Gifted Gardener August 2016

Gifted Gardener A U G U S T

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

MASTER GARDENER CLASSES ARE FORMING!

Lawn Care Calendar

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Why Is Gardening So Good For Our Mental Health?

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Slime Mold, 6 Lichens and Sooty Mold Problems on Plants

That’s An Idea

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Calendar of 11 Events

Master Gardener Classes are forming now and you should consider this opportunity. The classes will begin on September 8th and be held weekly on Wednesdays until the first of November. We will meet at the Nelson County Extension Office at 5:30 pm each time and study a different topic. Each class will be approximately two hours in length and will include in many cases lab work for better understanding.

the class series we will study botany, entomology, pathology, soils, fertility, fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and several topics of your choosing.

Once you become a trained Master Gardener you will then be asked to give back volunteer time to the Cooperative Extension Service by helping in ways you already enjoy. Giving back to the community is a vital part of this program and if you don’t have time to volunteer 40 hours in the The Master Gardener Program is first year, this program isn't for a leadership-rearing you at this time. organization that helps you If this is something that interests become knowledgeable and you please request an application well versed in many aspects of from our office and have it Horticulture. We will instill in returned along with $60 by you the confidence and ability September 1st, 2016. We would to answer horticulture questions love to have you. of your peers and better your problem solving skills. During

Master Gardener Classes Sign-ups are happening!

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LAWN CARE "You can be your own lawncare professional by following the calendar of care to the right"

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HEALTH “Gardening helps us relax and let go.”

WHY IS GARDENING SO GOOD FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH?

by Sarah Rayner, Petal Power Why does cajoling seeds into growth or a savage pruning session refresh the spirits so? Time and again research reveals that gardening has a positive effect on our mental health, so let's explore what it is that seems to make horticulture so healing.

patio – can encourage us to be less insular.

As long ago as 2003, research concluded that for those in mental health units and prison, the social nature of group gardening is beneficial because it centers on collective skills and aspirations 1. Looking after plants gives us a rather than individual symptoms sense of responsibility. I rememand deficits. Yet to dig and delve ber when my mother gave me a in a walled or fenced garden also little spot in our garden to tend. I helps to keep vulnerable people must have been about five. I dewithin boundaries both literally marcated it with stones and plant- and metaphorically, allowing ed forget-me-nots and ‘poached them to feel safe at the same time eggs' flowers that still make me as they expand their horizons. smile.

4. Gardening helps us relax and let Having to care for plants is a good go. For many the peacefulness way to learn responsibility for associated with gardening comes other living things and when we not from its social aspect howevare small it helps develop an aper, but the opposite. It enables us preciation of the magic of nature. to escape from other people.

‘Flowers are restful to look at.

2. Gardening allows us all to be They have no emotions or connurturers. It doesn’t matter if we flict,’ said Freud. Tending to plants are seven or seventy, male, feallows us to tap into the carefree male or transgender, gardening part of ourselves with no deadunderlines that we are all nurtur- lines, mortgage or annoying colers. Horticulture is a great equaliz- leagues to worry about. er: plants don’t give a fig who is tending them and for those with Moreover, the rhythmic nature of mental health problems to be many tasks associated with hortiable to contribute to such a trans- culture – weeding, hoeing, sowformative activity can help boost ing, sweeping – allows thoughts self-esteem. to ebb and flow along with our movements. I often take to water3. Gardening keeps us connected ing the plants in my patio when to other living things. Gardening trying to untangle the knots in can act as a gentle reminder to us plots or characterization that can that we are not the center of the arise when writing a novel, and all universe. Self-absorption can too often the solution comes to contribute to depression, and me far more easily there than if I focusing on the great outdoors – sit staring and despairing at my even in the pared-down form of a screen. The competing thoughts

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inside my head somehow clear and settle, and ideas that are barely formed take shape.

5. Working in nature releases happy hormones. To say that gardening encourages us to exercise and spend time outdoors might seem a statement of the obvious, but it’s worth reminding ourselves that what’s good for the body is also good for the mind. When I’m deeply immersed in writing it can be all too easy to forget this, but when we exercise levels of serotonin and dopamine (hormones that make us feel good) rise and the level of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress), is lowered. It’s true that a session in the garden can leave you dead on your feet, but it can also get rid of excess energy so you sleep better and ultimately feel renewed inside.

with roses, shrubs and trees; by doing so we’re acknowledging that from dust we all come and to dust we return.

