St. Peters Given Gift of 1,000 Trees

Through a program called Project CommuniTree available through Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, the city received 1,000 new trees.

St. Peters’ Parks recently received a gift of 1,000 new trees.  Provided by a program called Project CommuniTree available through Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, the new trees are being planted around the city for three different projects. The trees, which range from three- to six-feet tall have already found new homes. The tree are being used for three different projects: According to the city staff, the donation of the trees saved St. Peters nearly $10,000. Forest ReLeaf of Missouri was established in 1993 to help reverse the decline of urban and community forests. The organization provides trees for public and nonprofit plantings and present educational programs to increase stewardship of the trees and forests in Missouri and surrounding …

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Five Places to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

The National Christmas Tree Association, based in Chesterfield, offers advice for families cutting their own trees from local farms.

For the freshest Christmas tree possible, cut your own at a local tree farm. The National Christmas Tree Association in Chesterfield offers tips on how to find the perfect tree: And if you’ve never cut down a tree, here are some guidelines from Chesterfield’s National Christmas Tree Association: Try one of these nearby farms for your tree: Christmas Traditions Tree Farm: This farm is 30 minutes west of St. Charles and offers trees, wreaths, swags, and other specialty items. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 25-27 and Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11. Open Dec. 17 and 18 subject to availability. Contact the owners after Dec. 11 to check. Address: 25882 S. Lohman Road, Wright City, MO.  Phone: 636-745-7488 Trees: Scotch and White pines Directions: Take …

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The Garden Club

The Garden Club: All Around the Yard

A few simple things done now will go a long way in keeping up curb appeal all summer long.

There are so many things to do in your yard and garden right now that will enhance the appearance of your yard and home. A nice lawn and landscaping can add value to your home and increase curb appeal dramatically. Lawns If you fertilized and put down a crab grass pre-emergent more than six weeks ago, now is the time to put down a fertilizer and broadleaf weed control. This time of year, your lawn is using up stored energy and is in need of feeding. Thick, healthy grass will help keep weeds to a minimum by not giving them a place to grow. Dave, who gave only his first name because he sells commercial fertilizers, suggests a trick to keeping lawns healthy and thriving. “Fill a hose-end sprayer with a can of beer, a cup of mouthwash and a …

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Patti Baratta

7:33 am on Friday, May 13, 2011

I had a question posed to me about pruning lilac bushes. I confirmed with a Master Gardener that lilacs should be pruned after the blooms have faded in the spring time. Lilacs form their blooms for next season in early fall, so late pruning is not conducive to great blooms in the springtime.   more ›

The Garden Club

Welcome to The Garden Club

Contrary to popular belief, springtime is not the best time to plant trees. Shrubs are a much better option to add to your landscape this time of year.

To plant or not to plant, that is the question. This time of year, nurseries and garden centers are filled with beautiful trees just begging to land in the back of a pick-up truck and taken home.  Contrary to popular belief, spring is not the best time to plant trees. Outdoor Specialist, James Reid, of Lawn & Landscape Solutions, LLC, said that because people have been housebound all winter long, when the weather turns warm, there is a push and inclination to go out and work on their landscaping with an all-out effort. The allure of trees as a new focus can be overwhelming. But homeowners would be savvy to wait until the fall to plant trees of any type. “The reason we encourage people to wait for the fall to plant trees, is that then the …

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Viewfinder

Viewfinder: Just Days After Snow, St. Peters Warms Up

Temperatures hit the 70s on Thursday.

There was plenty of green outside in St. Peters on Thursday, and it wasn't just for St. Patrick's Day.  Monday's snow had melted and underneath was green grass. With spring offically set to start next week, St. Peters got a head start. Temperatures soared into the 70s. 

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