FOR RELEASE THE WEEK OF NOV. 1, 1999:
Last year, the weather warmed up and our trees began to leaf out before I could get dormant oil on them. How soon can I apply it this fall?
You can start applying dormant oil as soon as the leaves are off your trees and shrubs, says Bob Stoltz, University of Idaho extension entomologist. As long as daytime temperatures still climb to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you should get excellent control of aphids, mites, scale and some leafrollers.
"It’s been traditional to apply dormant oils in late winter and early spring," says Stoltz, "but our population increases in Idaho have put such great demand on our commercial applicators that they can’t always get to everyone in time. It’s also difficult to work around our winds in the spring."
Before giving fall spraying a whirl, you might want to double-check with local tree-care specialists to find out which timing has worked best for them, says Stoltz.
My lawn is being taken over by what I’m told is orchardgrass. What can I do? Must I kill the total lawn and then reseed? Regular weedkiller does not appear to do the job.
Too bad you don’t own a cow. Orchardgrass is a highly desirable bunch grass planted for pasture, says University of Idaho extension weed scientist Don Morishita. Unfortunately, no available herbicide will selectively control it.
You can try physically removing the clumps and reseeding with turfgrass, says Morishita. Or, you can mow the orchardgrass clumps as close to the ground as possible in hopes that the turfgrass will outcompete it and eventually choke it out.
"Other than killing the existing lawn and reseeding, there is no clear-cut answer when the weedy grass is a serious problem," he says.
Christmas at our house has become all about stuff–boxes upon boxes upon boxes of it. How can we de-emphasize gift-giving during the holidays without sending our Material Kids into withdrawal?
Call a family meeting, clarify your goals and ask for suggestions as to how to proceed, says Harriet Shaklee, University of Idaho extension family development specialist.
"The holidays are centrally about human company," she says. "If you’re interested in cutting back in gift-giving, ask the kids what they want to do together as a family instead: movies? sledding? skating? a ski trip you couldn’t otherwise afford? flying in a favorite family member or friend?"
As a family activity, consider taking food to a food bank, volunteering at a soup kitchen or pooling your money to buy presents for the "giving tree" at your workplace, school or church.
"The trick will be to get the children on board with the new program," says Shaklee. With little kids who don’t know what things cost, simply buying more modest items can work. But you’ll need to involve those price-conscious older kids directly in the holiday re-design if you want more than grudging cooperation.
"Choices take the sting out of a lot of parent edicts," Shaklee says.
What financial preparations should I make for the year 2000 date change?
The greatest antidote to worry is preparation, says Marilyn Bischoff, University of Idaho extension educator.
Although the Federal Reserve says 98 percent of U.S. banks are making satisfactory progress toward ensuring that their computers can handle the year 2000 date change, isolated problems could occur, Bischoff says. "Some financial experts recommend having sufficient cash or traveler’s checks for a long weekend, in case of problems with such electronic transactions as ATMs and credit cards."
Whenever you withdraw money, however, you give up the interest it could be earning and you risk losing it or having it stolen. "As law enforcement agencies are saying, don’t let Y2K become a holiday for criminals. Keep cash in a safe place."
Now more than ever, it’s essential that you keep accurate financial records, including paper copies of all recent bank statements, ATM and credit card transactions, and loan payments broken down by interest and principal. Also file rent receipts and Social Security, pension and investment statements. Keep canceled checks and receipts as proof of payment.
Finally, Bischoff recommends that you ask your financial institution about its Y2K preparedness plan or view the institution’s web site, if available, for more information.