Washington County Cooperative Extension Service
Helping You Grow! HORTICULTURE
April 2014 Volume 10, Issue 4 Inside this issue:
To Do’s For April
2
Browning Evergreens Continued
3
Washington County Garden Club News
3
Lincoln Trail Beekeepers News
4
Horticulture Calendar
4
Wheelbarrow Series Calendar
5
Growing Asparagus
6-7
Lincoln Homestead Master 7 Gardener News
Recipe of The Month
8
Springfield Green Festival Flyer
9
Like Us at Washington County Horticulture
Do You Have Browning Evergreens? This winter we had very cold drying winds that seemed to cause many evergreens especially holly some problems. The problem started in December and continued in January and February when the polar vortex dropped south for the entire winter. February came in cold and stayed that way the entire month. We never got above freezing for several weeks! Many landscape plants including holly, magnolia, boxwood, rhododendron, azalea, and English ivy were damaged. Most of these plants have tips of leaves or tips of branches that turned brown during this cold snap. Most times the damage is only on the outer most portion of the plant but it can burn into the interior of the plant. In most cases the damage is only cosmetic and nothing to worry about.
If you just can’t stand the sight of brown leaves on your evergreens you can trim it out, however they will likely fall off on their own. If the leaf tip is damaged and not the entire leaf it may not drop, again, if you don’t like it trim it out. Most plants will grow out and the damaged leaves won’t be noticeable by the middle of summer if not sooner. It is a good idea to fertilize these damaged plants to help force new growth to cover the browning leaves. You can use an all purpose fertilizer such as 10-10 -10 or a specialty fertilizer for a
Page 2
Volume 10, Issue
4
April To Do’s If you haven’t cut your peren- You can plant potatoes, onions, nials back, do it before the new cole crops, lettuce, peas, carSharpen mower blades and growth starts. rots, beets, etc. now. change the oil in you mower before making your first cut of the season. Pinch off the spent flowers If you started seedlings infrom spring bulbs before they make seed heads. This will cause more food storage in the bulb and increase flower size and productivity for next year.
doors gradually acclimate them to the outdoors. They will sun and wind burn easily. Give them 30 minutes to an hour the first day outDon’t cut spring flowering doors and gradubulb foliage back until it turns ally increase it in 30 minute to completely yellow or brown. an hour increments for a week or so until they have toughened up. Plant trees and shrubs now, spring rains will help them to get established before hot dry Uncover your weather sets in. roses! Keep the mulch handy in case Save money on fertilizer by adding organic matter to your we have an exflower and vegetable gardens. treme late cold snap like last year. Prune out any dead, You can plant tender bulbs damaged or diseased tissue. such as canna, calla, and dahlia later in the month. Apply slow release fertilizer at plant- Spray your lawn for broadleaf weeds. For more information ing. stop by the Extension Office If you haven’t and pick up the publiplanted your cation AGR-78. spring vegetable garden due to the wet Don’t apply nitrogen weather you fertilizer to your lawn still have time. in the spring.
After flowering spray fruit trees with an all purpose fruit tree spray. Never spray while in flower you will kill the bees that you desperately need for pollination. Apply a fresh layer of mulch to your landscape beds. Plant your mail order or bare root plants as soon as possible. If you haven’t cut your blackberry canes that fruited last year back do it now before the new growth begins. Depending on the Raspberries you are growing you should cut back the canes that fruited last year. If you are growing the varieties that fruit on new and old wood cut them back to the ground if you didn’t do it last fall. These will grow all summer and give you a large crop in late summer and fall.
Volume 10, Issue
4
Page 3
Browning Evergreens? Continued…. specific crop. Acid loving plants will prefer an acidifying fertilizer such as Holly Tone or Miracid. This summer take a little extra care of these damaged plants. If we have a hot
dry summer these plants would benefit from a deep watering. Other than that, don’t worry most of your plants will be fine!
