Washington County Cooperative Extension Service
HORTICULTURE March 2015
Time To Plant Cool Season Vegetables
Volume 11, Issue 3 Inside this issue:
Cool Season Vegetables
2
March Lawn Care
2
March Lawn Care
3
Ag Tag
4
Beekeepers News
4
March To Do’s
5
A Note From Dennis
5
Master Gardener Associa- 6 tion News/Events Plant of The Month
6
Wheelbarrow Series Schedule
7
Recipe Of The Month
8
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Mid to late March is an ideal time to plant your cool season or spring garden. Potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, onions, peas, and many other crops can be planted this month. Lettuce can also be planted, however you will want to cover it with remay fabric (tobacco canvas). If you haven’t started cole crop (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower etc.) seedlings yet you should just buy the plants in a few weeks from a trustworthy nursery. This will save you time and trouble unless you are growing a great deal of it. If you haven’t had your soil tested you still have time to get it back before it is too late for your spring garden. It generally takes only a couple of weeks to return. Vegetables for a spring garden grow best at relatively cool temperatures (55-65 degrees). These plants produce their vegetative growth during springs short cool days. If they are planted too late, summer
heat will reduce the quantity and quality of your produce. Cool season crops planted too late may bolt, become bitter, and have a poor texture. Spring vegetables should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. A light frost will not harm most cool season plants after they have become acclimated to the garden. When working the soil in the spring make sure it is dry enough. If the soil is too wet will become cloddy and hard. This could change the soil structure and cause you problems for several years. If you squeeze a hand full of soil and it crumbles easily when you let go the soil is dry enough to work. Generally organic mulch is a very good idea in a garden, however not in a spring garden. Mulch will shade the soil and keep it cool; in the spring however it is better to let the sun reach the soil. The
Time To Plant Cool Season Vegetables soil will warm faster and your crops will do better. A black plastic mulch will help warm the soil, however it will have to be removed later in the spring because it will become too hot for cool weather plants. You should plant cool season plants together so you use the same place later. This will make working the soil in the summer for your fall garden much easier. Most spring garden crops can be “double cropped” in Kentucky, credit our long growing season and the fact that we have relatively mild spring and fall seasons. If you are going to plant a spring and fall garden and are going
to “double crop” be sure not to plant closely related crops in the same area. This will increase the chances of disease and insect carryover problems. For more information on growing vegetables in Kentucky stop by the Washington County Extension Office and pick up booklet ID-128 Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky at: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/i d/id128/id128.pdf
March Lawn Care There are several grasses adapted to central Kentucky. Kentucky bluegrass and fescue are the two best varieties for us, however. Many lawn problems can be avoided by planting the right cultivars for our area. The best cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass are Keeneland, Blue Note, Skye, Nu Chicago, Legend, Midnight, Rush, Empire, America, Avid, Arrowhead, Shamrock, and Baron. Kentucky bluegrass prefers a well-drained sight in light shade to full sun. Kentucky bluegrass is well adapted to central Kentucky. It is fine textured and has good resiliency and it has a good low spreading hab-
it. Like any other grass Kentucky Bluegrass isn’t without its problems it has poor traffic tolerance, its not adapted to heavy shade, has susceptibility to insect and disease problems, will have excessive thatch buildup if heavy doses of nitrogen are applied, and it needs irrigation in dry periods and if nitrogen has been applied. Kentucky bluegrass will go dormant in hot dry weather if not irrigated, which means you will have a brown turf in July and August. When sowing Kentucky bluegrass plant a mixture of more than one cultivar; it can also be mixed with
perennial ryegrass and fine fescues to alleviate some of the problems with each type of grass. They will mask each others weaknesses so to speak. Tall fescue is probably the most planted grass in the country considering it is planted beside most roadways. It is used throughout Kentucky for lawns, hay, and pasture. A properly managed lawn of tall fescue has little resemblance to a pasture field however. Clumping can be a problem in tall fescue if a thick stand is not obtained. The best cultivars of tall fescue are Regenerate, Grade 3, Hemi, Bizem, Fesnova, Catalyst, Bullseye, Falcon IV, Falcon V, Terrano, and Firebird 2. These cultivars have a finer texture than Kentucky 31 tall fescue and aren’t quite as tough. The tall fescues are the “multi -purpose” turf grasses. They grow
well in full sun to medium shade and perform well in heavy clay to sandy soil. They have good traffic tolerance, no serious insect problems, competes well with weeds, not much thatch buildup, only small amounts of irrigation needed in drought situations, and germinate quickly.
