August 2020 News for Polk County
NC Foothills Virtual Farm Tour
The farmers of Polk and Rutherford County are passionate about the crops, animals, and community they grow here in our Foothills. Starting Monday, August 3, take the opportunity to learn more about them via the " NC Foothills Virtual Farm Tour."
Director's Focus: Taking Care of Your Soil
This is the time of year for my favorite garden produce to be coming in. I love watermelon and cantaloupes! Mine have sprawled all over the garden at this point and there are many that are just days away from being fully ripe. This is the reward for a diligent program of weeding, watering and soil maintenance.

Just because all is well with our produce, though, doesn’t mean that it’s time to rest on our laurels. After we take the time to enjoy the bounty of our garden, lets remember that now is the time to think about our soil. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to test your soil. The NCDA provides free soil testing to NC citizens from April to November. When it’s hot outside, and you don’t want to do much else, stop by the Extension office and get a soil test box to send your sample to the lab.

After a couple of weeks, you will get a report detailing your soil makeup and what you need to do to fix it for the best garden you can possibly have next year. Many people find this report hard to read. If that's true for you, Extension can help. I'm available to help you interpret your report and make the best possible plan to fix any soil problems you may have. By taking the time to send off a soil test, you will save yourself money and limit environmental damage from excessive fertilizer. Be a good steward of your land, have a great garden and be informed--get your soil tested!!"
Home, Lawn and Garden Tips for August
In the Garden
Growing a productive fall garden requires thoughtful planning and preparation. Now is the time to remove any previous crop residue and weed growth. Prepare the soil by adding organic matter, fertilizer or lime as needed. 1-2 lb of a complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 may be applied per 100ft² of bed space. An organic fertilizer can be used as well, but be careful with fresh manure as it may contain herbicide residue which will stunt your crops. Thoroughly incorporate the fertilizer if possible. Plant your crops between the middle and late part of August for a fall harvest. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and kale are all great fall/winter crops. Chose varieties that can be harvested in 50-70 days to beat the extreme cold.

Watering
When watering shrubs during dry periods of summer and fall, be sure to apply enough water so moisture will move downward to the root system. It is helpful to make a 3-4" mound of soil about 18-24" outward from shrubs. Let water flood inside the mound and soak downward to roots. If you use overhead irrigation on shrubs, try to apply water at some time other than late afternoon because prolonged moisture on leaves overnight encourages disease growth.

Mulching
Mulching of shrubs and young trees can be very important in hot, dry weather. Shallow roots are protected from the sun, moisture is conserved, and weeds and grasses are controlled with a good mulch. A 3-4 inch layer of pine straw, leaves, pine bark or hardwood mulch will help grow strong, healthy plants.

Transplanting
August is a good month in which to transplant iris and daylilies. By doing so now, new transplants will have time to become well established before cold weather. Be sure to water well after transplanting.

No Pruning, Please
Late summer pruning should be avoided. It can stimulate new growth which will not have sufficient time to harden off before cold weather. February is the best time for major pruning, but dead or diseased wood may be removed at any time of the year. If you must cut back a tree or shrub, prune as little as you can and wait to do any major pruning until next February.

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs
  • Japanese Beetles/White Grubs- Late July/early August is the optimal time for controlling grubs with soil insecticides since they are still small and are close to the surface now. Applying at any other time of year will not give you the same results. For organic control, begin applying Milky Spore to build up the bacteria in the soil. You will need to do this for several years to get a colony started.  
  • Borers - Spray peach, cherry and plum trees for borers this month using an orchard spray, soaking the trunk and soil around the base of the tree.
  • Mosquitoes— Unfortunately, there is no easy solution for managing mosquitoes. The most effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes is to find and eliminate their breeding sites—standing water. There are plenty of potential places in which mosquitoes can develop. A neglected bird bath, swimming pool, or clogged rain gutter can produce hundreds of new mosquitoes in just a few days. Mosquitoes prefer to rest in protected sites during the day. Yards with lots of trees, shrubs and dense vegetation are their favorites. Consequently, removal of tall weeds and overgrowth is part of an integrated mosquito management program.

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.
Scott Welborn is the County Extension Director for Polk County
NC Residents Warned Not to Plant Unsolicited Foreign Seeds

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina residents who have received seed shipments that they did not order from China or other foreign sources are advised not to plant these seeds because they could be a pathway for the introduction of invasive species,...

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agventures.ces.ncsu.edu
Free Virtual Conference for Farmers

Are you interested in building ag communication and advocacy skills? Do you want to be a better champion for agriculture? Are you new to farming and want to build confidence when talking about it? This virtual conference...

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poultry.ces.ncsu.edu
Although face-to-face 4-H programming is not an option this Fall, it has not reduced our commitment to offer projects and activities that help local youth build confidence, curiosity, and resilience. Please help us re-imagine what 4-H can offer your family this Fall by taking this short survey.
How Is Your Internet Access?
The North Carolina Broadband Survey is designed to gather information on locations without adequate internet access and speeds in the state. Help us identify high-speed broadband gaps in our community by taking the 5-minute survey.
Helen Blackwell is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Polk County
For as long as I can remember, at least one weekend every summer during my childhood my family would spend a morning picking tomatoes that would be turned into sauce 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 a beautiful aroma of tomato sauce simmering on the stove which still reminds me of home. I believe that another important aspect is nostalgia. Along with
locally grown sweet corn, cucumbers and tomatoes were often the target for those Sunday drives with parents or grandparents. Remember aiming your car for a nearby farm stand, then carefully selecting, and using the produce you acquired as the centerpiece of a backyard picnic?

Now, maybe more than ever, we have a deep longing for simpler times.
From my garden to yours, here's a recipe that can bring back the nostalgia of summertime: a simple (but delicious!) salad that's best made with tomatoes and cucumbers fresh from the garden.
MeatSuite: From the Farmer to the Freezer

NC Choices Early Launch of MeatSuite for North Carolina MeatSuite is a brand new site where you can find local farms that sell meat in bulk quantities. With the delayed opening of some farmers' markets and increased demand on local meat,...

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orange.ces.ncsu.edu
Jimmi Buell is the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Polk County
N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating.