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Received a fantstic newsletter from Allen Wilson’s Garden and wanted to share some great bits of it. Take a look and find some great information as well as wonderful advice!

ALLEN WILSON’S GARDEN NEWSLETTER for the Pacific Northwest
September 2010, naturalpruningnw.com

REDUCE IRRIGATION FREQUENCY
Plant water use drops as the day length shortens and cooler temperatures return. The cloudy weather and natural rainfall also reduce irrigation needs. The best way to reduce water application is to lengthen the interval between irrigations. If you are irrigating every other day, increase the interval to 3 days. Sprinklers should run long enough so that water reaches several inches into the soil. This usually requires at least a half inch of water. You can determine how long to run you sprinklers by placing tuna fish or similar cans on the ground. Set the sprinklers for a time interval such as 30 minutes. Then measure how much water has accumulated. Drip irrigation systems have a much slower application rate. It may require several hours to apply a half inch. The best way to check depth of penetration is to open the soil with a
shovel a few hours after irrigation.

FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN WHEN RAIN RETURNS
Whether you have been irrigating your lawn this summer or not, the best time to apply fertilizer is mid September to late October as the fall rain returns. The shortening days and cooler temperatures stimulate grass growth. Grass root growth in particular is stimulated. Additional side shoots develop, making the lawn thicker. Fertilizer added during the next month or so just stimulates this process. It will also turn the grass a darker green color, usually within two days.

There are many good brands of lawn fertilizer. Some are specially formulated for fall application. Some are labeled as “winterizers”. These winterizers usually contain more potash or potassium. I still feel that the ideal balance for all lawn fertilizers is a 3-1-2 ratio of nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium. This could be 15-5-10 or 21-7-14 or similar percentages. I like to have at least part of the nitrogen from slow release sources, although this is less important for fall application. A fall fertilizer application will keep most lawns green for the entire winter.

Liquid lawn fertilization can be used, but it has a much shorter benefit period. We can apply long lasting granular fertilizer for the same or lower cost than most liquid lawn fertilizer companies.

IMPROVE YOUR LAWN BY OVERSEEDING
Lawns deteriorate in the Pacific Northwest as more and more native grasses invade our perennial ryegrass lawns. These grasses have a variety of textures and colors. Many of them go into dormancy in the hot summer no matter how much they are watered. That is part of the reason why some just give up and let their lawns go brown during the summer. One way to rejuvenate your lawn’s appearance is to over seed with ryegrass in the fall about the time the rainy season returns.
If you decide to over seed, be sure to scratch or loosen the soil surface so seed can come in direct contact with the soil. A thatch removal machine can be used to prepare the lawn for seeding. Adjust it so that the blades or tines scratch into the soil. Fertilize at the same time you plant the seed. Rake the seed into the soil leaving some showing on top. The most critical and important step is to keep the soil surface constantly wet for at least 3 weeks. A thin layer of bark dust, fine compost or peat moss will reduce the drying rate. Light sprinkling 3 times per day is needed during sunny, dry weather.

We can inspect your lawn free of charge to see if it would benefit from overseeding. We can also do the overseeding and fertilization at a very reasonable cost.

http://naturalpruningnw.com/

Check out this tasty summer snack…Banana Cookies!! http://bit.ly/d7jAaA

The Dick Hannah Honda ladies may need to organize a pot luck soon….this recipe looks delicious =)

It’s been one whole year and I have lost 97 pounds!! That’s right I went from a staggering 238 and today I weight 141lbs with about 10lbs to go. If you want to know how I did it, and how I intend on maintaining my current weight, then these weight loss tips are for you. I’m no Jillian Michaels, but I do speak from experience. If any of my tips helps you attain your own weight loss goals, then I’m happy to have helped Most of this, I learned on my own or through the internet and Dr. OZ realage.com. Feel free to add your own tips to this list, too!1. Change your lifestyle.
If you’re calling this a “diet,” then you’re going to gain all the weight back and sometimes more within a few months of losing it. Diets do not work. Diets are temporary. A lifestyle change is FOREVER! When you change your dietary lifestyle, however, you’re not only changing your eating habits, as we know one good choice leads to another and you’re putting yourself on track for long-term / continued success and weight maintenance.

2. 3/5 Rule
This one I learned from Dr.OZ and It’s the most important rule of all. You MUST eat to lose weight, and we are talking 5 times a day never going more then 3 hours in between meals, at first I was like what the… how am I going to lose weight when I’m eating all the time?? But the amazing thing is it did work! By eating breakfast, lunch and dinner and 2 small snacks in between and keeping my calories under 1500 help keeps your metabolism burning fat at a faster rate.

3. Reprogram your way of thinking
This is another vital tip that I learned from Dr. Oz and that is after doing something over and over for a period of time it just becomes a normal habit. So essentially for the first three weeks of my new lifestyle I ate the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and my two snacks. The only thing that varied was my dinner.
Example: Breakfast Oatmeal low in sugar and a piece or fruit
Snacks: 1st- string cheese and a few wheat thins, 2nd - hand full of nuts
Lunch: 100% whole wheat turkey sandwich loaded with veggies and fruit
Dinner: Lean protein with 2-3 sides of veggies
Dessert: every other night skinny cow ice cream, or jello pudding sugar free.

4. Join a online group
I joined a great free website called www.fitday.com I used it for the first 3 months until I knew that my healthy habits were a permanate fixture in my life. In the beginning you may not be to sure how many calories are in this piece of fruit and in the cheese you decide to use on your sandwich. This website is a lifesaver you can track what you eat look up calories for every food product imaginable. You can track your activities, how many calories you burn, it even calculates how many calories you need to burn to reach you ultimate weight goal. The site does so much more then what I listed you should really check it out for yourself.
5. Get Active
No, I don’t mean go out and run a 5k your first week that would be just plain foolish and for most not obtainable. It’s key to start out slow but to be consistent. The first step I took was to get off the couch and walk, that’s it just walk. I committed to walk every day rain or shine no excuses for at least 30 minutes every day. After a while 30 minutes wasn’t long enough so I increased my time little by little after the first 2 months I found myself walking an hour a day. I also included 20 minute light calisthenics 3 times a week. The great thing is after doing workouts like this consistently you body gets stronger you feel better you start looking better you clothes fit better and you can’t help but what more. So it was only natural for me to step up the intensity of my workouts once I hit 160lbs I took off running now I’m addicted you will be too one day! I now run four 5k’s per week and on the other 2-3 days I cross train on the elliptical and weight train.
This year may sound like a long hard painful journey to you but it was the best year of my life! Yes, I had to work hard I must say it was a blast and so much better than sitting on the couch with a bag of chips wasting my life away. I love running with our Dalmatian, and riding bikes with the kids and all the great trails we have here in Vancouver, my only regret is why did I not do this sooner? Being healthy feels GREAT!

One of the most treasured shopping occasions for me this time of year, is holiday gift shopping for the special people in my life. I just love to see the reactions I receive when I put a lot of thought and effort into a gift. I just love to give!… and Portland Oregon is the shopping city to find that perfect gift! Gift cards can be so cliche nowadays ; ) Think outside of the box in 2009 and put some thought into it! (I find that simply listening to a person talk over a period can reveal some of those special gift ideas… it’s almost like a cheating on test.)

As you may know, holiday shopping can be very hectic. You remember Black Friday don’t you? December can be like a mini shopping armageddon. It’s every shopper for themselves! Make sure you stay focused while keeping your eye on the prize… buying ‘thoughtful gifts’.

This finally brings up why I’m writing this blog post, safe holiday shopping. This is the time of year criminals are very active. In big cities like Portland, where thousands of people are out shopping, it is more important to be aware of your surroundings. Whether it be where you park, or where you set your purse.

Below are a few safe holiday shopping tips to take along with you this year or even to pass on to another.

1. Try to get your shopping done during daylight hours if possible.
2. If you must go at night, park in an area where there is plenty of light and remember where you parked. When you leave, if you are nervous never be too afraid to ask an employee or security to walk you to your vehicle.
3. Avoid bringing a lot of cash on your shopping trip, Try to use checks and/or credit cards. It is also a good idea to put your forms of payment in different pockets and/or different areas of your purse. This way it is spread around and not all in one place to be taken.
4. If you are really loading up on gifts, avoid carrying many bags at once. Consolidate them into larger bags or make a couple trips to the car to drop some off.  Be sure to put them out of sight and in the trunk. This way you are not a target.
5. Walk with confidence and be sure to have your keys in your hand before heading to your vehicle, this way that are right in your grasp and you will not be searching for them. Once to your vehicle, check your back seat and lock your doors once inside.
6. Avoid wearing your most prized and expensive jewlery.
7. You are having a good time shopping and are distraced, but do your best to stay alert of your surroundings the people near you.
8. Be wary of anyone approching you. This is a prime time and way for a criminal to attempt to distract you and get you off guard.

