HORTICULTURE
Gifted Gardener
A P R I L / M A Y
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
100 YEARS OF EXTENSION
Broad2 leaved Evergreen Problems Farmers Market
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In Praise of Mini Daffodils
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Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour
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Keep your 8 Tomatoes Clean this spring
Backyard Apple Spray Guide
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Activities & Ideas
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By Karen Rammage While change isn’t easy for some people, it’s inevitable in some circumstances. Throughout the history of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, countless agents have worked to help Kentuckians learn about and embrace important changes. 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Smith-Lever Act, which formally established the national Cooperative Extension Service system. The UK Cooperative Extension Service is celebrating ways that extension has helped clients change their lives for the better. Many of the duties of the first extension agents included helping farmers become better stewards of the land and helping homemakers improve food preservation techniques so they and their families could lead healthier lives. Today, extension agents continue to work to make Kentuckians lives better, but now these duties may include helping farmers keep up with the latest precision agriculture technology, guiding families as they 1
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bounce back from the recent recession or teaching 4-H’ers about the consequences of bullying. Despite the many social, technological and academic changes that have occurred in the past 100 years, one thing that has remained constant is that Kentuckians can always turn to their county Cooperative Extension agents to get reliable, research-based information on topics ranging from bed bugs to public speaking to physical activity. While extension agents don’t make decisions for their clients, they do provide them with the most up-to-date knowledge so individuals make the best decision possible for themselves. Today, change occurs rapidly, and extension is still the place where Kentuckians can turn to for help embracing those changes and moving forward toward a better Kentucky. Happy Birthday to us Come help us celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Cooperative Extension Service May 8th from 11:00 am until 2:00pm (come when you can) enjoy a provided lunch and a display of our history. 317 South Third Street
WOODY PLANTS
“While the soil
Broadleaved Evergreen Problems Broadleaved evergreens like hollies, magnolias, boxwoods, and rhododendrons have been beaten up this past winter and are looking pretty ragged coming into spring. Winter drying is the culprit and was ex-
means that the soil around the roots remained frozen for an extended period of time and the plant could not take up needed moisture to maintain the foliage. While the soil was frozen and no uptake of water was taking place the winds were still evaporating moisture from the foliage resulting in the burnt or
was frozen and no uptake of water was taking place the winds were still evaporating moisture from the foliage.“
Holly leaves Boxwood leaves pected based upon what kind of winter we just went through. The discoloration occurs because of the plants leaves dry out during frozen ground conditions. This
Magnolia leaves
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scorched appearance. The unfortunate thing is there is not a lot of options for dealing with the problem after it happens. We generally see very little long term effects from this problem. Usually the worse case is some twig die-back and an un-thrifty appearance to the plant for awhile. Generally they will put new leaves back on and resume normal appearance (Continued on page 3)
as the spring continues to improve. Patience will be the order of the spring to get back to a more lush landscape. To read more about how to
manage this problem next winter read the following: Leaf Scorch and Winter Drying of Woody Plants
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FLOWERS
IN PRAISE OF MINI DAFFODILS
“Because daffodils' bulbs are site-
The following article is a part of the Smart Gardener series written by the staff of the Chicago Botanic garden. Now I know it is past our bloom time of the Daffodils but I feel like it is a good time to begin thinking about the many other possibilities of this genus of plants.and their uses.
This April, we want to focus attention on a particular subset of the enormous genus Narcissus: the smallest daffodils, both miniatures and species, that often go unnoticed and unplanted.
dependent— putting out larger or smaller flowers each year, according to sun/soil/ water/weather conditions—the term "miniature" is a moving target that's hard to standardize.”
“We admit to a weakness for daffodils here—last time we counted, we came up with quite a grand total: more than half a million daffodils are planted at the Chicago Botanic Garden! In fact, last year in Smart Gardener, we talked about daffodils twice, in both the April article (on planning) and again in the November article (on planting, when you need it in fall).
