Lives and Landscapes Magazine - Fall 2018

LIVES

a publication of Montana State University Extension Fall 2018

Fresh, clean water is a daily requirement for all livestock. p. 6 Ellen Frank and Eileen Terhaar handle the daily operations of making Wool Wax Creme for Marcha Labs. p. 16

LIVES landscapes EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Mandie Reed Sara Adlington Adam Sigler Susan Anderegg Millie Veltkamp Jodie DeLay Josie Evenson Mat Walter-Peterson Jesse Fulbright Wendy Wedum Emily Glunk Roubie Younkin LINE EDITOR Sara Adlington MANAGING EDITOR Jodie DeLay ART MSU Extension Communications Cover photo courtesy of iStock CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Barton Churchill Tara Mastel Toby Day Dara Palmer Jodie DeLay Sharla Sackman Josie Evenson Megan Van Emon Tim Fine Wendy Wedum Deputy Eric Franke Jane Wolery Leah Gramlow Roubie Younkin Amy Grandpre

As summer wraps up . . . and we move into fall, this issue of Lives and Landscapes represents the completion of the first year of publication. We hope you are enjoying the expanded youth, community and family and consumer sciences content; as well as continued advice and information related to agriculture and natural resources. Our editorial committee has enjoyed developing how-to articles that you can put to use in your homes, gardens, fields and communities.

We would appreciate your feedback on how this publication is meeting your needs and how it can be improved to better serve you. Do you have a story idea? Is there someone you feel should be interviewed and celebrated as a Featured Montanan? Is there a garden pest that you really need more

COMMENTS ABOUT LIVES & LANDSCAPES? E-mail us at: ExtensionMagazine@montana.edu THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING REVIEWERS Jason Jarrett Barb Allen Jeremy Kopp Carrie Ashe Diana Maneta Sandra Bailey Ashley Kent Alice Burchak Pat McGlynn Callie Cooley Jona McNamee Toby Day Dara Palmer Jodie DeLay Meghan Phillippi Tim Delcurto Brianna Routh Duke Elliot Brent Sarchet Jesse Fulbright Brett Schomer Amy Grandpre Adam Sigler Katie Hatlelid Andrew Valainis Kristen Inbody Copyright Š 2018 by Montana State University.

All rights reserved.

a publication of Montana State University Extension Fall 2018 Vol. 1 No. 4

information about? Let us know with a quick email to extensionmagazine@ montana.edu, or by visiting msuextension.org/magazine and submitting an idea.

MSU Extension is local. We have professionals living and working across the state and at MSU to be sure that we provide relevant and timely programming and resources. This magazine is another way that we seek to connect with you wherever you are.

Available for free online, and for $16/ year for a print subscription, this is your magazine. Send me an email to let me know how we can improve.

Thanks for your partnership and trust,

Jodie DeLay is the external relations coordinator for MSU Extension and the managing editor for Lives and Landscapes magazine. She has been a part of the communications team at MSU since 2002 and Extension since 2011.

featured contributor

Excerpts from this magazine may be reprinted with permission from the Managing Editor. Please provide appropriate credit to Montana State University Extension and supply copies of printed materials to the editor.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration. Montana State University Extension is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach.

Common chemical and trade names are used in this publication for clarity of the reader. Inclusion of a common chemical or trade name does not imply endorsement of that particular product or brand of herbicide and exclusion does not imply non-approval.

Jesse Fulbright

As the lone MSU Extension agent in Liberty County since 2010, Jesse Fulbright provides information related to agriculture, gardening, food preservation, financial management and estate planning and oversees the county 4-H program. He collaborates with county government, citizen advisory groups and dedicated volunteers to strengthen families, communities and agricultural enterprises county-wide. He is an original member of the Lives and Landscapes Editorial Committee, and is also a reviewer, editor and author.

contents 2 on the cover

6

reduce food waste

Solar Electricity in Montana

2

Learn the basic components, systems options and requirements of solar electric.

Six Ways to Waste Less Food and Save Money

4

Water Quality for Livestock

Water is the most essential nutrient for livestock health and production.

4

Learn simple solutions to save money, improve food safety and quality, and keep waste out of the landfill.

Autumn...the Time to Prepare Spring Flowers

8

Prepare for a beautiful spring by preparing your flower gardens during autumn.

Youth Participation in Communities

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Youth can be active and involved members of the community.

Intervening in a Mental Health Crisis: How Can I Help

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8

Communicating with someone who is struggling emotionally can have a long-term positive impact.

Featured Pest: Trapping Rodents in the Pasture and Backyard

10 14

Managing rodent populations helps prevent dead forage patches, livestock injury and rough driving surfaces.

Featured Montanan: Marcha Labs

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8 12

Marcha Labs, located northwest of Terry, makes Wool Wax Creme, a successful “Made in Montana" product.

18 Winter Driving Emergency Kit 18 Are you a leader?

19 The Apple: a Pomological Prince 20 Master Gardener Q&A 21 Ask Steward

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Lives & Landscapes is published quarterly by Montana State University Extension, and content is available online at msuextension.org. To receive a free online subscription, or purchase a print subscription, visit: msuextension.org/ magazine.

Have an idea for a story or a question for Ask Steward or our Master Gardeners? Email: ExtensionMagazine@montana.edu or contact the managing editor at 406.994.2502.

LIVES

landscapes Fall 2018

1

SOLAR ELECTRICITY IN MONTANA Today solar panels cost a fraction of what they did a decade ago, making solar electric systems more attractive and widely utilized in residential, commercial, agricultural, and institutional applications across Montana. Some choose solar for financial reasons, others for independent power, others for environmental reasons or a combination of all three. Long-term system performance and capabilities largely depend on site, local regulations/ incentives, and type of components selected.

The most basic components of all solar electric systems are the solar panels, which collect energy, and the inverter(s), which convert that energy to a usable form. Panels, inverters and a supporting rack system make a basic grid-tied solar system. A grid-tied solar electric system feeds electricity directly to an existing house or building electric system. Any extra energy flows past the utility meter into the grid. Depending on state and/or local utility regulation, excess power is compensated to the solar system owner in one of two ways. One way is the energy is sold at a wholesale rate to the utility. The second way is by receiving credits on a one-to-one basis for energy fed to the grid for use at night or during seasons with less solar production.

This second approach is called Net Metering. In the case of net metering, it doesn’t matter when the energy is produced during the year, nor when the building consumes energy, but only how production

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and consumption compare for the year. Typically, a solar system is sized to offset 100% (net zero) of power consumed, but larger or smaller sizing is also possible. A basic net metering system is intended to use the grid like a storage battery and is not intended to make backup power when the grid is down.

Grid-tied systems which send any unused power to the grid for credit are popular, but there are three other common ways to configure a solar electric system. One is with batteries and/or battery-based inverters, which may be easily added to most gridtied systems at any time and will provide backup power during utility outage. A second configuration is self-consumption. In this case, users choose not to send power to the grid at all, if for instance, they are not satisfied with available net metering or interconnection agreements. A self-consumption system can be designed to produce and locally use as much energy as possible. With self-consumption, the grid is still used (minimally) during times of low production such as extended poor weather, short winter days, or exceptional power usage. The third common configuration is an off-grid system. Typically used in remote locations, this is effectively a small power plant and may include a wind turbine and/or a small generator with batteries in addition to solar panels to ensure adequate power year-round and through all types of weather.

