October 2, Adopt a Stream Clean up at Cub Run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call Colin Riley. Leaders and volunteers needed. Meet at 14708 Mount Olive Road, Centreville, VA 20122.

November 6, Adopt a Stream Clean up at Bull Run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Call Colin Riley. Leaders and volunteers needed. Meet in the Route 28 access point parking lot next to 7122 Centreville Road, Centreville, VA 20121.

Usually gloves, bags, water and snacks are provided at these events.

It's responsible to crate train your dog

By Mandy K.

When it comes to kennel (or crate) training, some dog owners have tried and given up, others think it’s cruel, and yet others just haven’t given the idea any thought. But crate training is a very practical tool and, when used correctly, is one of the best ways to promote emotionally healthy dogs. Here’s what you need to know to have a happier, healthier pet for the whole family.

Let’s start with examining the natural instincts of canines. Unlike humans, who drool over soaring, vaulted ceilings and thousands of square footage, canines prefer their homes to be small, cozy dens. It provides protection from predators and warmth in winter months. In fact, a den is crucial for a dog’s survival in the wild. A dog that sleeps out in the open becomes easy prey and all dog’s know this–that’s why they instinctively long for a den.

When inside the crate, dogs spend most of the time sleeping. This isn’t because they are bored, but because dogs need about 13 hours of sleep per day to function properly. They will be content to get most of that sleep done in their kennel, looking forward to play time when the family returns home. So remember: even though humans deplore the idea of being kept in a cage-like enclosure, dogs will always prefer them.

In every class I teach, most people go home fully intent on crate training but usually give up within the first two or three days. Why? Because their puppy is whining and crying and scratching at the kennel door all night long and they desperately want some sleep. As a result, they toss this wonderful training tool out the window. I find it fascinating that the same people who have the endurance to get through months and months with a newborn baby cannot get through one week of crate training. And that’s really all it takes. Within one week, your puppy should be completely acclimated to its kennel. Even though the puppy’s instincts long for a den, we still have to understand that this particular den is foreign to them. When the puppy was born, it was born inside its mother’s den. That is the den they have come to know and love. So when we take a dog from its mother’s den and introduce it to a new one, there has to be a transition period. There are several ways to make this transition period as quick and painless as possible:

1) When you purchase your puppy, bring him home in the morning and plan to spend all day with him. This will give him the most amount of time to get used to his surroundings before going into his kennel at night. Never bring a new puppy home in the evening. He won’t have time to get to know you and will be extremely lonely, scared, and will cry for his mother (quite possibly all night long).

2) Some puppies will act depressed on the first day away from their mother and siblings, while others seem to fit in with their new family immediately. Either way, you must begin crate training on the day you bring your puppy home. Start by giving him his meals inside the kennel. Place his bowl of food on the far side, opposite of the door. You may have to coax him into the kennel, but once he’s inside, praise him and love on him. Repeat the coaxing and praising until he feels comfortable going inside the kennel. When coaxing him, give the kennel command of your choice, “Go kennel,” or “Go to your room,” or “Kennel up.” Once he is kennel trained, all you’ll have to do is point to the kennel and give the command and he should go right in, eliminating the need to chase him down when you’re already late for work.

3) When you have a play session, try tossing the puppy’s toy into the kennel a few, random times to get him used to the kennel as a fun place to be. Also, if you’ve started obedience training, toss the puppy’s reward treat into his kennel when he does something good. He’ll begin to attach praise and good behavior with his kennel.

4) Never use the kennel as punishment. The kennel should always be a place of comfort and safety. If you need to remove your dog from the rest of the pack (your family), pick a small room like the laundry room or a spare bathroom. It’s okay for the dog to associate discipline with one of these rooms, but never his kennel.

5) When first starting out, always keep the kennel in the same room as you. If you’re in the kitchen most of the day, bring the kennel in there. If your whole family is in the living room enjoying a movie, bring the kennel in there. Soon, your dog will begin to prefer hanging out in his kennel rather than the floor or the couch. My dog spends most of his nap time in his kennel. When he’s ready to sleep, he trots back to his kennel, opens the door himself, climbs inside and snoozes until I call him. Everyone thinks he’s strange for doing so, but really, he’s just doing what his instincts tell him.

