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Master Gardener Activities Spring 2014

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

May/June 2014

Bi-monthly edition

The Potting Shed Official Jones County Master Gardeners Newsletter

S H O W

Coordinators

Column

Wow— time sure goes

by so quickly! I believe I

missed spring. Summer

will be here officially

Saturday, June 21st.

Our county has received

precipitation even hail

which is making the

grass grow and the

weeds pop up in my

flower beds and gar-

dens. I have given 9

horticulture related

presentation this

spring. We had beauti-

ful weather for the sale

on May 10th this year.

Thanks to all the MG’s

that contributed items

and/or helped with this

event. Just a friendly

reminder to record your

hours. Kim

Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 12th, 2014 @ the Lawrence Community Center in Anamosa. Jim Christianson, Betty Paschal and Kim Miller at the display table for Jones County Master Gardeners

Fountain Park spring clean up —April 15th, 2014

It was a little chilly and wet from rain over the weekend. Judy Monk,

Ruth Kray, Betty Paschal, JoAnn Hinz, Bobbie Seeley, back row

Misty Farr and Jim Christianson (missing from photo Pam Benson,

Irene Leonard and Kim Miller) Tremendous THANK YOU to all

that helped with the park clean up. Many compliments at the sun-

rise church service on Easter morning on the park. Job well

done!!

April 8th, 2014 Mallory Marlatt, Scenic Byway Project Coordina-tor Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development pre-sented information on Iowa’s byway system and possible improvements to Jones County’s Grant-wood byway

Can you smell the hyacinth?

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Kentucky Coffee tree

Gymnocladus dioicus

The Kentucky coffee tree is native to the Midwest, where it is found growing wild along the Mis-

sissippi and other rivers. Its saplings often have few branches and can look spindly, but they

mature into large (75 feet tall) attractive trees with an upright form. They have large, fern-like

compound leaves with many leaflets and yellow fall color. They grow well in a variety of condi-

tions and are great as street trees. Kentucky coffee tree are dioecious, which means they have

separate male and female trees. The female trees have seed pods, and male cultivars are avail-

able for those who don’t want pods. Consider utilizing a Kentucky coffee tree as a replacement

for ash trees this upcoming planting season. Chinese Chestnuts

The American chestnut was once a prominent tree in America, but in the early 1900’s all that

changed when a blight wiped out nearly the entire species. This tree once provided an abun-

dance of chestnuts for “roasting on an open fire” and as the building blocks for log cabins and

barns. According to iowasource.com, Iowa has one of the best chestnut-growing climates found

west of the Mississippi River. Although American chestnut can still be found, it is susceptible to

chestnut blight; Chinese chestnuts can be an excellent replacement as a crop or along

streamsides.

Article from Trees Forever

How to Grow and Care for Scarlet Runner Bean Annuals, Phaseolus If you're growing Scarlet Runner Beans, you're growing an edible ornamental. That's right! It's grown as a flowering

plant and as a vegetable. Pretty cool, eh!?

Scarlet Runner beans, and other varieties of runner beans, are easy to grow. It's fast growing, climbing up to ten feet

in a season. Plants will produce a profusion of pretty red and white flowers, amidst a heavy cover of leaves.

Plant Scarlet Runner Beans where they can grow up a fence, trellis, bamboo canes, or some other kind of support.

Plant Height: 6' - 9'

Plant Propagation: Scarlet Runner Bean are grown from seeds. Germination is quick. In warm soil, they can emerge in under a week.

Sow Scarlet Runner Bean seeds directly into the garden after the last frost in your area. Beans are highly susceptible

to frost in both spring and fall. So, do not plant them too early Days to Germination: 10 - 15

How to Grow: Growing Scarlet Runner Beans is easy. Grow Scarlet Runner Bean in full sun. Plants prefer a rich, soil. Adding com-

post prior to planting, will help them to grow quickly to their full potential.

Scarlet Runner Beans require something to climb. Plant them along a fence or trellis. Trellises are a great way to dis-

play this attractive, flowering ornamental. After the blooming period, the beans will be accessible to harvest right

from the trellis. In the vegetable garden, fences and bamboo poles are most often used.

Add ample amounts of water and fertilizer. The plants need both, to reach maximum growth. Just before the bloom-

ing period, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, to promote blooms.

Weed around the plants, especially while bean plants are young. Once they begin to climb, weeds will not block valu-

able sunlight. But, they will continue to compete for moisture and nutrients. A heavy layer of mulch around the plants

will look good, and keep weeds down.

All bean plants are annuals that are very susceptible to frost. Cover them up whenever cold temperatures are ex-

pected.

Flowers Bloom: Summer to Fall

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Harvesting Beans: After the flowers have bloomed, bean pods will begin to grow. If picked very young, the pods are edible. They get

tough and stringy very quickly.

IMPORTANT: Most people who grow runner beans for the beans, will eat just the beans. Beans must be cooked

before eating.

Picking beans continuously, will promote new flowers and more beans!

Insects, Pests, and Disease: Most varieties of beans are susceptible to a variety of insects, most notably beetles. They can be effectively treated

with Sevin, Diazinon or a variety of other insecticides.

Bunnies love beans! Rabbits eat the tender new leaves. If there are rabbits in your area, a rabbit fence is not a nicety,

it is a necessity. They will devastate a row of beans in a hurry, eating the tender new leaves. As new ones develop,

they will come back for more.

Pest netting is effective for bunnies.

More on control of rabbits in the garden.

Deer love to nip leaves of beans. If deer are a problem in your area, they will be a problem with your runner

beans. Fencing or pest netting is the most effective control.

More on how to control deer in gardens.

Fungus diseases are a frequent problem in wet or humid weather. Use a fungicide as needed. Keeping the leaves dry,

and avoiding overcrowding will help to keep disease from getting a start.

Note—Judy Tuetken brought in these beans and inquired so we decided to

share the information.

MESSAGE FROM ISU ENTOMOLOGY DEPARTMENT Periodical Cicadas!

Hello: from Donald R. Lewis, Extension Entomologist

A caller from north of Burlington just phoned ISU Extension Entomology to report emergence of periodical cicadas! Cool! We have waited 17 years for this call. That message was on May 29th. http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2014/04-11/cicadas.html Please report additional emergences as you hear them. I also encourage you to report your observations online to http://magicicada.org/report/report.php According to the map of Iowa the periodical cicadas will NOT be in Jones county. Green colored counties will probably hear and see the periodical cicadas.

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Yard and Garden:

How do I control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds in my lawn?

Good cultural practices are an important key to controlling broadleaf weeds in the lawn. Proper mowing, fer-

tilization and other sound management practices help establish a thick, healthy lawn. A dense stand of

grass provides few opportunities for unwanted weeds. When broadleaf weeds invade lawns, mechanical and

chemical measures can be undertaken to remove or destroy the weeds. Removing weeds by pulling and

digging is an effective control option in small lawns or when only a few weeds are present. This method is

best accomplished after a soaking rain or deep watering. In many situations, herbicides are the only practical

method of weed control. Effective broadleaf herbicides include 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, triclopyr and others.

The most effective broadleaf herbicide products contain a mixture of two or three herbicides as no single

compound will control all broadleaf weeds. Fall (late September to early November) is the best time to apply

broadleaf herbicides in Iowa. Broadleaf herbicides can be applied as liquids or granules. Before applying any

herbicide, carefully read and follow label directions.

How do I control weeds in my garden? Cultivation, hand pulling and mulches are the primary means to control weeds in the home garden. Cultivation and hand pulling effectively control most annual weeds. Perennial weeds are often more difficult to control. Repeated cultivation or the use of herbicides may be necessary to destroy some perennial weeds. When cultivating the garden, avoid deep tillage. The roots of many vegetables, fruits and flowers grow near the soil surface. Deep cultivation will cut off some of these roots. Also, deep cultivation will bring deeply bur-ied weed seeds to the soil surface where they can germinate. Hoe or till around plants or between rows and pull weeds close to plants. To effectively control weeds, cultivation and hand pulling must be done on a reg-ular basis through the growing season. Small weeds are much easier to control than large weeds. It’s also important to destroy the weeds before they are able to go to seed. Mulches control weeds by preventing the germination of weed seeds. Established weeds should be de-stroyed prior to the application of the mulch. In addition to weed control, mulches help conserve soil mois-ture, reduce soil erosion, prevent crusting of the soil surface, keep fruits and vegetables clean and may re-duce disease problems. Grass clippings, shredded leaves and weed-free straw are excellent mulches for vegetable gardens and an-nual flower beds. Apply several inches of these materials in early June after the soil has warmed sufficiently. Plant growth may be slowed if these materials are applied when soil temperatures are still cool in early spring. Grass clippings, shredded leaves and similar materials break down rather quickly and can be tilled into the soil in the fall. Wood chips and shredded bark are excellent mulches for perennial beds and areas around trees and shrubs. Apply 2 to 4 inches of material around landscape plantings. These materials decay slowly and should last several years. However, it will be necessary to apply additional material periodically to maintain the desired depth.

