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NOTE:  Watch for our emailed survey showing up in the near future.  We are inviting everyone who receives this emailed newsletter to respond to our survey.  It is an invitation only, and you can accept or decline to take the survey.  But just wanted to give you a head's-up that you will be receiving it shortly.  ps - there is a reward for taking it!

[My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned.  Couldn't concentrate.]

*Whether it's the weather - Finally received some very much needed rainfall this week!  Sounded so good hearing that rain come down.  You could almost hear the trees and shrubs sighing with relief!  Now, work around late summer and fall showers to make sure your plants do not go into the fall and winter under drought stress.  1 inch every 10 days or so - if it doesn't come naturally, then you need to supplement. 

[I was once a lumberjack, but couldn't hack it, so they gave me the axe.]

*What's bugging you? - Nuttin' honey!  Let's see about Buggy Joe.  Buggy Joe Boggs (OSU Extension) is reporting continued calls from concerned homeowners seeing mushrooms, dog barf fungus and shotgun fungus in their mulches (all a part of the natural decomposition of organic matter - yes, shotgun fungus is a very nasty thing to get!), warm season spider mite damages no showing up on mite infested plants (too late for control), fall webworms and mimosa webworms showing up here and there causing concern when it really is not much of an issue, powdery mildew still hanging around, many types of leaf spots still showing up, hackberry psyllids showing up on your window screens, and rust has begun to show up on turf.  -Catch the 'Buggy Joe Boggs Report' Saturdays at 8:42am on 55KRC radio.

[I tried to be a tailor, but I just wasn't suited for it - it was a sew sew job.]

*Question mark and the Mysterians - Here are a few gardening questions from this weeks emailed news bag:

"Last week, you had a guest on the radio show who had written a book about birds and other winged things.  You were talking about dragonflies.  What was the book, and where do I order it?"   -Her name is Kris Wetherbee, the book is "Attracting Birds, Butterflies and other Winged Wonders to Your Backyard", and you can order it at www.wingedwildlife.com.  It really is a great book!

"Does core aerating help the new seed to grow?  What can I do to help it along?"   -Core aerating will help your existing lawn more immediately, and the new grass sown a little later down the road, as it helps to open up the soil for better rooting.  Slice seeding itself helps by cutting groves in the soil, as well as making sure your seed has good seed / soil contact, which is very important for good seed germination.  Using a starter fertilizer is also very important for getting those new seeds up and growing,  And, of course, good even soil moisture during the entire process.

NOTE:  I wanted to remind those of you who anticipate using a slice seeder for new or over seeding the lawn, be sure to slice seed at least 2 different directions.  Take ½ of your seed and slice seed north to south.  Then take the other ½ and slice seed the same area east to west.  Some folks will even go ‘thirds’ and slice seed diagonally 3 different ways.  Also, you will need good moisture in the soil for the core aerator and slice seeder to work properly.  So, watering 2 days in advance will be needed unless you have some good rainfall!

"I have killed the existing grass and am ready to seed, but I see moss has grown under the grass.  What should I do?"   Again, core aerating will help to open up the soil for better drainage and air flow in the soil, which will help reduce the moss.  Slice seeding right through the moss will also open up the soil surface and help dry up the moss.  Adding the fertilizer generally helps to get rid of the moss.  And getting that new grass up and growing this fall should help as well.  Don't worry about killing the moss with a moss killer, just make corrections to the soil, and make it more beneficial for the grass to grow there.

“I have clumps of crabgrass here and there in my lawn.  I want to seed, but what do I do about the crabgrass?”   -Nothing; just slice seed right through it.  Or, you can dig it out, or spray Roundup right in the center of the clump and kill it first, then slice seed through it.  It is an annual and will die with the first god frost.  The best defense against crabgrass is a thick lawn and using a pre emergent crabicide next spring.  We’re seeing a lot of crabgrass thanks to the drought and thinning of the lawns.  It really steps up to the plate when the grass thins out!  And, do remember that crabgrass will continue to germinate right into and thru the summer season, not just in the spring.  Its been a 'good' year for crabgrass!

