Learn about rain barrels, the 12th annual Tim Harmon 5K Run/Walk and the proper way, and time, to fertilize your lawn. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

1. News to Use Podcast May 18, 2011

2. Topics May 18, 2011: Rain barrels. 12th annual Tim Harmon 5K Run/Walk. Fertilizing your lawn.

3. Rain Barrels Having a rain barrel or multiple rain barrels attached to your down spouts is a practical way to conserve and reuse water and prevent water pollution. Rain barrels are easy to install.

4. Rain Barrels Hold 55 gallons of water. Save money on your water bill. Provide a source of non-chlorinated water for re-use on your lawn or garden. Prevent polluted stormwater runoff from entering streams. Help recharge ground water naturally.

5. Rain Barrels Improve water quality byreducing stormwaterrunoffthat flows from your roof (asource of water pollution). Prevent pollution that damages the Chesapeake Bay. To learn more: www.tiny.cc/rainbarrels.

6. Tim Harmon 5K Run/Walk Sign up now for the 12th annual Tim Harmon 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, June 25,at8:30 a.m. The run/walk will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center and is sponsored by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board

7. Tim Harmon 5K Run/Walk Raise awareness about substance abuse and Hepatitis C, raise funds to help people served by the CSB and honor the memory of Tim Harmon. Registration is $20 before June 11; $25 after. Contact Peggy Cook at 703-383-8441 or visit www.timharmon5k.org/.

8. Fertilizing Your Lawn More fertilizer is NOT better. Gardeners waste money and injure their plants with too much or too many applications of fertilizer. Excess fertilizer washes off lawns and sidewalks into storm drains and streams and is a major source of water pollution.

9. Fertilizing Your Lawn The best way to determine if your lawn needs fertilizer is to test your soil. Soil test kits are available for about $10 from public libraries. Information on soil testing is available from your Fairfax County Virginia Cooperative Extension.

10. Fertilizing Your Lawn Apply fertilizer during the first two weeks in September; or between the last mowing and Thanksgiving. Look for fertilizers with high levels of water insoluble nitrogen. Never apply more than one pound of soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet at one time.

11. Fertilizing Your Lawn Never fertilize when the grass is dormant or brown. Keep fertilizer off your sidewalks and driveways. Use a decomposed organic mulch or compost around plantings as a non-chemical fertilizer.

12. Fertilizing Your Lawn For a free copy of “A Virginian’s Guide to Yard Care,” call 703-324-1460. For more information contact the Master Gardener at the Virginia Cooperative Extension at 703-324-8556 or email MGFairfax@VT.edu.

13. Additional Information www.fairfaxcounty.gov www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/getfairfax 703-FAIRFAX (324-7329).