Wed Mar 10, 2010
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It is time to renew your pesticide license |
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The cold winter season is a time that allows us to plan for the spring while we are warming by the fire. Yes, spring will be here soon! One chore that many producers tackle every spring is weed control in pastures and hay meadows. A pesticide license is required to purchase many of the products need for this task. If you currently have a license, be sure to check and see when you are required to renew the license. Do not wait until the last minute to attend classes to fulfill the recertification requirements. Several classes are planned for the next couple of months in the East Texas area.
Producers with a private applicator license or certificate are required to recertify every five years by obtaining 15 continuing education credits including two (2) credits in laws and regulations and two credits in integrated pest management (IPM), prior to the expiration of the license. Commercial and noncommercial applicators are required to obtain five (5) credits each year. You do...more > |
An apple a day |
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When it comes to keeping the doctor away, apples may actually do the trick. Six recent studies have shown that increasing amounts of fresh apple extract had an inhibitory effect on the mammary tumors in rats. The study highlights the importance of phytochemicals, also known as phenolics, found in apples and other fruits and vegetables. “We not only observed that the treated animals had fewer tumors, but the tumors were smaller, less malignant and grew more slowly compared with the tumors in the untreated rats,” says Rui Hai Liu, Cornell University associate professor of food science and a member of Cornell’s Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Ithaca, N.Y. Results showed that compared to the 81 percent of the control group that developed adenocarcinoma, a highly malignant tumor and the main cause of death for breast cancer patients, rats fed either low, medium or high amounts of apple extracts - the equivalent of either one, three or six apples a day in human...more > |
Get the lead out |
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Lead has been labeled a public health risk for many years and, for the most part, it has been removed from the goods we bring into our homes. And while lead exposure has significantly decreased, people are still exposed on a daily basis. According to a new study published in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, that daily low-level exposure could have consequences for cognition in women.
The study, co-funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Aging and the National Institutes of Health, has found that the exposure to lead levels that are likely to be incurred in public places accelerates cognitive decline in women between the ages of 47-74, which could lead to increased risk for developing demetia.
“The identification of modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline may provide important clues for delaying or even preventing dementia,” wrote first author Jennifer Weuve.
Lead exposure is...more > |
January is cervical cancer month |
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Cervical Cancer is the only cancer known to be exclusively caused by a common virus, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Nearly 4,000 women in America die of cervical cancer every year. An estimated 11,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States during 2010. Recent research indicates that high-risk HPVs also cause some cases of cancers of the mouth, head and neck in men and women. Other than persons practicing lifelong abstinence, most women, and men, acquire an HPV infection during their lifetimes. Fortunately, most HPV infections are benign and disappear spontaneously. Some, however, do not go away and if persistent for many years, and even decades, may cause cancers. Early detection of these precancers can be effectively treated before they become cancer. Regular gynecological Pap tests detect most cell changes due to HPV long before they progress to cervical cancer. New guidelines continue to recommend regular screening. Cervical cytology screening is recommended for women eve...more > |
Fitness competition benefits community |
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The Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness announces that Longview will participate in the Texas Round-Up Governor’s Challenge in an effort to defend the title of Fittest City in Texas. Organizations, families, and individuals are encouraged to “Get Fit Longview” by making a commitment to live healthy, active lifestyles with balanced diets.
According to Community Services Coordinator Dietrich Johnson, “This is a statewide competition that truly benefits all citizens. We are hoping to maintain the title as the Fittest City in Texas not just because we want to get an award, but because the title would mean that a high number of residents would be making positive lifestyle changes. Our purpose is simply to encourage healthy living.”
Every January, the Texas Round-Up challenges adults to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, at least 5 days a week, for six weeks. Children are encouraged to complete 60 minutes of physical activity a day, at least 5 da...more > |
Preserving the CLASS act is vital to senior care |
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As the healthcare debate continues to unfold, a little-known but important provision in the Democrats' reform package that would fill a huge gap in our nation's health insurance system is attracting renewed attention.
This provision -- the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or CLASS Act for short -- would create a national long-term care insurance program. It couldn't come at a better time.
Roughly 10 million Americans are currently in need of long-term services and supports. That number is expected to increase by half over the next 10 years. Yet few Americans have insurance plans that cover such care.
Many people assume that Medicare will take care of any long-term services and supports they may need down the road. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Medicaid -- the government health-insurance program for the poor -- will pay for long-term care, but seniors and the disabled would have to impoverish themselves in order to qualify.