Join The Washington County Garden Club Today! The Washington County Garden Club is taking on a revamp this year in hopes of further participation. We are preplanning many of our meetings and have made a great deal of headway already! The dues are only $10.00 and this is a great opportunity to join! As of today our meetings/trips are scheduled as follows with more to come! Wednesday April 23, We will meet at Country Place Greenhouse at 6:00 PM. This will be a great time to pay dues and RSVP for future meetings. Please make an effort to be there. As usual Garden Club Members will receive a discount. Friday May 2, We will visit Joann Luek’s in Crestwood Kentucky, she has a tremen-
dous variety of iris. We will depart from the Washington County Extension Office at 8:30 AM sharp! We will also make a stop at Yew Dell to see their spring displays. If you remember last year we
el to Southern Indiana to see Don Smith’s large selection of peonies and then travel to Bob Hill’s Hidden Hill Nursery. We will meet at the Extension Office and depart promptly at 8:30 AM. Saturday June 7, Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour. We will depart from the Extension Office at 8:30 AM, and car pool to Bardstown. Cost of tickets are $7.00 each and must be paid by June 5.
Friday June 27, We will depart for Bardstown at visited in mid summer so this 9:30 AM from the Extension should be a treat as well! Office. We will see Master Wednesday May 14, Meet at Gardeners Marie Seamen, Mamma’s Touch Nursery in Cleo Philon, and Mildred Fredericktown at 6:00 PM. Cambron’s Gardens featuring Sarah says to not eat supper perennials, daylilies and garbecause she is planning a den ponds. treat. MORE TO COME!!!! Friday May 23, We will trav-
Page 4
Volume 10, Issue 4
Lincoln Trail Beekeeper’s Association News Anyone interested in beekeeping in our area should join our local beekeepers association. They meet the first Monday of the month at 6:30 PM at the Washington County Extension Office. Dues are $10.00. These meetings will feature educational programs as well as the a chance to visit and fellowship with like minded apiarists. Upcoming meetings: Monday April 7th at 6:30 PM Regular Meeting Monday May 5th at 6:30 PM Beekeeper and Fellow Horticulture Agent Beth Wilson of Pulaski County will discuss Landscape Plants for Honeybees. Monday June 2nd at 6:30 PM Dr. Tom Webster from Kentucky State University will discuss beehive mite and beetle control in honeybees.
April Horticulture Calendar Monday April 7, Mackville Lions Club at 6:30 PM Tuesday April 8, Wheelbarrow Series Class on Growing and Using Culinary Herbs at 10:30 AM at the Extension Office. This will also be taught as the Homemaker Lesson and all are invited to attend. Thursday April 10, Wheelbarrow Series Class on Growing and Using Culinary Herbs at 6:30 PM at the Extension Office. This will also be taught as the Homemaker Lesson and all are invited to attend. Thursday April 17, Lincoln Homestead Master Gardener Association Meeting at 6:30 PM at the Extension Office
row Series Class at 10:30 AM rounding areas. See Flyer Enat the Extension Office on “The closed. Other Pollinators” Tuesday April 22, Community Earth Day Celebration at the Farmers Market at the Depot in Springfield at Noon. Free Lunch! Wednesday April 23, Washington County Garden Club meeting at Country Place Greenhouse at 6:00 PM. Thursday April 24, Wheelbarrow Series Class at 6:30 PM at the Extension Office on “The Other Pollinators”.
Saturday April 26, From 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM the First Annual Springfield Green Festival at The Farmers Tuesday April 22, Wheelbar- Market At the Depot and sur-
Tuesday April 29, Wheelbarrow Series Class on The Exceptional World of Dahlia’s. Class starts at 10:30 AM at the Extension Office.
