Clinton Township Newsletter

1 8 m a y 2 0 2 3 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M brilliantimprovements.com Design. Plan. Build. u P , D o W n , a l l a r o u n D . . . W h a T f e r T i l i z e r D o Y o u n e e D ? From the "old guy with the pony tail" Although winter in New Jersey is for the birds; spring is for the grass. At Mendham Garden Center we are asked quite often; what fertilizer should I use for my lawn? In all honesty, without a soil test, the recommendation is a best guess. Most lawn fertilizers are formulated with two or three major nutrients; nitrogen, sometimes phosphorous, and potassium, each in a specific formulation based on percentage such as 10-18-10 or 27-0-6. Often these nutrients are thought of as "up" (nitrogen for top growth) "down" (phosphorous for root development) and "all around" (potassium for health and vigor). Of the three; nitrogen, the first number in the formulation is utilized in the greatest quantity. Only nitrogen stimulates turf growth to any great degree. Phosphorous, the second number, typically the largest in a seed starter fertilizer such as 10-18-10, although required for root development, does not stimulate root development. Only nitrogen stimulates root development to any great degree. Potassium, the third number is required for many chemical processes within the plant but does not stimulate growth. Only nitrogen stimulates growth to any great degree. As long as phosphorous and potassium are available in adequate amounts, in the soil, additional applications are not required. Only a soil test can accurately provide this necessary information. The proper products and procedures along with proper timing can provide for maximum turf quality at minimum cost. Visit: www.MendhamGardenCenter. com and click on the Gardening Guide for more helpful tips! B S a T r o o P 2 8 8 k i c k S o f f T h e i r S P r i n G S e a S o n ! Scouts and leaders from BSA Troop 288 kicked off the Spring season with a visit to Cabela's in Hamburg, PA to select some new equipment for the troop. As recipients of a $1000 grant from the Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's Outdoor Fund, the troop was able to purchase two Eureka tents, a cook kit, two water jugs, a knife sharpening system, 2-way radio set, and more! Troop 288 is grateful to Cabela's for their generous support. In March, the Troop spent a w e e k e n d o n t h e i r a n n u a l cabin campout at Camp Glen G r a y , l o c a t e d o n a n 8 0 0 a c r e r e s e r v e i n t h e R a m a p o Mountains near Mahwah. Started in 1917 as a Boy Scout camp, Glen Gray is now part of the Bergen County Parks system. The weather couldn't have been more perfect for their five-mile trek along the Cannonball Trail, and the Troop's annual tradition of racing their nalgene bottles down the stream! Troop 288's annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser was held in late March. Following a three year hiatus due to COVID, it returned for 2023 at the request of the Troop's Scouts, and was a huge success! The event took on a life of its own with great laughter, camaraderie, teamwork, and many happy reunions of Troop 288 alumni. Former Troop leaders, parents of former Troop 288 Scouts, friends, members of the Troop's chartering church, neighborhood families, and a surprise visit from a recent Troop 288 Eagle Scout currently attending the US Air Force Academy, all came together to support Troop 288. This runaway success is credited to the outstanding Scouting spirit demonstrated by the young Scouts of the Troop, and the outstanding esprit de corps of the adult leadership - a winning combination! The Troop acknowledges the wonderful support of Lebanon Cheese Company, ShopRite of Clinton, ShopRite of Washington Twp, and of course, Annandale Reformed Church. Their support for the event with food donations, gift cards, and venue all helped make this a successful fundraiser. BSA Troop 288 meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall at Annandale Reformed Church. We welcome new members to join us! Visit: www.BeAScout.scouting.org, or contact Scoutmaster Chris Neighbor (cgneighbor@comcast.net) for more information about joining BSA Troop 288.

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