Check out these fun Halloween party game ideas for kids!

Spider Find

Hide toy spiders around the house and have a scavenger hunt to find them. (You could get extra creative and make the spiders together then hide them!)

Hot Pumpkin?

Yes, Pumpkin! The entertaining game of Hot Potato with the fall twist using a mini pumpkin.

Monster Bash

All the kids on the floor! Dance like crazy but every time the music stops…..you have to freeze in your tracks!

Create your own Halloween story

Have all the kids sit together and start creating a tale! One child at a time tells a sentence of the story and they go around in a circle creating their parts of the story until it is complete.

The Mummy Wrap

In groups, each group of children will need one roll of toilet paper. They then race to see who can use the whole roll fastest while wrapping up an adult like a mummy.

Candy Corn Race

Each child gets a spoon full of candy corn to hold and then the race begins! See who makes it to the finish line without spilling all of the candy.

Have Fun!!

I found this fun Fall coloring page, just click, print and let the coloring begin!

http://coloringbookfun.com/Halloween/imagepages/image27.html

Bi-Zi Farms in Vancouver, WA should definitely be on a weekend to-do list this month! It is a great place for family fun and making fall memories. Bi-Zi is open every weekend in October and has a great list of fun for all.

They charge just $8 admission (Ages 2 and under are free), but you get a list of great things to do together for the $8.

You get a free hot drink (cider, hot chocolate, coffee) which is always a treat on a cool fall day! 

A free pumpkin

Corn Maze

Petting Zoo

Live Music

Hay Ride

(Certain events may be at scheduled times, check out their site or give them a call if you want to be there at a certain time)

And you can purchase additional pumpkins if you want to take some home for carving, painting or just to decorate with…depending on how messy you like the project to be =)

It sounds like a great day out and a good way to get in the fall spirit. Plus, they have something fun for everyone so you wont here the “I’m bored” out of anyone.

With back to school right around the corner, here are 10 fun ideas for the little ones or the whole family to enjoy before summer is over!

• Plant flowers together and enjoy the view together
• Have a family fun water fight in the sun
• Head to the park - bring a blanket for a picnic, soccer ball, baseball and some sunscreen and make a day of it.
• Create a summer fun scavanger hunt for the whole family to join in on
• Camp Out…In the back yard!
• Make your own Popsicles. Use juice, an ice cube tray and popsicle sticks and create a tasty treat
• Make a scrapbook together with all of your summer fun pictures
• Remember the game Hot Potato? Try it with a summer flare by using a cold water balloon!
• Create your own lemonade stand
• Visit your community pool and cool off

This weekend we took a trip just past Sandy,OR to the Rainbow Trout Farm. My parents wanted to take the little ones and teach them to cast and reel in their own fish. It ended up being a blast! I had never been to the Trout Farm and was suprised how great it was and how much fun everyone had. The kids had never fished before, they were so excited and the scenery was beautiful.  They have different areas to choose from depending on how big of fish you are trying to catch. We chose a larger pond with a mixture of sizes. Breyden (4 years old) was up first, he brought his pole and my dad hooked the worms. His face when he cought that first fish was unforgetable, he was so happy. We helped him hold the pole and he reeled it in as fast as he could. After that enjoyment Savanah (2 1/2 years old) was not about to just sit and watch, so we grabbed a free pole to use at the Farm and she tried it out. You wouldnt believe it, she caught the biggest fish of the bucket! I wasnt sure how they would react to the fish infront of them, but little princess Savanah was touching those fish long before Daddy even got near one!

We eneded the few hours with 5 fish from Breyden, 4 from Savanah, and each of us adults had to join in the fun and each cought 1 (mine was the smallest!). They cleaned them all for us and put them on ice for our drive home. It was definatly a trip to remember and repeat.