Wednesday, November 18, 2009
New Access!
We now have a website specially designed for smartphones. Bring up www.suesutto.com/mobile.htm to see our listings on your Blackberry, iPhone, etc.
Leaf Mold
WHAT IS LEAF MOLD?
Leaf mold is the result of letting leaves sit and decompose over time. It is dark brown to black, has a pleasant earthy aroma and a crumbly texture, much like compost. In fact, leaf mold is just that: composted leaves. Instead of adding a bunch of organic matter to a pile, you just use leaves.
BENEFITS OF LEAF MOLD
You may be wondering why you shouldn't just make compost. Why bother making a separate pile just for leaves? The answer is that while compost is wonderful for improving soil texture and fertility, leaf mold is far superior as a soil amendment. It doesn't provide much in the way of nutrition, so you will still need to add compost or other organic fertilizers to increase fertility. Leaf mold is essentially a soil conditioner. It increases the water retention of soils. According to some university studies, the addition of leaf mold increased water retention in soils by over 50%. Leaf mold also improves soil structure and provides a fantastic habitat for soil life, including earthworms and beneficial bacteria.
HOW TO USE LEAF MOLD
Leaf mold has several uses in the garden. You can dig or till it into garden beds to improve soil structure and water retention. You can use it as mulch in perennial beds or vegetable gardens. It's also fabulous in containers, due to its water retaining abilities.
Leaf mold is simple, free, and effective. If you're lucky enough to have a tree or two (or ten) on your property, you've got everything you need to make great garden soil.
HOW TO MAKE LEAF MOLD
There are two popular ways to make leaf mold, and both are ridiculously simple. The one thing you'll need to keep in mind is that leaf mold doesn't happen overnight. Leaves are basically all carbon, which takes a lot longer to break down than nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings. The decomposition process for leaves takes at least six to twelve months. The good news is that it's basically six to twelve months with very little work on the gardener's part.
The first method of making leaf mold consists of either piling your leaves in a corner of the yard or into a wood or wire bin. The pile or bin should be at least three feet wide and tall. Pile up your leaves, and thoroughly dampen the entire pile. Let it sit, checking the moisture level occasionally during dry periods and adding water if necessary.
The second method of making leaf mold requires a large plastic garbage bag. Fill the bag with leaves and moisten them. Seal the bag and then cut some holes or slits in the bag for air flow. Let it sit. Check the bag every month or two for moisture, and add water if the leaves are dry.
After six months to a year, you will have finished leaf mold. Impatient? There are a couple of things you can do to speed up the process:
Before adding leaves to your pile or bag, run over them a couple of times with your lawn mower. Smaller pieces will decompose more quickly.
Use a shovel or garden fork to turn your leaf pile every few weeks. If you are using the plastic bag method, just turn it over or give it a firm shake. This will introduce air into the process, which speeds decomposition.
If you are using the pile or bin method, cover your pile with a plastic tarp. This will keep the leaves more consistently moist and warm
Leaf mold is the result of letting leaves sit and decompose over time. It is dark brown to black, has a pleasant earthy aroma and a crumbly texture, much like compost. In fact, leaf mold is just that: composted leaves. Instead of adding a bunch of organic matter to a pile, you just use leaves.
BENEFITS OF LEAF MOLD
You may be wondering why you shouldn't just make compost. Why bother making a separate pile just for leaves? The answer is that while compost is wonderful for improving soil texture and fertility, leaf mold is far superior as a soil amendment. It doesn't provide much in the way of nutrition, so you will still need to add compost or other organic fertilizers to increase fertility. Leaf mold is essentially a soil conditioner. It increases the water retention of soils. According to some university studies, the addition of leaf mold increased water retention in soils by over 50%. Leaf mold also improves soil structure and provides a fantastic habitat for soil life, including earthworms and beneficial bacteria.
HOW TO USE LEAF MOLD
Leaf mold has several uses in the garden. You can dig or till it into garden beds to improve soil structure and water retention. You can use it as mulch in perennial beds or vegetable gardens. It's also fabulous in containers, due to its water retaining abilities.
Leaf mold is simple, free, and effective. If you're lucky enough to have a tree or two (or ten) on your property, you've got everything you need to make great garden soil.
HOW TO MAKE LEAF MOLD
There are two popular ways to make leaf mold, and both are ridiculously simple. The one thing you'll need to keep in mind is that leaf mold doesn't happen overnight. Leaves are basically all carbon, which takes a lot longer to break down than nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings. The decomposition process for leaves takes at least six to twelve months. The good news is that it's basically six to twelve months with very little work on the gardener's part.
The first method of making leaf mold consists of either piling your leaves in a corner of the yard or into a wood or wire bin. The pile or bin should be at least three feet wide and tall. Pile up your leaves, and thoroughly dampen the entire pile. Let it sit, checking the moisture level occasionally during dry periods and adding water if necessary.