The CLASS Act would c...more > |
It is a great time to have your soil tested |
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If your garden, lawn or pasture performed below expectations last year, or maybe things just didn't grow quite right, a few dollars invested in a soil test may be just the solution. A properly prepared and fertilized garden soil is the real key to successful gardening in most areas of Texas. You can't look at the soil, taste it, smell it, or feel it to tell whether your soil is low in nitrogen, high in phosphates, or maybe just right. One sure way to overcome the mystery, and avoid confusion when it comes time to purchase fertilizers, is to have your soil tested.
Why is it important to know how much phosphorus or nitrogen is in the soil, or what the pH of the soil is? The answer is simple. Plants don't do well in improperly fertilized soil, whether it be too fertile or not fertile enough. If the pH is too low, many of the nutrients supplied from fertilizer are not available to the plant, resulting in wasted fertilizer. Also one of the common problems in home lawns is over fertili...more > |
New Years around the world |
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Taking care of poinsettias |
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With over 70 million plants sold nationwide each year, the poinsettia is now the number one flowering potted plant sold in the USA.
The widespread belief that poinsettias are poisonous is a misconception. The safety of poinsettias in the home is demonstrated in scientific studies conducted by Ohio State University in cooperation with the Society of American Florists. The study concluded that no toxicity was evident at experimental ingestion levels far exceeding those likely to occur in a home environment. In fact, the POISINDEX Information Service, the primary information resource used by most poison control centers, states that a 50-pound child would have to ingest over 500 poinsettia bracts to surpass experimental doses. Yet even at this high level, no toxicity was demonstrated. As with all ornamental plants, the poinsettia is not intended for human or animal consumption.
The poinsettia thrives on indirect, natural daylight, and exposure to at least six hours daily is recomme...more > |
December garden checklist |
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The beautiful Christmas season has arrived in East Texas. The nice weather we have been fortunate to enjoy still permits us to continue some of our gardening chores.
Prolong the life of holiday season gift plants by providing proper care. Check...more > |
Think Texas -- China and Taiwan expand trade with U.S. |
 Good news for Texas producers. China, a nation that once closed its borders to Texas and U.S. pork products, has accepted sound science principles and is re-opening its market to our pork producers.
Only a year ago, China was the U.S. pork industry's fastest-growing market, accounting for sales in 2008 valued at $560 million. China halted the importation of U.S. pork in 2009 because of unwarranted concerns about the H1N1 virus. As a result, U.S. pork exports to China fell 89 percent from January through August compared to the same period last year. Based on Texas' share of U.S. pork production, restoration of the market to pre-ban levels will add millions to the bottom line of Texas pork producers.
Texas beef producers also have something to celebrate with the announcement that Taiwan will expand access to U.S. beef products. Taiwan is already the fifth largest export market for U.S. beef with about $128 million in U.S. beef imports during 2008. The volume and U.S. market share have...more > |
“Don’t bag it” - leaf management |
 At least 20 percent of the solid waste generated by Texans comes from grass clippings, tree leaves and other landscape wastes. Bagging these materials and sending them to the landfill uses valuable landfill space, removes nutrients from the environment, and costs cities and the people of Texas more in increased taxes and service fees.
Of the landscape waste, approximately half is composed of tree leaves. The “Don’t Bag It” Leaf Management Plan is an ecologically sound program designed to significantly reduce the volume of leaves entering community landfills, thereby extending their life and saving tax dollars.
The tree leaves that accumulate in and around your landscape represent a valuable natural resource that can be used to provide a good source of organic matter and nutrients for use in your landscape. Hang on to your leaves. And if your neighbors don’t want them, hang on to theirs. It makes no sense to send valuable treasure to the dump.
Leaves are truly a valuable natu...more > |
November gardening days |
 November gardening days are “getting ready days”...preparing for winter’s cold, spading for winter planting and planning for anticipated spring. November is the time to put to rest, to watch nature slip into dormancy for winter’s silence and to dream by the fireside of an awakening spring.
Continue to Plant Spring Bulbs - Complete planting of daffodil, Dutch hyacinth and Dutch iris during November, if possible. Choose healthy, sound bulbs and plant in well-prepared soil. Mass bulbs for a big splash of color. Consider narcissus, daffodils, Dutch iris, hyacinths, crocus, grape hyacinths, snowdrops and tulips.
Select Tulip Bulbs - Select tulip bulbs and refrigerate for 45 to 60 days in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator prior to a late December or January planting. Do not freeze the bulbs. Wrap bulbs so as to assure dryness, and plant immediately upon removal from cold.
Plant Pansies - These winter and spring annuals are a delight to the garden, providing abundant and color...more > |
Forestry Program |
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Are you considering converting your pasture land to timber production or need to replant an area? The Forestry program on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 will answer many of your questions you may have in regards to planting pine or hardwood seedlings. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Gregg County Extension Auditorium at 405 East Marshall in Longview. This program will be useful for anyone interested in planting trees. Dr. Eric Taylor, Extension Forester with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Mr. Wes Moorehead, District Forester with the Texas Forest Service will be presenting the program.
Topics presented at this program include: Planting pines: How to Increase survival, Herbicides for controlling competition in pine forest, Cost Share availability for planting trees and Carbon Credits update. This program is sponsored by the Gregg County Extension Agriculture Committee. For additional information contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Gregg County office...more > |
Dear Earth Talk |
 Dear EarthTalk: Has anyone ever studied the environmental impact of discarded cigarettes? I’m constantly appalled at the number of drivers I see pitching their butts out their car windows.
-- Ned Jordan, via email...more > |
Dealing with pesty millipedes |
 Millipedes often become a pest in many of our homes during wet weather. Millipedes are more of a nuisance than a destructive pest. Millipedes do not transmit diseases to plants, animals or man. However millipedes occasionally feed on stems and leaves of seedling plants, damaging them.
Millipedes are not insects. Millipedes belong to the arthropod class Diplopoda which means “two footed” or “double footed.” The class name refers to the fact that most body segments support two pairs of legs. Millipedes should not be confused with centipedes which bear only one pair of legs per body segment. Millipedes’ bodies are cylindrical with two pairs of legs per segment. Most Texas millipedes typically are brownish but can vary from red to yellow to orange. When disturbed, a millipede often curls into a spiral to protect itself.
It is no wonder millipedes are major pest, they can live for more than 10 years! They prefer cool, moist environments, such as leaf litter, mulc...more > |
Ag Extension, CCC slates Money Matters |
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The Financial Management program, Money Matters will presented on November 17th in Longview. This outstanding program that will provide you with direction in managing your finances is being presented by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Gregg County.
The seminar will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Gregg County Extension Auditorium located at 405 East Marshall in Longview. Topics include: Financial danger signs, Barriers to financial success, Getting your finances organized, Paying off debts, Savings plans and many others. Space is limited, so please call to pre-register at 903/236-8429. |
Annual harvest festival and livestock show |
 The 35th Annual Harvest Festival & Livestock Show will be held October 21-24, 2009 at the Longview Fairgrounds. The 4-H and FFA members from Gregg, Upshur, Harrison, Rusk and Smith Counties competing in the Livestock Show and Home Economics Show have worked very hard with their projects in preparing for the 2009 show.
The show will begin on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. with check in of all Livestock entries at the Longview Fairgrounds, and Home Economics, and Ag Mechanic entries at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activities Center. All entries must be in place by 8:00 p.m.
Show activities will kick-off at 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning with the judging of the market swine. The poultry and rabbit judging will also begin at 9:00 a.m. Home Economics judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. The public viewing of the Home Economics division will begin at 1:00 p.m.
The Ag Mechanics Contest this year has entries from area FFA members and 4-H club members. The judging for the Ag Mec...more > |
Dear Earth Talk: |
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Apparently boxed wine (instead of bottled) is becoming all the rage for environmental reasons. What are the eco-benefits of boxed wine over bottled? -- Justin J., Los Angeles, CA...more > |
Here is your fall garden checklist |
 The cooler fall temperatures are causing many gardeners to increase their gardening activity. Following are just a few of the many chores that need to be completed in October.
October through November is an excellent time to purchase bulbs while you still have a good selection in the garden center. They may be planted at any time with the exception of tulips and hyacinths.
Chill tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator until mid or late December before planting. The lower part of the refrigerator is best. Do not leave bulbs in airtight plastic bags during refrigerated storage.
Plant bulbs in well-prepared beds so the base of the bulb is at a depth three times the diameter of the bulb. In sandy soil, set slightly deeper and in clay soils, less deeply.
Start collecting leaves for the compost pile. Be sure to have extra soil available so each 6-inch layer of leaves may be covered with several inches of soil.
Always wet the layer of leaves thoroughly before adding th...more > |
It is time again for fast-spreading brown patch |
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The fall season has held true and brought rainy, humid, and cool conditions which are favorable to many lawn diseases—especially brown patch. This disease decreases overall turf quality and can be quite stressful to your grass. Most turf species are susceptible, especially St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass.