“Our black eyed Susan’s look awful.  If we pull them up will they come back next year?”  -Don’t pull them up.  Shear off all the nasty foliage and throw it away (in case of foliar diseases).  They may re-grow a bit yet this fall.  Same goes for daylilies that are looking pretty rough right now.

"I signed up for Granny's Garden School Charity.  Do I always go to the Good-site to search or do they get credit even though I don't go there first?"   -According to Granny, "They should mark the site as a "favorite" and go there each time they search.  Once they select Granny's Garden School as their charity of choice, it will remain the so until they change it."

 “I have a lawn that is a bluegrass / perennial rye grass mix.  Why can’t I over seed my lawn with the turf type tall fescues?”  -Turf type tall fescues are clumping grasses, and when over seeded into existing blues and ryes, will over time begin to clump, and not blend well with the other grasses.  Sow them as a stand alone grass, and use a blend of 2-3 types when you do!

“Which is the best tall fescue for me to use?”   -I like the new Titan Limited, which actually rhizomes similar to that of bluegrass!  But again, use a blend of tall fescues, making Titan Limited a part of the blend.  And there are many good tall fescues to choose from.

“You say use a starter fertilizer with the new grass seed.  What is a starter fertilizer?”   -A starter fertilizer has a lower % nitrogen and higher phosphorus.  This one is a 20-27-5.  Look for the higher middle number.

“If I’m not sowing seed now, which fertilizer should I use?”    -Use a fall fertilizer, which will have higher % nitrogen, like Greenview's Fairway Formula Fall Application.

"When should I tackle existing weeds in the lawn.”   -Forget about the weeds right now (unless you want to kill everything with Roundup and start all over), and get your seeding or over-seeding done, as well as that first feeding.  Tackle the weeds in mid to late October, which is when the weeds are the most susceptible to weed killers, than any other time the rest of the year.

[I tried working in a muffler factory, but it was too exhausting.]

This week's Success Tip for your garden - September is here, that means turf month, and what you do to the lawn this month is the backbone to how well it can perform next year.  So, let’s take a look at 3 very important things you should be doing: core aerating, seeding, and feeding.  Now before we can do any of these, we need to make sure the soil has good moisture.  If it hasn’t rained, water the lawn a day before for a couple hours.  Also, mow it 2 days before, so that it’s at a lower height, and easier to perform our tasks at hand.  -Our first project is to core aerate the lawn, using a core aerator.  This machine actually removes plugs from the soil, and deposits the plugs on top.  These holes help to open up the soil for better water and fertilizer absorption, better airflow to the roots, and helps to loosen heavy compacted soils.  This should be done annually if you have lot’s of foot traffic or heavy soils, and can be done spring or fall, as long as the grass is actively growing.  By the way, the cores of soil will dry, break down, and return to the soils surface, so leave them be.  -Next, we’ll be over seeding to help thicken the lawn, which is one of the best defenses against those pesky weeds.  And the best way to do this is using a slice seeder.  The slice seeder slices through the existing grass, and deposits the new grass seed into the soil, which is very important for good seed germination.  For over seeding existing lawns, be sure use a compatible seed, or the same seed as the existing grass.  - Now’s the time for the first fall feeding, so with this lawn, we’ll apply a starter fertilizer.  If we had not sown new seed, we would use a high nitrogen fertilizer.  This feeding, along with a late fall feeding, are the 2 most important feedings of the entire year.  -Then, let’s set up the sprinklers, to make sure we keep good moisture for those new seeds to germinate and get growing.  Make sure you keep the soil evenly moist for the next several weeks.  -What you do to the lawn now really does determine how well it can perform next year, so get out and take care of your lawn this month!

[I got a job at the workout center, but they said I wasn't fit for the job.]