The second method of making leaf mold requires a large plastic garbage bag. Fill the bag with leaves and moisten them. Seal the bag and then cut some holes or slits in the bag for air flow. Let it sit. Check the bag every month or two for moisture, and add water if the leaves are dry.
After six months to a year, you will have finished leaf mold. Impatient? There are a couple of things you can do to speed up the process:
Before adding leaves to your pile or bag, run over them a couple of times with your lawn mower. Smaller pieces will decompose more quickly.
Use a shovel or garden fork to turn your leaf pile every few weeks. If you are using the plastic bag method, just turn it over or give it a firm shake. This will introduce air into the process, which speeds decomposition.
If you are using the pile or bin method, cover your pile with a plastic tarp. This will keep the leaves more consistently moist and warm
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Erie BayHawks
Sue Sutto REALTORS, Inc. has Erie BayHawks tickets and we would like to share them with you.
If you have an interest in using two tickets to one of the team’s regular season home games; contact one of the agents at Sue Sutto for availability.
Bob Baer
Ellen Engel
Mary Lou Edgett
Janet Orr
Lisa Rubino
Diane Smith
Stephanie Stevens
Sue Sutto
Sue Sutto REALTORS, Inc. 814-838-8000.
The remaining home games are:
Wednesday, February 4th
Monday, February 9th
Thursday, February 26th
Friday, February 27th
Thursday, March 5th
Friday, March 6th
Sunday, March 8th
Friday, March 13th
Wednesday, March 18th
Friday, March 27th
Sunday, March 29th
Saturday, April 11th.
Additional information on the BayHawks is available on their website—
http://www.nba.com/dleague/erie/
Contact us and come out to support the Erie
BayHawks.
814-838-8000
agent@suesutto.com
If you have an interest in using two tickets to one of the team’s regular season home games; contact one of the agents at Sue Sutto for availability.
Bob Baer
Ellen Engel
Mary Lou Edgett
Janet Orr
Lisa Rubino
Diane Smith
Stephanie Stevens
Sue Sutto
Sue Sutto REALTORS, Inc. 814-838-8000.
The remaining home games are:
Wednesday, February 4th
Monday, February 9th
Thursday, February 26th
Friday, February 27th
Thursday, March 5th
Friday, March 6th
Sunday, March 8th
Friday, March 13th
Wednesday, March 18th
Friday, March 27th
Sunday, March 29th
Saturday, April 11th.
Additional information on the BayHawks is available on their website—
http://www.nba.com/dleague/erie/
Contact us and come out to support the Erie
BayHawks.
814-838-8000
agent@suesutto.com
Emergency Preparedness
No one knows when an emergency will happen, but everyone knows that an emergency situation is always a possibility. Being prepared for an emergency is like having a spare tire. You are not expecting a flat tire, but you carry a spare just in case one happens. Being prepared can reduce anxiety, fear and losses during a disaster.
First on the list for being prepared in the event of an crisis is to have an emergency kit.
This kit should contain essentials like first-aid supplies, clothing, blankets, tools, flashlights and battery-powered radios, as well as health supplies like insulin or asthma inhalers for medical conditions.
Depending on the emergency, people could be forced to stay at home for days or leave at a moment’s notice. So the kit should also contain at least three days’ worth of bottled water and nonperishable food for each household member. It should be checked every six months and be in easy-to-carry containers, like backpacks or duffel bags.
Next on the list of priorities is a plan for what to do at home in the event of a catastrophe. The plan should include a written escape route and specify how family members will communicate if separated. An out of state contact is a good idea in the event of a localized natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood or hurricane.
Printed guides and a DVD with more suggestions for preparing your home are offered free of charge at fema.gov/areyouready. The Red Cross (redcross.org) and Homeland Security Department (dhs.gov) offer numerous additional suggestions for handling emergencies.
Plan and prepare to increase your chances of protecting you family and home in the event of an emergency.
First on the list for being prepared in the event of an crisis is to have an emergency kit.
This kit should contain essentials like first-aid supplies, clothing, blankets, tools, flashlights and battery-powered radios, as well as health supplies like insulin or asthma inhalers for medical conditions.
Depending on the emergency, people could be forced to stay at home for days or leave at a moment’s notice. So the kit should also contain at least three days’ worth of bottled water and nonperishable food for each household member. It should be checked every six months and be in easy-to-carry containers, like backpacks or duffel bags.
Next on the list of priorities is a plan for what to do at home in the event of a catastrophe. The plan should include a written escape route and specify how family members will communicate if separated. An out of state contact is a good idea in the event of a localized natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood or hurricane.
Printed guides and a DVD with more suggestions for preparing your home are offered free of charge at fema.gov/areyouready. The Red Cross (redcross.org) and Homeland Security Department (dhs.gov) offer numerous additional suggestions for handling emergencies.
Plan and prepare to increase your chances of protecting you family and home in the event of an emergency.
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