Narcissus 'Baby Boomer', N. 'Baby Moon', and N. 'Elka' are dotted about the Rock Garden, a desirable site for bulbs, given its well-drained soil and warmer temperature. If you are ever in Chicago the Chicago Botanic Garden is a must see 4
What makes a miniature? The American Daffodil Society (ADS) refrains from an official definition or separate division for miniatures (although it sanctions a cultivar list: daffodilusa.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/01/ADSMiniature-Daffodil-List.pdf). Because daffodils' bulbs are sitedependent—putting out larger or smaller flowers each year, according to sun/soil/water/ weather conditions—the term "miniature" is a moving target that's hard to standardize. In general, however, the ADS and reputable daffodil companies (like Brent and Becky's Bulbs) consider miniatures to be about 6 inches tall, bearing flowers about 1 inch in diameter. Here's what's key: miniatures are minia-
tures not just in height, but in all physical features. All the art, in a smaller package. Think of your favorite standard daffodil: there's probably a miniature with a similar look. There are mini-trumpet daffodils (traditionally Division 1), as well as triandrus (Division 5), cyclamineus (6), jonquilla (7), and tazetta (8). The bulbocodium (10), miscellaneous (12), and species (13) divisions rank high in miniature numbers. Also, like standard daffodils, miniatures flower at different times: there are early, mid, and late spring bloomers, all of which can add up to an extended period of bloom if they're located well. Speaking of location, even an experienced gardener can feel stymied when it comes to sighting miniature bulbs. In the next week or two, take a good look at your yard before the trees leaf out, and you may be surprised by the bulb location opportunities. Take a few digital photos now so you can refer to them when it's time to plant bulbs this fall. We have a few location suggestions:
In shrubby areas—Miniatures squeeze in nicely beneath shrubs, lighting up those lifeless spots found in every yard. Timed to bloom with a flowering shrub, like azaleas, mini-daffs can be thrilling. Try miniatures in clumps around conifers, too—dark greens make a great backdrop for dainty, bright flowers. Under trees' canopies—The same idea works under trees— especially those that don't encourage
much to grow beneath them, like Norway maples. Imagine that typically bare, gray spot in the yard as a staging area for hundreds of mini-daffodils instead. Along the walkways—Tucked right at the edge of sidewalks and paths, dainty daffodils delight visitors and homeowners as they open up in spring. Even a clump or two is enough to stop the neighbors in their tracks. As punctuation in groundcover—Popping up through established groundcovers, mini-daffodils turn the ordinary into a photo op. Try them with a flowering groundcover, like Phlox subulata, for a magazine cover-worthy effect. Use a narrow trowel to dig holes for bulbs (three times the depth of the bulb itself) through the groundcover (limits root damage) and plant them randomly (no straight lines!). In containers—Mass miniature bulbs in a large container for the front porch or at the garden gate. Be generous and position bulbs closely together for maximum impact. We plant miniatures in high-traffic areas where visitors are can see them clearly before the rest of the garden comes to life. “ Narcissus 'Little Gem' and N. 'Jumblie' share an unusual location— beneath the apple trees in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden orchard—where 1,000 of each look wonderfully naturalized. Well worth the walk. 5
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FRUITS & VEGETABLE
KEEP YOUR TOMATOES CLEAN THIS SPRING The staple of many gardens really could use a little help from you to provide fruit for the entire season. That care should start at or just before transplanting to maintain good clean transplants that can thrive and handle all that the summer will throw at them.
“Early blight is described when the plant begins to “fire up” from the bottom. .”
The major problem of tomatoes comes from a soil born disease called early blight. Early blight is described when the plant begins to “fire up” from the bottom. Firing up refers to the lowest leaves on the plant spotting then turning yellow or black and finally falling off. When early blight is bad enough it will affect the leaves, stem and the fruit. The problem can result in the loss of the entire crop. So, what to do to prevent crop loss from early blight in tomatoes? Start with clean disease free transplants (no spots and good color). Grow your own seedlings is a better way to ensure disease free plants. 8
After planting mulch under the plants to keep soil from bouncing up on the plant. Mulch can be organic, landscape fabric, or paper type products.