Central Kentucky is September and the next best time is March. Below is a few steps in turf renovation:
Problems include an inability to spread laterally, requires more frequent mowing than other turf, and can have brown patch problems in hot dry summers. Mixing with other species is not a good idea because of mowing and texture differences.
If you plan on planting fine fescue in an area that has sun and shade mix 50-80% Kentucky bluegrass to insure a complete stand in sun and shade. The best times to sow grass seed in
Spread a thin layer of clean straw on the area to conserve moisture and water in well.
Keep the area well watered.
Have a soil test done.
If over thirty percent of your lawn is weeds or bare it is best to redo the entire area.
To renovate your lawn kill the
When the turf is 4-6 inches tall it can be mowed high to even it out and to cut the tips off of the blades. This will cause the blades to thicken and the grass plants to toughen. The straw generally decomposes or is chopped up with the mower. If the grass and straw clump up you can use a bagger or rake the area.
There are several species of grass defined as fine fescues. These should not be confused with the fine leaved tall fescue mentioned earlier. The grass blades of fine fescue have much finer leaf blades than even bluegrass. Chewing fescue has been the best fine fescue performer in Kentucky. Cultivars include Banner III, Brittany III, Creeping Red Fescue, Shademaster II, and Victory II. These varieties are well adapted to heavy shade and is generally the are where they are most used. They are tolerant of low fertility, drought, and acidic soils. Fine fescue problems include poor traffic tolerance, goes semi dormant in full sun in the summer, has slow lateral spread, and will not survive heavy nitrogen applications.
existing lawn and weeds with roundup or some other nonselective herbicide. After a couple of weeks till the lawn area and remove any debris including rocks and dead grass clumps.
Apply any fertilize or lime that is suggested by the soil test and in- corporate it into the soil.
Rake the area down smooth and remove any large clods.
Broadcast your turf seed.
Roll the area with a roller or heavy object to make sure the seed is in good contact with the soil.
If you only have a few bald spots individual areas can be treated in similar ways as in renovation.
Grass seed needs light to germinate so do not cover it with soil.
If your grass is thin you can simply over seed your lawn area with more grass seed and hope for the best. If possible rake over the area to help the seed come into contact with the soil. Seeding rates vary by species. Tall fescue (because it is a clumping turf grass) should be seeded at 6lbs per 1000 sq ft. Kentucky bluegrass and the fine fescues should be seeded at 2 lbs per 1000 sq ft.
Some information for this article obtained from AGR-52 Selecting the Right Grass For Your Kentucky Lawn, By the late Dr. A.J. Powell, University of Kentucky
AG TAG VOLUNTARY DONATION PROGRAM BENEFITS 4-H, FFA, AND KENTUCKY PROUD As you renew your farm license plates today, please consider making the $10 donation on each tag. The money is evenly split between Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and Kentucky Proud. The Ag Tag Voluntary Donation Program is supported by Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer. Last year, the Kentucky 4-H and Kentucky FFA each received a statewide total of $169,280.21. The 4-H share of the funds is split between the county where the funds originated and the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. That means part of your Ag Tag donation stays right here in our county, funding 4-H programs and activities that teach our youth about leadership, citizenship, science and technology, communications, public speaking, agriculture, and more. The 4-H Foundation uses the state portion to support programs many of our 4-H members participate in furthering their positive experiences and opportunities. Making your $10 donation is an excellent opportunity for our agricultural community to support the youth of our community and help fund the programs that can make a lasting difference in their lives. As you renew your farm license plates today, please consider making the $10 donation on each tag. For more information about the Kentucky 4-H Foundation visit www.kentucky4hfoundation.org
Lincoln Trail Beekeeper’s Association News and Events The beekeepers meet the first Monday of the month at the Washington County Cooperative Extension Office at 6:00 PM, with a potluck dinner. Aprils meeting speaker has not been determined yet.
