September 2019 News for Polk County
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Director's Focus: A Fall Preview
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For the last few mornings I've been able to walk out the back door and climb into the car without feeling drenched with sweat--a welcome relief! This early sampling of Fall helps us keep our head above water and finally tackle some of those outdoor projects we've been putting off due to heat. Sadly, in Polk County, this cool-down is usually just that--a preview of Fall. Cooler temps won't arrive in earnest until October, but that doesn’t mean we can just wait. Now is the time to be tending that fall garden and working on lawn renovation. Just remember that water is important for lawns and gardens at this time of year. 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. Also, don’t forget to utilize fungicides. Whether organic or conventional, fungicide application is very important as fungal diseases are quite severe in the late Summer/early Fall. It’s going to be a great Fall, and if the Extension Office can be of service, please gives us a call.
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Scott Welborn is the County Extension Director for Polk County
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Home, Lawn, and Garden Tips for September
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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 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. Brown patch is also very prevalent this time of year, so be sure to apply a fungicide to prevent it from killing existing grass and especially your newly seeded lawn.
Shrubs and Trees
Fall is a good time to plant shrubs and trees. This gives them the entire fall and some of the winter to establish a root system, which in turn will give them a better start in the spring. Be careful not to prune plants until after the first frost to avoid soft regrowth that could be killed in the cold.
Flowers
Plant pansies and mums this month for seasonal color. This is also a good time to divide Iris. To achieve success, you'll need 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 stays above freezing. Be sure to bring them in before the first frost. You can leave them in the 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--should 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. Immediately discard 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.
Winterizing the Garden
Putting the garden to bed for the winter can prevent many of next year’s insect and disease problems. Here are some of the ways you can prepare your garden for next year's growing season.
- Start by thoroughly cleaning plant debris out of the garden. Pull out all annuals that have completed their lifecycle.
- Get your soil tested.
- Add organic matter and turn over soil to decrease insect and disease populations.
- Plant a cover crop of winter rye or annual rye grass to prevent soil erosion and to capture nutrients over the winter.
- 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.
Extending the Growing Season
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 can even continue until spring!
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.
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NC Cooperative Extension Video: Controlling Fire Ants in Your Yard
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Fall 4-H Club Registration is Open
Our Fall semester of 4-H begins in September, and each club will meet once monthly through December. While most of our 4-H Fall Clubs are full, there are a few that still have open availability:
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- Sewing Club, ages 9-18 (Monthly on the 3rd Wednesday)
- Junior Goat Club, ages 9-18 (Monthly on 3rd Friday)
- Poultry Club, ages 8-18 (Monthly on the 2nd Friday)
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Featured Club: 4-H Poultry Club
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The newest club for 4-H youth in Polk County is for those with backyard flocks or those who just have an interest in learning about chickens. This program gives youth the opportunity to learn about breeds, care, showmanship, and the poultry industry. Whether you keep poultry for eggs, meat, pets, show, or just want to learn using hands-on methods, the poultry club has something for everyone. Starts this month!
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It's a Birth-Day Contest!
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4-H goat Latté is definitely not moving as quickly as she used to. If you notice her "waddling" behind the other goats out in the pens right now, give her a pass. She'll soon be giving birth to a new kid (or two!). We know how much our 4-Hers and Extension community love the 4-H goats, so we thought it might be fun to give you an opportunity to guess which day might be the big Birth-Day for our new arrival(s). Our best estimate is sometime between September 10 through the 30th, so take the poll below to share your guess. All those who vote for the date of her actual delivery will be entered for a drawing for one (1) 4-H Goat Cup! If no one votes for the correct date, we will draw from the days closest to the winning date. We will contact the winner by phone or email, so don't forget to leave your contact information when you vote. Good luck to you and EXTRA good luck to Latté on her delivery!
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Helen Blackwell is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Polk County
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Family and Consumer Science News
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September is "National Breakfast Month," yet for many people breakfast is a low priority or not one at all. If you think you are saving time or cutting calories by skipping breakfast, think again. Making a healthy breakfast a part of your morning can help get you on track to make healthier choices throughout the day, increase your physical activity, and help curb overindulging on convenience foods and overeating at lunch. A healthy breakfast replenishes your body and can have a positive impact on your general health.
Reasons to Make Breakfast a Priority
- Skipping breakfast may increase your chances for weight gain. Eating breakfast can help reduce hunger and avoid overeating.
- Skipping breakfast may leave you feeling famished, leaving the door open for temptations such as candy, chips, and other foods from the vending machine.
- When you wake up, the blood sugar your body needs to make your muscles and brain work their best is usually low. Breakfast helps replenish it.
Research shows skipping out on breakfast can negatively impact children’s academic performance. The American Dietetic Association states that children who eat a healthy breakfast are more apt to have better concentration, alertness, creativity, miss fewer days of school, and be more active. Also, those who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to have a healthier overall diet.
Tips for Creating a Healthy Breakfast
Initiating a breakfast routine doesn't have to be time-consuming or taxing. When you are at the grocery store, try buying portable breakfast items such as fruit, low-fat yogurt, and whole grain breakfast or granola bars for when you are on the go. For when you have a little more time to focus on your morning meal, pick up whole grains (oatmeal, whole grain cereals and breads), low-fat protein (peanut butter, lean slices of poultry, meat, or fish), low-fat dairy (low-fat milk, yogurt and cheeses), and fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen or 100% juices).
A healthy breakfast might look like:
- Small whole wheat bagel with peanut butter, a banana, and a glass of skim or low-fat milk.
- Oatmeal with skim or low-fat milk topped with dried or fresh fruit and chopped nuts.
- Breakfast parfait made with low-fat yogurt, fruit, and low-fat granola.
- Sandwich made with a whole grain English muffin, turkey bacon, and low-fat cheese.
Try to stay away from sugary cereals, though, as they add calories to your diet without much nutritional value.
If you are one of the many people who skip breakfast, start eating breakfast this month and
make it a routine. Plan your breakfast the night before so you will save time in the morning. It’s never too late to start a new healthy habit.
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Members of the Polk County Extension Associates enjoyed an August outing for lunch together at the Pisgah Inn followed by a leisurely drive down through the Pisgah National Forest.
Here they are at the entrance to Looking Glass Falls in Transylvania County.
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THREE UPCOMING FOOD WORKSHOPS
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Introduction to the
Mediterranean Diet
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Want to know more about the Mediterranean Diet? Join us for a two-hour introduction on September 12 to this healthy and delicious way of eating. Get your questions answered and sample some of the dishes featured in our full Mediterranean Cooking Course.
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Preserving Meats - Sep. 18
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Preserving meat can save you a lot of money, and it doesn't have to be intimidating. Join us for a two-hour workshop where you will get hands-on with canning and dehydrating different meat types.
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Learn more about the health benefits of fermentation. Participate in a hands-on workshop that will teach you to make sauerkraut, kimchee, yogurt and kombucha.
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Greenville Holiday Fair:
Who Wants to Join Us?
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This year, we're switching things up and moving our annual FCS December field trip to a new venue: the
Greenville Holiday Fair
. But we need to know if there is enough interest to move forward with the trip. Click the link below to find out more and help us gauge interest.
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Jimmi Buell is the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Polk County
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