The theme for the 2014 Summer Webinar Series is Totally Trees. As the Emerald Ash Borer marches

across the state, homeowners need to be prepared to recognize signs of damage, know what control

options are available, and consider alternatives for replacement trees. All sessions will be held from

6:30-8:00 p.m. on the dates indicated below. The fee for each session is $25 per site. (Most counties

charge individuals a nominal fee to cover the cost of the webinar.) County Extension offices may regis-

ter with Denny to reserve a connection. Master Gardeners should contact your local extension office to

see if they will be one of the host sites for the webinars. Tuesday July 15 - Mark Vitosh, Iowa DNR District Forester, will speak on Iowa's Unknown Treas-

ure: The Forest Resource. He will discuss trees in communities as well as the benefits and issues of

growing trees in Iowa woodlands and urban areas. Thursday August 14 - Donald Lewis & Mark Shour, ISU Extension Entomologists, will speak on

Tree Pests, with a focus on recent pests of trees such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the impact of

these pests on the Iowa landscape. Thursday September 4 - Jeff Iles, Extension Nursery and Landscape Specialist, will speak on Ash

Alternatives, providing ideas of other species of trees to consider planting in the home landscape.

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Garden Tips Late Spring Lawn •In preparation for hot, dry summer weather, raise mower height to 3 to 31⁄2

inches. Fruits •Heavily bearing apple trees should be hand thinned within 6 weeks of bloom. Trees and shrubs •Prune spring-blooming shrubs (such as lilac, bridal wreath spirea, and forsythia) after blooming.

Flowers •Do not remove the foliage of bulbs (such as tulip or daffodil) until it yellows and dies. Herbs •Fertilize lightly to promote new growth on sage, rosemary, and lavender. Houseplants •Move houseplants outdoors into a shady, protected location for the season, if desired. •Water and fertilize regularly. Vegetables •Stagger plantings of beans and corn for extended harvest. •Plant tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers after danger of frost has past. Stake or cage tomatoes to discourage foliar diseases (PM 608). •Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding and weak growth.

Early Summer

Lawn •During dry weather, irrigate in the morning to allow the foliage to dry by afternoon. Fruits •Renovate June-bearing strawberry beds immediately after final harvest. •Remove 3 to 4 inches of shoot tips of black and purple raspberry canes to encourage branch-ing (RG 501). Trees and shrubs

•Mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weed competition (RG 209, SUL 12). Flowers •Fertilize and water annual flowers regularly to promote growth and an abundance of blooms. •Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms. Herbs •Harvest leaves for cooking or drying before flowering. Houseplants •Wash leaves with warm, soapy water to remove dust. Vegetables •Stop harvesting asparagus and rhubarb by mid-June. •Water weekly during dry weather. •Control weeds by hand-pulling or hoeing. •Regular irrigation of tomatoes will help prevent or reduce problems with blossom-end-rot.

Garden Tips Guidelines to Seasonal Chores—RG 105 publication is very resourceful. Here is

the website to download a copy https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ in the search box (upper right hand corner) enter RG105

Jones County

800 North Maple Street, Ste # 2

P O Box 28

Monticello IA 52310

Phone: 319-465-3224

Fax: 319-465-3312

E-mail: kmiller5@iastate.edu

Learn it Grow it Teach it

Website www.extension.iastate.edu/jones/

click on Agriculture & Environment then select Yard & Garden/Horticulture

Calendar of Events

Tuesday, June 10—Potluck—Wild Garlic Mus-tard Pull Wapsi State Park—5:30 pm Saturday, June 14—Monticello Farmers Mar-ket— Monticello Middle School parking lot—9 to 11 am June 21—summer begins June 25-28—Bettendorf—Growing along the River 2014 Upper Midwest Regional Master Gar-dener Conference July 1—Articles due for Potting Shed newsletter Tuesday, July 8—garden tour/potluck (to be announced) Tuesday, July 15—judge Flower Pots (livestock barns) Assist with 4H/FFA flower & vegetable judging (Youth Development Center) **See page 4 for details on this Summer Webinar Series—Totally Trees**