8. Some aspects of gardening allow us to vent anger and aggression… Clearly then, horticulture is not all sweetness and light: nature has its dark side too. In a similar vein, some of the therapeutic power of gardening is that it allows us to unleash our anger and aggression as well as providing an opportunity to nurture. Why beat pillows with a baseball bat or yell at the cat when you have a hedge to hack? I confess there are times when I enjoy cutting and chopping and yanking and binding as much, if not more, than sowing and feeding and watering, and the great thing about destructiveness in the garden is that it can all be in the service of 6. Being amongst plants and flowers reminds growth – if you don't cut back the plants, you us to live in the present moment. As I explain will be swamped by them. in my little book on anxiety, 'when we let go of ruminating on the past or worrying about 9. ...whilst others allow us to feel in control. the future and instead focus on the here and In a similar vein, anxious people often feel now, anxiety lessens’. So one of the best ways to calm the anxious mind and lift mood overwhelmed, and gardening can be a good way of gaining a sense of control. Moreover, is to become more ‘present’. Next time you’re in a garden, pause for a few moments whereas trying to control other people is and allow yourself to be aware of your sens- invariably a fruitless exercise, you’re more likely to succeed in controlling your beds and es. Listen. Touch. Smell. See. Just a short time experiencing the fullness of nature like borders, which can make gardening a particularly satisfying experience. this can be very restorative.

7. Gardening reminds us of the cycle of life, and thus come to terms with that most universal of anxieties: death. In the plant world, regeneration is a matter of course, but psychological repair does not necessarily come easily to us. One way of working through difficult emotions is through rituals, and gardening is a form of ritual involving both the giving of life and acknowledgement of its end. As such it works within our minds as a symbolic act, and this As well as creating beauty, gardening a reminder that we are all nurturers in turn is reflected in our cultural traditions. It’s no coincidence we create gardens of remembrance and mark the scattered ashes and graves of our loved ones

10. Last but not least, gardening is easy.

When it comes to growing things, for all its power of healing, the world of plants can feel intimidating to an outsider. If you’re new to gardening you may well be anxious you won’t have ‘green fingers’ and here, as with all new ventures: starting small is key.

You don’t need garden the size of a meadow to enjoy horticulture; Just one hanging basket or few pots along a window ledge can lift the spirits whenever you look at them, and if you’re strapped for cash, why not recycle an old container like a colander or ice-cream carton?

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SLIME MOLD, LICHENS AND SOOTY MOLD PROBLEMS ON PLANTS PLANTS

BY JOHN HARTMAN & LORI BOWLING

“While slime molds frequently cause considerable concern among growers and homeowners,

Slime Mold Slime molds are amoebalike organisms which feed on bacteria and yeasts in the soil. During cloudy, humid weather these molds grow out of the soil and creep onto whatever is available.

Turfgrass, weeds, strawberries, bedded flowers, and ground covers, as well as mulches, sidewalks and driveways may become covered with masses of gray, yellowish or black dusty spores.

While slime molds frequently cause considerable concern among growers and homeowners, these fungi do not feed on plant

these fungi do not feed on plant tissue..�

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tissue. Slime molds merely use low lying vegetation and other objects as support during their reproductive stage. Some damage may occur, however, when the fungal growth is heavy causing the shaded plant parts to turn yellow.

Controls are generally not necessary since slime molds do little harm and usually disappear with the onset of dry weather. When slime mold infestations are heavy, spore masses may be broken up with a rake or a broom.

Hosing with a strong stream of water is also effective but should only be done after the onset of dry weather when the threat of further development is past.

Washing off slime molds during prolonged wet

weather will only help to spread the organism to previously unaffected areas. Slime molds which form thick layers or masses can be removed by hand or by removing the affected plant part. Plant Pathology Fact Sheet Lichens A lichen is actually composed of two different organisms, an alga and a fungus, which grow together for the mutual benefit of one another. These crusty or leaf-like organisms may be a variety of colors, including brown, gray, green, yellow and white.

