Plant
Doctor
Bruce Williams Ph.D.
—
Don’t allow your yard
debris to ‘go to waste’
By Bruce Williams, Ph.D.
Brunswick County
Cooperative Extension Service
This is the time of year I see
neighborhood streets filled with
piles of leaves, plastic bags full of
leaves, and mounds of other garden
debris. The weather is cool and yard
work seems to be on everyone’s
mind.
What are you going to do with all
those pine needles and leaves?
With pine straw selling for $5 or
more a bale, I have been known to
fill up the back of my truck with
pine straw thrown out by the
homeowner. Pine straw makes a
wonderful mulch for all kinds of
plant beds.
In many locales the organic debris
will cost thousands of dollars to
bury in a landfill. The organic mat
ter bundled up in the plastic bags
will last decades, if not hundreds of
years, buried deep within the land
fill.
The recycling of organic matter
(like pine straw, leaves, wood chips)
into the landscape is becoming more
common. New laws (eg. N. C.
Senate Bill 111) require municipal
governments to concentrate on ways
to reduce the organic wastes going,
to the public landfill. You can help
the environment and help defra/the
cost of disposing of organic wastes
by composting or utilizing your own
organic waste.
Utilizing your yard wastes by
composting wi'l save money and
create a better soil for your plants to
grow. Here are some tips that should
help you better utilize the organic
debris in your yard.
•Get those leaves off your lawn!
Leaves on turfgrass spells future
lawn problems. Diseases and insects
have a field day in the moist en
vironment created by heavy leaf
cover on your lawn.
•In ornamental plant beds, leaves
and pine needles make a wonderful
mulch around all types of trees and
shrubbery. Most experts feel that a
mulch three to five inches in depth
is optimum, However, recent
scientific studies evaluating the ef
fects of 16 to 18 inches of coarse
textured mulch indicate the "super"
deep mulches do not harm the root
growth of shade tree species. How
ever, heavy mulches around small
shrubs can create serious problems.
These coarse-textured mulches were
generated by a commercial wood
chipping machine like those utilized
by the tree maintenance operations.
A potential bad side effect of deep
mulches is the proliferation of ro
dents and tree trunk diseases, so be
careful not to pile excessive mulch
directly against the base of the tree.
•For rapid decomposition of your
yard waste, try mixing grass clip
‘The
Qrape
Vine
by Jim Hinkson ^|p
California vintners are bragging about
the 1990 chardonnays. The vintage was
"a winemaker's dream", said one. Crit
ics rate the vintage the best since 1985
and 1986. It is expected to improve with
age.
Some winemakers are following the
lead of Burgundy and using partial
malolactic fermentation, a secondary
feimentalion that softens the texture of a
new wine, plus barrel fermentation and
aging on the lees (the spent grapes from
which the wine is made, and the used-up
yeast).
Another good vintage available now:
the 1989 Bordeaux. One New York re
tailer put away a sampler case of the
premier crus worth $1495 now - for his
baby grandson to open on his 21st birth
day in 2013.
Wine industry sources are considering a
new "Pacific Coast" appellation that
would permit blending of grapes from
Washington, Oregon and California.
Now such blends can only be called
"American".
Do you know why turkeys have both
dark and light meat? So you can enjoy
the ted or white wine you prefer for
Thanksgiving.
Stock up for your Thanksgiving party
Beverage Barn
6235 E. Oak Island Dr., Long Beech
pings with leaves in your compost
pile. In addition, regular stirring
(twice a month) of the compost pile
will improve aeration which in
creases microbial activity, thus ac
celerating the decomposition pro
cess.
•Having a difficult time deciding
what type of composter you want? I
recently visited the American
Horticulture Society in Alexandria,
Va. This organization has set up a
demonstration of just about every
commercially available backyard
composting apparatus known to
mankind. The demonstration is on
the River Farms property near Mt.
Vernon and is well worth the time
for a visit. For more information call
the American Horticulture Society
at 703-768-5700 and ask them about
their research regarding backyard
composting devices.
