Flower arranging is a skill that can be used throughout life. Extension is offering an opportunity for youth to learn to make a fall flower arrangement in a basket on Tuesday, September 16^th at 5:00 p.m. Charlotte Jackanicz, a former 4-H member who took flower arranging as a project and is now employed at Stevens Floral, will be the instructor. The cost is $10 for supplies, and participants will take home a finished arrangement. Registration and payment of the fee is needed by September 8^th at the Extension office. The program will be held in the Extension Building on Route 14 just west of Benton. If there is enough interest, this will be repeated for each approaching holiday.

Sowing Grass Seed

Late summer or early fall is the best time to sow grass seed, according to Matt Kostelnick, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Why? One of the main reasons is weed competition. When planting grass seed in the spring, many weed seeds will be germinating around the same time, thus competing with the new grass seedlings for water, nutrients, light, and space. This makes establishing new turf difficult, especially since weed control is harder to achieve when there are emerging grass seedlings. Plus, for the home gardener, grass seeding in late summer or early fall means one less chore to have to do in the spring. It is also one that can help fill the late dog days of summer.

There are two main reasons for sowing grass seed. One reason is to start a new lawn from scratch on bare seedbed. The other is to fill in bare spots and/or thinning areas of the lawn. This is overseeding. Both practices are best done in September for southern Illinois. Most herbicides are too strong to be applied when grass seedlings are young. Conventional pre-emergent herbicides, for example, would not work because they would prohibit weed seeds from germinating but also the desirable grass seeds. Keep in mind that these are seedlings; thus they are weak and vulnerable.

Soil and air temperatures are ideal in late summer and early fall, which encourages rapid seed germination and root growth. A disadvantage of sowing grass seed in spring is summer heat creeping up on the young grass seedlings. Summer heat slows the root and shoot growth of cool-season grasses, evaporates water quickly, and can foster rapid weed growth. It is particularly important for the grass to develop a deep root system in order to handle summer heat. A shallow, undeveloped root system will cause significant stress to grass during the summer. With late summer/early fall plantings, summer heat will be waning, and the grass will have plenty of time to develop a strong root system before the following year. Establishing a strong turf stand is important in developing a healthy lawn.

If a decent seeding is accomplished in the fall, the following spring will be started with a healthy, established lawn. Additionally, since the grass is established, it will be developed enough to handle normal pesticide applications such as crabgrass pre-emergent herbicides in spring as well as all other regular lawn practices. This is not the case with spring-seeded turfgrass.

Getting the Best Nutrition for Your Food Dollar—Make a Shopping List

Without a doubt…using a shopping list can save money. Information from University of Illinois Extension confirms that planning ahead, making a list and sticking to it can save money.

Before making the list, plan your menus. Check grocery ads for sales and specials and plan meals around those items. Once menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are developed, check what foods you already have at home, and then make your shopping list.

When making your list, try to arrange foods needed in the same order as they are found in the store. Put refrigerated and frozen foods last on your list, to help keep food safe and at optimal quality.

The important point is to only buy what's on your list! Impulse buying can lead to overspending if you aren't careful.

For more information on food buying, nutrition and food safety, contact the Extension office.