Category: Agriculture

AUGUST EDITION OF GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTERThe Kerr Lake Extension Master Gardeners have produced another fine newsletter, available at the following link:http://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/thegardenpath/ WEEKLY TIPS FROM THE GARDEN SHOW ON WIZS RADIO1. Watch out for yellow jacket nests and fire ant mounds in the yard and landscape.  Call if you need treatment recommendations. 2. Begin making plans now if you want to renovate your tall fescue lawn this fall.  3. Continue planting your fall garden crops. 4. Watch for powdery mildew on …

WEEKLY TIPS FROM THE GARDEN SHOW ON WIZS (Tues 4:30)1. Begin researching trees and shrubs to plant this fall.2. Check your local garden centers for plant and equipment specials. 3. Get rid of any vegetable plants that are no longer producing. 4. Continue planting your fall garden. 5. Avoid pruning until mid-winter at the earliest. 6. Make a note of how you can improve your irrigation system to do a better job NEXT summer.  7. Watch for stinkbugs on tomatoes …

NCSU PEST NEWSThe latest issue, containing updates on current pest problems, is available here:http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/pest_news.html VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE An excellent new resource for gardeners from NCSU Horticulture Dept.!http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/documents/AG-756.pdf SMALL FRUITS NEWS Latest issue available here:  http://www.smallfruits.org/Newsletter/Vol12-Issue3.pdf IPM SEMINAR Seminar on Integrated Pest Management, by Wayne Rowland, Ag and Natural Resources Technician, Monday, July 30, 6:30 pm at the Vance County Extension Office. NC SUMMER VINEYARD VISITSJuly 27th, sponsored by NC Muscadine Association and NC Winegrowers Association.  More info. at:http://www.ncwinegrowers.com/docs/events/VineyardVisitAgenda.pdf ASPARAGUS TWILIGHT …

CANOLA/RAPESEED MEETING, 8/2 Thursday, August 2nd, 6 pm, Franklin County Extension Center, Louisburg.   Featuring presentations by Dr. Ron Heiniger (NCSU Crop Specialist) and Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton (NCSU Crop Specialist).  One hour of pesticide credit and CCA credits will be applied for.  Please call the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office (919-496-3344) to register by Monday July 30, 2012.  A meal is being provided thanks to the generous sponsorship of Technology Crops International. WHEAT VARIETY DATAhttp://www.smallgrains.ncsu.edu/ VIDEO ON WHEAT VARIETIESDr. Randy Weisz …

The next meeting of the Kerr Tar Beekeepers will be Monday, July 9th, 7 pm at the Vance County Extension Center. Our speaker will be Guido van der Hoeven, Extension Specialist. He will talk about tax issues related to beekeeping, such as income reporting and the possibility of deducting expenses. All are welcome! For more information, e-mail wayne_rowland@ncsu.edu or call 252-438-8188. Small Farmers, You may not think of beef as a small-scale enterprise, but you might explore the potential of …

JULY PROGRAM ON MAPPING/GIS*Landowners will not want to miss this encore presentation of James Jeuck’s workshop on computer mapping tools!  To be held on July 19th, 6:30 pm at the Warren County Extension Office, participants will get hands-on experience.  A limited number of laptops will be available, or you may bring your own.  If you bring your own laptop (must have wifi), you will need to arrive by 6 pm to download necessary software. You will also need to bring …

GARDEN PATH NEWSLETTERThanks to the Kerr Lake Extension Master Gardeners, the latest issue of The Garden Path is available.  Click the following link for lots of great garden tips and info.https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B07f_hboyfL2NWNrTXlJcThvSUE EMERALD ASH BORERPlease read the information at the following link to become informed about this new exotic pest which has been found in neighboring states.http://ncforestservice.gov/forest_health/pdf/FHN/FHN-10EAB01EAB80310.pdf INCREDIBLE YEARS PARENTING SERIESThis 13-week parenting class begins on August 23rd.  For more information, contact Vickie Jones at 252-438-8188.

Hope everyone saw the interesting hydrilla article in the Daily Dispatch this past week.  As a followup, I thought I’d mention that there are actually five applicators approved by the Corps of Engineers to make treatments.  They are listed on the following web page:  http://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/91/Kerr%20Lake%20Vegetation%20Survey.pdf That same page also contains a link to the recently completed report of the lake-wide vegetation survey conducted last year.  I would especially encourage you to look at the recommendations listed on pages 6 & …

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 …

As the summer fun season gets under way, I wanted to send a few reminders and updates. If you have lake-front property, you may want to do some sampling to determine if hydrilla is present in your area.  Simply zip-tie together the heads of two garden rakes, tie on a rope, throw out into the water, and pull it in to see if there is any vegetation. Here is a picture of a sampling rake:  http://flic.kr/p/9PKs27 And here is a …

WEEKLY TIPS FROM THE HOME & GARDEN SHOW ON WIZS1. If cole crops like broccoli are winding down take them out of the garden. 2. Mulch around young trees to protect them from lawn mower damage. 3. Check squash for squash bugs. Egg casings can be scraped off by hand. 4. Riding lawn mowers are made to carry only one person, the driver. Just say “no” to extra riders. 5. When harvesting vegetables place them in the shade to keep …