Hort Q&A: Weeding around trees
Carla Smith, horticulture educator
Pottawatomie County Extension Service
We have some newly planted trees this year. Do you have recommendations for weeding around them?
One of the leading causes of death to trees in the landscape is what we refer to as weed-eater or lawnmower “blight.” This is usually a result of someone trying to get too close to the base of the tree when controlling grasses and weeds. Constant use of weed-eaters around the base of trees wears down the bark and eventually cuts into the cambium layer girdling the tree and cutting it off to water and nutrients. Lawn mowers often take big chunks out of the trunk of the tree with similar results. The other problem is both wounds open the tree up for attack from insects and/or diseases.
The Everyday Home: Pay attention to children’s media use during the summer
Sonya McDaniel, extension educator, FCS/CED
Pottawatomie County Extension Service
Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief as virtual leaning and online meetings give way to summer break with less social restrictions then we have seen in over a year. With summer’s arrival and the less hectic pace it brings for families compared to the school year, it may be tempting for parents to allow children to watch a little more television or play that video game a little longer. Afterall, we have all been depending on our screens for so many tasks and interaction it has become more acceptable and less noticeable then in the past.
Hort Q&A: What is in my yard? news-star.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from news-star.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.