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Many gardeners define a weed as any plant growing where it’s not wanted. But what one person sees as a nuisance, another may consider beneficial ground cover. Take milkweed, for example. While some view it as undesirable, others value it for supporting pollinators like monarch butterflies.

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November 7, 2024, Press Release from the Allen Soil and Water Conservation District: Winter is right around the corner and many homeowners are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures to complete autumn yard maintenance before the ground freezes. This includes the last-minute application of fertilizer onto lawns.It’s important to remember that a lawn or garden that is fertilized should be tested every three years. For a little amount of time, postage, and a small processing fee, a lot of helpful information about one of the most significant assets on your property can be learned. Soil testing is essential because over-fertilizing is so easy to do since many don’t give it much thought when applying it. However, excess fertilizer is washed into our rivers and streams every time it rains. Once it gets to the river, it causes algae problems, robs oxygen from the water, and is a leading contributor of poor water quality. Statistics show that those who put fertilizer on their yards tend to do at eight times the amount farmers put on crop fields.

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July 11, 2024, Press Release from Casey Heilman, Allen Soil and Water Conservation District Administrator: Taking care of storm drains is not only important to reducing flooding but is also important to the health of the Ottawa River. The Allen Soil and Water Conservation District is urging you to “adopt” the storm drain in front of your home. Make it part of your weekly lawn maintenance to check your storm drain. By taking care of this drain, you can help reduce the amount of debris entering the Ottawa River.

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If you have driven on Main Street in downtown Lima, you can't miss them. The large lamp planters that line Main Street are in full bloom. It's a beautification project through Downtown Lima, Inc. to bring living beauty into the heart of the city. The variety of pink petunias has turned into huge balls of blooms. The planters are maintained by Stratton Greenhouse and sponsored by Nutrien, Allen Economic Development Group, and other donors. Downtown Lima, Inc. is hoping to get more sponsors on board.

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Dozens flocked to the Allen County Children's Garden this afternoon as a fan favorite started a new season. The Ohio State Master Gardener Volunteers are once again hosting the "Brown Bag Lunch" series on Tuesdays. Today's topic was everything you wanted to know about peonies. The flower is a captivating perennial that can flourish for more than a hundred years. The belief that it takes ants to open your peony bud is an old wives' tale. They are attracted to the sap but aren't needed to open the flower. The most important thing about the flower is how to plant it.