By Barton Churchill Project Manager-Energy Generation/Storage, Energy-1, Bozeman MT

The Site Assessment

ONSITE ENERGY

Today solar panels are commonly located on roof surfaces that are south facing, east facing, west facing, or completely flat. They may also be installed on a ground-mounted racking system that extends east-west on flat ground, a single steel pole on uneven ground, or on a tracking array that follows the sun throughout the day. The first factor when assessing the suitability of any location is shade. Solar panels will not make adequate power when shaded; even small objects like tree branches without leaves are detrimental. A professional solar installation company will have tools to assess shading and make solar panel location recommendations. An easy, free tool to look at a property to find the best location option is at Google’s Project Sunroof, www.google.com/ get/sunroof. This page uses LIDAR data and clearly illustrates how much sun energy falls on a property and where. If some shade is present, it may be possible just to add a few more solar panels to make up for any potential losses. Of course, the losses may be minimal enough to justify the installation regardless.

IPS

For roof mount applications, the next important siting consideration is the type and condition of roofing materials in place. Solar panels are expected to operate for more than 25 years. To avoid removing and reinstalling the panels, it is best if a roof surface is in good condition. Most common roof surfaces are easily fitted with solar panel racking systems.

Asphalt shingle and most metal surface roofs pose no problems. Slate, tile, or terra cotta surfaces require special consideration. Cedar shake or shingle roof surfaces pose challenges, but may be used if the project is new construction or during roof replacement. A final and major consideration is the structure underneath. A solar array adds weight to the roof and must meet local wind and snow load building code requirements. The weight of a solar array is typically under 3.5 lb/ft². For comparison, snow load requirements in much of Montana are over 30 lb/ft². Few homes or commercial buildings have structural problems, however older structures, namely barns and/or outbuildings, may require an engineering review.

Mounting panels on the ground is another option.

Unlike rooftop solar, which is dependent upon the orientation and angles of the roof, a ground mount can be sited for optimal collection of sunlight.

Another benefit is increased airflow around the panels which helps them keep cooler and thus operate more efficiently. An important consideration for groundmount system siting is distance to the electrical tie-in; this is commonly a main breaker panel at or near the utility meter. Distances under 500 feet are preferred, though longer may be considered. This wire must be buried the same as any electrical circuit, so a path free of tree roots, gas lines, etc. is preferred.

Just like with rooftop solar, another important consideration is available space. Ground-mount systems are usually height limited. To compensate, they are usually designed to be wider, which means they can take a fair amount of space in the east/ west direction. Alternatively, a system featuring dual-axis tracking allows the panels to follow the sun throughout the day. These systems can optimize production that could be up to 40% higher than a non-tracking system. This means they can be designed to use fewer panels, taking up less space.

However, to realize this optimal performance there can be no shading in any direction.

Two grid-tied solar inverters for a residential installation.

If the intent is to offset 100% of power use, an electrical bill with a full year of energy consumption information will enable a solar professional to accurately determine how many panels can be used to offset the electricity used. With this and a review of suitable sites on the property, the contractor can put together cost estimates for different systems.

Solar electric system prices are highly dependent on project size, type of equipment selected, and siting considerations. To help with financing, research the Federal and State incentives that are available, as well as any area loan program offerings. State and Federal incentives may reduce the cost of a solar system by 30% to 65%. Solar professionals can guide you and a tax advisor to what is suitable for a specific application. There is also extensive information on federal, state, and local incentives and other programs at: www.dsireusa.org.  LIVES

Companies or businesses (and their employees) may provide some information used in this publication for clarity of the reader.

Inclusion of a company does not imply endorsement of that particular company, their products or brand, and exclusion does not imply non-approval.

landscapes Fall 2018

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clean out freezer eat more fruit and veggies!

organize pantry

find compost bin

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creative ways to waste less food and save more money Americans send 52.4 million tons of food to the landfill each year, according to (ReFED, 2016). It is difficult to comprehend this scale of waste. Picture a 40-ton tractor filling up with food and throwing it away every 20 seconds (ReFED, 2016). On average, a family of four discards between $1365 and $2275 in food annually (Bloom, 2011). While food gets wasted in some households, others are struggling with hunger.

At some point during a year, one in eight households in the U.S. (this includes children and the elderly) do not have enough foods for all household members to live an active, healthy life (Coleman-Jensen, Rabbitt, Gregory, & Singh, 2017).

The good news is there are many simple solutions for the everyday Montanan.

Challenge yourself to try one of the below options to work on or consider starting with one strategy that sounds easy and another that might be a little more difficult. Share the experience with friends or co-workers.

1. Make the freezer a friend. Need just a

tablespoon of tomato paste? Save the rest in a container and freeze it until the next batch of famous chili. This works for a lot of other things too – drained canned beans, cubed partiallycooked squash, tortillas, and roasted veggies. Portion meals that you cannot eat within 3-5 days into individual servings and freeze for later. Make sure to date and label the foods and use airtight freezer tight bags (get the air out) or sealed containers.

2. Eat fruits and veggies. In North

America, about half of all fruits and vegetables are thrown away (FAO, 2011). To reduce this food waste, use

all edible parts of a plant. For example, carrot tops can be made into a delicious pesto. Avoid peeling produce with edible peels such as carrots, potatoes (including sweet potatoes), beets, and apples. Remember to give these an extra scrub to clean the outer skin before cooking or eating. Keep pre-packaged lettuce's use-by date in mind when planning meals. Undressed salad lasts longer in the fridge than a dressed salad, so be sure to add salad dressing to individual salads instead of the entire serving bowl. Extra produce can be repurposed. Use leftover greens in non-traditional ways, i.e. scrambled eggs, stir fry, and even soup.

by Leah Gramlow MSU Extension EFNEP & SNAP-Ed Evaluation and Social Media Coordinator

3. Start a compost pile or bin. Composting food

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waste saves space in the landfill and reduces methane gas emissions. Some towns in Montana offer curbside compost pick-up, but setting up a compost area is easier than you might think.

Select an area a short distance from the house to avoid unpleasant smells and turn compost every now and then to mix fresh air inside. This nutrient-rich material can be added to a garden bed to improve the health of the soil. Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy food. Check out the Home Composting MontGuide (MT199203AG) for tips on what should and should not be added to a compost bin.

4. Eat from the pantry. Rather than planning all meals in advance, create a meal or plan a grocery list around the hodgepodge of ingredients in the refrigerator, freezer, or pantry. Have a couple of carrots, some broccoli or broccoli stalks, peanut butter, soy sauce, and rice? That sounds like the foundation of a delicious stir fry. Be creative.

Mix a can of tuna with fork-smashed chickpeas, diced veggies, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper and serve with chips. Or add chickpeas, kale and a tahini- or cashew-based sauce to a bowl of rice. Options are unlimited.

5. Plan meals and snacks in advance. It sounds intuitive, but a little planning can save money on food purchases. Have you ever bought a bunch of herbs and only needed half? If soup or stir fry calls for cilantro, then plan another meal to use the other portion. This method is helpful for situations when pre-bagged produce is the only available option. For example, if you have extra carrots in the bag, make or buy hummus or another favorite dip to help use the carrots.

