2014 August gifted gardener

HORTICULTURE

Gifted Gardener

A U G U S T

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

WINTER DAMAGE ON ORNAMENTALS

Protect 2 Pollinators from Pesticides Farmers Market

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Turf Ren- 4 ovation Should Take Place Summer Recipes

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Asian Tiger Mosquito

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Rebloom- 9 ing Perennials Whitetail 10 Deer

Activities & Ideas

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Winter damage has been a constant theme with my diagnostic work and home visits this summer. Several plants took it strongly on the chin this past winter. There were many plants that hadn't been tested with temperatures like we experienced this past winter. It really wasn't an extreme low but the length of the cold spell that resulted in many damaged plants.

One that has continued to recur is the ornamental cherry.

Many varieties exist and all seem to be affected this season. The first is a result from freeze damage and shows up in the form of perennial cankers. Cankers are most visible by the evidence of gummosis. Gummosis is the sticky ooze that comes out of the trunk and limbs of affected plants. Most folks recognize a problem when they see dieback of limbs. Vertical trunk splitting 1

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has also been a problem this season as well on these same plants. While splitting normally does not hurt a healthy growing tree it does apply its own level of stress to the plant.

Unfortunately there are no control measures for these issues except keeping it watered when dry and fertilizing in the fall to promote growth.

Boxwoods are another plant that didn't fair well coming out of this winter. I have looked at several plants that have limbs turning straw brown and dying back. There are more than a few things that can cause this type of symptom in boxwood but one culprit has been identified most often; Volutella leaf and stem blight. Boxwood is more susceptible to infection when subjected to stress from improper watering, winter injury or wounds.  Prune out and burn dead branches.  Remove dead leaves from crotches.  Minimize wounding especially during the winter months.  Maintain good air circulation and drainage.  Avoid high humidity (>85%) for long periods.

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ENTOMOLOGY

If you must spray plants in bloom to

PROTECT POLLINATORS FROM PESTICIDES Pollinators, such as bees, wasps, butterflies, and flies, can be exposed to pesticides by 1. being hit by spray droplets during an application, 2. contacting spray residues on treated plants, and/or, 3. consuming a pesticide as nectar and pollen are collected.

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save a crop, choose a

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pesticide/ formulation with the lowest toxicity to bees and other pollinators.

Figure 1. Sweat bee and bumble bee gathering pollen and nectar. (Photo: Lee TownHere are some ways to protect pollinators when pesticide applications are needed:  Read the label carefully. Follow any specific requirements to protect pollinators.  Avoid applying insecticides and fungicides to any plant in bloom.  Be aware of your sur2

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roundings and weather conditions, especially wind speed and direction. Do not allow pesticide spray droplets to drift onto nearby flowering plants.

Apply pesticides only after petals have fallen so flowers are less attractive to pollinators.

If you must spray plants in bloom to save a crop, choose a pesticide/formulation with the lowest toxicity to bees and other pollinators.

Organophosphate/ carbamate, neonicotinoid, and pyrethroid insecticides have high residual toxicity to bees and other pollinators.

Pesticide formulations affect residual toxicity of an active ingredient.

Dust (D) > Wettable powder (WP) > Liquid (L) or Flowable (F) > Emulsifiable concentrate (EC).

Use the lowest labeled rate. For example, the extended residual toxicity to bees of a particular pyrethroid insecticide is 1 day at the (Continued on page 3)

Now open on Wednesday evenings 4-8 pm

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highest use rate; at the low rate it is 4 to 6 hours.

Avoid using any systemic insecticide on plants even after bloom if that product lasts until next season’s bloom period. Imidacloprid persists; dinotefuran is active only during the current season.

By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist

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TURF RENOVATION SHOULD TAKE PLACE NOW LANDSCAPE

until the soil temperature goes below 50 degrees F.

Sow the seed in the middle of August and it takes about 10 to 14 days for the seed to germinate under ideal conditions.

Once the grass is established it now has all fall and winter to develop a good root system without the stresses of summer drought and high temperatures.

