FARGO If yards could communicate, the question would not be Does this landscape make me look fat? but rather Do these shrubs make me look old and overgrown?

The grounds at Windsor Castle may look great, but the queens legion of gardeners meticulously pampers and primps the centuries-old landscaping. Aging yards arent always so pretty.

A slow drive through older neighborhoods provides a good example of the expected longevity of an average home landscape. Plantings installed during the 1950s through the 1980s show that after 30 or more years, action is usually needed.

Its important to address front yard landscapes that have outlived their expiration date so they dont detract from interesting homes in established neighborhoods.

If an aging front yard landscape needs a redo, try a 12-step process.

1. Take a hard, objective look at the landscape.

Photos as viewed from the street help us see our front yard as it appears to passersby. Look especially for evergreens, both pyramidal and spreading, that are sparse, bare at the base and unsightly by most standards.

Were shrubs or trees planted too closely to the home or to each other? Is the home still the focal point of the yard, or are overgrown plants the first impression given to viewers? Give an honest self-evaluation.

2. Decide what can stay and what should go.

Deciduous (leafy) shrubs that are leggy can be rejuvenated by pruning. Cut back branches to 6 inches above ground level in spring before the shrubs leaf out. New growth sprouts below the cuts, so dont go half-way with the pruning. Grit your teeth, and cut back all the way.

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Growing Together: Renovating an aging landscape is a gift to the neighborhood

Xeriscaping is a term that was invented by a city of Denver employee in the 1980s to describe landscaping that reduces or completely eliminates the need for irrigation. /David Grasso-Ortega

AMARILLO, TEXAS -- We all love deep green grass, but unfortunately here in theHigh Plains, lack of water makes that nearly impossible without a substantial amount of irrigation. If youre looking to save water while still enjoying your lawn, here are some tips that youll definitely need to keep in mind.

Water is a precious commodity in the plains, and it can also be very expensive if you go over the standard amount of usage included in your water bill. Using native plants is one way to reduce water, and they can be considered xeriscaping, as they dont require any additional water.

Xeriscaping is a term that was invented by a City of Denver employee in the 1980s to describe landscaping that reduces or completely eliminates the need for irrigation.

If youre wanting to save water, I would go with the Xeriscaping, said Neal Hinders ofCanyons Edge Native Xeriscape Plants. Xeriscaping is just basically landscaping to reduce the amount of water that youre using whether youre cutting out the amount of turf grass that you havethats probably the number one thing that we can do to reduce the cool season turf grass and go with the natives like Buffalo grass or blue grama.

If you want a green grass year around, theres also artificial turf. Youll probably notice that theyre green even when its the middle of winter. Mike Wilson ofFuture Lawns of the High Plainssaid that once you install the artificial turf, all of the work of keeping up a lawn goes away.

We supply an artificial turf thats made entirely in the United States, Wilson said. Once the produce is installed, you no longer water, which is the key to life. You no longer have to mow or fertilize. All of those activities go away."

For now, the city has some programs to promote xeriscaping or the use of native plants for businesses. A residential program may come in the future, but for now, the city is trying to promote its water saving campaign at http://water.amarillo.gov/.

I would like to emphasize the use of drought tolerant landscaping and xeriscaping landscaping, not especially for people to cover their whole yard with these types of landscaping, but to highlight that there can be regular areas of their lawn and have one or two spots that dont need watering, Emmett Autrey, the Director of Utilities for the City of Amarillo, said.

Remember, you can mix and match these methods. You dont need non-native green grass all over your yard. You could for instance mix xeriscaping, artificial turf and traditional green grass in other areas. In other words, any effort to reduce water consumption will help you and your wallet.

The rest is here:
Landscape lovers have more options than heavy watering

Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - 11:41am

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014 I past by my neighbors house today that always has a beautiful yard all year long! Yes, they are the envy of the rest of the neighborhood. The man and wife who live there always seem to be one or two steps ahead of the changing seasons in preparing and growing and protecting the plants and yard. That got me thinking about checking in with my plant and yard friend Daphne Richards, a County Agriculture & Horticulture expert. She now is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Horticulture. She is originally from Lorena, Texas. She studied botany at the University of Texas (hook 'em), then taught biology and physical science to some amazing ninth graders in La Joya, Texas.She just received an award that recognizes AgriLife Extension faculty and staff members who provide outstanding performance in education or to the agency. She was presented this award Jan. 8th during the agencys Centennial Conference in College Station. She worked 9 years in El Paso County as an Extension agent and 4 years in Travis County and now for Texas A&M. This lady knows her horticulture and plants!

I thought this would be a perfect time to share her April advice for planting and yard maintenance for the Borderland in today's "Weather Talk". I wrote Daphne a quick Face Book message and here is her reply;

Howdy! It's early April, and I know most people are itching to get those tomatoes in the ground. But they'll still need protection if there's an odd late-season frosty night. But also, protection from the wind! We used large, barrel-shaped tomato cages and wrapped them in a large clear plastic bag. Cut straight across the bottom of the bag, so that the top and bottom are both open. Then slide the trash bag down around the tomato cage and secure it with gardening twine to keep the bag from tearing and blowing away. This trick also helps to keep the birds from getting to the fruit. The following is more planting and yard maintenance advice for April advice was written by Daphne Richards for me and NewsChannel 9 in our Weather Wise Almanac & Handbook a few years back. I know you will enjoy her April planting and yard care words of wisdom!

The following is more planting and yard maintenance advice for April advice was written by Daphne Richards for me and NewsChannel 9 in our Weather Wise Almanac & Handbook a few years back. I know you will enjoy her April planting and yard care words of wisdom;

Seeds of warm season annuals, such as marigold and zinnia, can be sown directly into out door beds. Make sure to keep the seeded area moist until the seed germinate. Mulching will help to retain soil moisture and will discourage weed growth. Dont forget to thin out seedlings once they have three to five sets of leaves crowding of too many plants causes them to be spindly and weak stemmed.

Any warm-season vegetable seedlings, such as tomatoes and peppers, which were sown indoors, may be planted out during the second week of April. Be sure to acclimate these plants to their new environment slowly by first placing them in an area free from sunlight and wind. After a few days, move the seedlings to an area of partial shade. Next, move them into full sun for a few more days and then plant them into the garden. Be sure to protect new additions to the garden from our harsh spring winds.

Fertilize roses with a complete fertilizer (one containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) just as you begin to notice new growth. Fertilize again in four to six weeks with ammonium sulfate. Roses that are susceptible to be sprayed with a general fungicide to help prevent this disease- follow the directions on the product label.

Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer to warm season turf grasses such as Bermuda, Saint Augustine and Zoysia. If you use a weed-and-feed fertilizer, be careful not to apply it in all areas where you have trees, shrubs and other non-grass plants. The weed-killing chemicals in these fertilizers will damage and may even kill other plants in your landscape. If you did not fertilize them last month, fertilize non-native trees and shrubs with a good, all purpose, complete fertilizer.

Keep a close eye on irrigation of trees, shrubs and perennials in your landscape-as temperatures begin to warm up, more water will be required than was applied during the winter months.

View post:
April Borderland Planting and Yard Care Tips

DANVILLE The Solid Waste Division of the Danville Public Works Department announces that the beginning of the spring cleanup collection period will be delayed by one week due to the weather and related conditions.

Recent weather has not been good for lawn cleanup or landscape work performed by residents. In addition, severe winter weather created construction delays in the completion of the citys new Yard Waste Facility.

Weekly collection will now begin on Monday, April 7.

This spring cleanup period, which includes both yard waste bags and Toters, will be extended until Friday, May 2, before the Toter-Only Collection period begins on Monday, May 5, beginning with Zone B.

The Yard Waste Collection Program has three specific time periods: Spring Cleanup (weekly pickup, Toters and yard waste bags) that begins April 7 and lasts until May 2; Toter Collection (bi-weekly pickup Toters only) from May 5 to Sept. 27 (beginning with Zone B); and Fall Cleanup (weekly pickup Toters and yard waste bags) from Sept. 30 to Dec. 13.

During this spring cleanup period, yard waste will be collected weekly and on the same day as regular household waste service.

It should be placed at the curb or street edge no later than 6 a.m. on your collection day and no earlier than 4 p.m. the night prior to collection. Yard waste should not be placed along or in any alley.

From April 7 to May 2, all yard waste collected within the city must be placed in either a Toter with a 2014 yard waste sticker attached or an approved two-ply paper yard waste bag. Two-ply paper yard waste bags are available at various retail stores, pricing set by stores. No tape or adhesive is permitted on yard waste bags and yard waste contained in plastic bags or cardboard boxes will not be collected.

Brush should be placed no closer than 2 feet from the Toter, bundled, tied with cotton twine or string, and no larger than 3 inches in diameter or more than 4 feet long.

Yard waste stickers are $35, Toters are $65 and both are sold at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main St., and at Danville Public Works, 1155 E. Voorhees St.

Read more here:
City delays yard waste collection program

The new Airbus Defence and Space 'Mars Yard' has been unveiled at the company's complex in Hertfordshire and features 300tonnes of sand The yard will be used to test the autonomous navigation system of Europe's next generation ExoMars rover Manufacture of the rover will begin early in 2015 and mission launch is planned for 2018

By Rachel Reilly

PUBLISHED: 12:35 EST, 27 March 2014 | UPDATED: 13:26 EST, 27 March 2014

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At first glance you might think Vince Cable has adjusted pretty well to Mars' hostile environment.

Despite the chilly 63 C temperatures and lack of oxygen, the MP appears relaxed, wearing just a suit and tie.

But the Secretary of State for Business is in fact visiting a test yard in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, designed to replicate Mars.

The new Airbus Defence Space Mars Yard measures 98ft (30 metres) by 43ft (13 metres) and contains more than 300 tonnes of sand meaning engineers can test the next generation of vehicles destined to explore the red planet.