Volume 10, Issue 4
Page 5
Wheelbarrow Series Registration-Classes Meet Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and Thursdays at 6:30 PM For More Information Call 859-336-7741 Feb Mar Mar Mar April April April May May May June June Aug Aug Sept Sept Oct Oct Oct Nov Dec
11 13 11 13 18 20 25 27 8 10 22 24 29 1 13 15 20 22 10 12 24 26 5 7 19 21 16 18 30 2 14 16 18 20 2 4
Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs Tues Thurs
Starting Seeds At Home Starting Seeds At Home Growing Root Vegetables In KY Growing Root Vegetables In KY Lesser Known Fruit Series-Medlar and Rose Hips Lesser Known Fruit Series-Medlar and Rose Hips Lesser Known Fruit Series-Josta and Goji Berry Lesser Known Fruit Series-Josta and Goji Berry Herb Gardening For Culinary Use Herb Gardening For Culinary Use The Other Pollinators The Other Pollinators The Exceptional World of Dahlia’s The Exceptional World of Dahlia’s Growing Vining Vegetables In Kentucky Growing Vining Vegetables In Kentucky Begonias! Begonias! The Great Hellebores The Great Hellebores Make and Take Hypertufa Planters Make and Take Hypertufa Planters Cole Crops For Fall and Winter Harvest Cole Crops For Fall and Winter Harvest Fall Cover and Green Manure Crops Fall Cover and Green Manure Crops Long Blooming Perennials Long Blooming Perennials Alternative Hardy Spring Flowering Bulbs Alternative Hardy Spring Flowering Bulbs Trees for Food and Wildlife Habitat Trees for Food and Wildlife Habitat Healthy Hollies for Kentucky Landscapes Healthy Hollies for Kentucky Landscapes Creating The Ultimate Holiday Centerpieces Creating The Ultimate Holiday Centerpieces Basic Registration For Any and All Classes Total From Above Total
FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! $25.00 $25.00 $20.00 $20.00 FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! $25.00 $25.00 FREE! FREE! $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! $20.00 $20.00 FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! $25.00 $25.00 $5.00
x
Volume 10, Issue 4
One of the first true signs that spring is here is that first mess of asparagus and it has finally emerging from its cold winter nap. If you haven’t checked your bed yet do so soon or you might lose your first picking. If you would like to start a bed of asparagus now is the time to plant! Asparagus is a long lived perennial vegetable crop. Each plant can be productive for 15 or more years if given proper care. Asparagus will grow in most any soil as long as it has good drainage. Asparagus doesn’t like to have wet feet, it leads to root rot. An ideal pH of 6.5 to 7.5 will give you good results; it will not tolerate a pH under 6.0. If you are thinking of planting asparagus have a soil test done and the soil amended before planting. If you aren’t willing to test your soil apply 10-20-10 or a similar fertilizer at a rate of 6 pounds per 1000 square feet; this can also be broadcast around established plants for added growing power. Only buy one year old, healthy, disease-free crowns from a reputable grower. Asparagus is sold in crowns which are one year old plants grown from seed. When fully established each crown can
produce ½ pound of asparagus spears. You can start your own asparagus from seed but it will have to grow one year where you sow it. The following spring it will have to be dug and spaced out in its permanent location. This basically means you lose one year of spear production in your garden. Another disadvantage to planting asparagus by seed is getting the variety you want; the best varieties aren’t usually available in seed form. When selecting a variety of asparagus there are some interesting things to consider. There are new varieties on the market which are far superior to the old varieties. New all male hybrid asparagus such as Jersey Giant, Jersey Prince, and Jersey Knight, these varieties do not produce seed. Basically when asparagus seeds the new plants become weeds that must be pulled out as to not overcrowd the bed. Female plants expand a lot of energy making seeds and don’t produce as many edible spears as do the male plants. The new all male asparagus varieties generally out produce the old Mary Washington varieties by 3 to 1. Asparagus should be planted after the soil has warmed up to about 50 degrees, usually in April. There is no advantage to planting it
earlier because it won’t grow until the soil warms and the longer it sets in cold wet soil the more likely it is to rot. If you plant asparagus in the vegetable garden plant it on the west or north side so it won’t shade the other vegetables. When planting asparagus dig a furrow no deeper than 5-6 inches, if you plant it any deeper overall yield will be reduced. Apply 1 pound of 046-0 (triple super phosphate) or 2 pounds 0-20-0 (super phosphate) fertilizer per 50 foot of row in the bottom of the furrow before planting. This will stimulate root growth and increase later yields. Toss the crowns into the furrow on top of the fertilizer, it won’t burn the roots, and the plants will grow just fine regardless of how they land in the furrow. The crowns should be space 11/2 feet apart. If you plant more than one row space them five feet apart. After planting, back fill the furrow to its original level. You don’t have to gradually fill the furrow, just make sure not to walk on it; this will pack the soil down. If the soil is warm and the asparagus is kept moist it should emerge in a week or so after planting. One important thing to remember is NOT to harvest the asparagus the first season. It will need all of its energy to produce a larger crown and store food for the following season. If we have a dry summer keep it watered, especially the Continued Next Page
Volume 10, Issue 4
first year. Generally asparagus doesn’t need to be irrigated, however if we have an exceptional drought the following years harvest will be reduced if you don’t irrigate.
