Spring has sprung here in Murfreesboro! With warmer temperatures comes the desire to have a lush, green yard this spring and summer. But what if your yard is weed infested and scraggly? With enough time, patience, and some money, you can have a lawn to be proud of. So now you ask, what should I do first?

Two major factors to determine are how much turf area are you managing and what type of grass you have.

The first item can be relatively simple or complex – depends on the layout of your yard. You can physically measure out your yard to determine square footage, or you can actually look at an overview satellite map of your yard (such as Google Maps) to determine square footage. One of my favorite sites to use is our own government GIS websites (www.rutherfordcountytn.gov or www.murfreesborotn.gov). Look for the “GIS Maps” section. I have personally used the online maps many times to quickly determine the actual square footage of the turf area.

Determining the type of grass you have can be relatively simple, especially this time of year. If it’s brown right now, it’s probably a warm season grass, such as Bermuda grass. If it’s green, it’s a cool season grass, such as fescue. But, if you are like most folks here in middle Tennessee, your yard is part brown and part green. Bermuda grass is a low growing, invasive plant that grows by its shoots, both above and below the ground. It is difficult to completely get rid of this grass if it starts to grow. I have consulted many customers over the years who have tried to eradicate this grass from their yard – more often than not, they come back to me the following year to tell me they are giving up on the idea!

Along with determining the physical area and grass type, another service available to everyone that takes the guesswork out of fertilization is to get a soil sample analyzed at our local Rutherford County Ag Center , located on John R. Rice Blvd. By obtaining a complete analysis of your particular soil, you will be able to discover the correct amount of fertilization and lime requirements to correctly adjust nutrient deficiencies and soil acidity levels. The minimal cost and time this involves will pay you back quickly by using only the amount of product actually needed, rather than a general recommendation.

If you have a fescue, or cool season grass, predominately in your turf, then the steps you need to take are:

1.    Preemergent/Fertilizer combination in late February or first of March. This will prevent any weed seeds, such as crabgrass, from germinating, plus green up your lawn earlier.

2.    Weed and Feed in late April or first of May. This application will take care of any weeds that might have germinated, plus provide more preemergent control for the summer

3.    Mid to late summer fertilization. You can use a complete fertilizer, such as 13-13-13, to keep your lawn in good health. But, if you have had the soil analysis done as described before, use the recommendation provided for you.

4.    Fall Seeding – September 15^th through November 15^th. Use a good, high quality fescue seed to achieve the best results.

5.    Winter Fertilization – November through December. Use a specific fertilizer designed for winter fertilization. This will work throughout the winter to help with root growth and stem strength.

For Bermuda grass, the steps are very similar, except there is no need for fall seeding. Bermuda generally likes higher nitrogen content, so you may need to either change to a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen amount (the first number in the product label), or just increase the amount of fertilizer you use at a given time.

The main focus I try to impress on all of my customers seeking help is to be patient. It takes time to get the turf to respond the way you want it to. Nothing is going to happen overnight, and it can be particularly hard here in Middle Tennessee since we are in what is known as the transition zone. Timing of the applications is critical and sometimes luck plays a part in the success or failure of your lawn.

Since I have discussed how to grow the grass, next time I’ll discuss how to properly maintain the equipment that cuts the grass.

Winter can be a beautiful time of year here in Murfreesboro. Frosty mornings with the frozen dew on the grass and trees provide a striking backdrop to our day. The occasional snow sends the kids in frenzy, hoping that school will be cancelled. One of my favorite parts of wintertime is walking out in a snow covered field and experiencing the absolute silence.

But what about your pets? Do you think they appreciate the cold weather like we do? For them, it can be all about survival. Cold temperatures are generally not their friend. What can you do to help them through this time of year?

Keep your pets inside as much as you can when the mercury drops. If you have to take them out, stay outside with them. When you’re cold enough to go inside, they probably are too. If you absolutely must leave them outside for a significant length of time, make sure they have a warm, solid shelter against the wind, thick bedding (straw is a great insulator that they can snuggle down in), and plenty of non-frozen water.

During times of snow, keep a close eye on your pets if they like to wander outside. Dogs can lose their scent and can easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

Some pet breeds are naturally are more accustomed to the cold weather than others. Huskies, for instance, have thick fur to protect and keep them warm. Short-haired breeds, such as Dachshunds, are not as blessed. Similar to humans, a pet’s age and health will dictate how well they can tolerate colder temperatures. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and hormonal imbalances can compromise their ability to regulate their body heat.

Cats can be very vulnerable during cold weather. As ingenious as they are, they will find anywhere that is warm to curl up in. This includes car engines. If you have outside cats, keep this in mind on those cold mornings before you start your vehicle. Check underneath the car and make loud noises to keep them safe from hurting themselves.

Products often used during this time of year, such as antifreeze and ice melt, can be hazardous to their health if ingested. Wipe off their paws before they come inside and clean up any chemical spills that could be hazardous. In recent years companies have promoted safer, more pet friendly products that reduce the risk to your pet.

In addition to shelter, food and water are key components to pet health. Providing a clean, unfrozen source of water and fresh supply of food are critical. Pets, especially if kept outside, need additional nutrition to keep them warm as they will typically burn through more calories if they are active. But, if their activity level is reduced and they are mainly inside, keep an eye on their weight and adjust accordingly. Often I talk with pet owners to discuss how much food they need to be feeding their pet. My suggestion is to start off with the recommended amount on the bag based on the pet’s weight then adjust accordingly based on how they look. Pets are like humans – no one size fits all. Every dog and cat has different metabolism rates and it is ultimately up to us to make the decision for them. You may wish to consult with your veterinarian or another qualified professional about the right winter food portions for your pet.

Our furry friends are an extension of our family – we all want the best for them and following some common sense rules will help them through this rough season.

Brrr! It’s cold out there! And with these cold temperatures comes high winter energy bills. What can you do to help with these ever-increasing electric and gas bills without breaking the bank? Here are some simple tips to get you on track to save money this year.

One of the simplest tips is to reduce your thermostat to 68 degrees. I know it can be tough, especially if you are like me who likes it warm, but this can have a big effect on your overall bill. Wearing a sweater around the house is not that bad!

Let Mother Nature help warm your house. Open drapes on the south side of your home during winter days to let the sun in and close them at night. Sun angles are low in winter, allowing substantial solar heating through all south windows.

Operate kitchen and bath vents minimally. Bath and kitchen vents exhaust moisture, along with heated air, to the outside. If your home is dry during the winter, you may not need to operate these vents at all. However, if you have condensation on windows, operate the vents as needed to remove cooking and bathing moisture.

Change your air filter regularly. Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool – wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system – leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Speaking of air conditioner maintenance, having your furnace cleaned and tuned annually helps the heating system operate safely and efficiently. Tuning may involve resetting the fuel-air mixture for proper combustion as well as cleaning of the blower and burners to assure maximum airflow and complete combustion. It costs a little bit of money, but you know what people say – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

A programmable thermostat is a great way of controlling your unit automatically. These units can be programmed to reduce the temperature at night or when you are away, then increase the temperature when you wake up or when you come home from work. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 every year in energy costs. I have these installed at the store and they are great! Plus, they are not as expensive and you may think – you can pick one up for around $50.

Check and replace weather stripping on doors and windows. Air leaks around faulty weather stripping on doors and windows not only make your home drafty but also increase heating costs. Check for drafts around these areas, and repair or replace worn stripping and caulk as necessary.

In regards to water heating, reduce your thermostat to around 120 degrees. You can check your water temperature by carefully placing the back of your hand under a steady stream of hot water-if you can’t keep your hand there, your water is too hot! Reducing hot water total use by installing low-flow showerheads and using the cold water setting on the clothes washing machine will save on water heating costs.

Last, but not least, consider switching your old air conditioning unit and water heater with a new ENERGY RIGHT™ unit. Most people, including myself, only consider replacing this when you absolutely have to. An important step to consider is to work with a qualified heat and air contractor you trust. They will be able to recommend the best unit for your application and provide the service you need after the sale. I recently had to replace my 13 year old A/C unit with and new style unit and let me tell you – I can tell a difference! Not only is my electric bill lower, but the temperature inside is more constant. I never knew how inefficient my old unit was until it was replaced.

With these simple tips you can start saving today on your monthly bills!

Have you ever owned a professional riding lawnmower? Have you been dreaming of a new machine with a zero turn radius and enough power to breeze through your lawn work? This August, we’re pulling out all the stops and giving you HUGE discounting our lawn equipment! We can’t even list these discounts online, they’re so huge! Kelton’s has the mower you need to get the job done, at a price that won’t break the bank! We also buy, repair, and sell used and pre-owned professional mowers.