Lichens form on a variety of surfaces, such as rocks, soil, and fallen logs, as well as on the bark of living trees.

When lichens are noticed on trees, they are often thought to be of disease organism. Lichens frequently appear on the trunks or branches of trees that are in poor or declining condition.

While their presence may indicate there is a problem, they are not in themselves harmful. Sooty Mold Sooty molds are dark-spored fungi which

grow on the sugary “honeydew” excretions of certain insects. Aphids are the most common honeydew producers, but other sucking insects (such as white flies and scale insects) may also leave honeydew deposits.

Honeydew may drip from the site of insect activity onto objects or plants below (e.g. cars, houses, signs, ground covers). The dark-colored fungi growing on these excretions give plant surfaces or other objects a black, sooty appearance. Sooty mold fungi derive their nutrition from the honeydew and not from the plant. When sooty mold growth is heavy, the shaded tissue may turn yellow. We most frequently observe sooty mold problems on tuliptree and various species of pine.

Sooty mold growth can be prevented by controlling the insect or insects responsible for leaving honeydew deposits. Generally, the sooty mold fungi can be left alone to “weather off” with time. While the black growth may be considered “unsightly”, it will rarely endanger the plant’s health

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ets are busily capturing insects to feed to their

BY DR. LEE TOWNSEND developing larvae. Most stinging incidents result A number of different sting- from accidentally coming too ing insects are active during close to a nest or mowing summer and their colonies over it. The wasps will boil are approaching peak numout and repeatedly sting an bers. In many cases, control intruder. In fall, yellow jackattempts are dangerous. If ets shift their search to sweet nests are located in or near liquids from over-ripe fruit, high-traffic areas, hire a pro- soft drinks, and trashcans. fessional pest control opera- They can be persistent and tor who has the proper prod- may enter exposed drink ucts and protective equipcontainers. The result can be ment for the task. Do-ita very painful sting on or in yourselfers should wait until the mouth. after the nest has been abandoned in fall to remove it and B U M B L E B E E S make adjustments so the site Some bumble bees (Figure 2) is not used the following also use abandoned underyear. ground burrows or almost any undisturbed shelter for Ground Nesters their nest. These bees will line their nesting cavity with YELLOWJACKETS loose grass, moss, or other items they can readily collect.

Several species of yellow Instead of the paper nests of jacket build paper nests in wasps and hornets, bumble the ground. These wasps excavate abandoned mouse bee nests will contain wax pots that they construct for or chipmunk burrows to aclarval cells. commodate a paper nest that may be home to 1,000 Larvae will be fed a diet of workers by late summer. pollen and nectar. Bumble These yellow and black wasps are about 1 inch long bees are not overly aggressive but will attack and sting and have two pairs of clear wings (Figure 1). As with oth- if their nest is disturbed. er wasps and hornets, they CICADA KILLER can sting repeatedly.

ENTOMOLOGY

SUMMER STINGERS

Figure 1.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

WASPS

During summer, yellow jack8

Cicada killer wasps do not sting, but their activity in lawns unnerves many people.

These wasps burrow into well-drained sand or loam soils. The tunnel entrance is about 1/2 inch in diameter and partly surrounded by excavated soil (Figure 3).

Many can develop over time in an attractive area. In spite of their intimidating appearance, cicada killers do not defend their burrows, and they only sting if handled or mashed. Control is not needed.

Aerial or Non-ground Nests EUROPEAN HORNETS

BALDFACED HORNETS

Baldfaced hornets are about 1 inch long and are marked with a white face and black and white abdomen. They make the familiar football-shaped paper nests seen hanging from tree limbs, in shrubs, and occasionally from structures (Figure 5).

A healthy nest can hold 200 to 400 of these insects. Baldfaced hornets tend to nest fairly high in trees. They are less likely to react to disturbances than yellow jackets, so they pose a potential problem only when nesting in high-traffic areas.

European hornets are large (1.5 to 2 inch- P A P E R W A S P S es long) insects with brown and yellow Paper wasps build open-faced nests markings and two pairs of brown wings (Figure 6) under eaves or overhangs or in (Figure 4). voids. At least 3 species can be found in and around homes and structures.