•Mulch will dramatically improve
the water and nutrient holding ca
pacity of your soil. This means a
well-mulched plant bed will require
less irrigation and fertilization for
optimum plant growth. Also,
healthy plants have fewer disease
and insect problems.
•Utilize leaf or chip mulches in
the same way you would use any
ground cover. Consider it part of the
landscape. Contact your local N. C.
Cooperative Extension Service of
fice for additional information on
backyard composting or send me a
SASE.
Send your gardening questions
or comments to The Plant Doctor,
P. O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422.
Costumed in 18th century finery, these celebrants joined organizers
JEleanor Smith and Susie Carson (left) at a Charter Tea in com
_. _-mbits W 4: ...
memoration of Smithville-Southport’s 200th anniversary on Sunday.
A Bicentennial finale is planned for December.
Pets of the week
A blonde-colored mixed breed female dog named "Burt" is now available
for adoption at the Brunswick County Animal Control Center. She is said
to be extremely affectionate and "very sweet and pretty." The adoption fee
is $15 and the fee for a rabies vaccination is $7.
A female mixed-spaniel dog with chocolate brown hair and a male mixed
husky dog are also up for adoption. Both are said to be very good-natured.
The adoption fee is $15 each and the fee for a rabies vaccination is $7.
A variety of "adorable" kittens are also available. The adoption fee is $2
each and the fee for a rabies vaccination is $7.
For more information, persons should contact the animal control center at
754-8204 or call toll-fee 1-800-233-2169.
Cutting back on calories
If you’re planning to cut back on fattening foods after overeating
during the holidays, you may want to try these recipe substitutions
offered by extension food and nutrition specialists at NCSU.
•Use skim milk with 90 calories a cup instead of whole milk,
which has 170 calories a cup.
•Evaporated skim milk at 220 calories a cup can be whipped into
cream while regular whipping cream has 830 calories a cup.
•Low-fat yogurt with 140 calories a cup can be substituted for
sour cream which has 412 calories a cup.
Planting the idea of a garden
gift may unearth possibilities
The frantic holiday shopping sea
son is upon us. But for those choos
ing gifts for gardeners, a wide vari
ety of easy-to-find items can make
shopping almost tranquil.
New tools, gardening books, how
to videos and subscriptions to gar
dening magazines are appropriate
for nearly every home gardener, and
one size usually fits all.
"In this age of computerization,
you may want to consider software
or computer programs that will aid
in garden recordkeeping and
troubleshooting," said Larry Bass, a
horticulturist at North Carolina State
University.
For the more serious gardener, a
chipper/shredder or a compost bin
may be a good investment, said
Bass, also a specialist with the North
Carolina Cooperative Extension Ser
vice at NCSU.
"The chipper/shredder and com
post bin will provide the gardener
with excellent soil-enriching
material and will help reduce yard
wastes," Bass said. "Before purchas
ing a chipper, it’s important to get
information on the features offered
by different models and to be aware
of all the safety considerations."
A new state law requires public
landfills to handle yard wastes sepa
rately, beginning in January, 1993.
Bass said that removing branches,
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
Pottery shoppers’ destination
A senior day trip to the Carolina Pottery at Smithfield is scheduled for
Wednesday, December 9. The trip will include a day of shopping at the
pottery along with supper at Holt Lake Barbecue and Seafood.
The cost is $7 a person and covers transportation. Space is limited.
Reservations can be made by calling Kelly Fields at the Brunswick County
Parks and Recreation Department
Holiday shopping, show set
Monday, November 30, is the deadline for reservations for a holiday
shopping trip to Barefoot Landing and the Christmas special at the Dixie
Jubilee in Myrtle Beach.
The trip is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16. The cost $20 a per
son, which includes transportation.
More information can be obtained by calling Kelly Fields at the Bruns
wick County Parks and Recreation Department, 1-800-222-4790 or 253
4357.
