Winter Bird Feeding Tips

Birds don't all disappear in the winter. If you put out birdseed, you'll be amazed at how many birds do stay around for the winter. Your birdfeeders will be busy places especially after snowstorms when trees and other food sources are covered. Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/wild_birds/attracting_wild_birds/seasonal_bird_feeding_tips_-_winter.html

Caring for Your Dog's Eyes & Ears

Eye Care

While your first concern shouldn't be about preventative eye care for your dog, it's important to watch for any changes that might warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

Ear Care

Dogs with large floppy ears, such as cocker spaniels, are more prone to ear problems than those with smaller ears. Keeping your dog's ears clean is vital to avoiding infection.

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/pets/dog/caring_for_your_dogs_eyes_and_ears.html

Storing Birdseed

Many serious backyard birders purchase birdseed in bulk to take advantage of sales and better prices, but proper storage is essential to ensure the seed stays fresh and healthy. Birds will not eat old, stale seed as readily, and poor seed does not provide the best nutrition. By storing seed well, however, it is possible to keep seed fresh for several months. Read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/wild_birds/bird_food/storing_birdseed.html

ID Your Rodent Problem

To begin eliminating your rodent problems, start with a good inspection. Inspecting your home, shed or barn is important for determining which type of rodents are present: rats or mice. A good inspection provides three main valuable pieces of information:

•  Type of Infestation
•  Extent of Infestation
•  Location for Control Effort

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/how_to/pests/pests/id_your_rodent_problem.html

Turning Gourds into Works of Art

The best known and most versatile of gourds are the hard-shelled gourds (Lagenaria siceraria), so named because their shells dry to a hard surface that can be treated for many different uses. These familiar, durable gourds are used around the world to make everything from containers and utensils to water dippers, smoking pipes, musical instruments, and works of art.

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/garden/turning_gourds_into_works_of_art.html

How to Stop Excessive Barking

Determining the cause of bad behavior is always recommended; excessive barking is no exception.

Though barking may be an annoyance, remember that occasional barking—at appropriate times—is positive and healthy for your dog. When the barking becomes non-stop or excessive, it is important to gain control of the situation before it gets out of hand. Assess your dog’s situation and take the proper course of action from there.

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/pets/training_your_pet/how_to_stop_excessive_barking.html

Fall Bird Feeding

Many people mistakenly believe that feeding birds in the fall will keep them from migrating, but when you have full bird feeders in the autumn months you're actually doing birds a favor and helping them refuel on their long journeys south. Feeding the birds in fall will also attract unique migrating species to your yard, giving you the opportunity to see birds that might not normally be found nearby. The best foods for fall birds are full of energy-rich oil and carbohydrates that can help the birds build fat reserves as fuel for long flights.

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/wild_birds/bird_food/fall_bird_feeding.html



Raccoons

Raccoons are nocturnal animals that are thriving thanks to increased human contact, as anyone with an unsecured dumpster or trash can will attest. Wild populations prefer areas with trees and water nearby. But more and more they are found roaming city streets at night due to man's generosity in providing new sources of food, water, and shelter. Beside garbage cans, raccoons are notorious for their love of sweet corn. These omnivores will also eat strawberries, tree fruits, peas, potatoes, melons, and grubs found in your lawn.

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/how_to/pests/pests/raccoons.html

Fertilizing your Lawn in the Fall

It’s not unusual to fertilize your lawn in the spring, but don’t let the cooler temperatures of autumn fool you. Fall actually is the best time to fertilize the grass, even better than springtime. After the summer’s heat and humidity, grass regains its strength before winter with a good fall fertilizing. Fertilizing now also helps grass develop a thick and deep root system, so it can better survive next summer’s heat. A soil test is the best way to determine what nutrients are lacking in your lawn. Test for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, as well as the soil’s pH level.

Click here to read more: http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/lawn/fertilizing_your_lawn_in_the_fall.html

What type of grass seed should I use for my lawn?

There are many grass seed varieties to choose from, which can become very confusing.

To simplify the process for you, simply ask and answer some questions

about your existing lawn and you own personal preferencees.

Click this link to read more:

http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/lawn/what_type_of_grass_seed_should_i_use_for_my_lawn.html

Bears

In bear country these lumbering creatures can cause extensive damage to berry patches and gardens and can be a threat to people if crossed. Although they are considered inhabitants of rural, mountainous wilderness areas, bears are being seen more frequently in forested, suburban areas throughout the country.

Click here to learn how to control bears in your neighborhood: http://www.agway.com/how_to/pests/pests/bears.html

 

Extending the Gardening Season

Whether you live in New England, where the frost-free vegetable growing season is under 200 days long, or in Southern California, where it's over 300 days long, sometimes the season seems just too short.

