CROSSVILLE —
Final notes on PVC trellis installation: The height of the PVC trellis plan described at the end of last week’s article is the sum of the upright sections plus about 1 inch for each tee and/or elbow connector per side. That is roughly 108 inches. The actual standing height of the trellis depends on how deep the bottom lengths of PVC are buried in the ground. The distance from the soil surface to the underside of the roof eves where the trellis will be installed is an important consideration. I made and put up two of these trellises, one in front of the house by a stacked-stone wall and another against the west side of my garage. Since the land falls away in front of the house, that roof overhang is farther from ground (134 inches soil-to-eves) than that by the garage (102 inches soil-to-eves). The garage site had minimal clearance and barely accommodated the trellis height with 6 inches of PVC buried at the base, so I modified the design using two 12-inch PVC pieces at the top of each side for an adjusted trellis height of about 102 inches (uprights: 18”+ 18”+ 18”+ 18”+ 12”+ 12”= 96” added to 5 tees and 1 elbow connector: 1”+ 1”+ 1”+ 1”+ 1”+ 1”= 6”). Adding one more 18-inch PVC upright section and another tee per side extended the trellis by the stone wall to 127 inches. There was enough scrap PVC pipe left over to modify each trellis. The only additional cost was about $1 to purchase two more tee connectors.
Use autumn leaves to enrich soil
Air, water, organic material, small mineral particles, larger rock fragments, as well as empty voids around and between the solid components all combine to make up soil. Moisture and air move along inter-connected passageways created by the empty spaces. When there is good transportation for air and water, the soil is described as ‘having good drainage.’ Soils composed of very tiny, tightly packed particles (as in clay and silt) have fewer and smaller pore spaces to allow air and water movement. Soils like that are described as ‘having poor internal drainage.’ A layer of compacted soil that resists penetration by roots, moisture and air is known as ‘hardpan.’ Plants growing in dense, fine-textured or hard-packed soil do not perform as well as those in a more favorable sub-surface environment. Adding organic material improves soil texture and drainage. Plenty of organic content in soil also offers good habitat and food for earthworms. They eat decaying plant and animal matter creating tunnels through the soil and leaving castings behind. Worm castings add fertility. Earthworms make the root zone more plant-friendly. The area from the surface down to a depth of about 12 inches is ‘the root zone’ where feeder roots bring moisture and dissolved minerals into a plant. A ground covering of mulches like bark nuggets, chopped leaves, grass clippings or compost prevents surface erosion by wind and rain as well as adds organic matter to the soil.
A free source of organic material is falling (like pennies from heaven) at this time of year – autumn leaves. Unfortunately the value of fallen leaves isn’t recognized by some folks. Many homeowners can barely wait for leaves to settle before heading out to blow and bag spent foliage. Then they haul the leaf-filled bags away or pay someone else to cart them off. Worse yet, is the practice of raking leaves and burning them. Childhood memories of marshmallow roasts Mom used to entice her kids to rake leaves make the smell of smoke from a bonfire pleasant. However, now I know burning leaves is a waste of nature’s own soil booster and smoky air makes breathing tough for those with asthma and other allergies.
Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for gardeners in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. UT Extension Cumberland County at P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557 (931-484-6743) has answers to horticulture questions, free publications and details on how to become a Master Gardener. Send email comments or yard and garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, mgardenerrae@frontiernet.net.
Lifestyles
Plateau Gardening: Autumn leaves — don’t waste a true treasure
- Lifestyles
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Emerson art exhibit at the Shanks Center until June 29
Crossville has done it again! For those who haven't realized how this town is gaining a reputation for its cultural depth and talent, you better head to the Shanks Center for the Arts. At 140 N. Main St., there is now a special exhibit from area photographers. The smash hit, however, is a large selection of varied art work by Camilla Emerson.
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127 Seniors welcome city mayor to meeting
On June 14, members gathered together at the 127 South Cumberland Senior Center to socialize with coffee, goodies and chit chat. They then played billiards, dominos and bingo, with Wendell Lester calling the numbers. The bingo prizes were furnished by Bob Folger, of State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published June 19, 2013.
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Wharton Association's annual book sale preparation under way
For the last six weeks, volunteers have been busy sorting through and categorizing the thousands of new and used books that have been donated to the annual Wharton Association Book Sale and hope to receive many more donations before the sale, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Town council honors school staff, students
Near to the closing of the school year, the Pleasant Hill Town Council honored outstanding students and staff from the Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Laney Barnwell, a student in Julie Mahaney’s third-grade class was selected for grades K-4. Brianna Kolhepp, a student in Brian Conatser’s homeroom class, was chosen for grades 5-8. Anita Turner has been teaching third grade for 22 years. Ann Webb has been part of the support staff at PHS for 36 years and retired at the end of school year. They were selected by PHS and honored by the town with certificates and gift cards. This summer all teachers are required to spend two or three days in Continuing Education courses in Core Education as part of their in-service training.
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The arts are alive at Fair Park
If you have ever used your artistic skills in being creative, you know it just makes you feel good inside as you express yourself.
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PLATEAU GARDENINGS: Beware of ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers, part 1
Before detailing reasons to plant or relocate woody plants later in the year, I want to first warn readers of a current danger from mosquito, tick and chigger bites. People, their pets and livestock are potential targets. Gardeners may encounter these pests in stands of weeds, tall grass, wildflowers or garden plants.
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A Time 4 Paws celebrates anniversary
April 2013 marked the two-year anniversary of the opening of A Time 4 Paws Adoption Center. A Time 4 Paws (AT4P) is a no kill animal welfare organization operates the adoption center as an alternative to abandoning and/or destroying unwanted animals. With their programs they assist an average of more than 500 animal families per year.
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Dukes of Hazzard star coming to town June 29
Sonny Shroyer, best known for playing Deputy Enos Strate on the hit TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," will be appearing Saturday, June 29, at the Cumberland County Community Complex to meet fans and sign autographs. Appearing with him will be Hazzard Life, who will be bringing the famous 1969 Dodge Charger “The General Lee,” along with a Hazzard County police car, Daisy's Jeep and Cooter's tow truck.
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AROUND THE TOWN: TN fans’ actions immature, unnecessary
Security was beefed up, hate mail received, and threatening phone calls vetted. The Athens (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce has been embroiled in brouhaha after recruiting Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban to speak at its annual fundraising dinner earlier this week. Reports indicate the chamber has received lots of hate from some Tennessee fans as a result of Saban’s appearance.
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