Local NC Cooperative Extension Updates


WEEKLY GARDEN TO-DO LIST (FROM THE HOME & GARDEN SHOW on WIZS, with Wayne Rowland & Paul McKenzie)
1. You can still plant squash, tomatoes, snapbeans, lima beans.
2. Don’t panic over leaf spots on trees and shrubs.  They are normally a cosmetic problem.  
3. For best results, harvest vegetables daily.  Pick them when they are tender and flavorful!
4. Watch for thrips on roses and other flowers, which cause misshapen buds and flowers
5. Riding lawn mowers are made to carry only one person, the driver. Just say “no” to extra riders.  
6. When bringing home a new houseplant, keep it isolated for a few weeks in case it has any pests that would spread to your existing plants.
7. Do NOT apply fertilizer or weed control products to tall fescue lawns.
8. For warm season lawns, DO apply fertilizer as indicated in the NCSU Lawn Calendar, and apply herbicides as needed.
9. Scout flowerbeds weekly for weeds and pull by hand as needed.
10. Remember to drink plenty of water and take rest breaks when working in the garden.

WHAT’S BUGGING YOU IN THE GARDEN?
Library Lunch & Learn, June 28, noon, Perry Library in Henderson.  Paul McKenzie will explain how to identify and manage common pests of the vegetable garden.  Bring samples for identification!  Samples should be preserved in alcohol, or placed in a sealed plastic bag.

NEW PEST OF BLACKBERRIES
Spotted Wing Drosophila (say that five times fast!) is a new pest of caneberries and strawberries.  If you raise these crops, you will want to read up on the information here:
http://ncsmallfruitsipm.blogspot.com/

CORN RUST ALERT
Southern corn rust is wide spread in the Coastal Plain of Georgia at this time. This is very early in the year for an outbreak. Spraying a fungicide to prevent Southern rust may be a little premature at this time, but consider the amount of acreage you may have to cover.  You may be need to start early to be timely.  So at the very least check your equipment and be prepared to make a fungicide application. The current status of Southern  rust in the U.S. can found at http://sbr.ipmpipe.org/cgi-bin/sbr/public.cgi.  (from Steve Koenning & Ron Heiniger, NCSU)

POND WORKSHOP
June 26, VGCC Main Campus in Henderson.  More info at http://go.ncsu.edu/2012ponds

FIVE-COUNTY BEEF TOUR
July 18, this year featuring Warren County Farms!  Details to come.

MAPPING WORKSHOP
July 19, 6:30 pm, Warren County Extension Center.  While this workshop is intended for Forest Landowners, anyone with several acres of land will likely find the mapping tools to be invaluable.  A limited number of laptops will be available, or you may bring your own.  Registration is required.  If you plan to bring a laptop, you MUST arrive by 6 pm and bring a separate mouse.

NCSU PEST NEWS
The latest issue (June 8) includes lots of updates on field crop pests:
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/pest_news.html

PRECISION AG FIELD DAY
June 19, Plymouth, NC.  http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/writing/Field_Days/precision-ag-2012-final.pdf

ORGANIC CROP FARM TOUR
July 19, Nash County, $10, BBQ supper.  Tobacco, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cotton.  Info. at lisa_forehand@ncsu.edu or 919-513-0954

RIDGEWAY CANTALOPE FESTIVAL
July 21.  What more do you need to know?

COTTON FIELD DAY
Sept. 12, Rocky Mount, details to come.

SMALL FLOCK FIELD DAY
Sept 19, Goldsboro, details to come.