The rest of our outdoor equipment is on sale too. Trimmers, blowers, edgers, you name it—it’s on sale! These prices are discounted just as low as our mower equipment ! You’ll have to come in to find out what kind of deals we can cut for you!

Looking for outdoor power equipment, hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical, lawn and garden supplies, horse supplies, animal feed, bird seed, organic and all natural dog and cat foods, or pet supplies in the Middle Tennessee area? Kelton’s of Murfreesboro, Tennessee has been in the business for over 30 years and continues to provide the area with the highest quality products and friendly service. Our Free Dog Wash makes it quick and easy to keep your pet clean, and our paint, hardware and outdoor equipment makes it just as easy to maintain your yard.

Don’t Miss Out! Now that summer is officially here take advantage of this months Manager’s Specials. Just bring in this ad or mention it to receive these fantastic offers!

• Fill your gaps and cracks with Great Stuff’s Gaps & Cracks or Big Gap Filler. Your choice for only $3.99 a savings of $1.50

• Strengthen your yard with Preen 5# Weed Preventer or 5.6# Organic Vegetable Food for $12.99.

• Enjoy those beautiful summer afternoons in an Ergonomic Adirondack Chair. You can choose from an assortment of colors and spend only $15.00.

Don’t forget about Kelton’s Rewards. Every purchase earns you discounts towards future purchases. For every 25 points you earn, you will receive $1 in discounts. The more you buy, the more you save!

Is your dog spending a lot of time outside this summer? Well, thanks to the American Kennel Club here are some tips on how to make your pet safe and accommodated during the upcoming hot summer days!

Here are some tips to help avoid heat hazard from The American Kennel Club:

• If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in.
• Doghouses are not good shelter during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want to fill a child’s wading pool with fresh water for your dog to cool off in.
• Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
• Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water.
• Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days.
• Take walks in the early mornings or evenings, when the sun’s heat is less intense.
• Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog’s paws.
• Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with air-conditioning.

Each month, Kelton’s selects top products to place on sell based on customer interest or the season. Our current Manager’s Special is on our line of potting soil, so if you plan on working your way through some gardening in May, come in and soak up the savings while supplies last!

HGTV has some simple tips for picking the right color during redecorating.

1. Start small and experiment with colors in a small hallway or bathroom where the color, if you decide you hate it, can easily be changed.

2. Consider the mood of the room. For example, do you want your bathroom to be vibrant and wild to wake you up in the morning or would you prefer a softer tone? Remember: vibrant colors tend to be “loud” and cause for drama while soft or neutral colors create a sense of calm.

3. Pay attention to lighting, which can alter the shade of color you select.

4. Learn the color terms, such as hue, value, and saturation.

5. Understand the color wheel, which colors complement each other and which ones do not.

And remember, Kelton’s has a large selection of paint in a wide variety of colors and shades! Come in today and select the paint that best fits your mood.

Giving away something for free?

Unheard of? Maybe…

But sometimes free is just what you need.
Kelton’s Hardware & Pets likes to be thought of as a pet-friendly business,
and what better way to maintain that image that letting owners take advantage of our free dog washing area.

So come in today and give it a try! Wash your dog and treat him or her to the use of our facilities. Shampoo and other items are provided. All you need is your dog, a towel, and your own two hands.

Don’t forget to sign-up at FreeDogWash.com:

http://www.freedogwash.com

We’ll see you there!

Middle Tennessee has been home to Kelton’s Hardware and Pet Supply for over 30 years. We have provided our customers with the finest outdoor power equipment, hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical, lawn and garden supplies, horse supplies, animal feed, bird seed, organic and all natural dog and cat foods as well as pet supplies in the Nashville, TN region. We are a “Do it Best” hardware center with a seasoned and expert staff ready to answer all of your “do it yourself” projects.  Additionally, we carry brand names such as Grasshopper, Snapper Pro, Valspar, eXmark, Simplicity, Shindawa, RedMax, Miracle Gro, Purina Mills, EVO, Nutro, Merrick, California Natural, Innova, and many others. We also provide parts and service for lawn mowers, snow blowers and outdoor power equipment.

Conveniently located one mile off I-24 at exit 78 on Highway 96 / Old Fort Parkway near Sam’s Club and Kohl’s.