and cool. By keeping the soil cool the asparagus will be delayed and won’t be as likely to get frost damaged in the spring. Around the last of March the old ferns can be mowed as low as possible.
emerge. This will kill any existing weeds; this is a good time to apply a layer of mulch. It’s a good idea to apply ½ pound of ammonium nitrate fertilizer per 50 feet of row each year when harvest is finThere aren’t many inished. This will increase shoot sect and disease problems on I have always heard of asparagus. The one real prob- people using salt for weed con- growth, which will increase lem is asparagus beetles which trol in asparagus, but it’s real- food storage, which will inchew on the leaves and stems ly not necessary. Salt will ac- crease harvest the following spring. causing them to turn brown. tually impede water infiltraThis can reduce the yield the tion into the soil and can leach Once you start harvestfollowing season. Sevin will into surrounding areas killing ing asparagus it can continue give good control of asparagus other vegetables and plants until 75% of the new spears beetles; simply spray at the that aren’t as salt tolerant. emerging from the soil are less first signs of damage. The first year use a good layer than 3/8 of an inch wide. At At the end of the grow- of mulch for weed control, and this point you should disconing season don’t cut down the it will also conserve moisture. tinue harvest. Asparagus should be harvested in the ferns. Leave them through the You can also use labeled premorning while it is freshest winter. They will help protect emergent herbicides. If you have an old patch of asparagus and stored in the refrigerator the root systems by catching you can spray round up over at 38-40 degrees. snow and keep the soil moist the bed before the fronds
Lincoln Homestead Master Gardeners News About a week ago this organization was formed to help build a community oriented organization of Master Gardeners that completed their training in Washington County. The official name has been adopted as The Lincoln Homestead Master Gardener Association. The President is Jeanette Spalding, VP and Secretary is Miranda Simpson, and the Treasurer is Bob Goodlett. Upcoming Meetings and Events: Thursday April 17th at 7:30 PM at the Extension Office, Regular Meeting Tuesday April 22nd at 11:30 AM the Association has agreed to facilitate planting the Butter Bean Tent and Flowers at the Earth Day Celebration at the Farmers Market at The Depot. We should finish around 1:15 PM. FREE LUNCH! Saturday April 26th the Lincoln Homestead Master Gardeners will hold a fundraiser from the Washington County Extension Booth at the First Annual Springfield Green Festival. All members are expected to donate any extra plants, seeds, or other items they may have to be sold. We do need volunteers to run the booth for part of the day. The festival starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 6:00 PM.