6) Always implement tough love. If your dog whines, cries, or scratches, it’s not because he is deathly afraid or will die if you leave him in his kennel over night. He whines because he knows you will come to his rescue and let him out. Never release your dog from his kennel unless he is perfectly quiet. This will teach him that whining and crying get him nowhere, resulting in quiet nights for you and your family. If you succumb to the whining and let your dog out, this only shows him that he is actually the teacher–and he’s just taught you to open the crate when he whines! Remember, the alpha dog (that would be you) never takes orders from the other pack members. By following your dog’s orders, you will ultimately have a confused and unruly dog on your hands–he’ll be the boss of some things, but not of others, and this confusion will last his entire life as he struggles to find a balance. It’s crucial that you remain the alpha for the duration of your dog’s life. Then he will know his place and feel comfortable and happy to romp around within his understood boundaries.

7) With puppies, try putting a hot water bottle under the blankets inside the kennel. This helps to mimic the warmth of the litter that your puppy is used to. A cold puppy is a lonely puppy. Warmth helps him fall asleep feeling safe. Try adding a few stuffed animals around him too. This will also help mimic the litter. You need not do this if you are adopting an older dog, as they should be used to sleeping away from the litter. Also, for the first few nights, keep the kennel right next to your bed so the puppy doesn’t feel completely isolated. I usually set the kennel on a table so it is the same level as my bed–this way, the dog can see me and feel as though he is sleeping with his pack. After the first week, I move the kennel to the floor beside the bed. Then, gradually, I begin to move the kennel away from the bed until it is in the spot where it will remain most nights.

One of the most important rules of crate training is to never give up! Even if you’ve tried everything and your dog is still scared of the kennel or still whines, keep trying. If you do, here are some of the benefits you’ll receive:

Peace of mind. You’ll always know your dog is safe when he is in his kennel. A dog that is free to roam about the house will ultimately get into something at some point. Our homes are not akin to the wild; they are, at times, more dangerous and provide a myriad of ways your dog can harm himself. He could turn over a trash can and scarf down chicken bones or greasy paper towels, resulting in more trips to the vet (and a huge mess to clean when you get home). He may find your shoes irresistible and end up ruining several pairs or swallowing shoe laces. He may even urinate or throw up on one of your favorite rugs. I’ve known dogs to rip up throw pillows and even scratch holes in doors and window screens. But when confined to a kennel, a dog will spend most of his time sleeping soundly in a perfectly safe environment.

Structure. Crate training provides structured sleep patterns. For those of you who have children, you know the benefits of scheduled sleep. Your dog needs at least 13 hours of sleep every day to function the way nature intended. Structured sleep may result in fewer trips to the vet and a longer life for your pet.

Balance. If you provide safety and structure for your pet, you are demonstrating good alpha leadership. Your dog will never need to wonder who his master is and he will have a balanced conscience. Think of the most well-behaved dog you know. He didn’t become that way on his own, no matter what breed he is. Now think of his owner. When the dog is with his owner, have you ever noticed a kind of “harmony” between them? If so, this is because the owner simply demonstrates proper alpha leadership by providing balance. The dog always knows his place and never has to try his owner’s patience or test him. He simply knows he can’t get away with bad behavior so he just doesn’t attempt it. For example: I bring my dog to work with me. He has a kennel at the office and I will make sure that he gets several hours of nap time in his kennel each day, even though I’m right beside him. I notice huge changes in his behavior if I forget and leave him out in the office all day without nap time inside the kennel. He becomes testy and disobedient! Yet when I make sure to keep his daily routine of kennel time, he is the most obedient and satisfied pooch around. It’s such a small act, but it goes a long way.

Savings. A healthy dog is an inexpensive dog. Yes, some dogs are born with conditions that require more vet bills than others, but keeping your dog away from household dangers will keep money in the bank.

