July 2019 News for Polk County
|
|
Director's Focus: For Garden Lovers
|
|
Do you love growing stuff? Do you want to become better at it? Do you want to be around local people that also love plants? If so, enrolling in the Master Gardener program might be just what you need. Starting each August, I teach an 11-week course that will increase your expertise in all things horticultural. From vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals to soils, propagation, and fertilizers--you will get familiar with it all. You don’t need to be an expert; just be willing and excited to learn. You will come out of this class with vastly greater knowledge and skills than you had coming in. Ready to find out more? Explore the article below for more details about the program, or visit the
Extension Master Gardener section
of our website. Spots in the class are limited, so sign up as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
Scott Welborn is the County Extension Director for Polk County
|
|
|
- HOME, LAWN & GARDEN TIPS FOR JULY
- HOW TO BECOME AN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER IN POLK COUNTY
- PRUNING GUIDE FOR JULY/AUGUST
- CROP REPORTING DEADLINES FOR FARMERS
|
|
- BABY GOATS GET OFFICIAL NAMES
- 4-H CAREER EXPLORATION CAMP FOR TEENS
- SUPPORT 4-H BY RECYCLING YOUR ALUMINUM CANS
- 2 FOOD PRESERVATION WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES IN JULY
|
|
|
Home, Lawn, and Garden Tips for July
|
|
Crape Myrtles
The beauty of crape myrtles is shown in their color this month. Prune spent flower blossoms to prolong the flowering period. If the leaves appear dark and sooty or almost uniformly charcoal gray, you have sooty mold, the result of an aphid infestation. Spray with horticultural oil or soaps according to label directions. Next year, watch for and treat aphids in May. Some have problems with powdery mildew. Use horticultural oils as an organic way to control mildew. Many chemical fungicides such as Immunox or Daconil will control the problem as well.
Grasses
Fescue goes naturally semi-dormant during extremes of hot and/or dry weather; it can survive 3 weeks without water. Water only when grass shows signs of wilt (footprints will show when grass is walked on and the grass will seem to darken). The most effective watering method is to water to the point of runoff, turn off sprinkler to let water soak in, then water again, repeating until the root zone is wet. Unless the water reaches the roots, where it is taken up by the plant, you waste both time and water. Water in early morning if possible; late afternoon or early evening is the worst time to water as the grass stays wet for a longer time and encourages diseases. Do not get discouraged if you spot crabgrass and brown patch. It is common this time of year and with a little over seeding in the fall, you will have a beautiful fall lawn and an even nicer spring lawn.
Warm season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia need to be fertilized during the warm months of the year. Apply .5 pounds of nitrogen each month during the summertime. (1.5 pounds of 32-0-0 per 1000 square feet) Be sure to water these grasses during dry times.
Evergreens
July and August are the months to take semi-hardwood cuttings of evergreen shrubs such as azalea, boxwood, holly, and camellia. Remove the leaves from the lower half of cutting and dip in rooting powder. Set in a well drained media in a container that can be placed in a clear plastic bag or set in a cold frame. Place them out of direct sunlight and keep moist for about 6 weeks.
This is also the ideal time to control Bagworms simply by hand picking the bags. Pesticides are not effective once bags have been produced.
Trees
You can remove suckers, water sprouts and dead shoots from trees this month, but it’s definitely too hot to do any pruning.
Deadheading Flowers
Always remember that if you cut off (deadhead) blossoms when they die, you will prolong the flowering period of flowering plants.
In the Garden
What to plant this month? It’s a little late to be planting, but consider second crops of cucumbers and bush beans at this time. Be aware that disease issues are more intense on second crops so be prepared to treat diseases proactively. Also, begin to plan your fall garden so you can start planting that next month. Be sure to harvest cucumbers and squash regularly. The more frequently you harvest, the more the plants will produce.
Yellow Jackets
These bees can ruin outdoor activities until frost. With insect prey (their usual diet) becoming scarce, yellow jackets scavenge for other sources of nutrition, especially sweets, e.g. fruits, ice cream, soft drinks. A dilute solution of ammonia and water (6 oz. of ammonia per gallon of water) sprayed in and around trash cans and sponged onto outdoor tables and food preparation surfaces may help to repel yellow jackets from these areas. Use household ammonia, not bleach. Aerosol sprays that control wasps and hornets work well to control individual yellow jackets but are not very effective on the nest. Carbaryl (Sevin) is a better choice for nest control. Carefully locate the nest and drench the nest with a Carbaryl solution at dusk or after dark. Do not drench the nest with gasoline as it causes damage to surrounding plants and soil.
NOTE: The use of brand names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of the products or services named nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.
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.
|
|
Yes, as a Master Gardener℠ volunteer you will learn more about making your own garden grow better. Yes, you will also be able to apply the information you learn in the program to your lawn, houseplants, pastures, and woodlands. But that is not the primary reason to become an Extension Master Gardener volunteer. The key reason is tied to the last word of the title – ”volunteer.” You see, the EMGV program is, at its core, a public service program. You become a Master Gardener volunteer
in order to help others become better gardeners.
As a Master Gardener volunteer in North Carolina, you can:
- Help improve the lives of those in your community through horticulture.
- Receive scientifically-accurate information about a range of horticultural crops.
- Meet and connect with others in your community who are interested in plants and gardening.