Like yellow jackets, they construct paper nests, but these are usually located in Paper wasps capture insects to feed to hollow trees, or occasionally wall their larvae so they provide a valuable voids. Typical colony size is 200 to 400 service as predators. They can sting if disworkers. They follow the same dietary turbed but do not tend to defend their sequence as yellow jackets (from insect nests as vigorously as yellow jackets and proteins to sugars). Fallen fruit is a major European hornets. attraction for them in fall. European hornets are unusual since they will fly at night Nests of the red wasp (Figure 7) and comand are attracted to light. mon paper wasp with its darker body are found frequently around structures.

European hornets are generally less likely These insects (also called umbrella wasps to attack a person coming near their nest because of the shape of their nests) genand then only a few individuals will reerally do not pose a problem unless the spond. There are not the multiple attacks nest is near a doorway, mailbox, or other that come from yellow jackets. European frequented site. hornets are sometimes misidentified as giant Asian or “killer� hornets, which we The European paper wasp (Figure 8) is do not have. relatively new to Kentucky. It makes the open nest of a paper wasp but has markings of a yellow jacket.

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Unlike our native paper wasps, they will build nests in enclosed voids, such as an outdoor storage chest.

While not overly aggressive, it is more likely someone could come upon their nest unexpectedly, which can result in stings.

Figure 5.

European paper wasps are excellent hunters and can remove many caterpillars from gardens established to produce caterpillars.

MANAGEMENT

Figure 6.

Figure 7.

Figure 8.

Figure 9.

Attempting to treat or remove active nests of yellow jackets, European hornets, and baldfaced hornets is a dangerous undertaking.

There can be several hundred individuals in a nest and their defensive response can be quick and painful. If the nest location is not a threat to people or animals, it is best to leave it alone. The workers will die in fall and fertilized queens will abandon it for winter shelter. While the nest will not be used again, the site remains attractive so it may be used in subsequent years. Remove the nest during winter and seal openings if it was in a wall void or an attic. Do not seal entries to an active indoor nest; the wasps will chew to freedom, 10

which may be inside. They will not be happy.

If the nest poses an active threat and waiting until fall is not an option, then contact two or more pest control companies for bids on professional removal. It is better to avoid confronting wasps and hornets on your own.

Wanderers VELVET ANTS

Velvet ants are a familiar sight in late summer.

Though ant-like in appearance, these are actually wingless wasps. Females are wingless so they are seen crawling determinedly across the ground. These bright red and black insects have long stingers and will use them if handled or mashed.

Velvet ants are solitary wanderers, there is no nest of them nearby. They travel in search of tunnels of ground nesting bees or underground beetle larvae to serve as hosts for their larvae. These wasps pose no threat unless handled so there is no need for control.

By Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist

THAT’S AN IDEA

Calendar of Events

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Early blight of tomato will be very bad this year so every precaution to prevent the issue should be taken.

Mulching around the base and watering underneath the plant will go a long way for control.

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The orange on your apple leaves is Cedar apple rust and there is nothing you can do about it now. See me for a spray guide for next season.

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Middle of August marks the beginning of prime grass seeding time Get ready now by lining up equipment and seed.

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Ferns are heavy feeders, water soluble fertilize should be applied weekly for best growth.

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Pet Peeves:

Know the difference between insecticides, fungicides, miticides, and herbicides. All too often people call and want to spray Sevin on a plant to control a fungus. That won’t help and will never help. Sevin is an insecticide not a fungicide. Also know what chemical is in a product. For example mixing 2-4d plus Crossbow is wasteful since they both contain the same active ingredient.

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Ongoing— Neighborly Nutrition: Remember when you have extra produce the Bread for Life (St. Vincent DePaul) Food Pantry. Will accept fresh produce most days of the week. More than 2000 pounds of produce has already been donated and it is so easy to do.

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Season Long — Bardstown Farmers Market. The farmers will be providing you fresh produce season long on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 7:30 am until 12:30 pm

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

http://nelson.ca.uky.edu/ @hortagentrob

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

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