*From the Garden to the Kitchen / Hey Rita, what's cooking? - Yardboy, I’ve had requests to share this so-good recipe. Like everybody who’s growing tomatoes, mine are still doing so well and I’m always looking for ways to use them. And you know how you can perk up purchased pasta sauce?  Chop a few fresh tomatoes and a few leaves of basil, rosemary or thyme into the sauce as it’s heating.  It will elevate that jarred sauce into your own signature creation!

FRESH TOMATO BASIL TART - Some folks like to squeeze out part of the juice and seed the tomatoes. I’ve had folks who make this into small tarts, and one reader uses this topping on a pizza!  You'll need: 1 pie crust, 1 tablespoon flour, 8 oz Mozzarella, Monterey Jack or combo of both, Salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 to 1 cup mayonnaise, regular or light (start out with 1/2 cup; if too thick to spread, add a bit more as needed), 3-4 tomatoes, sliced, enough to make a layer, 1 nice bunch green onions, sliced thin, Handful of fresh basil, chopped, about 1/4 cup or so, or 2 scant teaspoons dry.     Preheat oven to 400.  Prick crust and pre-bake 10 minutes.  Dust bottom with flour.  Mix cheese, salt and pepper and mayo. Spread thin layer over crust. Lay tomato slices on top. Spread rest of cheese mixture over tomatoes.  Sprinkle with green onions and basil. Smooth top, pushing onions and basil into cheese mixture. Bake about 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Tips from Rita’s garden:  HERBAL OILS/PASTES FOR THE FREEZER - All of those herbs just begging to be picked can be turned into wonderful oils or pastes. Just blanch the herbs for a second or two, immediately plunge them into ice water, and dry. This sets the color and flavor. Put as many leaves as you like into a blender or food processor and slowly add your favorite oil – I like to use olive for basil and canola for other herbs but the choice is yours. Olive oil will impart its own flavor, while canola is flavor-free. Add enough oil to make a thick paste, or more for a brushing or pouring oil. Stores well in refrigerator for a couple of weeks, or in freezer for 6 months or so. Great on pizzas, pasta, breads, in casseroles, soups and stews, or as a starter paste for pesto.

-Rita Nader Heikenfeld, CCP / Macy’s Regional Culinary Professional / Herbalist / Author / Local TV and Radio Cooking Expert / Adjunct Professor U.C. Clermont College / Community Press Papers /  [life@communitypress.com attn: Rita or www.abouteating.com]

[I tried to be a chef - figured it would add some spice to my life, but I just didn't have the thyme.]

*Yardboy's plant to ponder - Looking for plants that will add late summer color to your garden or containers?  Here are a few perennials to help fill that bill!  -Caryopteris, or Bluebeard - I consider this one a woody perennial.  Blue green foliage with silvery undertones, but it’s the late summer flush of bright blue flowers that makes this one a real show for September.  Anemones - again nice foliage through the season, but this semi shade lover begin to flower now and will go right into late fall with these 2-3 inch white or pink flowers that are borne on stems reaching up above the foliage.  -Chelone (kee-low-nee), or commonly known as Turtlehead - shiny dark green foliage during the season, followed by these wonderful pink hooded flowers, that yes, resemble the head of a turtle with its mouth open!  A late summer favorite - Turtlehead.  -Eupatorium or Joe-Pye Weed -now this is a bold perennial that needs to be in the back of the garden - nice maroon green foliage that actually smells like vanilla when crushed, but again it’s those large clusters of purple flowers that makes this bold perennial even bolder in the garden - late summer and fall.  -And how about at the different types of sedum?  Variegated foliage, maroon foliage, green foliage, pink flowers, maroon flowers, white flowers - so many to choose, and again, great seasonal foliage followed by outstanding late summer and fall flowers, which will last well into the winter season.  By the way, if your sedum seems to flop over from the weight of the flowers, consider using a grow ring for support, or simply cut your sedum back by 1/3 in early June.  That keeps them shorter, more compact, and less floppy.

[I studied a long time to be a doctor, but just didn't have any patience.]