6. Process or donate garden produce. Did you grow extra produce you cannot eat and don’t have time to store? Some food banks accept excess garden produce donations; contact the local food bank for their policy on garden donations. If you have time to process the extra produce, make things you know you will eat. If you typically use tomato sauce for pasta sauce or soup, make a big batch of canned or frozen tomato sauce for use as needed. Blanch and freeze vegetables like peas, green beans, and corn to use later. Check to see if the local Extension office is offering a food preservation class or check out the Freezing Vegetables MontGuide (MT200908HR) for helpful resources.

plan meals for next week

Although reducing food waste is a good goal, there are some foods which should not be salvaged, including ground beef that has been thawed in the fridge for more than two days, potatoes with large green spots and sprouts, soft cheeses with mold, and high-water-content fruits and vegetables that have mold-like bell peppers and peaches. If you aren’t sure food might be spoiled, consult the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food Safety page to learn how to safely cook, clean and store foods for the longest time.

In addition to the ideas presented above, the resources below offer more ways to prevent food waste. Try some ideas and remember that the most effective strategies are those used consistently.

Employing even a couple strategies is a good start to keeping food safer and of higher quality, saving money and keeping waste out of the landfill.  - Rethink Food Waste Through Economics and Data (ReFED), 2016. http://www.refed.com/downloads/ReFED_ Report_2016.pdf.

- Bloom, J. (2011). American Wasteland, p 187.

- Coleman-Jensen, A., Rabbitt, M. P., Gregory, C., & Singh, A., 2017. http://www.feedingamerica.org/assets/ pdfs/fact-sheets/poverty-and-hunger-fact-sheet.pdf - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2011. http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/ mb060e/mb060e00.pdf - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018. www.foodsafety.gov LIVES

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5

WATER QUALITY

for livestock

Water is the most essential nutrient for livestock health and production.

Fresh, clean water is a daily requirement of all classes of livestock. In fact, water is the most essential nutrient for livestock health and production. Animals need water to help them regulate body temperature, digest food, lubricate joints, grow muscle, and to carry out almost every other biological body process.

in the field using a simple meter that measures specific conductance. These meters can be purchased for as little as $15. More complex meters are also available for purchase at an increased cost. Table 1 lists some effects of increasing TDS concentrations in livestock drinking water.

Water quality may be impaired by contaminants such as salts, excessive nutrients, or bacteria, which can become more concentrated during drought as water sources dry up. Most contaminants will cause animals to drink less water, which causes them to eat less, negatively impacting health and production. However, if livestock water (or food) contains a high amount of salt, animals may drink more water because salty water doesn’t fully quench thirst. This is why testing to know what is in animals’ drinking water is extremely important for livestock production.

Water with high TDS may also have high concentrations of sulfates or nitrates. High sulfate water tastes bitter and livestock may drink less water than needed to remain healthy.

High sulfate concentrations in water can also lead to polioencephalomalacia (polio). Livestock owners should be especially aware of water sulfate concentrations when feeding high-sulfur feedstuffs, such as distillers grains or corn gluten feed, because the combination of sulfates in water and sulfates in feed can be toxic to livestock, similar to high levels of nitrates in water and feed sources (refer to BSSA Fall 2014 for more information on nitrate toxicity (http:// msuextension.org/magazine/articles/264). Highsulfate water is also a concern when livestock are consuming feeds that contain high concentrations of the trace mineral molybdenum. It may be necessary to supplement cattle with copper when consuming feed high in molybdenum and sulfur and drinking water high in sulfates. Currently, MSU Extension faculty in Custer, Fallon and Carter counties can test water samples in their offices to estimate sulfate concentration. Table 2 provides recommendations for safe sulfate levels in livestock drinking water.

Water samples can be sent to commercial labs to analyze for parameters such as: total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, nitratenitrogen, pH, iron, copper, and conductivity. TDS is a common concern for livestock producers as it is a measure of the minerals, salts, metals, and other ions dissolved in water. Increased concentrations of TDS can cause aversion to the water source and/or illness, but TDS does not indicate the specific dissolved solid that may cause additional issues.

Concentrations of TDS may change throughout the year. Figure 1 demonstrates the fluctuations in TDS levels in three water sources in southeastern Montana. Based on these results, water source one would not provide suitable livestock drinking water during most of the summer and fall. The variability of results throughout summer and fall illustrate the importance of testing water sources immediately before and during livestock use. TDS can be estimated

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Finally, bacteria are another common water contaminant that can depress livestock health.

High bacteria concentrations in livestock drinking water can cause infertility, foot rot, and low milk production. Manure getting into stagnant water sources is a common source of bacteria and can

by Megan Van Emon Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Montana State University

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contribute to blue-green algae problems, which can be toxic to livestock. Blue-green algae will bloom during hot weather and calm winds. The only prevention of poisoning by blue-green algae is to keep livestock from consuming the contaminated water source.

Blue-green algae blooms form on the water surface and cannot be picked out and removed from the water source like a typical green-algae. Additionally, leptospirosis and fusobacterium can contaminate water and mud. Leptospirosis is spread through urine and can rapidly move through a herd. Fusobacterium causes foot rot, which is spread on hooves, and can contaminate other sources of ground water. For these reasons, minimizing manure reaching water sources will improve livestock health.

or heavy rainfall. Information gained from periodic water tests for TDS, sulfates, nitrates, and bacteria can help livestock owners to be good livestock stewards.

Contact your local MSU county or reservation Extension office for water quality tests available inhouse and testing laboratory contact information.  FIGURE 1. Total dissolved solids (TDS) at three water sources in southeastern Montana during summer-fall 2014.

In summary, water quality is crucial to maintaining livestock production and health. Water quality differs throughout the year even from the same source and is greatly impacted by weather events such as drought TABLE 1. Recommended use of livestock drinking water that contains total dissolved solids (TDS).

TDS Content (ppm) <1,000

Recommendations Low levels, excellent source of water for livestock.

1,000 to 2,999

Satisfactory for all livestock; may cause mild diarrhea in livestock; no effect on health or performance.

3,000 to 4,999

Satisfactory for livestock; may cause temporary diarrhea; may be refused by livestock not accustomed to it.

5,000 to 6,999

Reasonably safe for livestock; avoid using with pregnant or lactating animals.

7,000 to 10,000

Not safe for pregnant or lactating cows, horses, and sheep; not safe for young animals or animals with increased heat stress or water loss; use should be avoided; older livestock may consume if under low stress.

>10,000

HIGH RISK; DO NOT USE UNDER ANY CONDITIONS

TABLE 2. Recommended use of livestock drinking water that contains sulfates.

Sulfate Content (ppm) < 1500

Recommendations No harmful effects. May be temporary refusal of water close to upper limits

1500 to 2500

May have temporary diarrhea. May contribute significantly to total sulfur intake and cause a reduction in copper availability.

2500 to 3500

Laxative effects, diarrhea will usual disappear after a few weeks. May have sporadic cases of sulfur-associated polio.

Can cause a significant reduction in copper availability.

3500 to 4500

Laxative effects. Do not use for pregnant or lactating ruminants or horses, or ruminants fed in confinement.

Sporadic cases of sulfur-associated polio are likely. Significant reduction in copper availability.

> 4500

Do not use for livestock under any conditions.

TABLE 3. Recommended use of livestock drinking water that contains nitrate.

Nitrate Content (ppm)

Recommendations

< 100

Safe for livestock.

100 to 300 > 300

Water is safe for livestock. However, if hays, forages, or silages have high nitrate concentrations, water may contribute significantly to nitrate problem.

Water could cause nitrate toxicity in cattle, sheep, or horses. Do NOT use for livestock.

