Fall into September....

Fall into September….

September is the herald of fall for Jefferson County.  The children are back to school, temperatures are (hopefully) starting to cool, and Labor Day is the last week-end the pool is open.  In our yards and gardens this is a great time to take care of a few things.

This is the best time to plant cool season grasses like tall fescue, bluegrass and Rye.  Relatively low weed pressure (competition), Lower rainfall and cooler temperatures gives turf a great start before winter.  Most of your lawn renovation should take place before mid-October.  Remember that includes weed kill, soil preparation and seed germination so if you have been thinking of planting grass seed make plans now.  Rental equipment, seed and labor can be difficult to find if not reserved soon.

Want to get started? This can help! Improving Turf through Renovation:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr51/agr51.pdf

Not sure what you want to plant or you want to know the difference between bluegrass and Zoysia grass?  Selecting the Right Grass for Your Kentucky Lawn:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr52/agr52.pdf

Give your new lawn a great start with the proper care from the beginning. This can save you both time and money!  Lawn Establishment in Kentucky:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr50/AGR50.pdf\

Supplemental irrigation is important and can be confusing as you do not want to over-water or water too often. Home Lawn Irrigation:

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/ukturf/Publications/home_lawn_irrigation.PDF

Of course a good quality lawn needs a lot more than a little seed and fertilizer. 

*Keep your new turf healthy with correct mowing techniques (Sharpen the mower blades often). 

*By mulching your grass clippings and not bagging them you can provide your lawn with up to a pound of nitrogen a season.

*Less fertilizer in the spring can lessen stress and disease pressure in the summer months.

And yes, you can be “green” and still care for your lawn.  Stepping away from chemicals and extra hours of maintenance is possible!   

Low Maintenance Lawn Care, Stressing Pest Avoidance and Organic Inputs:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id154/id154.pdf

 

Our State Fair!

Our State Fair Is A Great State Fair!

Are you going to the Kentucky state fair? Well, I love the fair.  It’s hot, big and loud with all the exhibits, traditional rides and junk food.  From our agricultural roots to our state park system it seems that everything going on in Kentucky is represented there.  From a “gardeners”` point of view the fair is a delight -   Check it out! 

* First, there is the rose collection at the entrance. Even in the heat of summer the variety and color is eye-catching.   The grounds keepers have installed huge hanging baskets with texture and multicolored foliage, with or without blooms they provide plenty of interest. The landscaping is beautiful with plants that survive drought, pollution and the foot traffic of thousands (And that’s outside the fair!).                                                                                                                                                               

* Our children are showcased in Cloverville, the 4H exhibit (If you don’t know about 4H please call us!). Students all over the state have entered all kinds of plant material.  Dish gardens, to tomato plants and more, grace the display and remind us that our children have an interest in the world around them.                                           

* Kentucky beekeepers have a booth where they educate us in our key pollinators, without which we would have far less produce from our gardens and fruit trees. You can even see a working hive!

* Displays of roses, orchids, tropical plants and cut flowers represent the floricultural community striving for perfection.                                                                                                                                                                   

* The University of Kentucky and other institutions present the latest research in horticulture, agriculture, ecology, etc.                                                                                                                               

* Kentucky parks promote both educational and recreational programs that boost tourism from inside and outside our great state.                                                                                                                                   

* Many vendors sell equipment, plants, and gardening services. Ideas for our landscapes, gardens and interior plantscapes are everywhere.

These are just a few of the “gardening” highlights. The fair shows off Kentucky and we have a great state!

 Have a corndog and enjoy!    

                                                                                                                                                      

Surprising Lilies

Surprising Lilies 

It’s August and it is no surprise that surprise lilies are getting a lot of attention.  Everyone seems to be fascinated with them this year. Sometimes called magic lilies or August lilies, these hard working members of the Amaryllis family (Lycoris squamigera) are easy to forget until they literally delight us with beautiful blooms at the end of July through mid-August.  The flowers seem to appear like magic on thick green stalks.  All over the county they bring color to yards, along driveways and sidewalks, even in areas off the beaten path. They welcome in the dog days of summer just as other blooming plants tend to give up on the season. They are the most beautiful in large naturalized groups rather than in single plantings.

Of course they do more than bloom but you may not recognize them as they appear in the spring. Long slender leaves that yellow and die back in June are easily dismissed as the weather warms. Surprise lilies are hardy and seem to thrive in most soils. They tend to grow best in sun but they will tolerate shade as well.  Their bulbs readily multiply and every 4 or 5 years they can be divided to replant or share. Small bulbs will survive although several years of growth may be necessary for them to produce blooms. They have few pests, but squirrels and chipmunks may be tempted by the bulbs.

By the end of August the surprise lily will disappear until they once again send up their green shoots to the spring sunlight. Check them out soon before the show is over!

OH...DEER!

OH…DEER!

Many folks enjoy seeing deer along a country road, standing quietly beside trees and shrubs, majestically viewing the landscape. They remind us of nature and bring a touch of “wild” into our lives, especially when we are surprised by their presence. However, our growing neighborhoods are encroaching into areas that were once rural, bringing wildlife into our backyards.

Extension Wildlife Specialist, Thomas Barnes, explains*, “Whitetail deer were abundant in our country when European settlers first arrived. By 1900, however, uncontrolled hunting had reduced the U.S. white-tailed deer population to around 300,000. The deer population has since rebounded as a result of strict hunting laws, intensive reestablishment and restoration efforts, and changing habitat to favor deer. Today, it is hard to imagine white-tailed deer populations not being abundant.”  

Indeed, browsing deer are unaware of property lines, and in some Jefferson County areas cause damage to gardens and landscape beds. Frustrated homeowners try everything from dog hair to mothballs trying to repel or discourage deer. These “home remedies” do not control deer or limit their damage. There is no easy, goof-proof method to keep deer away with the possible exception of fencing, and that is neither easy nor inexpensive. A combination of tactics such as chemical or taste repellants and flagging (frightening) may provide some control. Deer have discriminating taste buds and can be selective feeders. Selecting plants that deer are not likely to browse may limit damage to landscapes. Several universities have publications that list deer resistant plants. 

However, because of hunger or population pressure there are no deer-proof plants. These publications can recommend several types of control, but many variables must be considered when deciding on deer management. 

Ohio State University, Preventing and Controlling Deer Damage:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/pdf/0005.pdf

Cornell University Resistance of Woody Ornamental Plants to Deer Damage:

http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/info/pubs/Wildlife/resistance%20of%20woody%20ornamentla%20plats%20ot%20Deer%20Damage.pdf

Cornell University has a great publication on deer control:

http://wildlifecontrol.info/pubs/Documents/Deer/Deer_factsheet.pdf

*From Managing Whitetail Deer in Kentucky:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for57/for57.htm