A little bit of this and a little bit of that - LOOKING FOR A FUNDRAISER?  WE HAVE A COUPLE OPTIONS FOR YOU!  - Natorp's offers 3 programs for non-profit organizations to help raise funds.  1.) Selling $25 Natorp Gift Cards, which are redeemable year-round.  2.) Selling coupons redeemable for 8 inch potted Pansies or Garden mums, redeemable at either garden store between 8/27 and 10/01/06.  3.) Selling coupons redeemable at either garden store for Holiday Poinsettias, redeemable 11/21 thru 12/13/06.  If your group would like more information on these Natorp Fundraisers, email rwilson@natorp.com, or jhouston@natorp.com., or call 398-4769 ext 235.

Gardening Tips:   Make sure you've stopped feeding those roses, those trees and shrubs, those evergreens and groundcovers, etc, to allow them time to slow down, stop growing, and begin to ‘harden off’ and get ready for the winter season.  The only feeding now should be for lawns, annuals, perennials as needed, tropical plants if needed, and of course, those container grown plants.  Be sure to still use a ‘starter fertilizer’ when planting new trees and shrubs, and you can do your ‘fall feeding’ of trees and woody plants AFTER they have started to go or have gone dormant in the fall. It’s also time to stop severe pruning of woody plants, including roses, again to not promote new growth, and allow the existing growth to slow down, stop growing, and begin to ‘harden off’ for the winter.  Yes, individual branch removal, light pruning, deadheading as needed, can still be done; just don’t do the severe pruning now on woody plants, or pruning that may promote new growth.  Feel free to continue to prune annuals and perennials as needed.   -You will find spring blooming bulbs now available at the garden stores.  Buy early for a good selection, but plant later in the fall for better growing results.  Now is the time for planting mums, asters, pansies, and all those fall favorites. 

[I tried to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I just couldn't cut the mustard.]

Classes, Seminars, and upcoming Special Events - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  NATORP'S WHOLESALE NURSERY OUTLET SALE IS COMING IN SEPTEMBER!   For 5 days, Natorp's will open their wholesale nursery on Snider Road in Mason to the public!  Come straight to the source for over 30,000 shrubs, evergreens, pre-dug and container trees, and over 125,000 potted perennials.  Cash n Carry, and ready for immediate pick-up.  (Installation pricing will be available for larger trees).  Dates are 9/15, 16, 17 and 9/23 &24.  Hours are Friday 11am-7:30pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm, and Sundays 12-5pm.  For more information, visit our website at www.natorp.com. (Sorry, due to daily changes in inventory, we are unable to provide a plant availability list.  You’ll just have to come and see all the great plants available at really great prices!)  Tell your friends and family, tell the neighbors, and tell everyone at work.  This is one sale you won't want anyone to miss!

NATORP'S FALL FEST at our FLORENCE GARDEN STORE!  - Join the folks at the Natorp's Garden Store in Florence for their Fall Fest, Saturday, September 9.  They have a full day of great gardening presentations, and as an extra bonus, each class will have a prize given away, as well as money saving discount coupons.  Food, drinks, experts on hand, and great classes for you to enjoy!  For more info, visit the Florence Store or call 859-384-3350. 

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden  invites you to check out their annual plant trials for 2006!  Visit the Zoo and not only enjoy the animals, but see one of the best display of beautiful gardens.  Over 150 varieties of annuals are planted in the gardens, both in ground and in containers.  And, they're all labeled so you'll know what they are!  Director of horticulture Steve Foltz and his staff has really outdone themselves with this years plantings.  The Zoo's top picks for 2006 will be published in a pamphlet later on.  Past years picks pamphlets are available at the Botanical Center, or online at www.cincyzoo.org.

"City of Mason Farmer's Market" - Every Saturday thru Oct. 14 - 8:00am until 12:00pm - Mason Middle School parking lot on the corner of Tylersville and Mason Montgomery Rd. - Enjoy fresh picked seasonal produce 'direct from the farm' and the folks who grew it - Come visit with old friends and meet new ones at your Mason Farmer's Market, and enjoy fresh picked great tasting home grown produce!

