Newtown and other Stuff

As we close in on Memorial Day countless hours have been invested by home owners in Newtown and surrounding communities trying to achieve the perfect lawn. Does that mirror your life?

What does a perfect lawn look like? The short version is a fairway at a golf course without the divots and goose poop. If you think it is more than that, check with your doctor as you may be obsessive.

What does a perfect life look like? Well there is no perfect life, but I believe we all would like one without a lot of crap. However even the novice lawn enthusiast knows that some fertilizer is good for a healthy and nice lawn.

I believe the love affair we have for our lawns is related to the four seasons we experience. Perhaps the same can be said of our lives.

Early Spring: Winter is mostly over, life is starting over, your lawn starts to green up, and you smile as you know better days are ahead. You think about how you can make it better. Now it is time for the pre-emergence fertilizer application to slow down the crab grass. Now is the time to think about making our relationships better so that unwanted stuff doesn’t get in the way.

Spring: Wow, we are in full growth now of your lawn accented by flowers in the garden. Your plan for improvement materialized as you applied your spring feeding and are reaping good results. You are working hard by cutting the lawn but you are keeping up and you are happy. You are getting outside more, losing that winter weight gain, seeing neighbors for the first time in months. Holidays of the spring bring more personal satisfaction as you see more distant family again. Longer daylight and BBQ only work to enhance your appreciation of your lawn and your life. Your plans seem to be working.

Summer: Growth slows dramatically as the rains slow and the sun becomes oppressive; you may even see some browning.  An insect control application is called for, as we cannot afford an infestation now. You get a little distracted; mowing is becoming a chore while the beach, the pool, and a vacation are much more appealing. Watering to maintain your investment now becomes both a labor/time thing as well as a financial consideration thanks to the folks at Artesian Water and their 37 percent rate increase this year. Friends and family are still there, but seemed to be also consumed with their entertainment needs. We begin to let things go just a little.

Fall and Winter: A great time to re-seed. The life span of a blade of grass is seven years, some will repopulate on their own, and others will die and need to be replaced. Some friends, like our golfing buddies drop off, time for to find some replacements. Amidst the falling leaves, a heavy application of fertilizer will make for a faster green-up early next year. Families and friends are more available now, the holidays are coming. You remember that crap from the holidays will only make you stronger for next year. You are content, you feel fulfilled, and you gain 10 lbs, before you enter into the same dormant stage as your lawn.

The cycle goes on every year; we invest in things that bring us rewards. We recognize that with some fertilization of our lawn and relationships we will achieve growth. Some growth needs to be trimmed back and re-seeded, but hopefully the core will be maintained and get stronger. We recognize that there are bumps in the road, and that too much crap burns out even the best.

Every day you can do something to make your lawn better, the same applies to our lives. Get going with your lawn, get going with your life.