Mark the calendar for Monday, September 6 and plan on spending part of your day here at the Clubhouse and Pool for the annual Labor Day Potluck Picnic.
There will be a waterslide in the large Park from 4 to 6 PM. Come early to play Bingo from 4 to 5 PM.
Residents are asked to bring their favorite picnic side dish for at least eight people. The Lakes provides grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, chips of all kinds, lemonade, and water. Food will be served at 5 PM.
Maybe you'll bring...
Some popular sides include deviled eggs, potato, bean, and pasta salads, coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, mac and cheese, and desserts of all kinds or one of your favorites.
See you there!!
Lawns
Due to the continuance of high heat, continue watering lawns every day or every other day depending on the level amount of sun or shade until the temperature drops, then water every two days. Check lawns for water absorption before cutting back.
Continue to fertilize Bermuda grass monthly with 1/2 bound of actual nitrogen and 6 ounces of iron per 1,000 square feet.
The time to spread winter grass seed is when temperatures drop below 95 degrees during the day and night temperatures are at 60 degrees. Additional winter grass information will be in the October article.
Time to plant
Towards month's end is the right time to start planting veggies and herbs. There are numerous reasons to plant herbs. First, they provide fresh herbs for cooking; second, they can be dried for future use; and third, herbs attract beneficial insects that help control aphids and other garden pests. The stronger the smell the herb produces the more pests are repelled.
Start planting desert adapted trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers after mid-month as temperatures cool.
Palm trees prefer to be transplanted this time of year for better root establishment. Queen palms are best to be avoided as they are not well adapted to desert heat, sun or alkaline soil.
Garden maintenance
Thoroughly water trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers and perennials, then apply fertilizer to provide a boost after the long, hot summer. Water again immediately after applying fertilizer.
Continue to deadhead spent blooms and prune roses lightly to promote their second blooming period in October and apply a slow-release fertilizer when temperatures begin to drop. Water plants deeply to encourage blooming.
Continue to add compost to beds. As the compost decomposes, it acts as a fertilizer, helps to open up the soil for better watering results, and helps to produce healthy plants.
How are the sprinklers spraying? Is the spray hitting fences or walls? A little readjustment or replacement of sprinklers may help prevent the cost of having to replace and repaint wood fences or re-stucco masonry walls.
Christmas cactus
To encourage Christmas cacti to bloom for the holidays, require the following: first fertilize with a phosphorus fertilizer and water well. The plant requires 12 to 14 hours of darkness for the next 6 weeks. This may be achieved by covering it with a box or placing it in a closet. During the day it requires bright light but not direct sun. Continue to water when the top 2 inches of the soil is dry. Depending on the plant, it should set the buds in 4 to 6 weeks.
Who's in my garden now? The Palo Verde Root Borer Beetle
In summer, beetles emerge from holes in the ground beneath infested trees. The adults are about 3 inches long and their larvae is about 6 inches long. They are black with long antennae and look threatening, but they are harmless to humans. Large infestations combined with poor care of the trees can cause the decline and death of a tree.
The world of gardening is unlimited, so if anyone would like an article of a specific gardening item or have any questions please email me at: calvert90@msn.com.
After summer hiatus, the FFC returns with "Picnic at Hanging Rock", Australia (1975), directed by Peter Weir. The popularity of this film established the international reputation for the Australian film industry.
RSVP to Lorraine Warren at 480-820-1605.
Helpful information from a Lakes Master Gardener. Read more....
As many people have noticed, we have had a significant and somewhat unsightly amount of plant growth in the lake this year. There are several reasons for this growth, the first and foremost of which is the water that we take in from the canals. This year the Salt River system experienced the highest amount of run-off from rain and snow since 1982. This has resulted in an above-average nutrient load in the water causing large amounts of weed growth. Read more....
Join us as we offer a great Developmental Golf Program for young people to learn more about golf and themselves, improve their golf swing skills and learn how to play the game of a lifetime - golf. Read more...
Here are a few reminders of some of the most common violations that have been occurring in the Lakes.
1. The Lakes is known for its lush green landscapes. With summer here, we need to work a little harder to keep it that way. Please do whatever is necessary to get your lawns green, including increasing your watering schedule since the hot weather has begun. Although we do allow lawns to go dormant during the winter months, we do require green lawns from now until November and this will be strictly enforced.
2. Trash containers may be out front on pick up day ONLY. After pick up, they must be stored out of sight. Either behind a gate to the back yard or in your garage. They may not be pulled up and left in front of the gate or in driveways.
3. Bulk Trash pick up is the 3rd Monday of the month. Therefore, bulk trash may not be put out on the curb earlier then the Thursday before pick up. If you are having trees trimmed, yard work done or possibly cleaning out stuff from your house, you need to plan to have your bulk trash hauled away at your expense or plan your cleaning to coincide with the pick up dates.
4. If you are going to do ANY kind of work on the outside of your home, you must fill out an architectural application and turn it in to the office and then wait for approval before beginning your project. This includes any amount of painting, landscaping (removing or replacing a plant or tree) adding lawn decorations, rain gutters, rock, ground cover, dumpsters or storage containers etc.
Anything that is done on the outside of your home that can be seen from the street or the lake must be approved before beginning. You can pick up an application at the club house or you may visit www.thelakesoftempe.com. Click on the LCA tab and scroll down on the first page where you will see the highlighted place to click on the application. Any projects that have not turned in an application OR that begin before the application is approved will be subject to fines.
I do realize that some of the rules within the Lakes can seem bothersome and frustrating but it is these rules that keep our community looking nice and keep our home values up. Let's work together to help our community. Maybe a kind reminder to a neighbor if you see something that is out of compliance or you may feel free to contact me at ccr@thelakesoftempe.com with any complaints or suggestions. Have a wonderful summer and lets keep The Lakes looking great!
Na Lee O Ke Kai, the oldest outrigger club in Arizona, will conduct club practices on our lake until early November due to the collapse of the Tempe Town Lake dam. Na Lee O Ke Kai, Voices of the Sea, is a competitive race club and a member of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association and co-hosts the annual Tempe Town Lake Outrigger Regatta. The club formed in 1996 and works to contribute to the community by teaching the sport and Hawaiian culture to Cub Scouts, Outward Bound Scouts, and others.
Practice times:
Practices are typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4 PM until dark and Saturdays from 6 AM until noon. They also have small boat practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 6 AM until 10 AM. The club carries its own insurance and is entirely responsible for their members and equipment.
We are happy to extend our hospitality and hope Lakes residents enjoy watching Na Lee O Ke Kai practice.
Click here for recent activity or changing information.
Labor Day Picnic
Monday, September 7; 4 to 7 PM
LCA Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 22 at 7 PM
Women's Club
Welcome Breakfast
Saturday, September 25; 9:30 AM
Complimentary Pontoon Ride
Sunday, September 26 at 7 PM
Foreign Film Club
Wednesday, September 15; 11:30 AM
See Clubs, Beach and Tennis Club, or LCA for details on these and other upcoming events.