LIVES

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time to prepare spring flowers AUTUMN Autumn is the time to get a head start on next spring by cleaning and preparing flower gardens and planting for a beautiful spring.

CLEANUP

NEW BULB BEDS

Remove annual plants and cut back perennials as soon as frost has browned them. Hardier annuals and perennials, such as calendula, annual mallow (Malva sylvestris), chrysanthemum etc. can be dealt with later. You can also wait until spring to cut back perennial flowers and ornamental grasses that have winter interest, such as Sedums and asters.

When starting a new spring flowering bed for bulbs, take advantage of well drained locations or sloping sites, which are ideal for bulbs.

FLOWER BED SOIL PREPARATION annual

To determine what soil amendments may need to be added, have a soil test done. Rough-till in compost and organic matter, including any amendments needed such as phosphate and potassium. Composted manure is usually applied in the fall, as the time over winter allows the manure to continue breaking down before spring planting. perennial

Perennial flower beds can benefit from some top dressing of needed soil amendments, with care not to damage shallow roots. Fall is also a great time to add mulch to existing perennial beds.

DIVIDING PERENNIALS

Fall is a great time to divide, thin, transplant and re-plant spring and summer flowering perennials.

To divide clump forming plants such as peonies and day lilies, lift with a spading fork. Use a sharp knife to cut the fleshy roots into smaller pieces, being sure peonies contain at least three eyes each and day lilies about 3-4 leaf bases in each section. Avoid using older plant parts, since these are not as vigorous as younger parts of the clump. Set divisions as deeply as the mother plant grew, taking care not to plant peonies too deep or they won’t flower, and then water well.

Once ground freezes for winter, apply thick mulch such as shredded bark, straw, pine needles or nonmatting leaves to prevent frost heaving, which can damage young roots.

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The best results are obtained if bulbs are planted early enough to have at least three weeks to root before the ground freezes, so plant during September through early October…the earlier the better. Water well after planting.

If you’re late for the three-week window before frost, mulch the bulb bed after planting with a 12-inch layer of straw. This slows the soil from freezing, giving bulbs a bit more time to root. bulb soil preparation

Bulbs like slightly acidic soils, which is hard to come by in most parts of Montana. Adding an inch or two of peat moss will improve the soil texture, add nutrients and some acidity to the soil.

Elemental sulfur can also be applied at a rate of ½ pound per 100 square feet to help reduce soil pH. Adding fertilizer at a rate of 10 pounds of 5-10-5 grade fertilizer per 100 square feet will provide bulbs with food for fall. Spade soil with all additions to a depth of six inches. planting depth and spacing

Bulbs are planted to a depth of about two to three times their diameter. Planting depth can be used to affect bloom time...the deeper planted, the later the plant will emerge and bloom in spring. It also helps to plant bulbs slightly less deep in heavy, wet soils and slightly more deep in dry, light, soils.

by Amy Grandpre Horticulture Assistant for MSU Extension in Yellowstone County

planting bulbs

gladiolus

After the bed is prepared, arrange bulbs on top of the soil to be sure they fit into the design. Dig a hole for each one, or dig out the whole area instead of individual holes, then space bulbs and fill. (Check planting directions to be sure of depth and spacing.)

Plant bulbs with the pointy end facing up. Usually the bulb bottom is flattened. Cluster bulbs in groups of a dozen or more together. This makes a bigger color statement rather than planting a long single row.

Dig after first frost, cutting the tops off just above the corm. Cure corms by spreading them out in a dry, frost-free location for about three weeks. After curing, new corms should have developed on top of the old corms, which will be withered and shrunken. Snap off the old shriveled corms, discard any unhealthy corms, and dust with an all-purpose rose dust. Store corms loosely in open trays or mesh bags in a dark place with temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees.

THINNING ESTABLISHED BULBS

dahlias, cannas and tuberous begonias

In established beds of bulbs, prevent them from becoming crowded and less vigorous by respacing them every 3-4 years. By early fall, the bulb foliage has yellowed, meaning they’ve stored food for next year’s bloom, and are ready to dig. Excess bulbs should be removed and only the larger ones replanted at the right spacing. Dividing bulbs reduces competition for nutrients and restores plants to full-blooming capacity.

Lift the clump of roots or tubers with a spading fork after killing frost. Avoid damaging the necks of these, since this holds vital growth buds. Shake off loose soil and cut tops above ground level. Wait to divide these until spring. Dry clumps, then store in plastic bags containing barely dampened peat moss to prevent shriveling. Store in a cool, frost-free area with temperatures of about 40 degrees. Check occasionally for mold, indicating too much moisture.

Open bag temporarily to allow drying. 

HARVEST AND STORAGE OF NON-WINTER-HARDY BULBS

Tender gladiolus, dahlias, cannas or tuberous begonias are bulbs that usually don’t survive our winters and need to be dug and stored indoors.

Bulb planting guidelines: Flower

depth

spacing

6 inches

12-18 inches

Allium, small (A. moly, A. unifolium)

3-5 inches

6-8 inches

Glory-of-the-Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae)

3-4 inches

3 inches

Crocus and Common snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)

3-4 inches

3 inches

Daffodil (Narcissus) Trumpet, large-cupped

6-8 inches

6-8 inches

Daffodil Miniature

3-5 inches

4-6 inches

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum)

3-4 inches

3-4 inches

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)

6 inches

6-8 inches

Iris, dwarf and miniature

½ -1 inch

4-5 inches

Iris, full Size

½ -1 inch

6-8 inches

Tulips (Tulipa), Darwin Hybrid or triumph

6-8 inches

4-6 inches

Tulip, species or botanical

3-5 inches

3-4 inches

Allium, large (A. gigantium)

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LIVES

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Deep within our communities resides a hidden resource brimming with enthusiasm, ideas, energy and commitment. This unmined treasure is youth and their willingness to take active roles in communities. The mission of positive youth development is to promote favorable outcomes for young people by providing opportunities to build life skills. One way to accomplish this goal is to involve youth in programs that meet community needs and empower youth to become lifelong participants in their own future.

Youth Participation in Communities If you are a business owner, board member, work with volunteers, or with civic-minded or community-serving adults, it is important to learn the value that youth can bring if they are invited to actively participate.

traditionally been excluded. This involves training and instilling confidence in youth who may have input opportunities in local decision making.

This collaboration builds skills and potentially a newfound feeling of civic ownership.

Youth can become community advocates and leaders while learning to be effective members of society and leave a lasting impact on those around them.

The enhancement of a community can involve many facets of the local population, and youth are often an overlooked component. Through active engagement, youth can take ownership and become lifelong contributors to local well-being. Maintaining open channels of communication and interaction among diverse local groups-including youth-can lead to successful community development partnerships.

The benefits of youth involvement in communities are two-fold. The local culture gains perspective while the youth enjoy a plethora of benefits. Research supports the premise that youth participation results in behavioral well-being among adolescents, as well as improved academic performance, a higher likelihood of college attendance, increased school engagement, setting a positive example for others, and reinforcing positive social values.

Building local capacities is a goal of most communities. While this is typically directed to adults, youth can be included. Encouraging youth input contributes to the development of the community as well as the social and psychological development of participating youth.

To encourage youth involvement, it is necessary to understand what motivates them, what obstacles they face and the importance of community feedback. There is a transition process as youth are placed in civic roles from which they have

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Youth have a need and desire to be a part of a bigger picture through immersion in their communities.

Participation can lead to feelings of efficacy and an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem.