A beautiful lawn can be quickly destroyed by brown patch (Rhizoctonia species), a serious fungal disease that is currently affecting lawns in Gregg County. The fungus develops rapidly when temperatures are warm (70 to 90 degrees) and humid, especially during warmer periods of the fall.
Turfgrasses affected by brown patch normally exhibit circular to irregular shaped patches of light brown, blighted, and thinned turf. Yellowing of the leaves is not uncommon, especially at the edges of the patch. Inside the infected area, the turfgrass may remain green which leaves a “frog-eye” appearance.
Leaf sheaths in the infected site also become rotted a...more > |
Time to treat winter annual weeds |
 Winter annual weeds stand out like a sore thumb, especially when your warm season lawn grass is dormant. They can invade many areas within your landscape, especially those sites where the turf density has been reduced and bare soil exists. Therefore, making sure you go into the winter months with a healthy, dense turfgrass is your best defense against these winter pests. Another approach is to use a pre-emergent herbicide to control them. Winter annual weeds germinate in the late summer/early fall season. They will live during the winter and mature in the spring, then die. These are plants that come back each year from seed. Examples of winter annual weeds include: annual ryegrass, annual bluegrass, rescue grass, bur-clover, chickweed, henbit, and mustard weeds. Control of these weeds can be accomplished, but applications of the correct pre-emergent herbicide have to be made at the proper time. Early to mid-September is an ideal time to apply pre-emerge herbicides in Northeast Texas. ...more > |
Annual Beef & Forage Seminar |
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Gregg, Harrison and Upshur counties have teamed up again to present the Annual Multi-County Beef & Forage Seminar that will be held on Monday, September 28th in Longview. The program will be held at the Gregg County Extension Auditorium at 405 East Marshall in Longview.
This year’s seminar will feature several timely topics for beef and forage producers, including;
Hay & Stockpiled Forages: What’s the Bottom Line?
Winter Forage Management: Selection, Planting, Weed Control & Utilization
Tax Changes for 2010 - Are You Missing Deductions?
Pesticide Laws & Regulation Update
The speakers at the seminar include Dr. Vanessa Corriher, Assistant Professor & Extension Forage Specialist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service from the Overton Research & Extension Center and Mrs. Barbara Golden, Senior Tax Specialist with Lone Star Ag Credit in Clarksville, Texas.
The seminar will get underway, starting at 6:00 PM, and will feature an all-you-can-eat catfish dinner. There...more > |
Know your Texas hunting regulations |
 The nice cool mornings are causing many hunters to start planning for the upcoming seasons. Many are planning their supplemental food plots, searching for leases or just dreaming about the hunting experience.
Before venturing into the hunting camp, be sure you have read the latest Texas Hunting Regulations. This information is available on the Texas Parks and Wildlife web page at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ or where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after September 2, 1971 must successfully compete a Hunter Education Training Course. The minimum age for being certified is 9 years of age.
The goals of the Texas Hunter Education program include the reduction of hunting accidents and violations, promotion of safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunting activities and enhancement of hunting traditions and values. By understanding hunting through education, hunters and non-hunters alike will help make a bright future fo...more > |
TWS provides beaver control services |
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Beaver dams can stabilize creek flow, slow runoff and create ponds which benefit fish, furbearing animals and other wildlife. However, when a beaver’s modification of the environment comes in conflict with the property owner’s objectives, the results can be much more damaging than beneficial.
Most of the damage caused by beavers is the result of bank burrowing, dam building, tree cutting or flooding. Levees or pond dams weakened by beaver burrows may collapse during periods of high water. If creeks, drainage ditches, culverts and spillways become blocked by beaver dams, adjacent pasture land, timberland and roadways can be damaged by flooding and erosion. In urban areas, beavers damage fruit trees, gardens and ornamental trees and shrubs.
Beaver control is best accomplished as soon as there is evidence of beaver damage. Once beaver colonies become established over a large area, controlling them can be difficult and costly.
The Texas Wildlife Services, unit of Texas AgriLif...more > |
Time to start controlling fire ants |
 With the recent rains we have had in the East Texas area, fire ants will become much more active, but can still be controlled with persistence, patience and the right plan. The Texas Two-step Method gives excellent control of fire ants.
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wo-step pesticides can be found in nurseries, garden centers, and hardware or pesticide specialty stores.
