Washington County Cooperative Extension Service
Helping You Grow! HORTICULTURE
February 2014
Nature’s Impact on Invasive and Native Insects
Volume 10, Issue 9
Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist Inside this issue:
Prune and Fertilize Fruit 2 Trees To Do’s February
3
A Note From Dennis
3
Recipe of The Month
4
Horticulture Calendar
4
Wheelbarrow Series Registration
5
Plant of The Month
6
Like Us at Washington County Horticulture
The recent polar vortex sent temperatures plummeting and may have some significant impacts on arthropod populations for 2014. The hemlock woolly adelgid is one invasive species that seems susceptible because temperatures in the range of -4°F to -5°F can be lethal. We saw those readings over much of Kentucky, which is encouraging; however, the reproductive capability of survivors can allow populations to recover relatively quickly. The mercury has to drop substantially more to impact the emerald ash borer. A temperature of -10°F kills about 33% of exposed larvae; mortality at -20°F is almost 80%.
spending the winter are not the same as the surrounding air temperature. Snow cover and exposure aspect of host trees can provide insulation and warming. Also, survival of beneficial insects is affected.
managers can promote woodpecker populations by leaving potential nesting trees, snags, and dead limbs on live trees when practical.
Volunteers with Project Feeder Watch in the Natural same general enemies begin to area noted exert some influincreases in ence. Woodrelative numpeckers are sigbers of the nificant predators of emerald red-bellied woodpecker ash borer larvae. and the In fact, increased woodpecker whiteinterest in ash trees is one breasted nuthatch between of the early signs that the 2002 (first detection of insect may be present in an EAB) and 2011. Numbers of the downy and hairy area. Research (2008) in the Detroit, Michigan area woodpecker fluctuated indicates that woodpecker during that time but may predation in study sites was be trending upward. The Additional things keeping EAB density at ranges of these four speto remember: temperatures low to moderate densities. cies include Kentucky. where the insects are Woodlot owners and forest
Page 2
Volume 10, Issue 9
Prune and Fertilize Fruit Trees Now is the right time to sect and disease problems. prune most fruit trees. Apples, Branches that are crossing or plums, pears, cherries and just about touching should also be removed. any other tree fruit you can think of By crossing I mean they are close need a little help now before they enough that in a actively start pushfew years they will ing out new growth be rubbing or (wait and prune touching. Many peaches after flowtimes branches ering) Pruning is a will hang lower necessary process when the fruit that will increase load is high and your yields, decrease A good cut healing nicely. Notice the branch will cause wounds collar growing over the wound. insect and disease or bent areas on problems, and give the stems. If you you a healthy tree in the process. think a limb will be a problem with a When pruning fruit trees al- large fruit load then remove it. ways make cuts flush to the branch Any dried “mummy” fruit collar, this is the raised still hanging on the area with a few wrinkles tree should be reat the base of each moved and compostbranch or limb. It is ed or discarded. important that you don’t Mummies account for leave a stub or cut the the largest insect and limb flush with the disease inoculums on trunk, meaning don’t cut most fruit trees. the branch collar off. If If you see any you leave a stub it will canker spots from fire have to rot and fall off Prune out fire blight cankers. blight cut the limb before the collar can grow over and seal off the wound. If back down into healthy wood, but you cut flush to the trunk it may nev- do it soon because fire blight will be active starting in mid March. If you er properly heal and you will invite are worried about insect and disease problems. spreading fire Pruning is necessarily to re- blight further move damaged branches. Thin out then dip your the tree especially in the middle pruning equipwhere most insects and disease prob- ment in a 10% lems arise. This is a moist stagnant bleach solution area with little air flow. By thinning each time you Remove fruit mummies! the middle of your tree you will inmake a cut. crease the air flow thus decrease in-
Look for insect eggs while pruning your trees. The most prevalent will be tent caterpillar. Their eggs look like raised tar spots on the stem. The egg mass is really hard and it’s easier to prune it out than to try and scrape them off. If you want you can spray your fruit trees with dormant oil labeled for fruit trees, this will smother many of the insect eggs. Be sure to read the label and cover the branches and limbs completely.
Tent Caterpillar Eggs
If your fruit trees haven’t grown as you wish or don’t seem like they are healthy you should have a soil test done. As a general rule most fruit trees need ¼ pound 33-0-0 or ¾ pound 10-10-10 per tree per year of age broadcast under the tree. Be sure to take it out to at least the drip line where the feeder roots are. If you maintain a lawn fertilizer program your fruit trees probably don’t need fertilizing. Over fertilizing can be worse than under fertilizing because it will cause a lot of soft succulent growth, fewer flowers, and increased instance for insect and disease problems.