- Participate in Extension outreach events that will make an impact on our local region and its residents.
By combining the resources and information of the N.C. Cooperative Extension with the passion and enthusiasm of those interested in learning more about horticulture, the result is an Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteer program that can be an incredible force for good in Polk County and our surrounding area.
|
|
(Images: Polk County EMG volunteers working in the Research Garden in June)
Once a year, the NC Cooperative Extension of Polk County offers EMGV training and examinations to those interested in becoming certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer. In 2019, that training will be on the following schedule (training takes place at the NC Cooperative Extension Center of Polk County, 79 Carmel Lane, Columbus):
August 6 – October 22
9-12pm each Tuesday
August 6 - Orientation & Plant Propagation lecture
August 13 - Plant Propagation Lab
August 20 - No class
August 27 - Plant Growth and Development
September 3 - Soils and Nutrient Management
September 10 - Woody Ornamentals/Plant ID Vegetable Gardener lecture + Lab
September 17 - Turf Management Lecture + Lab
September 24 - Woody Ornamentals/Plant ID
October 1 - Landscape Design/ Insects and Diseases/pesticides
October 8 - Tree Fruits/Pruning
October 15 - Wildlife/Weeds/Review - Final Exam Handed Out (exams due back by Oct. 18)
October 22 -Exam Grades & Graduation
Interested in becoming part of this volunteer program that is dedicated to promoting research-based, sustainable gardening? Then you'll want to apply to this year's training program. Click below to submit your online application or print out the
paper application
and bring the completed form to the Extension office at 79 Carmel Lane in Columbus.
|
|
|
|
What To Prune In July & August
- Rose: prune leggy plants only and fertilize after pruning for fall flowering
- Hedges: as needed
- Brambles: blackberry & raspberry (prune the wood that bore fruit, cutting the canes near ground level)
|
|
2019 Crop Acreage Reporting Dates
ATTENTION FARMERS:
In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements and be eligible for new Farm Bill programs, all producers are encouraged to visit the Henderson-Polk-Transylvania County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. Any reports filed after the deadline will be assessed a late fee.
The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Henderson-Polk-Transylvania County:
July 15, 2019 - corn, soybeans, perennial forage, and most other crops
September 15, 2019 - cabbage PP2, beans PP2
September 30, 2019 - aquaculture, value loss crops
The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:
- If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
- If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.
For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports, please contact the Henderson-Polk-Transylvania County FSA office at 828-693-1406.
|
|
To help us name two of our baby Nigerian Dwarf goats at the Cooperative Extension, the 4-H program announced a contest. Participating 4-H students submitted their favorite names for each goat, and the two winners received a stuffed goat with their chosen name emblazoned on the front. Big congratulations to Chesney Tenpenney and Mack Vaughan for their winning votes!
|
|
We still have spots available for this August program!
This summer, students ages 12-18 will have the opportunity to explore a number of different careers and grow their understanding of how to prepare for job success.
4-H Teen Career Exploration Camp takes place Monday, August 5 through Thursday, August 8 from 9am to 2pm each day. Camp tuition is $35.
In this four-day camp, teens will:
- Take field trips to learn about specific career options such as government employment, industry, healthcare, non-profit, and more.
- Learn all-important career readiness skills such as filling out applications, branding themselves, interviews, and professionalism.
- Participate in vocational surveys that can introduce them to careers aligned with their interests.
To register for Teen Career Exploration Camp, drop by the Cooperative Extension office or
register online.
|
|
Yes, you "CAN" support 4-H!
|
One easy way to support the year-round programs of 4-H? Drop your aluminum cans in our recycling bin here at the Extension Center. We've recently moved the collection bin from the historic 4-H center to our location at 79 Carmel Lane behind the Meeting Place Senior Center. We hope to see you and your cans often!
|
|
|
|
|
Helen Blackwell is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Polk County
|
|
|
Family and Consumer Science News
|
|
Interested in learning how to preserve your fresh summer fruits and vegetables? Canning and preserving fresh food is a great way to continue reaping the benefits of summer produce throughout the cooler months. In continuation of our
Canning & Preserving Made Easy
summer series, Family and Consumer Science Agent Jimmi Buell is offering two more workshops in July.
|
|
Making Jams and Jellies - July 10
|
Ready to turn your favorite summer fruit into something you can enjoy all year long? Join us to learn about the difference between jellies, marmalade, preserves, and conserves. In the second of our Canning & Preserving Made Easy summer series we will get hands-on with the preparation for and procedure of jelly-making.
The Jams & Jellies workshop will be held at the Polk County Extension Center on Wednesday, July 10th . This two hour workshop will be at 2:00 pm and another at 6:00 pm. Both classes cover the same materials. The cost for the workshop is $15.00.
|
|
|
Canning Vegetables - July 25
|
Find out how easy it can be to make the most of your summer garden harvest. You will learn how to use a pressure canner, the best vegetables for canning and how each is processed, as well as safe preservation practices. This hands-on workshop leaves participants with knowledge of the canning process and a jar of their efforts to take home.
The Vegetable Canning workshop will be held at the Polk County Extension Center on Thursday, July 25th. This two hour workshop will be at 2:00 pm and another at 6:00 pm. Both classes cover the same materials. The cost for the workshop is $15.00.
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmi Buell is the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Polk County
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
