A summer of drought has made it more important than ever for homeowners to tend to their trees and lawn before the onset of winter, say plant care experts. This coming week he ll tackle the usual fall chores to help keep the grass healthy: aerating the greens and tee boxes, and putting down top-dressing and fertilizer. Even if your tree is established, it s still good to hit it with plenty of water. Fall lawn, tree care more important than ever after the summer drought. Despite a few...

She's been able to keep her livestock, tomatoes and corn going but the rest of her plants have dried up, including a peach tree that her husband finally cut down. One method is through xeriscaping - planning a landscape to minimize water use by planting heat and drought-tolerant plants. The water is called "gray water" because it has detergent in it, but Jones uses a mild detergent that won't harm plants and he never uses bleach if he plans to save the water. Another strategy for growing a...

Local apples from second and third blooms have been through heat, hail and drought, and they're not as attractive as usual, but they still offer a nice crunch and plenty of flavor. The Honeycrisp is a private-label apple introduced in Michigan in 1990, and it has rules and laws that have to be followed even before the tree can be bought and planted in an orchard. And despite the freeze that wiped out the first blooms on Central Kentucky apple trees, there will be an apple crop this fall....

That's because the fragmentation of the state's forests continues as major industrial landowners continue to sell or lease lands, most of which used to be open to public hunting. A forest legacyState and federal officials and conservation groups all have expressed concern about the fragmentation and the effect on public recreation and the forest industry. The forest companies will continue to own the lands and manage them for timber harvest, but the lands will permanently remain open for...

McDonnell's reputation for longevity and a tendency to be part of so many community activities also holds true for the holly tree. The authority is caretaker of a 62-foot-long mural that depicts the history of the holly tree here. The society also is known for its members' fierce devotion to their namesake tree. McDonnell, getting over a sick spell, relaxed in a camp chair. Welcome toThe Daily Journal-Vineland, N. MILLVILLE -- For more than half his 91 years, John McDonnell's life has been...