This is the best time of year to renovate turf that has been damaged due to drought, construction, or other kinds of problems.

August through September are by far the best times to sow grass seed in our state. It may seem counter intuitive to thank about one of our hottest months as a great time to sow seed but you have to think about in regards to timing. For example we sow the seed in the middle of August and it takes about 10 to 14 days for the seed to germinate under ideal conditions.

So this scenario puts into the first part of September if all goes well. September you may recall begins to cool down in the evenings and showers become a little more regular. Once the grass is established it now has all fall and winter to develop a good root system without the stresses of summer drought and high temperatures. The roots will continue to grow 4

There are only a few rules you need to follow when trying to establish turf. Little success can be expected if you just broadcast seed on the soil surface. In order for seed to germinate and survive, it must have good soil contact. Sometimes a heavy raking will loosen the soil surface sufficiently, but most often the surface is hard, and weeds or dead grass make raking difficult.

A vertical mower or dethatching machine can often be rented from a local lawn supplier or equipment-rental agency. Not only will vertical mowing or dethatching loosen the dead grass and weeds, it will leave shallow grooves or slits in the soil surface. Seeds falling into these slits are much more likely to germinate and live. For best results, it may be necessary to traverse the area several times in different directions in order to disturb the soil sufficiently.

Newly-seeded areas should be watered immediately after seeding. Watering should continue as long as necessary to obtain satisfactory germination and growth.

Begin mowing as soon as some of the grass grows higher than

Recommended Tall Fescue Varieties Current Recommendations

Previous Recommendations

1. Regenerate 2. Grade 3 3. Hemi 3. Bizem 5. Fesnova 5. Catalyst 5. Bullseye 5. Falcon IV 5. Falcon V 10. Terrano 11. Firebird 2

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Data compiled from 2011 NTEP National tall fescue test. The above recommendations are based on the schedule A ratings from Kentucky.

Data compiled from 2006 NTEP National tall fescue test. The above recommendations are based on the schedule A ratings from

Falcon V Faith Firecracker LS Jamboree Cochise V Shenandoah Elite Monet Turbo Bullseye Catalyst Tanzania

Seeding rates for Lawn Renovation Grass Type

Seeding Rate Lbs/1000ft2

KY Bluegrass

Turf Type Tall Fescue

Fine Fescues (creeping red)

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the desired 2-2½ inch mowing height.

Moisture is probably the most important consideration immediately after planting. Regardless of the method used for planting, the soil must be

Perennial Ryegrass

KY Bluegrass + Ryegrass

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1.75 +.25

kept moist for two to three weeks.

Mowing should not be delayed just because the lawn is new. After the turf begins to grow, mow to recommended heights.

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SUMMER RECIPES

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ENTOMOLOGY

ASIAN TIGER MOSQUITO

Use personal protection to avoid mosquito bites. Wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers most of the skin and using insect repellent, such as DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, will reduce the number of bites.

The Asian tiger mosquito (ATM) is a serious nuisance at best and a potential public health threat at worst. This aggressive daybiting mosquito prefers mammals: humans, cats, dogs, etc., but will occasionally feed on birds. It is capable of transmitting 30 viruses and the dog heartworm. This accidentally introduced species probably occurs throughout Kentucky.

The ATM (Figure 1) can carry the chikungunya virus, which has been in the news lately. Cases of this mosquitoborne disease have been diagnosed in the U.S. in people who have been in the Caribbean recently. So far, there has been no indication that transmission has occurred yet in the U.S.

containers. Adults tend to stay within 200 yards of their breeding site so source reduction around your property is important. Small accumulations of water (as little as 1/4 inch) are enough to produce several adults in just over a week. Discarded tires are a common breeding site, but crushed aluminum drink cans are suitable, too.

Eliminate standing water: change pet watering dishes, dump overflow dishes for potted plants, and change bird bath water frequently.

