Good Morning Friends,

Aren’t we blessed with some spectacular days? Cold, crisp mornings with a touch of frost and then bright, clear sunshine for the rest of the day. I am grateful that we’ve been getting fall rain so that we have green grass to contrast with the bright leaf colors. It is the season of bounty in many ways.

The season does begin to slow down for us this time of year. And we start talking about the winter improvements that we need to do and what we can take on and get done by spring. What can we afford to do, and what we cannot. I’ve been through this seasonal cycle over 20 times, and you would think that it would be a piece of cake by now. But for some reason, it still takes a lot of planning.

I had fun this week getting out the old one-row corn picker again! Several years ago, we started planting several acres of field corn (cow corn) for crop rotation benefits. We sell the corn for wildlife feed and grind some to feed our beef cows. It takes me back to my young years growing up on the dairy farm. It’s so much fun to watch the golden ears flying into the bin wagon. The picker is older than I am, and it clatters and bangs around as it strips the ears off the stalks, spins off the husk, and then up the conveyor into the wagon. It’s so low-tech, but it works well. Maybe that’s why I like the diversion so well! 

You all take care and enjoy the last few days of October!

Ethan Weber 

This Week's Highlights

Now's the Time for Lawns

Grass continues to grow up to the first hard frost. We recommend cutting the grass 3-4" high during the season. But, if it is too tall heading into winter, it will mat down under the snow and be extra vulnerable to snow mold and other fungi. Slowly lower your deck in small amounts each mowing to get it down to 2.75-3" height. Grass that is too short is also wrong, as it hurts the root system that is supposed to be healthy to face the coming winter. 

Brightly colored leaves are beautiful in the fall. But this is terrible news for your lawn. A wet mat of leaves blocks out the sunlight and traps moisture - a recipe for failure. Rake or blow them away, or better yet, mulch them up with a lawn mower before they get rained on and are even harder to get off the lawn. The mulched-up leaves' compost settles between the grass and adds nutrients back into the soil. Keep an eye on the corners of the yard fence and other places they huddle together from the fall breezes. If they are left to rot, this is a perfect spot for mosquitoes to breed next year.

Fall is a critical time to fertilize since roots are actively growing and storing nutrients for the following year. Strong roots provide a healthier, greener lawn next Spring and Summer. Summer takes a lot out of the lawn, including the roots of the grass. In summer, the grassroots gets smaller as the top growth uses its underground reserves to stay alive. Applying fall fertilizer promotes root growth and prepares the lawn as it goes into winter. 

Note: Any remaining lawn fertilizer we have in stock is half-price!

Quote for the Day!

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." - Elizabeth Lawrence (writer)