Faster house-breaking. Dogs that are crate trained are generally house-broken faster than those that are not. This is because the crate mimics den life. In the mother’s den, as she is potty-training her pups, she never allows them to soil their living quarters. She nudges them outside the den several times per day so they can urinate. Dogs only soil their crates when they are very young and do not yet have proper control, if they are ill, or if they are kept in the crate far too long. Other than that, they always prefer to urinate outside. If you get into the routine of taking your pet outside right before and directly after they are in their kennel, you’ll have fewer accidents, fewer messes to clean, and a faster house-breaking. Fact: dogs that are left outside the crate have eliminated somewhere in the house. And because his owners weren’t there to supervise, that spot will ultimately go unnoticed. The problem is, the dog will continue to soil in the same spot year after year because they will keep trying to cover the scent resulting in a house that reeks of ammonia. Do yourself a favor and crate train. You will be able to supervise your dog’s elimination. And if your dog soils his crate, it’s very simple to clean. Simply wash the bedding and wipe out the removable tray in the kennel. You might have to give your puppy a bath afterwards as well.

Relaxing travel. A dog that is crate trained is a lovely traveling companion. Inside his crate, he will feel safe and will sometimes even sleep during the entire journey. This way, you won’t have a dog climbing onto your lap while you’re driving and he won’t be tempted to chew on the upholstery. Also, most hotels will welcome dogs if they are crate trained, saving you high-priced boarding costs.

Lastly, here are some guidelines to follow when crate training:

- Crates come in all different shapes and sizes. Ask your breeder, vet, or someone at your local pet store what size is appropriate for your breed. A good rule of thumb is that the crate should be big enough that your dog (when fully grown) can stand up and turn around. It shouldn’t be so big that your dog can romp or play inside. Crates usually cost anywhere from 30 to 150 dollars. But this one-time cost is nothing compared to what you might spend on damage caused by a dog that is not crate trained.

- Always keep fresh water in the crate. A hamster or rabbit bottle works much better than an open bowl that can be turned over.

- Only keep safe toys inside the crate. If your dog likes to tear apart stuffed animals, do not leave a stuffed animal inside the crate. This may be a choking hazard. Most dogs simply sleep inside their kennels and they do not play, so toys are not necessary.

- Keep the bottom of the crate lined with a towel, pad, or thin blanket. This will help cushion their elbows, keep them warm, and help to soak up accidents, making it easier to clean.

- Always take your dog outside and make sure he urinates before going into the kennel. Then, when it is time to release the dog, take him directly outside again. Never dawdle once the dog has been released, as this could result in an accident on the floor while you’re searching for your shoes.

- Never feed your dog right before he goes into the kennel. A good rule to follow is that your dog’s feeding time should be right after your family finishes supper. This way, the dog mimics the pack and eats right after they do and then has the rest of the evening to digest. He should be able to eliminate that same evening right before he goes into the kennel for the night.

- A dog should never spend more than 6 hours a day in his crate, except overnight. I believe that if a family must spend over 8 hours a day away from home, only to see their dog for a few hours every evening, they should not be dog owners. Dogs are pack animals and no matter what we do, they will always be pack animals, craving constant companionship. To separate them from pack life and expect them to thrive happily alone for so many hours a day is far more cruel than the method of crate training. If you must own a dog, regardless of this fact, consider owning two or three. At least the dogs will not be alone for most of their lives. A dog left isolated from its pack will demonstrate some or all of the following behaviors: nervousness, shaking, cowardice, loss of hair, chewing on its paws until they are raw, anxiety, disobedience, loss of bladder and bowel control, dehydration, exhaustion from barking all day long, and vomiting. If you have two or three dogs, you may see the same benefits of crate training by simply confining your pets to their own room during the day. A laundry room or spare bathroom works great. Provide food and water, comfy dog beds, and some newspaper on the floor incase of accidents. Make sure there are no hazards in the room like trash cans, and keep items like laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and cleaning products somewhere safe.

- After a few years, your dog should be able to “graduate” from over night crate training. Mine is two and a half years old, and he is just now able to sleep outside of the crate in our bedroom. You will know your dog is ready when he is successfully house-broken and shows independence in his sleeping locations. As dogs get older, they are more sensitive to temperature and may switch from sleeping on a warm fleece to sleeping on a cool, wooden floor several times during the night. Maintaining a satisfying temperature for your dog is difficult inside the crate. When this is apparent, allow your dog to sleep outside of the kennel, but close the door to your bedroom so he cannot roam about the entire house. Give him a special bed to lay on beside your bed and remember to take him outside the first thing in the morning. Continue to crate train when you leave the house.