Cover early and late season plantings with fabric row covers.  Start and end the gardening season with cold-hardy vegetables that tolerate frost, such as peas, lettuce, cole crops, beets and chard.  Try growing some plants, such as cold-tender herbs and dwarf fruit trees, in containers that you can move-in and outdoors as weather permits.  Click here to read more:

http://www.agway.com/how_to/projects/projects/extending_the_gardening_season.html

 

Make Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes Feel Unwelcome!

These are several simple steps you can take to minimize the likelihood that

you'll have these unwanted guests on your pet and in your home.

Click here to learn more...

http://www.agway.com/know_how/pets/flea_and_tick_control/make_fleas_ticks_and_mosquitoes_feel_unwelcome.html

Yikes- creepy crawly bugs!

Most insect invasions can be prevented before they happen.

With some common sense and simle pratices you can keep one

step ahead of an insect invasion and avoid any future "yikes"!

Click here to learn more...

http://www.agway.com/how_to/pests/pests/pest_control_around_the_home.html

Splish Splash!

On a nice summer's day it is fun to lay by the pool or spa with friends and family.

In order to have a positive, safe and enjoyable experience, it is best to follow

safety guidelines aimed at preventing accidents around your pool or spa.

Click here for valuable safety information for your pool or spa...

http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/outdoor_living/safety_information_for_your_pool_or_spa.html

Show Your Support for Farms and Farmers Markets!

Farmers markets are an important part of our communities and help farms thrive.

Help spread the word! Don't forget to vote for us as the best farmer's market!

We can get re-usable bags to give away next season and some free advertising!

Don't let the reddish flowers fool you - this plant found throughout the summer is actually a weed!

This weed goes by many names:

Rumex acetosella, sheep's sorrel, red sorrel, sour weed, and field sorrel.

No matter what name you go by, with a spreading rootstock this weed is invasive.

Look for the arrowhead-shaped leaves with small reddish flowers

that produce lots of seed that can easily overtake your garden.

This stubborn weed can be controlled by taking these proper measures...

http://www.agway.com/how_to/weeds/weeds/sorrel.html

It takes skill to raise blemish-free flavorful tomatoes and protect them from insects, diseases and other pests...

Don't let the fruits of your labor go to waste!

All tomato problems can be prevented and if caught in time, can be saved.

Click on this link to find out more:

http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/garden/controlling_tomato_problems.html

You work so hard on your garden...

Don't let these destructive pests, the Japanese Beetle, ruin it. Their appetite for a wide

variety of plants makes them especially troublesome. Learn how you can prevent and

control Japanese Beetles before they take over your yard.  Click here to learn more...

http://www.agway.com/how_to/pests/pests/japanese_beetle.html

Safe Propane Tank Usage

Warmer temperatures bring more of us outdoors.  Grilling, relaxing in the lawn with a fire pit,

using a propane-fueled mosquito repellent.  Propane, while flammable, is safe to use as long

as all the necessary safety devices are attached.  Stay safe and healthy while enjoying

your propane-fueled equipment by following these simple guidelines....

http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/outdoor_living/safe_propane_tank_usage.html







Healthy, vigorous vegetable plants produce the most flavorful and bountiful harvests...

Give your garden plants the moisture and nutrients they need,

keep them weeded and harvest often for tasty, nutritous crops.

Photography by National Gardening Association

Click here for tips on maintaining a vegetable garden: http://www.agway.com/how_to/projects/projects/maintaining_a_vegetable_garden.html

Paul Rogers visits Klem's

Paul Rogers visited Klem's on Saturday June 4th, 2011. Klem's gave away over 1,000 tomato plants and had a great kick off to the Farmer's Market. Our farmer's market runs every Saturday 9am-1pm through October 22nd. We have a great video of Paul explaining the difference between several popular varieties of tomato plants. We have posted on YouTube, and will add the link here. We also have some great pictures from the farmer's market on Flickr. My favorite finds from this week? Linabella's Pesto is one of my all time favorites. Pesto burgers, pesto on homemade pizza, or on grilled tuna. Also found a vendor with fresh sprouts! Cups of seeds or sprouted ready to eat sprouts are only $1.00! Love them, and they are so great fresh! Hope to see you this Saturday at the market! http://www.flickr.com/photos/klemsonline

A blogging we will go

Klem's was started in 1949 on route 9 in Spencer, MA. It was founded by John Klem as a Ford Tractor Dealership, we still sell tractors, but so much more. We are now a 75,000 square foot "department store" with everything from pets and supplies, hardware and sporting goods, to crafts, auto parts, clothing and footwear. Family owned and operated, we love being a part of the community. Every Saturday, starting June 4th, we will host a Farmer's Market in the field next to the store. The market runs from 9am until 1pm and you will be able to purchase locally grown produce, local farm raised meat, and many other locally made products. We hope that you enjoy this blog, as we post pictures, events, and info. We also hope that you will stop by the farmer's market and support local.