I'm ready to be able to walk out the back door and not get drenched with sweat.  Who's with me?!   I had the chance to head up to the northern mountains recently and was able to enjoy some cool nights and mild but not hot days.   It was quite amazing to not have to change my shirt during the day.   What a great feeling!   This type of weather helps us to stop just keeping our head above water and allows us to get ahead on outdoor projects.   

Sadly, in Polk County, the cool weather really doesn't arrive until October; but that doesn't mean we have to sit on our hands until then. Now is the time to be tending that fall garden and working on that lawn renovation.  With the big equestrian games coming up and all the visitors in our area, it might be a great time to stay home and work on those lawn projects. Just remember that water is important for lawns and gardens at this time of year, and the weather has a tendency to go dry in the fall around here. So keep an eye on those planted seeds to prevent them from drying out.  To assist you, I will be offering a lawn care course on September 20th from 2-4pm here at the extension office.  Before you plant, take the time to attend this free session so you can have all the best information to make your lawn project a success. Sign up for the course by calling the extension office at 828/894-8218.

 

September Lawn & Garden Tips

 

Seeding Fescue Lawns -  The middle of September is the very best time to seed your fescue lawn.  Make sure to use a quality seed, cover with straw for new lawns, and water frequently to ensure good germination.  When the seedlings emerge, they have very small, shallow roots.  Keep them watered, and don't let falling leaves smother them.  Use a leaf blower on low power or rake VERY gently to remove leaves.    

       

Flowers -  Plant pansies and mums this month for seasonal color.  This is also a good time to divide Iris.  To achieve success, ensure good drainage, full sun, clean cultivation, (weed and grass free) and frequent dividing of large clumps. 

Geraniums can be overwintered in your garage or basement if the area you are keeping them in a place that stays above freezing.   Be sure to bring them in before the first frost.  You can leave them in their pots or remove all the soil and place them--bare root--in paper bags.  

Storing Bulbs -  Five common flower garden plants--Dahlia, Canna, Caladium, Gladiolus, and Tuberous Begonia--may not overwinter outside.  To save the plants, lift roots, tubers, or corms about the time of our first killing frost.  They may be dug just after foliage dries.  Dig deep enough so that part of the plant will not be snapped off when lifted out of the soil.  Leave soil around Dahlia tubers, Canna, and Caladium roots.

 

Store bulbs in a garage or other building until soil dries and falls away from plant parts.  Shake soil off roots and tubers and cut away dried stem.  Discard immediately any plant parts that show soft spots or disease.

Place tubers and roots in old sawdust or peat moss--in a flat box or plastic bag with holes for ventilation.  Store in a dry, cool place such as a basement.  Do not store on back porch or in garage.  These plants cannot withstand freezing.  Also, store away from danger of being eaten by mice, squirrels, etc.

Houseplants - Bring houseplants indoors when temperatures dip below 50°F. Give them a good bath in soapy water or spray with insecticidal soap.  Move plants into partial shade for a week to condition them to lower light levels indoors.

It is not uncommon for insects and diseases to be more abundant in the fall.  Strive to keep fall vegetables healthy and actively growing; healthy plants are less susceptible to insects and diseases.  When sufficient damage is detected, use an approved pesticide.  

You can extend the season of tender vegetables by protecting them through the first early frost.  In North Carolina, we often enjoy several weeks of good growing conditions after the first frost.  Cover growing beds or rows with burlap or a floating row cover supported by stakes or wire to keep the material from directly touching the plants.  Individual plants can be protected by using milk jugs, paper cups, or water-holding walls.

Most of the semi-hardy and hardy vegetables will require little or no frost protection.  Semi-hardy vegetables should be harvested before a heavy freeze.  Root crops such as carrots and radishes should be harvested or mulched heavily before a hard freeze.  During mild winters, harvest may continue till spring.

Upcoming Horticulture Events to Note

Private Applicator Pesticide Training Date : September 24, 2018 Times : 1-3pm (Private Safety) and 3-5pm (Specialty Training) Location: Cleveland County Ext. Office No need to preregister, but please bring your license so you can receive credit for participation. For more info: 704-482-4365

Lawn Care Class Date : September 20, 2018 Time : 2-4pm Location: Polk County Extension Office No need to preregister. For more info:   828-894-8218

 

 

Polk County 4-H News

It was a fun and successful summer, learning new skills.  But, now it's time to move on to another school year, and with that comes new classes.  We are trying a different program format this fall.  Utilizing a club approach will allow youth to build on the skills they are learning . There will be  five different clubs that meet once a month.  All clubs will meet at the Cooperative Extension Office at 79 Carmel Lane, Columbus NC.  Scholarship money is available.

Family Consumer Science  

Fermentation Workshop - September 10         

 

Fermentation is more than just a trendy "superfood." In fact, it's been around as a method of preservation for thousands of years.  Fermentation is the science of harvesting good bacteria to extend the usability of a food and add flavor. Even more than that, it's good for your gut! Rather than canning with vinegar, this culinary method relies on salt to safely preserve vegetables--as in sauerkraut, kimchi and dill pickles.

That means that you--yes, YOU--can learn the  ancient and simple process of fermenting vegetables. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension will be offering two Fermentation Workshops.

• Monday September 10 at 2:00 pm, Polk County Extension Center
• Tuesday, September 11 at 2:00 pm at the Henderson County Extension Center

Both workshops cover the same material. We will cover safe methods for the fermentation process including sauerkraut, kimchee, yogurt and kombucha. There is a $15 fee to cover class materials. For more information on the workshop or to register, contact Jimmi Buell at the Polk County Extension Office at 828/894-8218 or Renay Knapp at the Henderson County office at  828/697-4891.

Canning Tomatoes - The Last Taste of Summer

 

It's not too late. When we think about food preservation, we usually think of summer, but there are many things that can be preserved in the fall. Tomatoes come to mind. Tomatoes are almost gone, but if you have some still producing, why not preserve them for winter soups and stews? Although the farmers market is slowing down, certain varieties of tomatoes are still around. Why not preserve that last bit of sunshine-in-a-jar for the winter nights?

 

For as long as I can remember, at least one weekend every autumn during my childhood, my family would spend a morning picking tomatoes that would be processed and canned.  The canned tomatoes would be used over the coming months to make pasta sauce for our family. While the entire process was a dreaded chore for a kid like me, the end result led to the enticing aroma of tomato sauce simmering on the stove--which still reminds me of home to this day!

 

Do you want to extend summer and learn how to preserve your fresh-grown tomatoes? The Cooperative Extension Office will be offering two Canning Tomatoes Classes:

• Monday, September 10 at 6:00 pm. in Polk County
• Thursday, September 13 at 6:00 pm in Henderson County

Both classes cover the same material.  Call either the Polk County Extension Office at 828/894-8218 or the Henderson County Cooperative Extension at 828/697-4891 to sign up for the class.

Columbus Heritage Festival - Apple Recipe Contest

 

The second annual celebration of our local heritage hits the lawn of the historic Columbus Courthouse on Saturday, October 6. The Columbus Heritage Festival highlights the town's rich traditions in arts and crafts -- including cooking! Make use of those delicious North Carolina apples by cooking up your favorite apple-inspired recipe. First and second prizes are available in 3 categories: Breads & Muffins, Pies & Tarts, and Other. 

For full details on the contest call the Polk County Extension Office at 828/894-8218 or download the brochure and application.