- I have known a few dogs to “graduate” from daytime crate training as well. These are usually guard dogs, or ward dogs. There is a difference between a guard dog and what I call a “ward” dog. A guard dog is specifically trained to guard the house from intruders whereas a “ward” dog will ward off strangers by means of its large size and intimidating bark. Just because you have a German Shepherd doesn’t mean he is a trained guard dog. I owned a German Shepherd that was afraid of squeaky toys–she would not have stopped a determined intruder. But she did have a very intimidating bark and may have warded off some skulking teenagers if necessary. A guard or ward dog in a crate does not do much good, so if you purposefully bought a guard or ward dog, he should graduate within two years. When your dog graduates from day time crate training, particular steps should be taken to make sure your home is free of dangerous objects. Just like you would “baby-proof” your house, you must “dog-proof” it too. But, this is only recommended for guard or ward dogs–not for common pets. I would still recommend encouraging your dog to nap in his kennel. Simply remove the kennel door. He can resort to his kennel for nap times whether you’re home or away and still have the ability to leave the kennel if he hears a suspicious noise.

I hope I have convinced some of you to implement crate training with your pets. It is one of the most rewarding methods of training and you will benefit from it for years to come.

Mandy has been a dog trainer and family pet advisor for ten years. She is passionate about matching the right pets with the right families and has fostered countless animals in her lifetime. Currently she is a staff writer for Plugged In Parents, providing parents with family pet solutions and information. Plugged In Parents is also an online resource for up-to-date health and safety, nutrition, and baby info along with recipes, family movie reviews, money and tech tips, and more! Visit pluggedinparents.com today!

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Editor’s Note: If your puppy makes a mess in the crate during training, make sure you put it in the trash or flush it down the toilet. If you toss it in your yard, it will end up in the creek!

There is no other chore quite like potty training puppies. As fun as it is to have a house full of playful pups, it can be a nightmare if they are constantly making messes. This is one of the most important things to train your puppy, and no two puppies take to the training in exactly the same way.

Above all, you need to be patient when you’re house-breaking a pup. Puppies are just like human babies, in that they need time to figure out exactly how you want them to behave. Puppies also don’t have the bladder control that adult dogs do, so that makes the chore more difficult for you. Sometimes they don’t have the “warning” that it’s time to go, like adult dogs do. Teach your puppy patiently, to arrive at the time when he will reliably let you know when he needs to go outside.

Here are some helpful guidelines to use when potty training puppies is your job one. You can use these ideas whether you want to train your dog to go potty outside, or to use a litter box like as cat, which seems to be all the rage with the toy breeds these days.

If you want to train your pup to go potty outdoors, train him that way from the start. If you paper-train him first, you are still going to have to train him to go outside eventually. You might as well do that to start with.

Crate your puppy or confine him in a small area whenever you can’t watch him. Be sure that other family members do the same thing, so the dog gets consistent messages.

If your puppy has adult teeth, feed him dry food. This will help to make his stools more solid. Keep your pup in a room with linoleum if you don’t crate him, so his accidents will be easier to clean up.

Make sure your pup has a feeding schedule. This will help him get used to the schedule of your house, and then going potty will fit into that schedule that he already knows.

Pups need a lot of water, particularly if they are on dry dog food. But for the purposes of potty training puppies, feed your pup four or more hours before bedtime, and withhold water for the last couple of hours before bedtime.

Take your pup outside the first thing in the morning, and after every meal. Make sure he also gets a chance to go potty right before bedtime, too, and after every nap he takes. If he’s rustling around or asking for attention during the night, take him outside then, too. Put him on a leash and walk him directly to the area you want him to use. He should be able to go to the bathroom with you on the other end of the leash. This way, if you’re away from home, he’ll already be comfortable making “pit stops” on-leash.

Don’t play outside with your pup until he “does his business”. Then he can play. If he doesn’t GO potty, put him in his crate for a bit, and then try again until he does. Praise him profusely when he does go potty. And give him another few minutes in case he has to go a bit more.

If your pup is in the house and looks like he’s sniffing out a potty spot, pick him up and carry him outdoors to his spot. Teach him patiently and work with him until you both succeed.

Want to find out about daschund facts, miniature boxer and other information? Get tips from the Small Breed Dogs website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Le
http://EzineArticles.com/?Potty-Training-Puppies-Successfully&id=2897843

Editor’s Note: Be a good neighbor and have clean streams in Northern Virginia at the same time! Pick up your puppy’s doo doo and dispose of it properly in a trash can.

We cannot get by without our automobile and it is essential for life today. It’s always nice to be able to go to a dealership and get a new vehicle and not have to worry about maintenance, but many of us have older vehicles which do not fare as well and from time to time we will start to notice some kind of substance on the garage floor — leaking car fluid.

For a means of transport that basically takes us from point A to point B, the typical automobile is amazingly complicated. There are so many moving parts, which will wear out over time and the lubrication required will find its way out off perishing rubber joints and hoses, leading to leaking car fluid more often than we would like.

When you first notice something on the floor of your garage, you should try to identify what it is and where it is coming from. So many different types of fluid are within your vehicle, but they do vary in smell, color and texture. To pinpoint the source, try putting a piece of paper on the floor underneath the vehicle overnight to see where the leaking car fluid is emanating.

You should know that it is possible for a vehicle to leak water, coolant, brake fluid, engine oil, transmission oil and each has a different consistency. Depending on the size of the leak you may or may not need to worry. For example, if you have a large brake fluid leak you should not drive until it is fixed. However, an engine oil leak may not be an immediate problem and is something that you need to get checked in due course.

If you worried about an overheating engine, one of the first things you should consider is whether you have a split water hose or not. This may be the cause of the leakage and to check, run the engine and then open the hood and look to see if you can see any water spraying around. When it comes to leaking car fluid, water is the least expensive, of course!

Sometimes it seems that whatever you do your auto continues to leak from here and there. Maybe these leaks are not serious and something that you just have to put up with. In this case, you should try and protect your garage floor or driveway with absorbent pads, which will at least help to keep the area clean.

It is bad enough to have a leaking car fluid situation without having to worry about the additional effort and cost required to clean up the mess on an ongoing basis. By placing an absorbent pad, which is made of polypropylene and designed for this task, you will save yourself a lot of time and money.

If you see that you have a significant leak from your car and don’t feel confident enough to tackle the situation yourself, always call in a professional. It is likely to save you a lot of time in the long run. Try and take your vehicle for regular checkups as this will prevent problems arising over time.

Find detailed data about leaking car fluid. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter at http://www.cleanupstuff.com and get our free report. A toll free resource is available on our site to answer any queries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angie_Meza
http://EzineArticles.com/?Leaking-Car-Fluid—What-a-Mess!&id=2881551

Editor’s Note: The sooner you deal with those fluids leaking out of your automobile, the smaller your repair bill will be — and you’ll also reduce the amount of pollution that reaches your nearby stream!

Save time and money on oil changes with this simple test.

It is often difficult to know for certain just how long your oil could last before needing a change. The type of car you drive, the size of the engine, the age of the engine, the type of driving that you do and the type of oil that is in your crankcase will ALL have a significant effect on oil longevity.

Of course, quick lubes will continue to tell you that 3,000 mile changes are a necessity, and, for SOME people, this may be true. However, for the vast majority of us, this hasn’t been necessary for a good many years. Unfortunately, determining just HOW LONG is ok can be difficult.

Enter Oil Analysis

The best way to establish realistic oil change intervals is via oil analysis. Those who have been professionally trained to test oil and who have expensive lab equipment at their disposal are certain most qualified to determine the quality of the used oil sitting in your vehicle.

Such a thorough analysis of your oil can be cost prohibitive, though, since a professional oil analysis can often cost as much as a 5 quart petroleum oil change.

The Result – We Don’t Do It

Of course, the result is that most folks won’t pay for a “true” oil analysis – but they might be willing to perform a simple oil analysis themselves, if they knew how to do it. It won’t give you detailed numbers as you’d get from a lab, but it can give you a fairly good idea of how well your oil is holding up, thus helping you decide whether it’s time to make a change or not.

Below you’ll find detailed instructions for 1 of 6 layman’s oil analysis tests that you can use to determine how well your oil is holding up and whether it’s ready for a change. In this way you can begin to set realistic oil change intervals for your vehicle.