"Gardening with Perennials" - presented by The Perennial Plant Association and OSU - Monday, September 11, 8:30am to 5:00pm - OSU's Kottman Hall Auditorium (2021 Coffey Rd) - $75 fee - Speakers include Adrian Bloom, Dr. Denise Adams, Tracy DiSabato-Aust, Paul Tukey, Troy Marden, and Dr. Steven Still.  This is one power-packed information filled day of learning.  1-614-771-8431 to register or for more information.

Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery will be doing another vineyard tour this year (weather permitting) at Kinkead Ridge Vineyard, 4288 Kinkead Road, Ripley Ohio, on September 2 and 4.  The winery (904 Hamburg Street 937-392-6077) is open Saturdays from 11am-5pm until Labor Day. (www.kinkeadridge.com)  This is an award winning winery!

[I loved being a musician, but eventually found out I wasn't noteworthy.]

That's it for this week.  2 days and counting - Go BUCKS, Go Bearcats, and Go Bengals!  Now, do yourself a favor.  Go out and have the best (and safest) Labor Day Weekend of your life.  See ya.  RW, the Yardboy.

[Catch Natorp's own grown yardboy Ron Wilson during the week:  -55KRC The Talk Station 'In the Garden with Ron Wilson' every Saturday from 6-9am  - Satellite Radio / XM TalkRadio 165 every Saturday from 6-9am  -610 WTVN (Columbus) every Saturday from 10-12pm (except during Buckeye Football Season!)  -Friday mornings at 8:06am on 55KRC's 'The Morning Show' with Jerry Thomas and Craig Kopp  -Thursday and Saturday mornings on Local 12 News (WKRC) Homeworx Team.  Be sure to listen to 55KRC The Talk Station for the best in talk radio! (Home of multiple programming director Tony 'Big Dog' Bender, and executive producer Joe 'the original Joe Pro, who without Joe, the show just wouldn't go' Strecker.)

[Just curious - is reading in the bathroom considered multi-tasking?  Big Dog's point to ponder.]

 Great Spring Gardens Start in the Fall - A Day Celebrating Bulbs     Join the Southwestern Ohio Daffodil Society and the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati at 2715 Reading Road starting at 10 am on Saturday, September 9, 2006 for a day celebrating bulbs and Fall.  Schedule of Events:  10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Hands-on Workshop on Forcing Bulbs Presented by Miggie Jacobs and Sally Heckscher Cost $10 - includes pot of bulbs to take home.  11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Daffodil Secrets: An Insider’s Guide  Panel of Experts: Mary Lou Gripshover, Bill Lee, Tom Stettner Jr. & Linda Wallpe,  Accredited daffodil judges and active members of The American Daffodil Society  Cost $10.   12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  “A Garden’s Buried Treasure” Presented by Jason Delaney, Senior Outdoor Horticulturist, The Missouri Botanic Garden  A program discussing the cultivation of hardy and non-hardy bulbous plants for continuous bloom in the home garden.  Cost $25 - includes lunch.   Classes may be attended separately or enjoy the whole day for only $40. Please RSVP to 513-221-0981 ext 18.  Bulbs will be for sale on the day of the event, including the new and exclusive cultivar, “Sooty Acres”, named for the Civic Garden Center.  Mums will also be available for purchase.  We are excited to offer ‘Sooty Acres’, a new daffodil hybrid raised by John Reed of Oakwood Daffodils and donated to the Civic Garden Center to be named in its honor. It is a hybrid of ‘Shortcake’ by ‘Culmination.’ The daffodil has been registered with the Royal Horticultural Society, the international registrar for the genus Narcissus. A copy of the registration certificate will be included with each bulb. All proceeds from the sale of ‘Sooty Acres’ directly benefit the CGC; sales of the other daffodils benefit the South Western Ohio Daffodil Society (SWODS); all proceeds from the sales of the other bulbs benefit the CGC.