Spring means it's time to start pruning

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to open in a browser. A gardening newsletter featuring Ask & Share and our friends at HGTV Gardens SPONSORED BY March Ask & Share Highlights How to Prune Shrubs Choosing the Right Pruning Tools Tips on Pruning Timing and Techniques Tips & Tricks By early spring we're all itching to get outside in the garden for some green thumb time. While it may still be too early for digging and planting in many parts of the country, it's not too soon to start in on pruning chores. So check out our tips on pruning tools, timing and techniques in this month's newsletter. Then sharpen those pruners and get out in the garden! Ask & Share Community Highlights Jemer asked: I pruned my hydrangea tree, and it's not blooming yet. Did I ruin the tree for good? NGA answered: Hydrangeas pruned to a tree form are usually panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata). This type of hydrangea sets flower buds and blooms on wood that grows in the current season, so the time to prune so as not to remove flower buds is in early spring, before new growth begins. If you pruned later, don't worry ... MORE Anonymous asked: When will I need to prune my persimmon tree? NGA answered: If you are just starting out with a young tree, you'll want to prune it to help it develop a strong central leader and well-placed scaffold branches. A mild day in late winter while the tree is still dormant is a good time for pruning. Once the framework of the tree is in place, a persimmon needs little pruning other than removing dead or diseased branches and suckers. ... MORE Choosing the Right Pruning Tools I love garden tools. When I have the right tool in my hand I feel like I can do anything. Without the right tool, working in the garden is a struggle. Back when I took my first horticulture class my teacher stressed the importance of careful tool choice and I thought he was nuts. Surely a pruner is a pruner? Not so. There is a wide variety of pruning tools for different kinds of pruning work, and choosing the right one makes all the difference in the world, for both you and your plants. Here's what you need to know. Read the full article From our friends at HGTV Gardens How to Prune Shrubs The best time to prune deciduous climbers and shrubs depends on whether they bloom on growth produced in the same or previous years. Generally, those that flower after midsummer are pruned hard in spring. Those that bloom in winter, spring and early summer are pruned soon after flowering. Read the full article from HGTV Gardens Tips on Pruning Timing and Techniques Early spring is a great time to prune many trees and shrubs. Start by making sure your pruning tools are nice and sharp. Then check out the following pruning tips for successful snipping this spring. Read the full article  NGA's Tips &Tricks Prune Winter-Damaged Evergreens Evergreens like arborvitae, boxwood, rhododendron and yew are especially vulnerable to broken branches over the winter because their foliage catches the snow, weighing them down. When pruning out broken or winter-killed branches, try to cut back to the next lower branch junction within the plant to avoid leaving an unsightly stub. Junipers, arborvitae, false cypress, hemlocks, pines, spruces and firs don't have live buds on old wood, meaning cuts made back into leafless portions of a stem won't resprout. If a branch of one of these evergreens is broken back into a leafless section, it's best to remove the entire branch. Train Young Trees Encourage young trees to develop strong branch angles on their major limbs and symmetrical branch placement that keeps the center of gravity over the trunk. Narrow branch angles are inherently weak and more apt to break off in strong winds or under a load of snow and ice. When you are selecting trees at the nursery, look for ones with their main branches attached at wide angles (think 10:00 or 2:00) and symmetrically placed around the trunk. Prune judiciously to encourage this branching habit as the tree grows. Use 3 Cuts to Remove Large Branches When you're pruning out a branch larger than a couple of inches in diameter, keep it from breaking off prematurely and ripping the bark below by use a three-cut system. Make the first cut upward from the branch underside about a third of the way through the branch you're removing. Make this cut several inches out from the trunk (or lower branch). Next, make a second cut down from the top completely through the branch a few inches farther out on the branch from the first cut. This will allow the branch to fall without harming the tree. Finish by removing the stub just outside the branch collar. Mantis Tiller Makes Gardening Easier Buy Direct and Save $40, NO-RISK TRIAL, Easy 4 Pay Option. FREE Planter Furrower for Limited Time! Join Ask & Share for more great information from the experts at NGA, our friends at HGTV Gardens, and real gardeners just like you! National Gardening Association 237 Commerce St., Suite 101 Williston, VT 05495 Visit us online: Garden.org  |  KidsGardening.org Manage My Subscription Download Media Kit Do you have a question or concern about this newsletter? Email the Editor