Performing the Test

Using just this simple layman’s oil analysis test can shed light on a wide range of potential oil problems which could require an oil change: excessive particulates, condensation build-up, glycol contamination, fuel dilution, failure of dispersant additives, formation of sludge and oxidation products. It is probably one of the most useful DIY oil analysis tests you can perform, and it’s drop dead simple.

While your engine (and the oil) is WARM (not HOT), allow a drop of oil to fall from your dipstick onto a heavy, white, NON-glossy business card. Lay the paper or business card flat, but so that all but the very edges of the paper is suspended. As a possible example, if you’re using stiff card stock or a stiff business card (which you really should be) simply set the card across the top of a cup or mug of some sort.

You want to wait for the paper or card to absorb the oil drop completely which might take awhile. The list of characteristics below should help you evaluate the condition of your oil based on the DRY oil spot.

• If your oil is still good for continued use, the dry oil spot will be uniform in color without any especially dark areas or rings. There may be a slightly yellow outer ring.
• If your dispersant additives are failing, you’ll likely see a very dense and quite dark area, normally within the center of the circle. Consider changing your oil soon, especially if any other issues come up in the course of “testing”.
• Glycol (antifreeze) in your oil? Expect to see a very black and somewhat “pasty” zone within the oil spot. Change your oil very soon.
• If the circle is really dark throughout and has a very distinct outer ring, your oil is severely oxidized and needs to be changed immediately.
• If the center of the circle is quite dark and there are outer rings you may likely have fuel in your oil. This does not necessarily mean that you need to change your oil since it is common to have fuel in your oil, but it could if the level is too high. Only a professional analysis will tell you how high those levels are.

***

Would it help you to know more about cheapskate oil testing, how you can compare and contrast motor oils, how synthetics CAN and sometimes CANNOT be good options, how to compare the efficiency of various oil filters and much more? Take a look at The Motor Oil Evaluator or head over and check out my Motor Oil Bible ebook.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Kaufman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Motor-Oil-Analysis-Testing-on-the-Cheap—The-Blotter-Spot-Test&id=2897936

Editor’s Note: If your test confirms that it is time to change your oil, make sure you dispose of the used motor oil properly, by taking it to a convenient, nearby recycling center.

Fall is the ideal time to add enhance your lawn or garden with compost.

By Fran Phalin

It’s that time of year again when you need to start worrying about your lawn and how it will fare when the weather changes for the colder. This is also the season for certain routine lawn care measures to be taken. For October, homeowners should be concerned about: gray leaf spot, compost, and aeration.

Gray Leaf Spot

A foliar disease that infects and destroys leaf blades, gray leaf spot is true to its name – you can easily tell if your lawn has this particular disease if you see small and brown-gray colored leaf spots with brown to purple borders on leaf blades. The “spotting” can spread into a longer form or cause diamond-like shapes. In warm, wet weather, spots can even be covered with gray mold. Sometimes a yellow circle can appear around spots. Though gray leaf spot is discouraged by cold weather, the heat and humidity from the Texas summer prolong summer diseases and help gray leaf spot to grow.

If you notice gray leaf spots in your lawn, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization and make sure you water in the early morning so the lawn surface will not stay wet overnight.

Compost

Fall is the perfect time to treat your lawn with compost. Compost, composed of almost any organic material from uneaten banana peels to fallen leaves, works to build up food reserves for your lawn by encouraging soil fertility and stimulating healthy root development in plants. Your lawn will thank you for the much needed food rationing once winter is in full swing.

Adding Compost

If you are planning to simply spread compost on your lawn surface, then 1/2 an inch of compost should be sufficient. More than 1/2 an inch can suffocate your lawn and will not allow it to breathe openly.

Aeration

To do more than just spread compost on your lawn, use a core aerator to make holes in the ground throughout your lawn. Aerating your lawn will help keep them healthy by reducing soil buildup to allow water and fertilizer to penetrate the root zone and help to control lawn thatch, which makes it difficult for lawns to breathe.

To achieve the most for your lawn, it is recommended that actual cores or plugs of soil be pulled from the lawn. Holes should be 2-3 inches deep and no more than 2-4 inches apart. Also, lawns should be thoroughly watered the day before aerating so plugs can be pulled more deeply and easily.

