February 2019 News for Polk County
Director's Focus: Don't Miss Out on Berry Plants for 2019
2019 is already moving fast,and our berry plant sale will be over before you know it. If you
haven’t already, please take the time to purchase your blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and
strawberry plants from the Extension office. The proceeds from your purchase go directly to
assist with the educational programs we offer. Extension is here to provide unbiased, research-based information so we can empower you with the tools necessary to be successful. If you
don’t know much about what Cooperative Extension does here in Polk County, please stop in or give us a call. Here’s to a great rest of 2019!
Scott Welborn is the County Extension Director for Polk County
Home, Lawn, and Garden Tips for February
Pruning
February is the best time of year for major pruning and shaping of most trees and ornamental shrubs. At this time you can cut overgrown shrubs way back to rejuvenate them. You can also remove limbs from trees--but never top a tree!
 
Spring-Flowering Shrubs
Spring-flowering shrubs bloom on last year’s wood and should not be pruned until after flowering (if you want to preserve the bloom for this year). These include: Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Forsythia, Spirea, Flowering Quince, Kerria, Pieris, Weigela, Abelia, Oakleaf and Macrophylla Hydrangeas, Beautyberry, Clethra, and Vitex. If you desire to cut these shrubs back substantially, you can prune them in February but be willing to forego a bloom for this year.

Summer-Flowering Shrubs
These bloom on this year’s wood, as well, and should be pruned before new growth starts. On
deciduous shrubs, 1/3 of the oldest shoots should be cut back to the ground. Summer-
flowering Buddleia Davidii should have all shoots cut to 8-12” from the ground. Crape myrtle
trees may be pruned at this time but try not to commit “crape murder” by topping.

Overgrown Established Plants
Plantings of old established plants like Holly, Cleyera, Japanese Holly, Pittosporum, Ligustrum
and similar broad-leaf evergreens can be cut back to 15-24” from the ground if you want to
rejuvenate them.

Conifers
Pine, Junipers, Fir, Spruce, Yew and Arborvitae will not withstand heavy pruning because most
conifers don’t have latent buds below the foliage area and do not readily produce adventitious
buds. If a branch is cut back past the foliage area, it will not re-foliate. The best time to prune
conifers is just after the new growth is completed, usually in late spring or early summer.
Encourage bushier growth on pines by pinching out the new candles. Hemlocks are the
exception to the rule. They will tolerate heavy pruning and are sometimes used for hedge
plants.

Tree Wound Paints
These are useless in sealing pruning cuts and may actually do harm to the tree! Avoid them.

Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses should be cut back before new growth starts. Mow Liriope (Monkeygrass)
to remove last year’s unsightly foliage. Ornamental grasses may be divided now.

Fertilizing
Fescue Lawns should be fertilized in late February. Use no more than 1 pound of nitrogen per
1000 sf. Late or excessive fertilizing in spring predisposes fescue to Brown Patch disease. If a tree is in good condition, well mulched, or in a natural area, it does not need regular fertilizing. If you fertilize your lawn regularly, you are fertilizing trees in the area also. Most shrubs respond well to an application of a slow release fertilizer. Apply according to directions and distribute it evenly over the entire root area but away from the stem.

Fruit Trees
Apply a dormant oil spray to fruit trees and ornamentals for control of overwintering insects
and eggs. Do not apply to broadleaf evergreens when freezing temperatures are expected.

Wild Garlic (Wild Onion)
Control Wild Garlic with 2, 4-D Amine. Add a few drops of dishwashing detergent as a surfactant to help the herbicide adhere to the narrow leaves. Spray in late February/early March, and again in late August. Control may require two years of persistence, spraying in both growth seasons.

Roses
Thin bush roses to 3-5 good strong canes and shorten canes to 15”. Prune climbers after they
flower in early summer. Shrub Roses such as the popular variety "Knockout" need little (if any)
pruning but can be pruned hard if they are overgrown.

Grapes
Prune after most cold weather is over, usually late February/March. Bleeding will not hurt the vines.

What to Plant in February
Around the last week of February, in Polk County, you can usually safely plant CABBAGE, LETTUCE, PEAS, RADISHES, SPINACH, CARROTS, ONIONS, TURNIPS, BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, and BEETS. However, if temps drop below 26 degrees, definitely provide protection for your transplants.


Should you need more information on any of these topics please stop by the Polk County Cooperative Extension office located at 79 Carmel Lane just outside of Columbus, or pop us an email or give us a call at 828-894-8218.
Polk County Berry Sale Ends Feb 22

Don't forget to order those blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry plants ASAP for a
mid-March delivery!

The 4-H Movement

4-H programs, delivered through Cooperative Extension at land-grant universities in the U.S. and through independent 4-H programs around the world, are uniquely positioned to meet urgent global needs:
  • Young people are the drivers of change--and today there are more than one billion people between the ages of 12 and 24 on our planet.
  • The young people of today are the farmers who will feed the world in 2050.
  • 4-H reaches 7 million young people people in more than 50 countries.
  • More than 3.5 million girls and young women are in positions of leadership in 4-H today.
  • The 4-H positive youth development experience has proven effective--with a 100-year history of agricultural and economic development.
  • A global network of independent 4-H programs works together to offer the 4-H experience to millions more young people.
A Snapshot of Recent 4-H Activity in Polk County
Cloverbuds had fun learning about "The Little Red Hen," and why it is important to be a helper. In the process, they made bread in a bag.
4-H Timber Time Woodworking Club made unique wooden toys, requiring multiple planning and execution (and of course safety!) skills to get their final result.
Cooking class recently learned how to make red velvet whoopie pies to give as Valentine's Day gifts.
The Winter/Spring Sewing program is well underway with 11 students working with individual mentors to learn this important art.
What's Coming Up in 4-H?

Click the links below, or be on the lookout for additional info on these upcoming events and opportunities for 4-H'ers in Polk County:
  • 4-H Presentation Program (NOTE: participants who complete this program are eligible for a 50% scholarship to 4-H Camp!)
  • 4-H Summer Overnight Camp - a one-week camp experience for ages 8-18.
  • 4-H Goat Program - The 4-H goat program (details announced soon) will be an Animal Science program. Participants will learn about feeding, caring for, managing, selecting and showing dairy goats.
  • Career Exploration and Leadership Camp - The Career Exploration and Leadership program will teach students about possible occupations, and offer the soft-skills and workplace experience teens will need for the future. It exposes teens to new possibilities before they commit to a college or major of study. Stay tuned for more info.
Helen Blackwell is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Polk County
Family and Consumer Science News
2019 Mens' Cooking Class
We have just THREE spots left for the 2019 Mens' Cooking Class! Click below to reserve your place in this annual Extension favorite which begins in March!
Jimmi Buell is the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Polk County
68TH ANNUAL
NORTH CAROLINA CATTLEMEN'S AND DAIRY CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 22-23, 2019
Have questions about the conference? Email Livestock Agent Noah Henson or give him a call at 828-593-7946.

Inspiring a "Buy Local" Mentality
Convincing your customers of the benefits of being a locavore can be vital to your marketing plan!