Cahaba Tractor Co.
banner with blue jeans
Issue 36     
February 2014
 

 

We hope you survived "Snowmageddon 2014" and are looking forward to getting ready for the warmer spring season ahead.
  
To help you get started, this month's issue offers a special discount coupon on general service parts for our eNewsletter customers only! See below for details and don't forget the coupon located at the bottom. 

Also, check out the great deal we're highlighting this month on a used Camo RTV and check out our Used Products on the
Cahaba Tractor website for more great deals on used equipment.

Now that you've got the discount on service parts and great deals on used products, read this month's Chewin' the Cud, Preparing for Your Spring Garden, for tips on starting a new garden or reviving an existing garden.
 
Take a look at the February Gardening Guide to help you get planting for spring. Take a look at what's going on around the state this month in February Activities and Events. Hint: there are some listings of special events for you and your Valentine!
  
  

Take advantage of special financing rates for all qualified buyers during the  
Get Something Started Kubota Sales Event  
going on now!

 
Need Parts?
 
We've Got 'Em!

At Cahaba Tractor, we offer a full-line of parts
for you to service your equipment.

This month, for our eNewsletter customers only, get
10% off all general service parts to help you get ready for spring. Just bring the coupon attached below to our Parts Department to get the discount.

*Coupon is good only for general service parts purchased in our Parts Department and cannot be used for maintenance or repair parts in our Service Department or Field Service Truck.

 
Cahaba Tractor Used Products

Here's another great deal from our Used Products list
on cahabatractor.com!



Get it before it's gone!

Kubota Camo RTV1100 $14,250
with Heat and Air

 

Shop now for the best selection on used products!

Chewin' the Cud: The Cahaba Tractor Corner
close up cow   

Preparing for Your Spring Garden 
 

 

Picture this. A warm, sunny breeze brushes past your face as you look out over your lush, green garden overflowing with colorful fruits, vegetables and flowering plants. Intrigued? Then keep that thought and start planning to plant!

 

Step 1 
Soil is More Than Just Dirt!
After selecting your spot--or if you are planting in the same location again--test your soil. A good soil test will not only let you know what type of soil you have, but also what additional nutrients need to be added in order for plants to grow. Soil test kits can be bought at local garden stores, or you can submit a soil sample to the Auburn University Soil Testing Laboratory. A soil test should be done at least every three years. Once you receive the results, you can move on to the next step to preparing your garden.

Step 2 
Breaking Up and Amending the Soil 

When it's slightly moist, lightly break up or turn over the first few inches of soil in your garden. This helps aerate the soil, break down organic matter faster and control weeds and damaging insects that have burrowed in during the winter months. There are several implements Cahaba Tractor carries to do the job, including a disc harrow and rotary tiller which can be set to depths of one inch to up to eight inches. Be careful when turning the soil, so you do not destroy beneficial microorganisms or earthworms which provide important nutrients to plants. Then you can begin adding nutrients to your soil.  

 

Tools for the Job:

disc harrow  
rotary tiller  










Here's some basic amendments for soil types and their benefits:

Soil Type    
Clay Soil: Add coarse sand, compost and peat moss 
Sandy Soil: Add humus, sawdust with added nitrogen, aged manure or heavy, clay soil 

Silt Soil: Add coarse sand or gravel, compost or well-rotted horse manure mixed with fresh straw

 

Amendments 
Ground bark: Made from tree barks and improves soil structure 
Compost: Great soil conditioner 
Leaf mold: Decomposed leaves add nutrients and structure 
Lime: Helps loosen clay soil and increases the ph of acid soil 
Manure: Good conditioner-works best composted 
Peat moss: Good conditioner that helps soil retain water 
Sand: Good for use in clay soil to improve drainage. Only use coarse (not beach) sand 
Topsoil: Replaces existing soil when mixed with organic matter, such as decayed plant and animal residues, blood or bone meal, compost, humus, shredded pine bark, etc. 