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March To Do’s
Now is a good time to plan your flower and vegetable garden layout. Look through garden catalogs and landscaping books. Plan on using plants that you have experience with and new varieties, and always try to buy plants that are disease resistant. Check local nurseries for cul tivar availability. Generally locally grown plants are better and you get to look at the plants before you buy them. March and April are good months for planting fruit crops. When planting apples choose more than one variety for pollination and fruit set. There are several apples that are good and disease resistant in Kentucky, such as Liberty, Redfree, Enterprise, or Pristine. For a more complete list call me at the office.
It is also a good time to plant thornless blackberries (Apache, Arapaho, Triple Crown), raspberries (Heritage, Autumn Bliss, Fallgold, Brandywine, Royalty, Caroline)
eases that cause premature defoliation each year and can weaken trees over time.
March and April are also good months for planting trees and shrubs.
Early March is a good time to prune summer-flowering trees and shrubs such as clethra, beautyberry, butterfly bush, golden raintree, mimosa, and only the following hydrangeas (Annabelle, Hills of Snow, Peegee). Do not prune other hydrangeas or they will not bloom this year.
You can also spray raspberry and blackberry with a liquid limesulphur spray to help control anthracnose. This will not control it completely, however it will help and additional sprays during the growing season will be needed. A dormant spray of copper sulfate should be applied to apple and pear trees by the first of April to improve control of fireblight. Be sure to spray the entire tree. A streptomycin sulfate spray (if available) during the growing season will also help.
It’s a good idea to start spraying fruit trees for diseases as well. Apply liquid lime-sulfur spray on peach and plum trees anytime before the buds start to swell. This single spray will almost completely control peach leaf curl and plum pocket. Two dis-
A Note From Dennis We have had our second bad winter in a row and I hope it is another 20 years before we see the cold temperatures and snow that February brought. The record cold and snow will go down as some of the worst winter weather Kentucky has to offer. I have worked in Extension for 10 years and it was the first time we have been closed for an entire week! Tori and Gabby are finally sick of snow and cold too! As I type this we are forecast for 8 inches more snow, when I told the girls they just groaned and asked when it was ever going to warm up? The Wheelbarrow Series has gotten off to a good start and the weather hasn’t caused any cancellations and rescheduling yet, I wish I could say the same for the Master Gardener Program that is going on now as well! Happy Gardening!
Lincoln Homestead Master Gardener Association News/Events March 12 (6:00 PM first floor of Hundley Library) Landscaping and plants presented by Nick Kipper. We again meet at St Catherine's and will have pork barbecue sandwiches so please bring accompaniments.
val in Springfield. Need volunteers to staff our booth. This is an excellent opportunity to get your volunteer hours. Help increase awareness of the Master Gardener program benefits and mission.
April 9 (6:00 PM at the Extension Office) We plan to make hypertufa planters early for adequate drying that we can plant later in the month for the Green Fest. Wear clothes you don't worry about getting messed and join the fun making these light weight vessels at Extension office. We need to finalize plans for the Green Festival – what we will have available to sell and volunteers for the booth.
May 14 (6:00 PM at the Extension Office) Lyda Moore will share her presentation given at the International Master Gardeners gathering in South Korea last September. Lyda and Pat Schwartz will also share pictures and stories of their South Korean experience.
April 25 Saturday Green Festi-
Future Programs to include St Louis Botanical Garden with Joe Rogers and CD presentation of Gardens of the World In Nov and Dec shall we again
sell wreaths? This was a fun volunteer project which not only made people aware of our Master Gardener Assoc but more importantly, raised $500 for the Backpack Food program. To repeat this service project we need people to canvass businesses, factories and individuals and then help make the wreaths. For more information contact Jeanette Hase –Spalding 481-1715
The current Master Gardener Class meets each Thursday Evening from 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM at the Saint Catharine College Library. For more information about the program and to sign up for future classes contact Dennis Morgeson Agent for Horticulture for Washington County at 859-336-7741
Plant of The Month - Rising Sun Redbud This fabulous new redbud is giving many plant lovers a big case of Gotta-Have-It! The leaf colors are spectacular, with new growth starting apricot, graduating to vivid gold, and finally to bright green. And if you water in dry spells, it will keep flushing the tangerine new growth over the entire summer into fall! Its tough constitution lets it withstand drought, heat, poor soil and pollution, while the leaves are impervious to sunburn. Excellent for wildlife, too – in spring, butterflies and early-arriving hummingbirds love the nectar of the small, bright pink flowers. Later, the seeds attract a number of songbirds, including goldfinches, quail, and the occasional - See more at: http://www.springhillnursery.com/product/the-risingsun-redbud/flowering_trees#sthash.QKo4Hhxb.dpuf
2015 Wheelbarrow Series Class Schedule (You Can Still Register) January
27th
February
3rd
March
3rd
March
24th
March
31st
April
7th
April
28th
May
12th
June
2nd
June
23rd
August
25th
September 15th September 29th 29th October 13rd 13rd October 27th 27th November 3rd 3rd
Morning Evening Morning
Starting Seeds Outdoors In Winter Starting Seeds Outdoors In Winter Introduction To Beekeeping
FREE! FREE! FREE!
Evening
Introduction To Beekeeping
FREE!
Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening Morning Evening
Vegetable Gardening With Heirloom Varieties Vegetable Gardening With Heirloom Varieties “Souper” Special “Souper” Special Growing Primocane Blackberries and Raspberries Growing Primocane Blackberries and Raspberries Caladiums, Callas, Cannas OH MY! Caladiums, Callas, Cannas OH MY! New and Exciting Annuals and Perennials New and Exciting Annuals and Perennials Growing Sweet Potatoes Growing Sweet Potatoes Clematis….Queen Of Vines Clematis….Queen Of Vines Hardy Asters for Kentucky Gardens Hardy Asters for Kentucky Gardens The “Other” Iris The “Other” Iris Extending The Vegetable Garden Season Extending The Vegetable Garden Season African Violets African Violets The “True” Lilies The “True” Lilies Creating A Meadow Garden Creating A Meadow Garden Holiday Cactus Holiday Cactus
$10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $25.00 $25.00 FREE! FREE! $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $20.00 $20.00 FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! $20.00 $20.00 FREE! FREE! $10.00 $10.00
Basic Registration For Any and All Classes
$5.00
Total From Above Total
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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
March Recipe Of The Month Spinach, Bacon, And Gruyere Quiche Ingredients 2 Tablespoons salted butter 1 small onion 1 8 oz. package frozen chopped spinach (thawed squeezed and drained) or 3 bunches fresh chopped spinach 8 ounces Gruyere or cheese of choice, grated about 2 cups 8 large eggs 3 ounces chopped bacon bits or pieces 3 cups half and half or milk Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, add frozen drained spinach to warm 1 to 2 minutes. If using fresh spinach add it to the mix when adding the onion to the butter. Divide spinach mixture, bacon bits, and cheese between prepared crusts. Place each crust on a separate rimmed baking sheet. (You can layer the spinach and cheese or mix them together.) In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, .25 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Dividing evenly, pour egg mixture into crusts. Arrange baking sheets on racks, and bake until center of each quiche is just set, 55 to 60 minutes, rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through. Let quiches stand 15 minutes before serving.