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - March 18, 2015

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April 30 2014 Budget Hearing Pt. 1
May 1, 2014 Budget Hearing Pt. 2
January 7, 2015 – Executive Session
March 4, 2015 – Executive Session

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting is being recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
- None

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
- Finance Committee = Kerri Anne Bertone

F. HEARINGS

• Public Hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Lenox Drive, Berkshire Drive, and Symphony Drive-7:10
• Public Hearing to determine whether it is in the public interest to accept Windsor Circle-7:10

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
»The Curry House- Transfer of License
»The Bamboo House-Transfer of License

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

• FY 16 Budget
• Gus Brown - Building Commissioner

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-10-Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Lenox Drive, Berkshire Drive, and Symphony Drive and related Drainage Lot and Easement
2. Resolution 15-11-Order of Layout, Acceptance, and Taking of Windsor Circle and Related Drainage Lot and Easement
3. Resolution 15-12- Acceptance of Gift-Town of Franklin Police Department
4. Bylaw Amendment 15-746: Chapter 181, Wetlands Protection – 1st Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O EXECUTIVE SESSION
– To consider purchase of real property (unimproved land)

P. ADJOURN

flag pole and statues at Franklin Senior Center

The full set of documents released for this agenda can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/03182015.pdf

Lil' Folk Farm: Riding Program Open House

Looking to do something different on a Sunday afternoon? How about horse back riding? There is a Riding Program Open House today from noon to 3:00PM at the Lil' Folk Farm in Holliston.

"We are a local farm in Holliston, Massachusetts established in the summer of 2002. Our mission is to bring our love for Horses and farm animals to your children. We have built a beautiful farm where children of all ages, including teenagers and animal loving adults, can learn to ride or learn about one of our many farm animals through hands on interaction. 

We purchased our Washington Street Property in 2001 and spent the better part of a year building the original Red Barn which started our business the following summer. Our farm began as a children’s farm specializing in birthday parties with a petting farm and pony rides. We opened with a small assortment of farm animals such as nigerian dwarf goats, shetland sheep, chickens, bunnies, a duck and one very special pony….BLACKJACK. 

The following year, as our livestock grew, so did our programs. We began offering children’s classes focusing on animal care, hands on interaction with a wide assortment of livestock, pony care, summer camp programs and schools began to come to the farm to learn more about animals. As our farm grew, so did the need to start a children’s riding lesson program to take everyone’s love of ponies and horses to the next level. Of course, Our lesson program was started with our original pony BlackJack. 

Today Our livestock includes registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Registered Miniature Horses, Shetland Sheep, Bunnies, Various Breeds of Chickens, Llamas, Alpacas, Registered Sicilian Miniature Donkeys, a Tea cup pig and BlackJack with 24 other horse and pony friends. 

We are not open to the public daily but host a wide assortment of programs and classes for you to be a part of our farm……Riding Lessons, Birthday Parties, summer riding and farm camps ,field trips, corporate functions, traveling petting farm & pony rides and open events at the farm. 

Please take the time look through our website to see all we have to offer! 

Visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for additonal pictures and videos. 

Hope to see you at the farm!"

Additonal details on the Open House in the photo below or on their webpage here  http://www.lilfolkfarm.com/

Riding Program Open House

Where is Lil' Folk Farm?

Don't Miss The Music Man This Weekend and Next Weekend too!

Click to view this email in a browser

	This Weekend!