Early sprays of Chlorothalonil (a protectant fungicide) applied weekly will keep your plants much cleaner. Brand names include Fungonil and Chlorothalonil.
Watering should always be done at the root zone and not over the top. Sprinklers in the garden are a sure way to promote disease.
These steps are sure to help you keep disease free plants all the way to frost.
Even though the other prevalent problem on tomatoes (Blossom End Rot) is not a disease the cultural practices listed will greatly decrease the occurrences of this abiotic problem. Blossom end rot is a lack of calcium being taken up by the plant because of intermittent watering and the allowing of the plant to dry between watering. So keep the plants moist and mulched and the lovely red fruit will keep coming all season.
Backyard Apple Spray Guide This time of year timing is critical for keeping your apple crop insect and disease free. The following chart is a portion of the Simplified Backyard Apple Spray Guide (PPFS-FR
-T-18). Considering most fruit production the early sprays are the most important and because most of the products we can use are protectants it is critical to apply those sprays ahead of a rain event. Visit the link to the left for more in depth information.
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bardstown-Farmers-Market/199299616780198
http://honeyofablog.blogspot.com/
http://kentuckyhomegardens.blogspot.com/
LEARNING
HELP!!!!
Lyda Moore, president of Kentucky Home
Extension Master Gardeners, is preparing a paper for consideration for the International Convention of Master Gardeners in September in South Korea. The paper deals with mentoring relationships between gardeners and those persons who helped foster or teach a love of horticulture/agriculture. It would be so appreciated if you would send her an email at lpmoore1950@hotmail.com or call at (502)-33l-0376 and tell her a short bit of information if someone fostered this passion for you. Initial responses have included aunts, grandparents, parents, neighbors, school programs, and financial incentives. Thank you for helping. If her presentation were to be accepted, it would provide financial assistance for the convention. 10
Upcoming Activities:
THAT’S AN IDEA
Shallow tilliage in all garden areas helps to reduce weed pressure season long. Grubs do not cause your mole problem so there is no benefit to treating for grubs Lawn fertilization in the spring is a waste of time and money . Many more benefits are seen from fall applications.
done every few years.
Save our pollinators do not spray trees when flowers are open.
Most vegetables have an optimum time for sidedressing see ID-128 for more details.
Many perennials can be divided now.
Remember if it blooms before June prune after bloom. If it blooms after June you can prune now if needed.
This cold weather may cause your Cole crops to bolt prematurely.
Onions can be planted
Remembers soil testing is free in Nelson County and should be
Broadleaved weeds need to be controlled now see AGR -208 for specifics.
April 22nd @4:00 pm at the Bloomfield Library Growing Terrific Tomatoes and Perfect Peppers all season long. .
May 7th @ 6:30 pm Nelson County Beekeepers Club will have their regular meeting at the Nelson County Extension Office
May 8th from 11:00am until 2:00pm Join us for a celebration of 100 years of Extension. Lunch will be provided so RSVP please.
May 15th @ 5:00 pm Dish/Container Gardening workshop at the Nelson County Extension office. Bring a favorite shallow dish and any mini plants you would like to share. Call to register.
May 27th @ 4:00 pm at the Bloomfield Library “Backyard Poultry for meat eggs, and fun
Robbie Smith County Extension Agent for Horticulture Phone: 502-348-9204 Fax: 502-348-9270 email: robsmith@uky.edu Website: http://nelson.ca.uky.edu/ @hortagentrob NelsonCountyExtension
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RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
University of Kentucky Nelson County 317 South Third Street Bardstown, KY 40004
Cooperative Extension Service
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