Did You Know? 
NC State Extension is the largest non-formal educational outreach organization in the 17-campus UNC system.
101 local centers - an office in every county and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee
967 Extension professionals
1.8M direct contacts with North Carolinians
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Time to Treat For Grubs
It's time to treat the lawn for grubs. Japanese beetles have been laying eggs in the soil for several weeks now and these eggs will start hatching soon. The grubs that hatch will cause damage to next year's lawn and will also grow into the dreaded japanese beetle.
When these grubs begin to hatch, they will be small and vulnerable to chemicals, unlike the large grubs that we see in the early spring. The chemical trichlorfon is very effective when applied as grubs hatch. This chemical is also sold under the brand names of Dylox and Bayer Advanced 24 Hour Grub Control. Spread on the lawn as a granular and then water in if rain is not expected. This can be done successfully from now until the end of October. Grubs start to dig down into the soil as the weather cools off and after October the grubs are too deep in the soil ti be affected by the chemical.
Let me remind you that this chemical is only effective against young, newly hatched grubs. Applications of this chemical next spring will be useless. It is not effective on large grubs.
Timing is the key to good pest control. Be sure and follow the directions on the label very closely and take the proper precautions to insure user safety. Always read the complete label before applying any pesticide. Now get out there and get those grubs!
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Preserving Apples Class 
October 15, 2019
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Learn how to make and preserve Spiced Apple Rings using the water bath canning method. Cost of the class is $10 and pre-registration is required. Class will be held at the Burke County Agricultural Building. Call our office at 828-764-9480 for more information or to register.
Class is subject to cancellation due to low or no enrollment.
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October is National Apple Month!
National Apple Month is the only national, generic apple promotion in the United States. Originally founded in 1904 as National Apple Week, it was expanded to the entire month of October. National Apple Month's mission is to increase apple industry sales and to enhance consumer awareness and usage of apples and apple products.
Apples have been shown to have many health benefits.
Promising research results suggest a link between apples and weight loss, brain health (including Alzheimer's disease), certain forms of cancer, lung and heart health and stroke. Apples are also an excellent source of dietary fiber and a healthy source of antioxidants, which have been linked to disease prevention.
Up your apple intake, and try this recipe from the Med Instead of Meds website as a super easy and super delicious dessert or snack!
Microwave Baked Apples
This is a super easy and super delicious dessert or snack. Any apple will work but firm apples such as Fuji, Gala, or Braeburn work best. You can change it up with different spices to suit your tastes.
Ingredients: 
- 2 apples
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Directions:
- Core the apple, leaving the bottom intact.
- In a bowl, mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon the sugar mixture into the apples.
- Place the apples in a deep casserole dish and cover with the lid.
- Microwave for 3½ - 4 minutes or until tender.
- Let the apples sit for 2 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information per Serving:
- Serving Size: 1 apple
- Vegetables: 0 cups
- Fruits: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 133 calories
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 1 gram
- Sodium: 6 mg
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Understanding Lime 
When lime and fertilizers are applied to soils, the onset of many chemical reactions takes place. Some occur instantly, and others take months to occur. These chemical reactions have a major influence on how efficiently lime and fertilizers are utilized by growing plants, when they should be applied, and pronounce the economic returns from their usage. By understanding the nature of these chemical reactions, in relationship to soils, we can determine how to use lime, and fertilizer as well, to our benefit.
Surface area of soils exposed to contact with lime and fertilizer is key to making the most of soil amendments. The amount of clay present in a given soil, largely determines the surface area available. Most of a soil's potentially reactive surface area is made up of clay particles, and clay particles per given volume, have more surface area than sand, silt or loam.
The mineral forms of individual soil particles and the extent to which these particles have been coated with layers of oxides and organic materials, also affect the total soil reaction.
All clay particles in soil have a negative net electrical charge(-). With this negative charge, clay particles will react with components of lime, and fertilizer that dissolve into soil as positively(+) charged particles, or cations, when added to the soil. Lime particles dissolve to release positively charged calcium( Ca++), or magnesium(Mg++) in the case of dolomitic limestone.
These positively charged particles, or cations, are attracted to the negatively charged particles present in soils. This process occurs when lime is applied to soil, and it reacts with soil moisture to dissolve. The rate at which lime dissolves, releasing these particles, is directly related to how fine the limestone is ground, and the chemical form of the limestone. Calcium oxide is burned lime, and calcium hydroxide is hydrated lime. These forms of limestone react much quicker in the soil, than do calcitic, or dolomitic limestones, because they are more soluble in water.
Calcium or magnesium particles are attracted to and held captive by clay particles, after lime dissolves in soil, thus neutralizing soil acidity, and raising soil pH. Due to this captivity, lime does not move downward in soils very rapidly, especially in our clay dominated soil profiles. For this reason, lime can be applied anytime in Burke County without any losses from soil leaching. It remains a good idea, however, to apply it well enough in advance to adequately react with the soil, and reduce acidity, prior to planting or establishment.
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$40 includes all-day cropping, your own table space, door prizes, and access to a Cricut machine.
Vendors will be onsite and there will be a
Scrapbook Page and Card contest.
Continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided.
Registration is due by October 8, 2019.
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Burke County Beekeepers 
Monday, October 14, 2019
6:30 pm
The Burke County Beekeepers Association (BCBA) meets monthly at the Burke County Agricultural Building located at 130 Ammons Drive in Morganton. There is a featured speaker each month and the public is invited to attend. The BCBA is a chapter of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
The October program will be on Overwintering Your Beehives.
The Best Honey in Burke County contest will be held at the October meeting. Members may enter the competition by bringing at least 8 ounces of their prize honey to the October 14th meeting. Members of the Burke County Beekeepers Association will judge the honey presented.
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Extension Master Gardener Association Meeting
October 28, 2019
@ 9:30 am
The Extension Master Gardener Association of Burke
County meets monthly at the Burke County Agricultural Building. Each month there is a featured speaker or program and the public is invited to attend.
The October meeting will feature a program on Wine Making presented by Lake James Cellars Winery.
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 4-H Update
October
Tuesday, October 8
4-H Discovery Night
Celebrating National 4-H Week with a community service project
6:00 - 8:00 pm
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Freeze Now, Eat Later!
November 7, 2019
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Freeze Now, Eat Later! is a freezer-to-slow cooker workshop that allows you to prepare
5 meals in 1 hour! Each freezer bag consists of 4 to 6 servings of food, leaving you with at least 20 meals to take home and enjoy! These meals are intended for the slow cooker, but can be cooked in a pressure cooker or baked in the oven. The food-safety portion of
the class will explore proper thawing and slow cooker & pressure cooker safety.
Save time, save money, eat healthy, and have fun!
$10 class fee - pre-registration is required.
Cooking for Crowds
November 8, 2019
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cooking for Crowds is designed for individuals or non-profit groups that prepare food for
their organization, large groups, or for the public as part of food fundraisers. Learn to
prevent the conditions during planning, purchasing, storage, preparation and service that may lead to a foodborne illness outbreak at your next food fundraiser or family gathering.
$10 class fee - pre-registration is required. Lunch will be provided.
West District Fall Day
November 16, 2019
10:00 am - 3:15 pm
For youth ages 10 & up as well as opportunities for parents, leaders and caregivers. Will be held in Haywood County and transportation will be available.
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NC State Extension is committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability.
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