When properly applied, this method causes little risk to people, pets or the environment. The first step is to broadcast a fire ant bait-a product containing a food plus an insecticide-over the whole yard, usually in the fall and spring. When collected by worker ants, bait particles are carried to the colony and shared with the queen and other ants. Less pesticide is needed with baits because this kind of delivery is very efficient. Baits work best when scattered lightly over the whole yard. Hand-held seed spreaders are ideal for applying fire ant baits. Set the spreader on the smallest opening and make one pass over the area to be treated. ...more > |
Local physician first to activate new pacemaker |
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A resident physician at Longview Regional Medical Center (LRMC) has become the first in East Texas to implant a state-of-the-art new heart pacemaker. Dr. Samir Germanwala, D.O. implanted in a patient the revolutionary Accent RF pacemaker that uses wireless technology to alert caregivers to negative changes in the user or with the device itself. Developed by St. Jude Medical the new apparatus makes for more convenient and efficient treatment for heart patients, and administers electronic stimulation in cases of bradycardia--when a heart starts beating too slowly.
Germanwala works as a cardiologist with the Longview firm Cardiac and Vascular Consultants. He can monitor these new pacemakers from patients’ homes. On scheduled checkups the devices automatically transmit data to Germanwala with no action on the part of the patients--even if they are asleep. The doctor can review the information via the Merlin.net Patient Care Network. The device will also alert the physician ...more > |
Think Texas: ‘F’ as in Fat |
 Texas recently received its annual obesity report card from Trust for America’s Health. Texans’ grade? “F,” and not as in “fit.”
Obesity trends are heading in the wrong direction in our state and country. Last year, adult obesity rates increased in 23 states, including Texas; we are the 14th most obese state in the nation.
Our adult obesity rate is hovering close to 28 percent. Obesity and overweight rates for Texas children 10 to 17 years old are just over 32 percent.
Why are Texans so obese? Are we really eating more and exercising less? The short answer is yes.
According to Trust for America’s Health, adults consume about 300 more calories a day than they did back in 1985, and 60 percent of adults are not active enough to achieve any health benefits. The good news is the Texas Department of Agriculture and our partners have created a blueprint for success. It started by setting nutritional standards higher than current USDA requirements for school lu...more > |
Time to begin preparing forage programs |
 Now is the time to begin thinking and planning for some of our fall activities and the many opportunities it brings. With September rapidly approaching it is the time to begin your preparing your supplemental forage program for white-tailed deer.
The establishment of supplemental food plots is an important deer management strategy. However, many plantings are not aimed at improving the nutrition of whitetails. This is critical since much of the southeastern deer range (including East Texas provides substandard nutrition for desirable deer production. The use of supplemental food plots as an intensive management tool evolved from hunters’ efforts to concentrate deer in one area for harvest.
It is just as important to use plots to improve the nutrition of whitetails and add critical minerals (particularly calcium and phosphorus) to the diet of a deer herd.
Well planned food plots can increase forage availability and at least partially compensate for decreases in suitable dee...more > |
Click It: Makes sense, saves lives and dollars |
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In an effort to keep drivers protected in the event of a collision, Texas Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and state and local law enforcement joined forces for their annual Click It or Ticket campaign in the weeks preceding Memorial Day. For two weeks, May 18 through May 29, the stepped-up enforcement and public education campaign increased its public awareness with newspaper, magazine, radio, television, theaters and billboard advertisement throughout Texas. The target of these efforts - those least likely to use safety belts: men ages 18 to 34.
Both agencies are concerned about use of seatbelts, which help save lives and limbs, year round. The NHTSA – who has been tracking America’s vehicular safety for 25 years, says that collisions and fatalities increase significantly during certain holidays. Memorial Day is the first of those holidays, followed by Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
During the Click It or Ti...more > |
Protect your heatlh |
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In this challenging economy, many people have curbed discretionary expenses like vacations, entertainment and shopping excursions. Unfortunately, many folks – even those with medical insurance – are also cutting back on healthcare services they can no longer afford, including preventive care, check-ups and medications for chronic conditions.
This short-term budgetary fix could have disastrous long-term effects, as easily treated or preventable conditions morph into much more serious – and expensive – illnesses.
While our government wrestles with solving the national healthcare crisis, here are a few suggestions for stretching your healthcare dollars and ensuring your family receives proper care:
Check your carrier’s website for details, or visit the HHS’s “Prevention” site (www.hhs.gov/safety) for information and web links on such topics as fitness, nutrition, risky behavior modification and much more.