Volume 10, Issue 9
Page 3
To Do’s For February Trees And Shrubs February is a good time to prune trees and shrubs. Of course depending on bloom time. One note of caution on pruning, if the tree or shrub is an ornamental and blooms in the spring don’t prune it until after it blooms. Fruit trees should be pruned now through the beginning of March. If you aren’t sure what your soil needs it is always a good idea to have a soil test done. It only costs $7.00 and it will save you time and money in the long run. Now is also a good time to force branches of flowering trees and shrubs indoors. Several varieties such as flowering quince, dogwood, forsythia, star magnolia, crabapple, flowering cherry, and pussy willow are all good candidates for forcing.
Vegetables
can be applied now or anytime. You If you are growing your own don’t need lime on a lawn unless the pH is below 6.0. vegetable transplants in window seals or under lights remember as a Don’t apply nitrogen now. general rule it takes about six weeks Wait until October, November, or for a good sized transplant to grow. December. Nitrogen applications in This means the spring will force your grass to you can start brocco- grow succulently and quickly causing more frequent mowing and weak li, cabbage, caulishallow rooted turf which will be flower, kohlrabi, more susceptible to drought. Chinese cabbage, and other cool seaApply phosphorus and son garden plants in potassium anytime of the year as mid February. These your soil test indicates. will be planted in Mid February and March are the garden in late March. the times to sow new lawns or over Again, take a soil sample seed old ones. September is the best now for your vegetable garden. This time but now is the second best. will keep your fertilizer bill down Pre-emergent control and your plants healthy. herbicides can be applied in late If you haven’t ordered your vegetable seeds yet go ahead and do it so you will get them in plenty of time for spring. Lawn If your lawn needs lime it
February and March. This will help control annual weeds. A second application may be needed in late May or June for good crabgrass control. Don’t apply pre-emergent herbicides if you sowed or plan to sow grass seed this spring.
A Note From Dennis I hope you like the new layout of the newsletter, I thought it was time for a change. This winter has been very cold and snowy compared to the last several we have had and I think most of us are ready for spring! The girls are even complaining about the snow days especially after we explained to them that they can go now or in June! They quickly realized their summer break was being taken up by snow days of which very few have been days where there was enough snow to play in, and if it was, the wind chill was way too low to stay out for long. I hope you have all found a few Wheelbarrow Classes you liked and have registered for them. Most classes are still open but a few are getting close to the cut off numbers so make haste! It is always interesting which classes have the most interest, many of which depends on if they are free or there is a supply charge. You would think that the free ones would out pace the ones with a charge but that isn’t generally the case. I guess we all like gardening too much to not want more plants!
Page 4
Volume 10, Issue 9
Plate It Up Green Casserole 2 pounds fresh Kentucky Proud kale, collards or other greens 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup flour 2 cups milk 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 hard-boiled Kentucky Proud eggs, chopped 1/2 cup bread crumbs 2 tablespoons melted butter
Wash greens well, cleaning each leaf and removing stems and coarse ribs. Cook greens in enough boiling water to keep from cooking dry about 15 minutes. Drain. Melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Add milk. Cook over medium heat with constant stirring, until mixture comes to a boil. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted. Mix in chopped hard-boiled eggs and greens. Place in a greased casserole ( 1 1/2 or 2 quart). Toss crumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle on top of greens mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes
The Rescheduled Master Gardener Association Formation Meeting is Thursday March 13th at 7:30 PM Immediately Following The Wheelbarrow Series Class!
February Horticulture Calendar Tuesday February 11th at 10:30 AM and Thursday February 13th at 6:30 PM at the Extension Office the Wheelbarrow Series Class is on Starting Seeds at Home and everyone will receive tomato seeds for FREE! Monday February 17th at 10:AM The Springfield Green Festival Planning Committee meeting at City Hall Thursday February 20th at 3:30 PM at the Extension Office 4H Seed Sprouters Garden Club meeting February 25th-27th Extension Agents Out of Office for State Extension Conf.
Volume 10, Issue 9
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 Minus 10% If Paid In Full By February 15th. 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
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
February Plant of The Month - Witchhazel “Kohankie Red� Information taken from Klem Songsparrow Farm Nursery: http://www.songsparrow.com/catalog/plantdetails.cfm?ID=3514&type=WOODY,&pagetype=plantdetails
Late winter fragrant bloomer! Curly petals form bright red blooms that mature to a more muted red. We have maintained stock of this beautiful, early spring bloomer from the old Kohankie Nursery in Perry, Ohio. Vigorous, healthy grower. Attractive green foliage turns golden-orange to red tones in fall. Own root plants. Size: 6' tall x 5' wide in 10 years. Plant zones: 4-8. Genus/Common Name: Hamamelis/Witchazel Light Requirements: full sun/partial shade From Dennis: Witchhazels are tough native plants (although this is most likely a cultivar) that are very forgiving and not fussy about soil types and will grow in soils that may not have optimum fertility. They help kick off the late winter/early spring garden with blooms and then give you beautiful fall colors to end it. Kohankie Red will make a great addition to any garden.