Next, add fertilizer. Depending on your soil test, you may need to add the following: Nitrogen (N) - for leaf green growth; Phosphorus (P) - for root growth and fruit production; Potassium (K) or potash - for vigorous plant growth and immunity from disease

Step 3 
Seed and Plant 
If planting seeds, make sure they are healthy. To test seeds for viability, place 10 seeds in a row on a paper towel. Gently roll up and secure. Put in a plastic bag and add just enough water to moisten paper towel. Drain excess water. Place bag in a warm place. Check for sprouting every few days, but most seeds will germinate in two weeks. If less than half of the seeds have germinated, buy new seeds.

When planting, follow directions and don't over-seed. Too many seeds make it difficult for plants to grow.  

 

Select healthy, stocky fresh plants for your garden. Space plants to allow room to grow. Set tall plants deeper in the ground and water after planting to settle roots.

 

Step 4 
Much Mulch! 

Mulching is a vital step to protecting your plants and helping them grow. Organic mulches, like bark, hay, hulls, leaves and grass clippings are the best choices over pebbles and shredded rubber, because they release nutrients to the plants as they decompose. Mulching helps eliminate weeds, decreases soil erosion and maintains soil temperature and moisture.

 

What about Rotation Planting or Manure Crops? 

Rotation planting is a process of planting different crops in a select location each year to improve soil quality. These plants, if not used for foraging, can be plowed under to stimulate the soil and add nutrients before planting. Good choices include: alfalfa, corn, wheat, rye, clover, oats and mustard.

 

Cowpeas, mung beans and mustard are good for spring planting. Plant as soon as the ground thaws, since seeds germinate in cold soil. In four to six weeks, plow under. Use a rotary tiller to incorporate the vegetation into the soil. Allow about two to three weeks before planting. 

 

Taking the steps to set your plan in motion now will make your dream garden a reality in no time. An old English proverb says it best: The garden must first be prepared in the soul or else it will not flourish.

 

Call or come and see us at Cahaba Tractor for more information on choosing the right implements for preparing your garden. 

February's a great time to check your equipment for any servicing or maintenance issues you may need to take care of before planting this spring. Be sure to take advantage of the 10% off general service parts coupon we included this month. As always, if you have any questions or need help, please call or come by and see us.
 
Sincerely,
Cahaba Tractor Co.
2411 Hwy. 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470



Cahaba Tractor location
 


Bob's Suburban Garden Planning Project



By Graham Harrop
Vancouver Sun


 
Why settle for less
when you can have
the best?
  

 
At Cahaba Tractor, 
    we make work
    seem like play!
 
 
pig in mudHere's
Mud 
In
Your
Eye 
 A Thought for  Valentine's Day

 

Man says to God: " God, why did you make woman so beautiful?"

God says: "So you would love her."

"But God," the man says, "why'd you make her so dumb?"

God says: "So she would love you."  

 

--Anonymous


Planting
February
Gardening Guide
 

Fruits and Nuts:

Planting season continues for dormant trees. Continue dormant pruning and grafting. Start strawberry plantings. Fertilize fruit trees.  

 

Vegetable Seed:

Plant collards, salsify and  Swiss chard. Follow the AL Vegetable Garden Planting Chart for planting dates.

Vegetable Plants:

Plant cabbage, onions, lettuce, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Annuals and Perennials:
Re-plant early plantings of hardy annuals. Prepare beds for summer annuals.

Bulbs: 

In south Alabama, plant amaryllis, gladiolus, cannas, zephyranthes. Delay planting for a few weeks in north Alabama.  

 

Roses:

South Alabama: prune hybrid tea roses. Delay pruning in north Alabama for a few weeks. Continue planting.   

 

Shrubs:

Planting season continues. Graft camellias in central and south Alabama. Spray fungicide on shrubs before new growth begins. Do not prune early-blooming species. It removes flower buds.   

 

Lawns:

Test soil before planning fertility program. 

