Archive for the ‘Did You Know?’ Category
7 Killer Ways to Get Rid of Weeds
May 17th, 2012
Layers of wet newspaper, buried under mulch, will smother weeds and prevent new ones from growing. Image: Jami Scholl/My Edible Eden
Who says you need standard weeding tools to kill weeds? Here are 7 ways to kill weeds with weapons you already have around your house.
How to kill weeds
1. Newspaper: A carpet of newspaper, which blocks sunlight and oxygen from reaching the soil, will smother weeds already sprouted and prevent new ones from growing. Throw down newspaper in 10-sheet layers, wet to hold it down, and cover with an inch or two of mulch. If weeds begin to grow in the mulch, add more layers, making a mulch-newspaper lasagna, which eventually will decompose and nourish the soil.
2. Old shower curtains and carpet samples: Spreading these useless items in garden paths or between rows will keeps weeds from ever showing their unwanted heads. Cover with mulch.
3. Corn gluten meal: This corn by-product stops seeds from growing into weeds. Since the meal will prevent germination, spread it around established plants, and after seedlings and transplants have taken hold in the soil. After harvest, spread the meal to prevent late-season weeds.
4. Vinegar: The acetic acid in 5% vinegar is a desiccant that sucks the life out of plant leaves. It’s most destructive to young plants with immature roots, though it just rolls off weeds with waxy leaves, like pennywort or thistle.
Make sure you cover desirables before spraying, because vinegar is an equal opportunity killer. Keep your spray on-target by removing the bottom from a 2-liter plastic soda bottle, and placing it over the weed. Spray vinegar into the mouth of the bottle, which will keep it from splattering on your vegetables.
5. Vodka: Don’t know if vodka makes weeds fall down dead or drunk, but 1 ounce mixed with 2 cups of water and a couple of drops of dish soap will dry out weeds that live in the sun. Doesn’t work that well on shade-loving weeds. Protect desirables, because vodka will dry them out, too.
6. Soap: The oil in soap can break down waxy or hairy weed surfaces, making them vulnerable to desiccants. So add a few drops of liquid dish detergent to vinegar or vodka sprays to keep the solution on leaves. The soap also makes leaves shiny, which will help you keep track of what you’ve sprayed.
7. Boiling water: After you’ve made yourself a cup of tea, take the kettle outside and pour the boiling water on weeds, which will burn up. This is a particularly good way to whack driveway and walkway weeds, because the boiling water can run off impervious surfaces and cool before it reaches border plants.
COMO Receives High Ranking in Job Growth
May 3rd, 2012
Wow, after receiving the high honor of being America’s Hardest-Working Town, it seems only fair to do well in the job growth category. Check out our ranking in NewGeography.com’s 2012 Best Cities for Job Growth!
You Go Columbia!
Snow Removal
December 14th, 2011
What to Know About It!
As we prepare for the winter weather that is bound to happen, here is a reminder about city road maintenance. The city of Columbia covers over 60 square miles and has an estimated population of 108,500. Which means. . . the city has over 500 miles of roads to maintain! So please keep this in mind when we get that next BIG snow. They are doing the best they can with the equipment they have.
If there is less than 4 inches of snow, the city will clear all primary (arterial and primary city streets such as Vandiver and Green Meadows) and secondary streets (major, heavily traveled city collector streets, school and city bus routes as well as streets leading to schools, hospitals and other critical areas such) using overtime when needed. They will then plow and treat (using salt when needed to melt ice and cinders for traction on ice) residential roads only during normal working hours.
For a list of Primary and Secondary priority streets, you can go to the City of Columbia‘s website.
In the event there is more than 4 inches of snow, the crews will utilize overtime to clear all primary and secondary roads allowing for safe and passable driving conditions. They will also plow and treat (using salt when needed to melt ice and cinders for traction on ice) residential streets to the same driving conditions as primary and secondary roads.
Remember, when there is snow or ice on the roads it is important that you only venture out if needed. This will reduce the number of accidents and congestion on the roads. Help keep Columbia safe!
For information on preparing your vehicle for winter weather, check out our blog Don’t Get Stranded!
If you are looking to join the Columbia Real Estate market, please feel free to call us. Prudential Vision Properties can be reached at 573.449.6200. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Those Aren’t Mannequins!
November 30th, 2011
Living Windows Festival
On the first Friday of December, shopkeepers throughout The District move all the merchandise out of their front windows and stage live holiday performances for onlookers. Merchants go to great lengths to outdo one another, making each year’s displays even more impressive than before. Open houses, strolling carolers, holiday treats and visits with Santa. All against a backdrop of holiday lights!
For more information, call 573.442.6816.
If you would like to contact a Prudential Real Estate agent today, please call 573.449.6200 or email Info@PrudentialVision.com. Prudential Vision Properties is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Posted in Did You Know?