Do not allow water to accu-

Figure 1. Asian tiger mosquito. Note the white stripe down the middle of the segment behind the head and white bands on the legs. (Photo: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control Public Health Image Library)

Breeding Areas and Management ATM larvae develop in water that becomes trapped in natural cavities (tree holes, etc.) and artificial 8

mulate in tires, flower pots, buckets, rain barrels, gutters, etc.

Use personal protection to avoid mosquito bites. Wear-

ing loose-fitting clothing that covers most of the skin and using insect repellent, such as DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, will reduce the number of bites. The ATM can feed anytime during the day and usually remains outdoors. There are distinct peaks of activity in early morning and late afternoon.

Limiting outdoor activities during dawn and dusk can help to avoid their bites if mosquitoes are very abundant.

By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist

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Whitetail Deer – From Field to TableLEARNING

Have you always wanted to hunt for your own food?

Are you trying to protect your farm or garden from deer damage?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bardstown-Farmers-Market/199299616780198

http://honeyofablog.blogspot.com/

http://kentuckyhomegardens.blogspot.com/

Join Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources staff and members of the Derby City Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association for a hands-on course designed to give first time hunters basic instruction on acquiring a free-ranging sustainable source of meat.

The course includes one night of classroom instruction followed by a day-long field course. The cost of the course is $30 and includes a 2014-2015 Combination Fishing and Hunting License for Kentucky residents. This fee will be waived for Kentucky residents who show a current annual Kentucky combo hunting and fishing license.

The classroom portion of the workshop will be held at the Nelson County Cooperative Extension office and will cover a variety of topics including deer biology and behavior, the history of whitetail deer in Kentucky, finding a place to hunt and basic hunting strategies. The class room portion of the course will be limited to 30 participants. The field portion of the course, will be held at the Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area in Meade County, and will include an introduction to firearms and archery equipment, deer processing and preservation, tree stand safety, hide tanning and the identification of plants and habitats important to deer.

All workshops are recommended for ages 16 and up and participants are encouraged to attend both the classroom session and field portion of the workshop. To register for the course or for more information, contact Jason Nally at (502) 477-9288 or e-mail him at jason.nally@ky.gov. The deadline to register for the course is September 26, 2013.

Monday September 29th Nelson County Cooperative Extension 317 S. Third St. Bardstown, KY 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4th Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area 850 Otter Creek Road, Brandenburg 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Upcoming Activities:

THAT’S AN IDEA 

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Clean up an get rid of dead garden plants to cut disease potential for next season Spider mites continue to be a problem on select plants.

Lawn seeding should be taking place now for best results.

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Plant fall vegetable crops now for continued production in to late fall

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Fall is a good time to plant garlic for spring harvest

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when flowers are open.

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Remembers soil testing is free in Nelson County and should be done every few years.

Save our pollinators do not spray trees

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If you need help with canning and freezing questions call the Extension office.

We are here to help.

Many perennials can be divided now.

All tree prunig and shrub pruning should cease at this point in the season until after the first frost.

Remember that standing water in any vessel outdoors can be a hospitable place for a mosquito family.

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August 19th @ 6:30 pm is the Regular meeting of the Kentucky Home Extension Master Gardener Association.

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August 26th @ 4:00 pm Saving seeds and plant division will be discussed at the Bloomfield Branch Library.

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August 26th from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon Rinse and Return pesticide container recycling will take place at the Nelson County Extension Office

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September 3rd @ 6:30 pm Nelson County Beekeepers Club will have their regular meeting at the Nelson County Extension Office

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September 4th @ 1:00 pm Join the Bardstown Garden Club for one of their regular meeting at the Nelson County Extension Office

Robbie Smith County Extension Agent for Horticulture Phone: 502-348-9204 Fax: 502-348-9270 email: robsmith@uky.edu

Eat from the garden at every chance.

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 Grow plants in well-drained media or soil with a pH between 6.8 and 7.5.

Light shade of 20% can also reduce injury from summer and winter extremes.

Chemical controls are available but application should take place in the spring.

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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

University of Kentucky Nelson County 317 South Third Street Bardstown, KY 40004

Cooperative Extension Service

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BARDSTOWN, KY PERMIT #028