Free screenings. Many pharmacies, clinics and health organi...more > |
Brown Recluse spiders exposed |
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The most dreaded household pests in Texas is the brown recluse spider. Unfortunately, the bad reputation of this spider is well deserved, for the bite of brown recluse can be painful and may result in disfiguring skin ulcers, severe pain, and, occasionally, life-threatening complications.
As its name implies, the brown recluse is shy and not naturally aggressive. It is most often found in sites that are rarely disturbed, such as under old boards, in piles of discarded junk, and in seldom-disturbed storage spaces in houses and outbuildings. Indoors, they are most common in cluttered closets, garages, crawl-spaces, and attics.
Brown recluse spiders are hunting spiders and do not seem to spend a great deal of time on webs. When webs are constructed, they are large and of irregular construction, with thick, sticky threads. Nests serve as a site to lay eggs, and as a retreat. They are usually constructed in dark, out-of-the-way corners. Brown recluse spiders are mostly nocturnal, comi...more > |
Sen. Cornyn comments on health care reform |
 U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, made the following comments about the current health care reform debate.
Sen. Cornyn on what he has heard from constituents in Texas:
Saturday I was in Austin at a community health center, along with Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who had previously had an experience with some constituents who were upset about the direction of the health care debate in Washington, DC. And I must say, rather than what I’ve seen publicized in some corners that some people have said that one side or the other is represented to the exclusion of the other side, I must say everybody who had an opinion seemed to be well represented at the event I attended in Austin.
And we’ll continue to have other ways to reach out to constituents and both inform them but also listen to them and their concerns.
Sen. Cornyn on problems associated with a government takeover of our health care system:
When it comes to things like the public plan or government option, that if you ...more > |
Sen. Cornyn comments on health care reform |
 U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, made the following comments about the current health care reform debate.
Sen. Cornyn on what he has heard from constituents in Texas:
Saturday I was in Austin at a community health center, along with Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who had previously had an experience with some constituents who were upset about the direction of the health care debate in Washington, DC. And I must say, rather than what I’ve seen publicized in some corners that some people have said that one side or the other is represented to the exclusion of the other side, I must say everybody who had an opinion seemed to be well represented at the event I attended in Austin.
And we’ll continue to have other ways to reach out to constituents and both inform them but also listen to them and their concerns.
Sen. Cornyn on problems associated with a government takeover of our health care system:
When it comes to things like the public plan or government option, that if you ...more > |
Managing East Texas soil’s acidity levels |
 One of the most important and often neglected management chores we overlook is the importance of maintaining the proper soil pH in our home lawns, pastures and hay meadows. The bottom line is a low soil pH can cost us money with wasted fertilizer.
Lime is applied to the soil to increase the soil pH. Soil pH, is a measure of the soil’s acidity or alkalinity. Soil pH can directly influence the vigor and quality grass in home lawns. When the pH is below 7.0, the soil is said to be acidic. Most turfgrass and forages in East Texas prefer a soil pH around 6 to 7.0.
Several factors cause the formation of acidic soil conditions. One primary cause is the leaching of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium from the soil. This occurs more frequently in East Texas due to our heavy rainfall most years or heavily irrigated turfs. A second cause is the use of acidifying nitrogen fertilizers. Most of the fertilizers applied to lawns have the potential to cause acidic conditions...more > |
Earth Talk asks: What’s Hiding in Your Sunscreen? |
 Sunscreens, energy drinks and high-tech clothing are just a few of the 800-plus consumer products made with nanomaterials: those manufactured at the scale of atoms and molecules....more > |
Trees are a great home investment |
 Trees in home landscapes are large investment. A healthy tree increases in value with age; paying big dividends, increasing property values, beautifying our surroundings, purifying our air, saving energy by providing cooling shade from summer’s heat an...more > |
Preparing soil for fall gardening in Texas |
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If you made a mistake by not properly preparing your garden soil last spring, now is the time to correct it. This should be done before establishing the fall garden, because soil problems encountered during the spring growing season can be expected in the fall also.
Adding liberal amounts of organic matter to all types of garden soils is a highly recommended practice. Compost, rotten grass clippings, or decomposing leaves, applied to the garden surface 2 to 3 inches deep and tilled or worked into the soil, greatly improve sands or clays.
Gypsum (calcium sulfate) added to a ‘sticky’ soil or clay type soil makes it more workable. Not only is it a good soil conditioner, but it also furnishes certain amounts of calcium, which may prevent such minor element disorders as blossom-end rot of tomatoes.
Adding fertilizer to the fall crop is necessary because spring fertilizer has washed out of the soil or been used for plant growth. It is always best to fertilize according to your soil...more > |
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