TIMELY GARDEN TIPS
1. Submit lawn and garden soil samples to Vance or Warren Extension office by 11/26. Otherwise, best to wait until April to avoid the new “peak season” soil sample fee ($4 per sample).
2. Fertilize tall fescue lawns in late November.
3. Continue planting trees and shrubs. Visit a local nursery to learn about great plants for this area!
4. Avoid pruning unless absolutely necessary. Best to wait until late February for most pruning, especially major size-control jobs.
5. Pull out dead plants from vegetable garden or till them into the soil.
6. Clean off tomato stakes and cages and store for the winter.
7. Winterize gas-powered lawn/garden equipment.
8. Check that all pest control products are stored safely and securely for the winter.
SAFETY ALERT! ULTRA LOW SULFUR DIESEL
Please see the important information at the following webpage:
WORKSHOP ON LONGLEAF PINE OPPORTUNITIES, 12/13, RAEFORD
Details here: http://cnr.ncsu.edu/blogs/southeast-fire-update/files/2013/11/Raeford-LL-Workshop-Flyer.pdf
HESSIAN FLY MANAGEMENT
Here’s a short video from NCSU experts:
COTTON CROP OBSERVATIONS, 2013
COVER CROP WORKSHOP, 12/5, HALIFAX COUNTY
9:30 am at the Halifax County Agriculture Auditorium. RSVP by 12/2 to Will Man (mannw@halifaxnc.com or 252-583-3481 x3).
PEAK SEASON SOIL SAMPLE FEE
Get your soil samples to the Vance or Warren Extension office by 12/26 to avoid the new $4/sample peak season fee!
FEE INCREASE FOR WASTE/COMPOST SAMPLES
Effective December 1, NCDA&CS will raise the fee for waste and compost samples to $8.
NEW INFORMATION RESOURCE ON NITROGEN FERTILIZATION
See the following link for lots of great resources on managing N fertility.
FLUE-CURED TOBACCO SITUATION AND OUTLOOK
NCSU Economist Dr. Blake Brown shares his annual update:
HOW WILL THE END OF THE TOBACCO BUYOUT AFFECT RURAL COMMUNITIES?
Another interesting analysis by NCSU’s Dr. Blake Brown:
FRAUD ALERT
USDA has been made aware that there is a fraudulent letter circulating to producers and/or contractors. The signature line in these letters reads “Frank Rutenberg” and the sender claims to be a USDA employee seeking information about the recipient. These letters are a fraud, the sender is fictitious and recipients should NOT respond to these letters.
WARREN COUNTY PESTICIDE CONTAINER RECYCLING BIN IS FULL
It is scheduled to be emptied in early spring. I will provide a more concrete date when available.
TWO IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS BELOW!
1. HELP COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SET PRIORITIES FOR THE FUTURE!
NC Cooperative Extension has suffered significant budget cuts in recent years. According to Dr. Zublena, statewide Extension Director, “We are at the point where we must prioritize what we can do best with the staffing that our funding will support.” We need YOUR help in setting those priorities. You can do so by attending one of several Listening Sessions to be held around the state (schedule posted here:http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/vision-initiative/listening-sessions/). Or you may submit feedback on-line at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/vision-initiative/ .
2. OPEN HOUSE AT VANCE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
Come out on 12/2, 1 – 6 pm for light refreshments, good company, and to meet our new 4-H Agent, Mr. Turner Pride! Details at: