Buncombe County Center                                                                                    February 2018            
GARDENING IN THE MOUNTAIN SERIES
February 17,  10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

"All About Pruning -Tool Selection and Tool Sharpening "
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Presented by: Alan Wagner, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer, Buncombe County
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Pruning in the landscape requires different methods than pruning tomatoes or bonsai. Many gardeners and homeowners are uncertain about when, why, and how to prune shrubs and trees. 

Pruning requires time-tested technique, good sharp tools, and knowledge of the right time to prune different kinds of plants. And pruning requires practice.

Join Alan Wagner as he demonstrates the tools, techniques, and principles of pruning shrubs and small trees. If weather permits, some outdoor demonstrations may be possible.

There will also be a session on how to sharpen your pruning tools, so bring them with you.

This program will also be offered in the Saturday Seminar series - Saturday, February 17. See below.

Free.  Please call to regis ter 828-255-5522.
Location:  Buncombe County Center,  49 Mt Carmel Rd, Asheville NC 28806  
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SATURDAY SEMINAR SERIES
February 17, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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"All About Pruning - Tool Selection and Tool Sharpening"
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SEE ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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FEBRUARY GARDEN CHORES

LAWNS
* T une up and sharpen your mower along with other equipment and hand tools.
* Now is a good time for the spring application of a slow-release lawn fertilizer. Be sure to sweep fertilizer from walks and driveways to prevent run off into storm drains.
* If you have bare spots, late February and early March are good times to over seed. 
* Consider making changes to your lawn this coming season to reduce maintenance costs and time. Tolerate some diversity for instance. Many weeds provide important resources for pollinators - especially early spring bloomers.

ORNAMENTALS
* Cut back ornamental grasses as well as liriope and mondo grass. 
* If you didn't get all the spring bulbs planted before, try to get them in now. Sort through and discard any that are soft. 
* Water recently planted evergreens, including live christmas trees. Evergreen plants can dry out during sunny winter days.
* Inspect houseplants for insects such as spider mites, scale and whiteflies. Treat as needed.  
* Spray dormant oil, especially if you have had a mite or scale problem. Wait for daytime temperatures to reach 45 degre es and are not predicted to drop below freezing for 24 hours. 
* Evergreen shrubs can be pruned. Keep in mind that needled evergreens will not re-sprout if cut back into old wood or beyond the needles. 
* Check landscape beds for winter weeds. Pull bittercress and chickweed before they flower. 
* Many varieties of shrubs can be pruned back severely to renovate old or overgrown growth.  Late February or March is the best time to do this. 
* Clean up dead stems and grasses in the perennial garden. 

FRUIT 
* Mature apple and pear trees can be pruned. Wait until March to prune young fruit trees, peaches and plums. 
* Again spray dormant oil, especially if you have had a mite or scale problem.   
* Plant fruit trees, grapes and brambles. 
* Prune grape vines and highbush blueberries. 
* Apply fresh mulch on blueberries to keep shallow roots cool and weed free. 
* Do not prune fruit trees until March--especially peaches. 

GO HERE or more information on pruning fruit trees and HERE for blackberries and raspberries and HERE for blueberries!

VEGETABLES
* Check your seed supply before ordering more. Seeds more than a couple of years old should probably be replaced. Do a germination test if in doubt. 
* Start your garden plan on paper as you browse garden catalogs. Review last year's notes or memories for what worked and how much was too much. 
* If you have any winter vegetables in a greenhouse or under plastic, remember to vent on sunny days to prevent over heating.
* If the soil is dry enough to work, go ahead and prepare a spot for a late February planting. 
* English and edible pea pods, spinach, kale,  and a few other cold-hardy crops can be planted late February through March. 
* This is an excellent time to plant the asparagus bed. Thorough bed preparation is important.
* Mow or cut back cover crops and turn whenever the soil isn't too wet to work. 

OTHER
* Clean out birdhouses and set up new ones. Bluebirds and some other songbirds start scouting for spring nesting boxes.
* Clean out and organize the garden storage area. Check tools and equipment before you need them. Brush dirt from shovels and hard rakes and apply a light oil to prevent rust.
* Use deicing salt sparingly. Sweep excess off pavement as soon as it has dried. This prevents runoff into adjacent landscape areas and water supplies. 

HANDLING BARE ROOT PLANTS

Many small and tree fruit plants are shipped this time of year bare root.
Photo credit: Mary Carol Sheffield
This means they are  dormant (not actively growing)  and do not contain soil or planti ng  medium around the roots. 

Handling these plants in a timely manner is critical for good establishment and growth.

GO HERE for an good publication from UGA providing information on storing, planting and caring for your bare root fruit plants.  


CLICK HERE FOR THE
 Western North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs

STARTING YOUR 
FIRST 
VEGETABLE GARDEN?
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Getting a good start can make all the difference in having success and a good experience when you first begin to garden. Start small, select a site with good light and access to water, take time to amend the soil and grow vegetables and flowers that will produce without too much fuss. 
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Consider radishes*, s alad greens* (lettuce, spinach, arugula and corn salad), g reen beans*, green o nions, s trawberries, p eppers, b ush zucchini*, cherry or bush t omatoes, h erbs, a nnual flowers, zinnias*. 
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The ones with an * can be started easily from seed direct sown into  the garden. Otherwise look for starts or transplants at your local nursery  or tailgate market.
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Don't be discouraged. E ach growing season is  another opportunity  to learn and grow!

to learn more

STOP THINK AND PRUNE

Before you go outside to prune STOP and take a moment to ask yourself the following questions... knowing WHY you prune will help you know HOW to prune.