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Vince Cable, the first man on MARS? No, he's just unveiling a red planet simulator in Stevenage that will teach future ...

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5250 East 128th Way Thornton CO 80241 - Video

By Brandon Hopper

hopperb@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Senior Mini College instructor Gordon Bell talks to students about red cypress moss during the 'Loving Your Landscape' class Tuesday at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

Gordon Bell is in charge of the landscaping at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. On Tuesday, he taught a class called 'Loving Your Landscape' at the Senior Mini College. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

Gordon Bell's landscape is his sanctuary. With a little bit of know-how and some hard work, he thinks that's the way it should be for everyone.

Bell is in charge of the grounds and maintenance at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. On Tuesday, he taught a 'Love Your Landscape' class at the 29th annual Senior Mini College.

"Not all of us have artsy skills where we can paint, or sculpt, but you can create something in your own back yard, where you can represent your personality, your likes, your dislikes, even your colors," Bell said before the 75-minute class, "and (you can) make a refuge to where when you get home, you can go out (in your yard) and exhale. You get the pleasure of saying I did this, this is mine."

About 20 students made the audience and asked questions that ranged from how to start from scratch to how to deal with old, pesky Aspen trees.

It was the first time attending this kind of class for Laura Longo, of Texas Creek. She said she enjoyed it very much, and it really inspired to improve her landscape.

Bell said the climate in Caon City likens itself to grow almost any kinds of plants. He moved to Caon City from Salida, and he said the growing season here is six to eight weeks longer.

Read the original post:
Make Your Yard: Gordon Bell teaches Senior Mini College course 'Loving Your Landscape'

Waste Management will resume seasonal collection of landscape waste on regularly scheduled pickup days beginning April 1.

Residents are reminded of general guidelines:

Landscape waste must be placed in approved biodegradable landscape waste bags or open garbage cans not larger than 32-gallon capacity. No plastic bags or boxes.

Brush must be cut to 4-foot lengths and bundled with string or balers twine not wire or plastic rope and bundles are not to exceed 50 pounds.

Landscape waste must be placed in approved biodegradable landscape waste bags or open garbage cans not larger than 32-gallon capacity. No plastic bags or boxes.

Brush must be cut to 4-foot lengths and bundled with string or balers twine not wire or plastic rope and bundles are not to exceed 50 pounds.

Landscape drop-off containers will be in place April 1 at the following locations:

Fire Station 2, 1154 S. Seventh St.

City Garden Plots, west of Fire Station 3, 950 W. Dresser Road

The southeast corner of North Seventh and Oak streets

Read this article:
Landscape waste pickup resumes in April

The rover will have the capability to autonomously navigate up to 70 metres a day with no outside guidance from ground control, and Mars Yard will allow the ExoMars projects guidance, navigation and control team to finalise the sophisticated navigation system.

Alvaro Gimnez, the Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency, said: A facility like this enables us to develop sophisticated navigation systems to teach Mars rovers how to drive autonomously across the Red Planet.

This will be a fantastic resource for the ExoMars rover team and for future missions to come.

Opening the facility, Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, said: The ExoMars rover represents the best of British high-value manufacturing.

The technologies developed as part of the programme, such as autonomous navigation systems, new welding materials and techniques, will also have real impacts on other sectors, helping them stay on the cutting edge.

Not only is it hugely exciting that Europes next mission to Mars will be British built, but it is incredibly rewarding to see the benefits of our investment in the European Space Agency creating jobs here in the UK."

Manufacture of the flight rover will begin early in 2015 after construction of an advanced clean room for interplanetary missions at the Airbus Defence and Space site.

Originally posted here:
Mars surface recreated for rover mission

By Brandon Hopper

hopperb@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Senior Mini College instructor Gordon Bell talks to students about red cypress moss during the 'Loving Your Landscape' class Tuesday at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

Gordon Bell is in charge of the landscaping at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. On Tuesday, he taught a class called 'Loving Your Landscape' at the Senior Mini College. (Brandon Hopper / Daily Record)

Gordon Bell's landscape is his sanctuary. With a little bit of know-how and some hard work, he thinks that's the way it should be for everyone.

Bell is in charge of the grounds and maintenance at Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus. On Tuesday, he taught a 'Love Your Landscape' class at the 29th annual Senior Mini College.

"Not all of us have artsy skills where we can paint, or sculpt, but you can create something in your own back yard, where you can represent your personality, your likes, your dislikes, even your colors," Bell said before the 75-minute class, "and (you can) make a refuge to where when you get home, you can go out (in your yard) and exhale. You get the pleasure of saying I did this, this is mine."

About 20 students made the audience and asked questions that ranged from how to start from scratch to how to deal with old, pesky Aspen trees.

It was the first time attending this kind of class for Laura Longo, of Texas Creek. She said she enjoyed it very much, and it really inspired to improve her landscape.

Bell said the climate in Caon City likens itself to grow almost any kinds of plants. He moved to Caon City from Salida, and he said the growing season here is six to eight weeks longer.

Read the original:
Gordon Bell teaches Senior Mini College course 'Loving Your Landscape'