Youth can feel valued when they are taken seriously by community leaders. Discovering a sense of responsibility toward community is yet another benefit of youth involvement. Performing a public duty can become ingrained in a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character and lead to a lifelong commitment to service to others. Recognition is also important in youth work; both intrinsic and extrinsic needs can be met as adults become familiar with the youth they are working with.

Roubie Younkin MSU Extension Agent in Valley County

BACKCOUNTRYMEDIA.COM

Volunteers recognize a range of motivators for becoming involved in civic duties. Some initially volunteer because of a school or work requirement while another’s goal is to pad a scholarship application or resumé. Job opportunities, networking, or skill development in communication or conflict management can drive participation. A passion or strong opinion regarding a particular issue could also lead to youth contributing to meet a need in the community.

What steps can community leaders take toward including youth in community decisions? Begin at home. Youth whose parents are communityminded follow that example and develop the habit of participation. However, youth from homes where parents don’t volunteer may still be active in their communities. A supportive relationship between parents and youth is often more critical to youth civic engagement than parent modeling. Parents play an important role in making connections between youth and their surrounding world.

Schools can be a resource for encouraging youth involvement in community activities.

Administrators and teachers recognize leadership skills and can make suggestions based on strengths of the students and requirements of the position.

These mentors also have a keen sense of what a student could offer a board, and which students could benefit from the boost in self-confidence and self-esteem that may result from involvement.

have the potential to inhibit or discourage participation. The most prevalent of these is the feeling that youth are not heard, taken seriously, or being assigned a significant role. A lack of communication regarding opportunities, committee structure, or the group’s mission can also create a negative experience for youth involved. Another challenge may be the organization’s uncertainty of the role or impact that youth can have on achieving goals. Youth may be perceived as having unpredictable schedules, being transient, or being over-committed to school activities.

Positive youth/adult partnerships have been shown to be one of the most effective means of involving both youth and adults in meaningful community activities. When adults work with youth, they build skills which simultaneously strengthen the core organization. Youth experiencing a positive relationship with adults are less apt to participate in risky behaviors and create positive, respectful relationships with more adults. Community leaders are encouraged to make a concentrated effort to facilitate youth participation in their organizations.

Many boards make accommodations for youth members as either voting members or in an exofficio capacity. Communities can choose to create an environment where youth have an increasing presence, with the ultimate result of adolescents becoming committed to civic roles and developing skills to further support their communities. 

ROUBIE YOUNKIN

Many youth organizations such as 4-H, FFA, Scouting, Key Club, or church groups encourage youth to become involved civically and provide training so their members have the skills to contribute to community organizations. Public speaking, parliamentary procedure, a financial background and recordkeeping are the basics in a toolbox of skills that youth exhibit.

The interaction between youth and adult social groups should also be considered with youth in civic roles. These interfaces promote awareness of motivations as well as identify roles that are advantageous for both the youth and the organization. Acknowledgement of barriers to youth involvement is also important, as obstacles

Positive youth/adult partnerships have been shown to be one of the most effective means of involving both youth and adults in meaningful community activities.

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INTERVENING IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS How can I help?

If you see a friend stumble, do you rush to help her catch her balance? Do you hurry to lighten the load of a family member carrying a heavy box? Most of us will automatically intervene to offer help with a physical need. But what if you notice a friend being particularly tearful or irritable? Or you see your dad starting to avoid activities he enjoys or sleeping more than usual? These can be signs of depression. Yet, many of us choose not to get involved with emotional challenges: we don’t want to meddle; or possibly, we feel ill-prepared to help.

As an MSU Extension agent in Teton County, Jane Wolery frequently works with youth and adults of all ages. She offers classes on everything from kitchen knife skills to diabetes education to time management. In recent years, she’s identified the need to assist people in how to offer emotional support.

Last fall she was leading a group of teens in a workshop that included recognizing signs of stress, including when stress is useful, and when it might become overwhelming. One of the students realized that his father had many signs that he may be experiencing depression.

Wolery felt instantly connected to the student. “Though I am closer to the dad’s age than the student’s,” she said, “his comments brought me to the landscape of my youth. I was raised in a similarly small town in Montana (Joplin). The pressures his dad faced, as an ag producer in challenging times, reminded me of my own father. I wondered what signs I missed in my own parents when I lived with them on the farm. I wanted to help this student help his father.”

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Most of us can think of someone we care about who is hurting emotionally, yet many of us haven’t learned skills to have the difficult conversations that might be needed to begin to help.

Years ago, as a school counselor in Hinsdale, Wolery learned a formula that helped her organize her thoughts before reaching out to talk with someone. §§ Tell the person you care. §§ Tell them why you are concerned. §§ Tell them what you’ve observed. §§ Tell what you think might help. §§ Tell them how you are willing to help.

Remind them that you are having the conversation because you care. Wolery recommends practicing the conversation before connecting with your loved one.

“We practice for interviews, we practice for sports or music performances. We practice to be prepared. This is no different.”

Practice each step, using a positive, non-accusatory tone. Begin sentences with “I” rather than “you.”

Refrain from making judgements and be sure to start and end the conversation with a statement of caring.

This approach can be effective in many situations.

It is one way to open dialogue and encourage action toward a solution. “I’ve never lost a friendship by caring enough to have a difficult conversation,” Wolery said. When in doubt, consider whether you might regret not having the conversation.

Montana has ranked in the top five states nationally for suicide rates over the last 30 years; and nationally suicide rates are growing. If you are concerned that

by Jodie DeLay, MSU Extension External Relations Coordinator Jane Wolery, MSU Extension Agent in Teton County Josie Evenson, MSU Extension Agent in Richland County

someone around you is considering harming him/ herself, action should be taken to intervene.

BIGSTOCK.COM

In Richland County, the District II Alcohol and Drug Prevention Program successfully earned a grant for several people to receive Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) gatekeeper training. One of those people, MSU Extension agent Josie Evenson, has offered the program to the general public monthly, as well as by invitation to numerous groups including youth, corporations and community organizations since September of 2017. The program is meant to prevent suicide by teaching as many people as possible how to talk with someone they fear is having a mental health emergency that may lead to suicide.

Evenson says the class takes about an hour and people of all kinds are encouraged to attend. Gatekeepers include professionals such as teachers and clergy, as well as lay people such as parents, friends and youth.

During the class, gatekeepers learn to recognize warning signs of a suicidal crisis and three steps to intervene. Similar to CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) which is used by ordinary, trained people in an emergency, QPR is intended to give ordinary, trained people the skills to intervene in a mental health emergency.

The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable online registry

of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated by independent reviewers. QPR is rated a “program with evidence of effectiveness.” According to a summary by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the three steps are: 1. Question the individual’s intent regarding suicide, 2. Persuade the person to seek and accept help, and 3. Refer the person to appropriate resources.(www. sprc.org/resources-programs/qpr-gatekeepertraining-suicide-prevention) Evenson says, “the program is specifically for suicide prevention. However, the more I teach it the more I realize it applies to many more things. I had a young girl who was concerned that a friend may have an eating disorder. Having a discussion and persuading her friend to get help sooner may prevent the issue from progressing.” Both Wolery and Evenson agree that having the conversation is key. “By letting someone know that you care, and offering hope, you can save lives,” says Evenson. “We need tools to help with many things in life,” says Wolery. “Learning skills to intervene with someone who is struggling emotionally, as early in the crisis as possible, can make a huge long-term impact.” For more information about mental health resources in your area, contact your local Extension office. For information about QPR, visit qprinstitute.com. 

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, 8-hour course that teaches participants mental health literacy, an understanding of mental illness, and how to assist if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. Four MSU Extension agents are certified to teach the classes. If you would like more information or to schedule a class, contact Sandra Bailey, Family & Human Development specialist, at baileys@montana.edu or 406-994-6745.

For more information on Mental Health First Aid, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

Signs of depression may include: feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness; angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters; loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities; sleep disturbances; tiredness and lack of energy; reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings and weight gain; anxiety, agitation or restlessness; slowed thinking, speaking or body movements; feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame; trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things; frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide; unexplained physical problems such as back pain or headaches. (www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/ sypmptoms-causes/syc-20356007, Aug, 2018.)

If you are in crisis and want help, call the Montana Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24 hours everyday: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) Or text “MT” to 741 741

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Featured Pest

TRAPPING RODENTS in the pasture or backyard

Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (GT2006) gopher trap on a Richardson Ground Squirrel burrow

Managing a pasture for optimal forage production encompasses a variety of different management techniques. Plant establishment, stocking rates, fertilization, water, and fencing are some of the decisions that must be made in order to ensure that a given pasture is productive. Managing rodents in a pasture is another factor that must be considered and often does not get addressed until the problem becomes almost too large to manage.

Vertebrate pests, mainly pocket gophers, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs do more than just cause dead patches of forage in a pasture. Livestock and other animals have been known to break their legs when accidentally stepping into their holes and trying to drive haying equipment across the holes does not make for a pleasant ride.

When dealing with vertebrate pests, whether in open range or in the backyard, it is important to keep in mind that the primary reason the pest is there is because these animals need food, water, and

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a publication of Montana State University Extension

Due to space limitations, this article will only focus on trapping as a means of controlling these rodents. It should be mentioned that trapping is only one form of control and there are other options.

Regardless of the option chosen, careful research should be done to determine if the technique will actually work. There are several types of baits and gadgets available for purchase, but not all of them will achieve the desired outcome. For a more complete list of exclusion techniques, visit http://agr. mt.gov/Topics/Vertebrate-Pests. Here you will find research-based factsheets focused on identification and control of Montanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vertebrate pests.

Trapping is generally considered the most effective way to control a vertebrate pest. Baits and fumigants work, though unlike trapping, these methods generally kill the rodent in the burrow and make it more difficult to ensure the desired outcome. Since the pests are different in their habits and biology, there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one product that works for all of them.

Pocket gophers are probably the most common pasture pest. The easiest way to see a pocket gopher problem is to look at the mounds of soil left by the burrowing rodents. Pocket gopher mounds will be fan shaped and they will not (typically) have an opening.

In fact, an easy way to tell whether or not a pocket

STEPHEN M. VANTASSEL, MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

shelter to survive. And since your pasture/backyard has these amenities, you may be dealing with these pests as long as you own or lease the land. Do not feel discouraged; there are options for control. Moles are absent from this article because moles do not exist in Montana.

by Tim Fine MSU Extension Agriculture Agent in Richland County

gopher mound is active is to dig into the mound and leave it open. The pocket gopher will come back and close the mound as a way to prevent predation.

There are a few different types of pocket gopher traps available, but they essentially all work the same. To properly set traps, some excavation of the pocket gopher’s burrow must be done and trap(s) should be secured in the burrow with a wire coming from the end of the trap to a stake located outside of the burrow. The stake allows for easier trap locating, as well as ensures that if the animal is only partially snared, it does not take off with the trap. A single trap can be placed lateral to the gopher’s tunnel or with a little more excavation, two traps can be placed in opposite directions in the main tunnel.

Prairie dogs are another problematic pest in pastures and similar to pocket gophers, will leave mounds of soil on the surface. Unlike pocket gopher mounds, prairie dog mounds have openings in them. As such, setting a trap and capturing prairie dogs is somewhat easier. For prairie dogs, a body-gripping trap, such as the conibear #55 or #110 can be set directly over the opening of the burrow entrance.

As with the trapping for pocket gophers, ensure that the trap is staked so that it is easier to locate and to prevent it from being dragged off. It should be noted that trapping prairie dogs is generally not recommended for areas larger than 10 acres. This

is simply because this method of removal is time intensive and traps need to be checked at least daily.

The Richardson ground squirrel, Columbian ground squirrel, and Thirteen-lined ground squirrel all call Montana home. While they differ biologically, they do have similar characteristics and can be trapped using the same techniques. For ground squirrels, squeeze-type traps, choker-style traps, and baited rat traps all work for control. As with the others, traps should be anchored into the soil and can be placed near or at the opening of the burrow. If rat traps are used, they should be placed inside protective boxes with 2-inch wide holes to prevent non-target animals from being enticed by the bait. If there are several non-target animals in the area, cage or box traps may also be used. If using these types of traps, it is recommended that the animals caught be euthanized. Translocation is not recommended, and in some instances is illegal.

It should be noted that setting and releasing traps is a potentially dangerous task. Care should be taken when setting, placing, and removing animals from a trap. It is also important to keep in mind that there are laws and regulations for rodent removal. For more information on trapping, other pest control options, and laws and regulations, visit the Montana Department of Agriculture’s website at http://agr. mt.gov/Topics/Vertebrate-Pests. 

A Conibear trap over a prairie dog burrow.

An effective method of trapping pocket gophers, taken from MontGuide MT200009AG, Guide to Pocket Gopher Control in Montana.

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Featured Montanan

MARCHA LABS

Wool Wax Creme

Hands. Montanan's hands provide livelihoods for their families. They fix things, build things and work in all kinds of weather, including sun, rain, and snow. The hands of a working man or woman may be calloused and scarred from past or current injuries. Even the toughest hands may suffer from chapped, cracked and bleeding skin.

According to WebMD, hand distress is often caused by a lack of moisture in the skin. This cannot be helped by drinking water. Instead, a moisturizer applied directly to the skin helps keep water from evaporating and provides relief. Recommended ingredients for good moisturizers include natural or synthetic emollients (non-cosmetic moisturizer) and humectants (preserves moisture). Natural emollients include lanolin, an oil found in sheep wool. One of the byproducts of washing the wool fleece when flocks of sheep get their annual spring haircut, lanolin is also called wool wax because it is a very thick oil.

While petting a lamb at the county 4-H fair is a quick way to soften dry hands, it is not convenient to take a lamb wherever you go.

One Montana company has a more practical solution for distressed hands. Marcha Labs is on the Devlin family ranch, more than 30 miles northwest of Terry, Montana (about 200 miles east of Billings). Marcha Labs uses lanolin to make Wool Wax Creme, a skin care product designed to relieve rough and dry skin problems.

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History of Marcha Labs

Marcha Labs was originally founded by Margaret Harrison in Pasco, Washington, and is currently owned by Ron Devlin. The Devlin family’s first involvement with Wool Wax Creme was when Ron’s mother, Isabelle, sold the creme as a fundraiser for the Montana Wool Grower Women. Isabelle Devlin purchased the company from Harrison when she retired in the early 1990s. Ron worked with his mother and bought the business from her in 1998.