#1 Do I know the plant and it's natural habit?
- If the answer is YES proceed to #2
- If the answer is NO read up on the plant and get to know it better. 

Plants are like people and have a  natural shape and character. Unless you are shearing a hedge, creating a topiary or maintaining a bonsai, pruning is needed only to help maintain it's natural form, health and appearance of the plant.
 
#2 Do I know when this plant typically blooms?
- If the answer is YES proceed to #3
- If the answer is NO and you are pruning a flowering shrub or vine go back to #1

It can be important to do know when the plant typically flowers. A common problem is pruning at the wrong time of year and removing flower buds. This happens when spring flowering shrubs (Mophead hydrangeas, forsythia, azaleas) are pruned in the winter, removing flower buds.

#3 Am I pruning to.....
  • Improve health and appearance
  • Maintain or reduce size
  • Enhance its natural form
  • Increase light and air circulation
  • Remove weak growth and spent flowers
  • Remove Dead, Dying, Diseases and Damaged wood?
- If the answer is YES then proceed to #4
- If the answer is NO then put the pruners up and go back in the house!

#4 Do I know where to begin? 
- If the answer is YES - Go for it!
- If the answer is NO proceed to #5

#5 Use the list below to help guide what cuts to make.
  • 4 D's - Dead, Dying, Diseased and Damaged
  • Inward growing, crossing or rubbing
  • Suckers
  • Vigorous upright shoots and sprouts
  • Co-dominate Leaders in trees
  • Growth below graft unions
  • Low branches
Go slow and stop often, Step back to review and gauge your progress. It's important to know when to stop. You can cut off a branch but you can't stick it back on.

Sometimes removing deadwood and branches that are crossing or growing inwards is enough.

GO HERE
 For more information on pruning landscape plants.


CUTTING BACK PERENNIALS  

Look for green foliage at the base of flowering stems left from last year. 
Cut to remove old stems leaving green foliage in place.

 
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RAIN GARDENS 2018  

This time last year Buncombe County was classified by the  NC Drought Management Advisory Council as D1 - Moderate Drought. And while near normal precipitation levels are predicted for the next few months, NOW may be a good time to make plans for a rain garden if you have ever experienced water issues around your home and garden.

Check out the Extension Master GardenerSM blog article
HERE  on Rain Gardens - An Eco-Friendly Landscape Feature. 


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FEBRUARY FERTILIZER FOR LAWNS  
Did you know that NCSU recommends fertilizing lawns in September, November and Feburary? In fact 1lb of actual Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft in February is all that is needed for the season until September rolls around again.

High rates or repeated low rates of nitrogen applied to cool-season grasses in the spring or summer may increase the severity of brown patch (Rhizoctonia species), which can kill the grass.

CLICK HERE  to for a Cool Season Lawn Maintenance Calendar


SCHOOL GARDEN GRANTS AVAILABLE 
DUE FEBRUARY 28, 2018 

Extension Master Gardener SM Volunteers of Buncombe County are happy to offer, for the eleventh straight year, School Garden Grants to Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools, including state charter schools.

A copy of the grant application form along with instructions has been provided to all school principals, elementary through senior high. Additional information is available at  2018 School Garden Grants, where you can learn more about selection criteria and download copies of the 2018 School Garden Grants Application and Guidelines for 2018 School Garden Grants.

Completed application forms will be accepted beginning February 1, 2018, and no later than 5 p.m. on February 28, 2018, at the Buncombe County Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville, NC. 

If you have any questions, please call 828-255-5522.

We are proud of our partnership with Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. Since 2007, we have awarded 44 School Garden Grants totaling over $24,000. Our records show that these grants have involved more than 12,500 students and hundreds of teachers, parents, and community volunteers.


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SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 
PLANT SALE
Buncombe SWCD will hold its annual seedling and plant sale at Buncombe County Soil & Water Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville, NC. 
Proceeds support Buncombe SWCD Environmental Education Programs.
Dates & Times:
        • Thursday, March 1 from 8am - 5pm
        • Friday, March 2 from 8am - 5pm
Due to high demand, some seedlings/plants may sell out early.   Seedlings and plants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on the days of the sale. No pre-orders will be taken as in past years. 

Click HERE for more information 

SIGN UP NOW!

The Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs for short!) produce a blog on a variety of topics including current insect and disease issues and gardening tips and activities for all ages and abilities.  

  Click here  to sign up! 

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
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SAVE THE DATE
MASTER GARDENER
 PLANT SALE 
Saturday May 13, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

In partnership with the Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society     Location:  American Red Cross parking lot, 100 Edgewood Road,  just off Merrimon Ave, 
behind Atlanta Bread Co.

NEED HELP WITH GARDEN QUESTIONS... 
Identifying plants, insects, diseases?
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The Garden Helpline and Office Hours are open year round from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm  on weekdays.  

Call  (828) 255-5522  or bring your problem/question to 49 Mt. Carmel Rd.  (Please bring samples large enough for plant identification).  

From March through October Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will be on duty to assist the Extension Agent.

Contact:
Alison Arnold, Extension Agent, 
Consumer Horticulture
49 Mt. Carmel Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
828-255-5522
alison.arnold@ncsu.edu