 

Miscellaneous:

*Fertilize houseplants with liquid or soluble fertilizer.

 

*Surprise your Valentine with potted roses or garden plant.  

 

 

The gardening guide is based upon the USDA hardiness zones for Alabama.

The state zones are:
 

North Alabama - 7a
Birmingham area - 7b
South Alabama - 8a
Mobile area - 8b
 
For more gardening info, visit:
February
Activities and Events
  
Montgomery/Opelika
Feb. 7-8

Altrusa's 44th Annual Antique Show & Sale
Gadsden
Feb. 7-9

O'Reilly Auto Parts
World of Wheels

BJCC
Feb. 7-9

Team Roping
Morgan County Arena
Decatur
Feb. 8, 5pm

Internet 101 Basic Training
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Feb. 8, 1-2pm

ASO Red Diamond SuperPops! Series: Johnny Mathis in Concert
Alabama Theatre
Feb. 8, 8pm

13th Annual Genealogy Workshop
Monroeville
Feb. 8, 8:30am-3:30pm

Talladega SuperSpeedway Wild Game Cook-Off
Feb. 8, 5:30pm

Shoals Gun & Knife Expo
N. AL State Fairgrounds
Feb. 8-9

Emily Herring as Patsy Cline in Concert
Leeds Theatre & Arts Ctr.
Feb. 8, 8:30pm

Southeast Dayhike Bankhead Nat'l Forest
Feb. 8 & 9,

Winter Identification of Native Woody Plants
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Feb. 8, 12:30-4:30pm

Winter Jam 2014
BJCC
Feb. 9, 6pm

Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend
Birmingham
Feb. 12-16

Sierra Club & AL Hiking Trail Society: Dr. Bob's Traveling Snake Show
Birmingham Zoo
Feb. 13, 6:30-7:30pm

Birmingham Home & Garden Show
BJCC
Feb. 13-16

Happy Valentine's Day!
Friday, February 14

Tapas on the Trails
Ruffner Mtn. Preserve
Feb. 14, 6-9pm

Valentine's Dinner
Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens
Feb. 14, 6pm

Woo at the Zoo
Birmingham Zoo
Feb. 14, 6-8pm

Discover Valentine's Day
Watermark Place
Feb. 14, 6:30pm

Vizzini Farms Winery Valentine's Dinner
Calera
Feb. 14, 6-10pm

Wine & Chocolate
Ozan Vineyards & Cellars
Calera
Feb. 14-15, 10am-6pm

Valentine's Day Nighttime Zip Line Adventure
Red Mtn. Park
Feb. 14-15, 5-7:30pm

AL Wildlife Ctr. Wild About Chocolate
Birmingham
Feb. 15, 6-9pm

Cowboy Day
Columbiana
Feb. 15, 10am-4pm

Birmingham Golf & Travel Show
Pete Hanna Center, Samford University
Feb. 15, 10am-5pm

11th Annual Mardi Gras Magic Ball & Gala
Troy
Feb. 15, 7pm-12am

Washington's Birthday Celebration
American Village, Montevallo
Feb. 17, 10am-4pm

AL Cattlemen's Assoc. Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show
Montgomery
Feb. 18-19

 Shelby County Cattlemen's Rodeo
Columbiana
Feb. 21-22

21st Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Antique Car Show
Feb. 22

Cottontail's Village Arts & Crafts Show
BJCC
Birmingham
Feb. 28- March 2

For more Alabama  events this month, visit
birmingham365.org

    

Contact Us:
Cahaba Tractor Co.

2411 Hwy 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470
sales@cahabatractor.com
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F

            8:00am-12:00pm Sat.


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For our eNewsletter customers only! Bring in this coupon to get 10% off general service parts purchased at our Parts Department. Coupon valid only for parts purchased at our Parts Department and cannot be used towards parts utilized for maintenance or repair services in our Service Department or Field Service Truck.  
 
Offer Expires: Friday, February 28, 2014.