A Note From Dennis
Volume 10 Issue 4
Well, it seems spring is finally making an appearance! It has been a long cold winter and I know we all are looking forward to finally getting our hands dirty again. Even though it has been cold I have been working on a lot of projects of late such as helping put together the first ever Springfield Green Festival set for April 26th. We now have a Master Gardener Association in Washington County, they are officially the Lincoln Homestead Master Gardeners. The annual Community Earth Day Celebration is set for the 22nd at the Farmers Market Pavilion and all are welcome and there will be a free lunch! The Washington County Garden Club is going to be very active this year with the line up of meetings in this newsletter (please join if you like to garden). Also, The Lincoln Trail Beekeepers have some great educational meetings planned as well, and of course don’t forget the Wheelbarrow Series is up and running strong! Happy Gardening!
Plant of The Month - Phlox subulata Blue Information taken from Bluestone Perennials http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/PHBL.html Captivating clear blue-lavender flowers blanket the evergreen needle-like foliage of Phlox Blue. The glossy dark green foliage has a wonderful compact growing habit. Will cascade beautifully over a rock wall or down a slope. Blooming in mid-spring, it pairs nicely near bulbs. Phlox subulata are low-growing, showy plants suitable for cascading over walls or down a slope. Spreads rapidly to cover any open sunny spot. In rich soil, as much as 2' across, completely covered with flowers in mid-spring. Prefers sandy soil. Perennial Groundcover Grows 4” tall 18” wide Full Sun Zones 3-8 Normal Soil Blue/Lavender Flowers Attracts Hummingbirds Edges Well Humidity Tolerant Rabbit Resistant Evergreen Hot Dry Tolerant Loves Sun
Volume 10 Issue 4
Washington County Cooperative Extension Service 211 Progress Road Springfield KY, 40069 Office 859-336-7741 Fax 859-336-7445 Email dennis.morgeson@uky.edu
We Are On The Web!!! washington.ca.uky.edu Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/WashingtonCounty-Horticulture/140659449317295
Recipe of The Month-Asparagus, Roasted Pepper, and Quinoa Salad Directions Combine the quinoa and chicken broth and simmer for about 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed (just follow package directions and use broth instead of water)
Ingredients 1 cup Quinoa 2 cups chicken broth ¼ teaspoons salt 8 ounces diagonal cut asparagus 3/4 cup diced roasted red bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Grated zest of 1 orange 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and spread it out on a baking sheet or a large plate to cool without clumping. Rinse out the saucepan and then bring about an inch of water to a boil to steam the asparagus. Cook the asparagus in a steamer basket over the boiling water, covered, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Put the asparagus in a large bowl along with the roasted peppers. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, smoked paprika, orange zest, orange juice, vinegar, a 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Add the olive oil slowly, whisking to combine. Add the quinoa to the bowl with the vegetables. Drizzle the dressing over the top, add the parsley and then toss the salad gently with a spatula. Serve at room temperature.
First Annual
Springfield GREEN Festival Organized By New Pioneers For A Sustainable Future Saturday April 26, 2014 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM 101 Depot Street (Farmers Market at the Depot) Springfield, Kentucky 40069
Green Market Featuring
Handmade Furniture
Flower and Vegetable Plants
Locally Made Baked Goods
Heirloom Seeds
Large Blueberry Bushes
Alpaca Products
Local Foods and Meats
Free Recipes
Native American Art
Soaps
Paintings and Pottery
Jams and Jellies
Food and Beverage Vendors
WC Cattleman’s Local Beef
Kentucky Beer and Wine
Bluebird Cafe
Heine Brothers Coffee
Test Drive A “Hybrid”
“Green” Living
Entertainment
Live Local Music All Day!!!
Sustainable Kids Activities
4H Pony Rides
Face Painting
Rock Painting
WC Public Library Kids Program
Much More!!!
For More Information Visit New Pioneers Events Page At The Facebook Link Below: https://www.facebook.com/newpioneers/events Washington County Cooperative Extension Service
Springfield Tourism Commission
Energy Savings
Geo Thermal
Solar Power
Recycling
Gardening
Mushroom Logs
Composting
Solar Cooking
Beekeeping
Knitting
Spinning