When Ron was elected to the Montana legislature in 2000, he reached out to friend Eileen Terhaar who wanted a career change from working in the Miles City school system. Terhaar moved to the ranch where she continues to run the business. She is assisted in the daily operations of making Wool Wax Creme by friend and neighbor Ellen Franko. Terhaar and Franko mix Wool Wax Creme about 80 days of the year, roughly seven days per month, except April when they take off for calving. They can produce about 42 gallons, or 600 nine-ounce containers in a day. When not making the product, Terhaar takes and fills customer orders, orders supplies, breaks down the bulk-packaged ingredients into batch-ready quantities, ships products and keeps the books.

Devlin services the equipment. Wool Wax Creme is sold nationally and is currently listed as an “Amazon’s Choice” product for being highly rated, well priced and available to ship immediately.

by Sharla Sackman MSU Extension Agent in Prairie County

BRENT ROEDER

Challenges of a Rural Small Business

It’s About the People

One of the biggest challenges facing Marcha Labs is being so far in the country. During a tough winter, the roads are blown shut with snow from time to time, delaying orders and making it difficult to find temporary help. Most of the bulk supplies to make Wool Wax Creme cannot be shipped directly to Marcha Labs and are instead shipped to Billings. In addition, it’s getting harder to source supplies such as lanolin as suppliers get bigger. Many times, when a supplier changes hands, the Devlin’s receive a letter thanking them for their patronage but informing them that they are too small to continue doing business with. There is always something new to learn when operating a business. Accepting credit card payment, putting bar codes on products, and responding to insurance requests are some examples of changes that Devlin has made over the years. To sell to Canadian customers, Marcha Labs was NAFTA certified with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Devlin says Marcha Labs has been very fortunate to find excellent employees over the years, even with the distance to the ranch. Both Devlin and Terhaar appreciate the people who work for them and enjoy their hard work and company. Devlin said his first tendency was to stand over his employees and tell them step by step what he wanted done. Over time, however, he found it was more effective to train the employees, then give them a set of expectations and walk away. While this was hard to do, he says empowering his employees to do their job has more positive results. Made in Montana Wool Wax Creme is recognized a “Made in Montana” product. The “Made in Montana” label represents hardworking Montanans like the Devlins, whose goal is to make a unique product.

For more information about Marcha Labs or Wool Wax Creme, visit marchalabs.com. 

SHARLA SACKMAN

Ellen Franko, left, and Eileen Terhaar, right.

ADVICE TO HOME-BASED BUSINESS OWNERS SHOW UP FOR WORK. Terhaar recommends having defined hours when customers know they can reach you. She and Devlin seldom go to town together because they feel it’s important for someone to answer the phone when a customer calls.

CROSS TRAIN. Terhaar stresses the importance of making sure you cross train others to perform job tasks. Then, when the unexpected comes up, there are others familiar with the task and business operations can continue.

MONITOR COSTS AND PRODUCTION. Devlin’s agriculture background serves him well on the production side of the business. Farmers and ranchers are used to making more with less, looking for equipment to improve efficiency, and buying in bulk. Also, a business’ reputation is built through supplying a consistent, quality product that meets the consumer’s needs, whether it be Wool Wax Creme or calves sold from the ranch.

SEEK ADVICE. A fellow business owner told Devlin that as much time should be spent on marketing as on production. Devlin buys into that philosophy, but personally finds it to be difficult to spend more time on marketing than on product production.

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS IMPORTANT. Devlin and Terhaar pride themselves on promptly responding to customers and servicing their needs.

They understand that word of mouth is the most powerful tool they have to make their company successful and a unique quality product keeps customers coming back for more.

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WINTER DRIVING EMERGENCY KIT: Don’t get caught unprepared

by Deputy Eric Franke Search and Rescue Deputy - Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office As winter approaches, drivers should equip their vehicle with an emergency kit in the event they get stuck on one of Montana’s many remote roadways. Whether it’s a vehicle accident, a break-down or the storm of the century, travelers may find themselves stranded for a period of time. While this can be scary, it will be more comfortable with the right equipment on hand.

Load a backpack with an extra set of warm clothes, winter boots, a blanket or sleeping bag, high-calorie snacks, a few bottles of water (¾ full so they don’t burst if frozen), and hand warmers (for warmth and/or to thaw frozen water). Throw in a deck of cards, a book, or a sketch pad and pencils (if it’s too cold a pen may freeze) to help pass the time. It’s also good to have a basic first aid kit, flashlight, and a weather radio. Stow extra batteries for the light and radio and if possible, an extra power source for a cell phone. If a person requires regular medications, they should always carry an extra supply. Keep a snow shovel, tow strap, tire chains and a few road flares in the trunk. Always start a trip with a full gas tank and if stranded, run the engine sparingly to conserve fuel. Following these simple tips can help improve a negative situation and help keep drivers and passengers safe and comfortable in an emergency. 

ARE YOU A LEADER?

by Tara Mastel MSU Extension Specialist with the Local Government Center

“But I’m not qualified to be a leader!” is a common response from people who are asked to participate on local boards, youth organizations or committees. However, the University of Kansas Community Center for Health and Wellness defines a community leader as someone who takes responsibility for the well-being and improvement of their communities. This simple definition includes a wide swath of people.

Being a leader does not require a special title or being elected to an office. Community leaders may: §§ attend meetings, §§ voice opinions and offer solutions, §§ volunteer time, §§ suggest new projects and take action to meet needs, and/or §§ invite others to discuss how to make a difference in the community.

If taking an active role alone in the community sounds too stressful, consider connecting with someone who shares your interest in an issue or project. Ideally, select someone whose skills complement yours. This will help ensure that collaboration leads to progress toward the end goal.

To be a successful leader, always approach people and groups with respect, an open mind and flexibility. You don’t need to be perfect. Be open to learning and receiving help from others.

Also consider participating in a local leadership program. To learn more about leadership and opportunities, contact your

TROY CARTER, BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE

KATIE WEAVER

local chamber of commerce or Extension office. 

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a publication of Montana State University Extension

THE APPLE: a Pomological Prince

by Wendy Wedum MSU Extension Agent in Pondera County

pomology, or the study of fruit, we can learn that the original apple trees were discovered in central Asia in Kazakhstan and then planted along the Silk Road. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans knew how to graft apples and the Celts were growing apples before the Romans arrived. Apples, like people, are heterozygous. This means that an apple grown from a seed will be very different from its parent. To keep the desirable fruit, commercially-grown varieties are all clones grown from cuttings (as opposed to seed). To get a Gala apple, for instance, a cutting is grafted to a rootstock of another Gala apple tree, thus creating a clone. Most apple cultivars bloom after Prunus species (plums, apricots and cherries), so they are less likely to be affected by late frosts. Apples tend to be cold-hardy and adaptable to different growing elevations and latitudes, thus there are apple cultivars that can grow in just about any location.

SELECTING APPLES FROM THE STORE Examine the outside of the apple. Look for bruising, cuts and decay. Scuff or speck marks may come from natural growth. Slightly odd shapes are also natural. While inspecting the outside, check the apple’s firmness. Avoid apples that dent easily, have soft spots or discoloration. Sniff the apple to see if it has a pleasant aroma. Try out different apple varieties to learn which ones are better for baking and fresh eating.

Some apples are tasty no matter how they are used.

PICKING APPLES FROM THE TREE There is a method for picking apples from the tree to minimize damage. Grasp the apple with the palm of your hand and twist, pulling the fruit up and off the branch, trying to keep the fruit spur intact. Apples do not ripen after they have been picked, so it is important to pick a ripe apple. One way to tell if the apple is ripe is to slice through the center of the apple and check the pips (seeds) which should be dark brown.

Whether you like them sweet or savory, apples can be baked, broiled, boiled, and put into salads, sausages, sauces, pies, pancakes, polenta and more. Applesauce may be substituted for oil in quick breads, muffins, cakes and some cookies. This versatile fruit can be prepared six ways: cooked, sauced, dried, canned, juiced and eaten raw.

Apples might be the perfect fruit. They can be sweet or tart, are portable, high in soluble and insoluble fiber which lowers cholesterol, have antioxidants in the peels and are a good source of Vitamin C. They are also a low-calorie food, having about 60 calories in a medium-sized fruit. We hear the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” to remind us of the importance of fruit in the diet.

For more information, check out the MSU Extension Apple Food Fact Sheet. There are 21 additional food fact sheets on other fruits and vegetables. http://msuextension.org/publications/HomeHealthandFamily/EB0212.pdf. 

CLIPART.COM

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Master Gardener Q&A

Q

Should I cut back my perennials and ornamental grasses now or wait until spring? And how much of the plant do you remove?

- Jefferson County

A

Choosing when to cut back perennials can be a personal preference. There is no scientific reason to do it now versus later. I prefer to cut my perennials back in the fall because then it’s just done, and you don’t have to deal with a soggy mess in the spring. There are several plants that are nice to leave for winter interest such as tall sedums and other perennials with nice, large seed heads, as well as all ornamental grasses. Aside from winter interest, they also provide seasonal food for birds and other wildlife. The rule of thumb for trimming back both perennials and ornamental grasses is to cut the plant back to 2-4” above the ground. I prefer to err on the side of leaving them a bit longer (4-6”).

You may have to do a light clean up again in the spring, but cutting the plant back any shorter (or to ground level) may result in crown damage and the plant may not survive, especially if there is no mulch or snow cover for winter cold protection.

Q

Can I put the fall leaves from my yard in the compost pile?

- Yellowstone County

A

Leaves are great for composting as they are high in carbon and can contain many trace elements that are depleted in some garden soils. Nitrogen is needed to feed the bacteria that compost the organic matter in leaves. Grass cuttings are one source of nitrogen that can be added to the mixture to meet this requirement. Be careful not to include clippings that have been sprayed with certain herbicides because they will contaminate compost and cause problems later when the compost is applied. Another thing to be aware of is that leaves may take a long time to break down. For faster compost, leaves should be shredded before they are added to the compost pile. The only leaves that should never go into the compost pile are those of black walnut, which produce natural herbicides that will prevent seeds from germinating. For more information on home composting, find MSU Extension’s free MontGuide Home Composting (MT199203AG) at http://www.msuextension.org/store

Q

When and how should I plant spring-flowering bulbs?

- Sweet Grass County

A

Spring-flowering bulbs such as tulips and daffodils should be planted in the fall, usually in September or October. Planting in the fall allows the bulbs to establish their root system before winter so the plants will be ready to grow as soon as temperatures warm in spring, giving them a head start.

The second reason to plant spring-flowering bulbs in the fall is that the plants have a chilling requirement (i.e., a certain amount of time in the cold for them to initiate flowers). Without the cold, the bulbs will produce plants, but not flowers.

When planting spring-flowering bulbs in the fall, be sure to add complete fertilizer and organic matter into the planting bed if the soil needs it, which is best determined by having the soil tested. Bulbs can be planted with a tulipbulb planter for individual bulb planting or in masses by digging out a larger shallow pit for several bulbs to be planted together. The depth at which to plant bulbs depends on the species. See the bulb planting guidelines table on page 9 for recommendations. The general rule of thumb is to plant the bulbs two to three times as deep as they are tall; plant slightly deeper in sandy soils, and a bit shallower in clay soils.

Do you have Master Gardener questions? Send them to: extensionmagazine@montana.edu.

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SUSAN ANDEREGG, MSU

Soak the soil after planting to the appropriate depth. If you live in an area with less snow cover, mulch the ground after soil freezes to keep the soil from thawing and refreezing again, which can cause damage to bulbs. As soon as spring emerges, remove the mulch and enjoy the spring flowers.

Ask Steward

Have a question for Ask Steward? Please send it to: extensionmagazine@montana.edu.

What should I do to get my home ready for winter?

Roubie Younkin, MSU Extension Agent in Valley County

While the sound of running water can be soothing in the right environment, it is a nightmare when it is running through your basement from a broken pipe. Preparing a home for winter can be relatively simple and even satisfying. Keeping the heat in and the cold out saves money, improves safety and makes your home more comfortable. At the same time, you can reduce the risk of expensive repairs. These useful tips will help you get your home winter-ready.

5. Weather strip doors and windows.

Stop drafts at windows and doors with high quality weatherstripping.

The bottom of doors can be sealed with door sweeps.

6. Insulate pipes. Use pre-slit foam available from the hardware store to insulate pipes. This reduces heat loss while saving money. Insulating pipes also protects them from freezing if they are in a drafty or cold location such as an unheated crawlspace.

7. Lower the hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees.

2. Disconnect hoses and winterize your sprinkler system.

8. Install a new showerhead. Save water and energy by installing a high-quality showerhead with no more than 1.5 gallon per minute flow rating.

3. Seal drafty windows. Use clear shrink type plastic window kits to cover drafty windows with a nearly invisible extra layer.

9. Replace furnace filters. Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of a heating and cooling system and could shorten its useful life.

4. Move warm air. Change your ceiling fan to a clockwise position to push the warm ceiling air downward into your living space.

10. Let the sun shine in. Open blinds and curtains on south-facing windows during the day to take advantage of free solar energy. Close them at night.

1. Clean gutters. Keep gutters free of leaves and other debris.

11. Invest in a programmable thermostat. You will see energy savings by lowering the heating temperature (or raising the cooling temperature) at night and when you are not home. A 10-degree night setback can save as much as 10 percent of heating costs.

12. Inspect the chimney. Chimneys often leak warm air out or cold air into a home. A chimney balloon can fill that space and reduce air leakage and drafts. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to clean wood burning flues and chimneys regularly to reduce chimney fire risk.

13. Insulate the attic. Add insulation to achieve an R-value (insulating factor) as indicated by energy codes of at least R-49.

14. Replace lights with LED lamps.

Save energy and replacement costs.

15. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Keep your family safe by checking the batteries and testing detectors every six months.

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16. Use tax credits. Take advantage of tax credits available to homeowners who complete energy efficiency projects. ď&#x20AC;ź

LIVES

landscapes Fall 2018

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LIVES Lily, 4-H Gardening Project

Inspire Kids to Do In 4-H, kids roll up their sleeves and do with their hands. Their experiences grow the curiosity they need for life and career.

Spark Doing. Support Kids at Montana4H.org 4-H inspires kids to be doers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; empowering them to pursue passions and chart their own course. We believe in empowering kids with the skills they need to succeed.

As the youth development program of Montana State University Extension, 4-H meets all kinds of needs at the local level.

4-H is present in every Montana county. Youth ages 5 to 19, from cities, towns and rural areas participate as members.

4-H clubs are groups of youth and volunteer leaders who meet on a regular basis. Meetings give youth opportunities to share project work, plan community service activities, and practice running meetings. Adults age 19+ can join as volunteer leaders.

Contact the MSU Extension office in your county and ask to speak with someone about joining 4-H or a 4-H club.