiet haven for your pet. In case of an accident a pet in a crate is much safer than a loose one. There are several collapsible models available at reasonable prices. Call in advance to ensure that pets are welcome where you plan to stay. Even pet friendly resorts and hotels like to know in advance that you will be bringing a four-legged guest. Clean up after your pet in all hotels, parks and rest areas. Take responsibility for your pet’s behavior and promptly pay for any damage your pet should cause. As pet owners, we want to be welcomed back. Dr. Baker also states that heartworm has become a problem in our Valley. It is spread by mosquitoes. Your pet is at risk from about May to October—first bug to first frost. Symptoms of pet heartworm infestation are exercise intolerance, a mild cough that leads to a severe cough, heart failure, bloating, and weight loss. Pets must be tested before treatment can begin. This is not a do-it-yourself fix. If your pet is on routine preventative care they need to be tested every two to three years. Only four drops of blood are needed and the test is done while you wait. Foxtails can easily work their way into your pet’s ear canals and can perforate the eardrum. Symptoms are tipping the head and shaking the head. You probably won’t be able to see the foxtail or remove it yourself, but your pet will surely be feeling the effect of it. Call your veterinarian at the first sign of trouble. Fortunately we don’t have a big flea and tick problem in the Valley, but the rest of the country is not as lucky as we are when it comes to fleas. Be sure and talk to your veterinarian about places you intend to visit on your vacation. If you are traveling to New England be sure that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are current. Your horses will also need to be vaccinated for rabies. It is a serious problem in that area. Hot tip for July—use a 2-liter soda bottle to freeze water in, then put the frozen bottle into your rabbit cages. The rabbits will lean against the bottle and stay cooler. Keep one in the cage and a second bottle ready in the freezer. Wash the bottles well, refill and refreeze. To place your scheduled event in Choose one of these Specials: the Calendar of Events, For Every $25 purchase Receive a FREE Flat of Annuals or Shanna Francis 745-2688 call or Jeannie Wendell 745-2879 How about a parent’s night out? All Trees & Shrubs 10% OFF Enjoy your evening knowing your kids are in a fun and safe environment. Awesome activities, dinner provided! We will be closed July 4th & 24th 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Old Firehouse Child Care L.C. and Preschool 8588 East 100 South Huntsville UT 84317 Call for more details 745-5600 with purchase of $100 or more 745-3130 Friday, July 21st Reservations required |