January cruise to Bahamas
A Disney/Bahamas cruise for seniors is being planned by the Brunswick
County Paries and Recreation Department
The trip, scheduled for January 18-25, includes hotel accommodations,
admission to the Walt Disney World Epcot Center, a cruise tu Nassau and
meals. The cost is $648 per person based on double occupancy.
Business Hours
Monday-Saturday 10:00-6:00
Boat House toiti
Gifts Inc.
5606 E. Oak Island Drive
Long Beach, N.C. 28465
grass clippings and similar wastes
may become more difficult or costly
after the deadline. A shredder will
decrease the amount of yard waste
and will prepare it for composting.
Manufactured compost bins are
available in a variety of types and
price ranges. However, homemade
versions are effective, cheap and
easy to build.
Those looking for big-ticket gifts
might also consider roto-tillers and
lawn mowers.
Many discount and department
stores offer smaller, less-expensive
gardening gadgets, such as tools,
hoses and sprayers. Be sure to pur
chase quality products that will be
durable.
You may even consider creating
your own gardening gift pack, filled
with small but necessary items such
as gloves, hats, hand tools and
stakes.
Still unsure what to buy?
"How about a gift certificate from
your gardener’s favorite gardening
center or supply store?” said Bass.
"It makes a great stocking stuffer.”
MEETING PLACE
‘Friends’ plan weekend sale
Friends of the Library will host a book fair Friday and Saturday, Novem
ber 27-28, in conjunction with the Robert Ruark Festival in Southport
New books will be available for readers of all ages. Selections will in
clude two of Robert Ruark’s books in one volume: The Old Man and the
Boy and The Old Man's Boy Grows Older. There also will be a wide selec
tion of books on the Civil War.
Mary Strickland, director of the Southport Maritime Museum, was the
guest speaker at the November meeting of Friends of the Library.
She discussed development of the museum, and Wayne Strickland, mem
ber of the board of directors, showed some artifacts recovered from the
City of Houston which sank about 120 years ago in a hurricane.
In the coming weeks, Friends of the Library will be coaching students
trom South Brunswick High School for the Brunswick County Quiz Bowl
scheduled for January 16. Volunteers are needed.
In January, volunteers will be available at the library in Southport to help
students after school. More information can be obtained by calling Mary
Maker at 278-5771.
Newcomers Christmas party
The Christmas party of the Brunswick Newcomer Club will be held Sat
urday, December 5, at the Oak Island Moose Lodge on Beach Road, start
ing at 6:30 p.m.
Dinner will be at 7 p.m. followed by dancing to the music of Linda
Tronza. The cost is $10 per person.
Reservations can be made by calling 278-4006 before the November 25
deadline.
Woman’s club holds meeting
The Southport Woman’s Club held its November meeting at Trinity
United Methodist Church.
Margaret Connaughton read the humorous poem "Warning", dealing with
growing old, then led members in prayer and the club collect.
Monica Rathke from Iowa and Jennifer Fiellman from Michigan were
guests. They are college graduates working in Brunswick County with the
VISTA program, teaching people of all ages to read.
The woman’s club made donations to the Brunswick County Literacy
Council, Southport, Long Beach and Boiling Spring Lakes rescue squads,
the South Brunswick High School band uniform fund, Ocean Trail Con
valescent Center Christmas gift fund and the South Brunswick High
School scholarship letters.
Patti Fisher told members about the Lower Cape Fear Hospice "Love
Light Tree", and they made a contribution for a star in memory of Lois
Jane Herring.
Grace Angermayer discussed the tea at the Community Building, and
Jean Rhudy talked about "Christmas Memories 1772-1992", the theme for
floliday House, December 5-6, at the Southport Community Building.
AARP meeting is canceled
Chapter 4180 of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
will not hold its regular monthly business meeting this month due to the
Thanksgiving holiday.
The December meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10, at noon
at the Sandfiddler Restaurant near Southport. This will be the Christmas
holiday meeting.
The usual monthly breakfast meeting will be held Tuesday, December 1,
at 8:30 a.m. at Edna’s Kitchen in Long Beach.
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