3/15/15 - Save Bryan's information

You likely know someone with property damages View on the web

The Shady Spot A monthly update about shades, business and humor March - 2015 Roger Magalhaes Shades IN Place Inc. Owner & Blind Installer Hello and welcome to Siberia-like!   Worse than a ground covered in white, it is the damage caused by the record snowfall this winter.  But don't worry...help's on the way!  Read on to learn more.    Put Bryan on the speed dial After my last email mentioning the snow damages at my shop, a big storm took place. No, not a white one. Instead, a big storm of emails, phone calls and even choco brownies in the mail to express support and friendship. THANK YOU!! Among those emails was one from Carlos Vargas, my client and  owner of www.vargasinsurance.com extending any type of needed assistance and by the way, he was NOT my insurance agent. I explained to Carlos that I was having a really tough time getting my insurance company to agree on covering my losses. They originally denied 100% of it (image that) and it was then that Carlos told me to contact Bryan Holtzman from http://www.swerling.com/   Bryan is a public insurance adjuster and his job is to use his knowledge in the insurance industry to fight insurance companies against inadequate settlements for people like you and me. After explaining my situation to Bryan and providing a claim number and info requested, he spent about an hour on the phone with the insurance people and they agree to pay for my loss in full, which was waaaaay over $15,000 - something I was not able to do on my own even after weeks of emails and phone calls!   I am not an expert in snow damages but I can guarantee that you or someone you know has encountered property loss this winter. So please help yourself or someone you know by sharing Bryan's information. For obvious reasons, insurance companies don't like the general public to know that professionals like Bryan are available to help: Bryan Holtzman SWERLING MILTON WINNICK PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS, INC. 36 Washington Street - Suite 310 | Wellesley Hills | MA 02481 OFFICE: 781.416.1000 x 123 | TOLL FREE: 800.677.5454 |  FAX: 781.416.1004 WWW.SWERLING.COM And speaking of property damages, I forecast an extremely busy Spring season replacing window treatments due to the record snowfall here in Mass. My suggestion is that you get out of your chair and start making phone calls now to schedule a contractor (if you need a referral, let me know). Otherwise your project is not going to start until Summer or even Fall. In the meantime, please save some money (between 7 and 10%) for new window shades at the end of your remodeling project. Trust me, those paper shades won't look good with your new hardwood floor. For ideas & inspiration on your new window coverings click here What I do... People don't shop for window coverings often. In fact many haven't  bought new shades in 15 - 20 years! My job is to introduce you to the many wonderful features & benefits  that automated shades have to offer. As a result you will be able to control privacy, home security (protection) and prevent sun fading via smartphones and tablets whether you are home or away. Stay IN Touch old fashion mail -  Shades IN Place Inc. Custom Window Treatment Solutions 76 Grove St. Franklin MA 02038 email - roger@shadesinplace.com call / text - 508-904-2108 office - 508-520-6700 fax - 508-445-8800 shake hands - 76 Grove St Franklin MA 02038 web - www,shadesinplace.com read - download brochure schedule - book an appointment Consumer $aving$ For the month of March there are some rebates available and also FREE CORDLESS lift system upgrades for select products. Ask for details   Buy 5+ units = extra 5% off Buy 10+ units = extra 10% off Buy 15+ units = extra 15% off    Call 508-520-6700 Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email Shades IN Place | 76 Grove St | Franklin | MA | 02038

2015 Pre-Season mower tune-up special

Mower n More is pleased to announce the 2015 pre-season mower tune-up special. 

• Appointment must be made online by March 21st, 2015
• Equipment must be on the driveway or in the garage. No sheds please.
• This promotion has limited availability and will expire when all appointment slots have been reserved.
• You will not be able to book more than 21 days in advance.

The rates below are for routine preventive maintenance for a fully operational machine with no known problems. Repairs extra.

	Lawn mower up to 22": $10 off = $75 (85)
	Rider / walk-behind up to 42": $30 off = $169 ($199) Rider / walk-behind over 42": $40 off= $199 ($239)
+	Together: Additional $10 off
	Extended area charge (where applicable): $10 off = $19 ($29)

Book now (Use promo code EB15)

See what's included

Mower n More

This message is sent to you as a customer of Mower n More. Mower n More, P.O. Box 201, Hopedale MA, 01747. (508) 478-2004