Newsletter
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A publication of Ski Landscape Corporation
April, 2023
How highways changed the American way of life
By Ann Wolski
Summer months mean vacations and lots of driving throughout the United States. After a recent trip to Florida I became curious as to who had this brilliant idea to create an interstate highway system changing our lives so profoundly and making our travels so much easier. Here are the answers I found.

In 1956 President Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense Highway Act. The Act, which envisioned a 41,000-mile network of smooth, wide, fast and intersection-free super highways from San Francisco to New York City was projected to take 10-years to complete at a cost of $25 billion. Currently, the interstate highway system is long enough to wrap around the equator twice and cost $130 billion to build.

The interstate highway system was the most important public works project in the United States’ history. The original intent of the super highway was for defense. Roads and bridges were designed to handle military equipment and provide faster routes for troops to get to destinations across the United States in the event of an attack. Another justification for building the system was its ability to evacuate citizens from major cities in case of an emergency situation such as a nuclear war.

Beyond the defense of the country, the interstate highway system has had an enormous impact on the America way of life. As roadways became faster and more efficient and as cars became more affordable, Americans ventured out of their local communities across state lines. One of the biggest changes created by the interstate was the “escape” from big cities for the suburbs. It allowed employees to live a significant distance from work and promised America’s growing middle class more land and increased safety. Unfortunately, because of this migration to the suburbs, the interstate highways have bypassed small towns turning them into ghost towns. In addition, the interstate system has changed the landscape of many inner cities as roadway construction demolished houses and divided neighborhoods.

Highways created a national dependency on cars instead of a public transportation system. Consequently, the railroad industry declined as trains became a more cumbersome way to travel depending upon a set schedule from a set location which was not always convenient for travelers.

Even though there were drawbacks, interstate build was a huge economic boom for many businesses including construction, retail, oil and automotive industries. Perhaps, the most positively affected by these massive highways, is the travel industry. The age of the American road trip had been born as travel became less hassle and more enjoyable.
The highway system determined the location of businesses and helped drive the growth of fast-food outlets (McDonalds), national hotel chains (Howard Johnson’s) and the development of shopping malls. Retail commerce moved to highway interchanges in the middle of nowhere to accommodate people on the move.

Interstates revolutionized shipping by making it faster and cheaper for businesses to move goods around the nation. The trucking industry grew and regional supply hubs and other logistical innovations that cut down on delivery time were created. Today, trucks move an estimated 20 billion tons of goods each year.

The changes brought about by the interstate highway system are very significant--some are good and some not so good. It did allow me to put my toes in the sand in 18 hours instead of 5 days and I think that was very good!
Sun-dried tomatoes--what?
We all know what tomatoes are but what are sun-dried tomatoes? Originally tomatoes were salted and dried to preserve the fruit for the long winter months when fresh produce was unavailable. Today with their tart flavor and chewy texture, sun-dried tomatoes create a jazzy taste in sauces, dips, appetizers, soups and pastas and more.

Sun-dried tomatoes are made from ripe red plum tomatoes which are pre-treated with sulfur dioxide or salt. These tomatoes lose most of their water content after spending a majority of their time drying in the sun, enhancing their color and appearance.

Sun-dried tomatoes are higher than regular tomatoes in Vitamin C, Copper, Potassium, Iron, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Fiber, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, and Phosphorous. They are also an excellent source of lycopene which may reduce the risk of some health conditions like cancer.
Mulch--more than just a pretty face
One of your first springtime chores will be to spruce up your landscape after a long winter. The best and quickest way to give your surroundings a “facelift” is by spreading a layer of fresh mulch. Besides looking great, applying organic or inorganic material around trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, and any vertical surface including walls or utility boxes, offers additional benefits.

Organic mulch, in particular, will:
1.   slow evaporation of water, saving time on watering your plants and money.
2.   insulate the plant roots (cold weather)/reduce soil temperatures (warm season).
3.   reduce or prevent soil erosion.
4.   keep fruits and flowers clean of soil that might be splashed or spattered onto the plant by rain or water.
5.   help control weeds that compete with the roots for water and nutrients.
6.   enhance seed germination.
7.   provide protection from mowers, other equipment, foot and vehicle traffic.
8.   reduce soil borne fungal problems.
9.   improve soil structure, fertility, and aeration as it decomposes.
10.create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for any landscape. Choose a dyed mulch that complements the exterior of your home for a wonderful first impression.

There are two types of mulch—organic and inorganic. Organic mulches include bark mulch, pine bark nuggets and peat moss. They break down during the growing season and, in the process, add organic matter to the soil. Organic mulches are attractive, come in a variety of colors and can be used alone.
Marble chips, pebbles and lava rock are common examples of inorganic mulches. They also are decorative and may be used alone or in conjunction with plastics or landscape fabrics. Just remember, even though plastic is used, silt can build up between rocks or chips and create an area for seeds and weeds to germinate. Inorganic mulches do not have all the environmental advantages that organic products provide.

It is important that you don’t spread too much mulch in one area causing plant stress and/or death. New mulch bed layers should be 2-4 inches deep. If re-mulching beds, you may need to remove the old layer and add a light layer (1/2” to 1”) of new mulch twice a year. Try to avoid mulching heavily around perennials like iris’ and daylilies that multiply by underground root structures.

Avoid covering up trunks and roots as you mulch around trees. Called “volcano” mulching, this practice can lead to insect damage, rodent infestation, bark rot and other diseases. Spread mulch 3-5 inches away from young trees and 8-10 inches from mature trees. Extend mulch evenly to the tree’s dripline.
When purchasing mulch products it is important to seek out a reliable source, otherwise, mulch could be full of noxious weeds creating many future problems.

Calculating how much mulch your job will need can be a snap. Environmental Hardwood Mulch is most effective between 2 and 4 inches thick. If your working area is 10 feet by 10 feet and 3 inches deep, it will require 27 cubic feet or 1 cubic yard. Use the formula below to calculate your mulch totals.
10ft x 10ft = 100sq / 4 = 25 cubic feet / 27 cubic feet = .92 cubic yards

SKI Landscape offers quality hardwood bark mulch in a variety of colors to complement any landscape. Contact us if you have any further questions at 317-757-5000 or www.skilandscape.com.
SKI Landscape crew planting pansies at the Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.
"Springtime is the land awakening."
--Lewis Grizzard
What's a Klotski?
Klotski, from the Polish word for "wooden blocks", is a sliding block puzzle thought to have originated in the early 20th century. The name may refer to a specific layout of ten blocks where the aim is to move a specific block to some predefined location.
Monthly Moon names from the Farmers Almanac
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