After aerating, you can then spread 1/2 to 1 inch of compost over the lawn and get it in with a plastic leaf rake. It is very important to water your lawn afterwards, as you want to activate the compost microbes and wash them onto your soil.

Again, fall is the best time to compost and aerate – doing this earlier in the year can encourage weeds to get a head-start and stay dormant during the winter and pop up later.

Fran Phalin is a freelance editor and writer specializing in home improvement topics. She is based in Austin, TX.

For fall lawn care help with gray leaf spot, composting, aeration, or other lawn project, please visit ABC Pest and Lawn at: http://www.abcpest.com

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Fall garden preparation is a very important part of organic gardening. Avoiding the wet soil conditions of spring, adding organic amendments to the soil, removal of debris and spent plants to reduce unwanted insect and plant born disease are all benefits in having a healthy and productive organic garden.

Cleaning the garden of spent plants and debris will help prevent unwanted insects from harboring over the winter in the garden. The removal of spent plants will also reduce the risk of any plant born diseases, if any to overwinter. This is a good time to start composting if you haven’t been already. Plants from your garden along with leaves are excellent organic materials to add to or start a compost pile with.

Fall is a great time to test your garden soil to find out if you need to amend the soil to balance the ph level or improve the soil structure and is a great time to add lime or other mineral amendments. Organic soil amendments and fertilizers need time to benefit the soil. Applying them in the fall will give them the time needed to be broken down by the organisms in the soil and to replenish the soil for spring planting.

Another reason to prepare your garden in the fall is if the area is wet in the early spring when planting season starts and dry in the fall. Take advantage of the dry fall and get it ready so you can start your garden earlier is the spring. Working with soil that is to wet can ruin the structure of the soil. Growing seasons can be to short as it is. You will benefit from the fall preparation.

The more work you get done in your garden in the fall to be prepared for spring planting the better off you will be. You can start your earlier crops easier if the soil is prepared before winter.

When spring comes around there is a lot of activity going on between the vegetable garden, flower beds and the lawn.

Prepare as much as you can in the fall. You will be glad you did when the planting season starts in the spring.

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

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Best of all, it’s FREE for Leesburg residents! TLC is available in 25 or 50 pound bags or bulk quantity at the Water Pollution Control Facility at 1391 East Market Street. Pick up is available seven days a week from 8am until 6pm.

Click here to learn more about Tuscarora Landscaper’s Choice

It's easy to dispose of dangerous household chemicals properly

If you took a few minutes to poke through your cabinets, closets, and garage, you just might be surprised at all the toxic chemicals you’d turn up:

• Nearly empty cans of paint and thinner
• Used antifreeze, oil, and other auto chemicals
• Half empty bottles of pesticide
• Burned out flourescent bulbs
• And more!

Don’t leave this stuff lying around the house — it’s dangerous for kids and pets. And don’t dump in the trash or down the storm drain, either. Towns and counties in Northern Virginia make it easy to dispose of household hazardous waste properly. Here are some upcoming opportunities to get those dangerous chemicals out of your house and away from your family:

Arlington County residents can drop off household hazardous materials most Saturdays from 9-3. Click here to learn more.

City of Alexandria residents can drop off household hazardous waste and electronics at 3540 Wheeler Avenue. Household hazardous waste and electronics are accepted Monday and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (except holidays).

For scheduling updates, including cancellation notification of events, please call 703-324-5052, TTY 711.

For City of Falls Church residents, the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held on Saturday, November 7.

Click here to learn more.

For Loudoun County and City of Leesburg residents, the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, at the NOVA Community College Campus on Route 7 in Sterling.

Click here to learn more.

For Stafford County residents, two Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days are coming up

• Saturday, September 26
• Saturday, October 24

Click here to learn more.

Show your ShopArlington savings card at Passionately Pets to get these great deals:

• FREE Consultation to discuss midday dog walking or vacation pet sitting needs
• 10% Discount On In-Your-Home Pet Sitting Services.
• $20 Off Midday Dog Walking

Passionately Pets is located at 4301 Columbia Pike in Arlington, Virginia. You can call them at (240) 888-1134 or visit them online at http://www.passionatelypets.com/

Click here to learn more ShopArlington and to get your discount card. Only one discount per household for the lifetime of the client relationship.