A Note From Faye

Woodford HortUpdate

October 2018

Woodford County

184 Beasley Drive

Versailles, KY 40383-8992

(859) 873-4601

Fax: (859) 873-8936

Extension.ca.uky.edu

USDA NRCS EQIP Application

Happy fall! We hope you will join us at some of the upcoming fall classes and workshops! Also, please consider taking our community needs assessment survey to help us tailor new and existing programs to meet the highest priority issues in our community. The last days of the season for the Woodford County Farmers Market will be Saturday, October 27th from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Lexington Road Plaza in Versailles, Wednesday, October 24

th at the Kentucky Castle from 3-6 p.m.

and Monday, October 29th from 3-6 p.m. in Midway. Support your local growers!

As always, your horticulture tips, comments, requests and questions are always appreciated!

USDA NRCS in Kentucky Announces First Application Cut-Off Period for the 2019 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will be November 2, 2018. The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky is encouraging landowners, farmers and producers to visit their local NRCS office now to receive information and apply for conservation technical assistance and possible funding opportunities. The application process for NRCS’s conservation programs is continuous, but funding selections for specific programs are made throughout the year. For

Kentucky NRCS has announced that applications for assistance for Seasonal High Tunnels, On-farm Energy, Certified or Transitioning to Organic, Mississippi River Basin Healthy

Watersheds Initiative (MRBI), National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), and Conservation Activity Plans must be received by November 2, 2018 for this funding period. For more information about EQIP or other programs that are offered by NRCS, visit their website at www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov or contact the Woodford County Conservation District at 859-873-4941.

We are interested in better understanding the issues that are important to you in our community. In response, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension System can tailor new and existing programs to address the highest priority issues that directly impact you, your family and your community. You do NOT need to be familiar with Cooperative Extension to complete this survey. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and all of your responses will be completely anonymous and confidential. You can access the survey online at http://bit.ly/KYExtension OR complete a paper copy at the Extension Office. Please complete by October 26. Thank you for supporting this effort! In order to show our appreciation for taking this survey, we are offering a drawing for two $100 and two $50 Kroger gift cards. To be eligible for the drawing please return your completed paper survey to our office, OR mail it to: Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service, 184 Beasley Drive, Versailles, KY 40383-8992 with your name and daytime telephone number listed on a separate sheet.

Woodford County Extension Community Survey

Why Fall-Blooming Plants Are Important

Soil Test This Fall Pruning Trees & Shrubs in the Fall

Though light pruning and removal of dead wood are fine this time of year, more severe pruning should be left until spring. Consider pruning to be “light” if 10% or less of the plant is removed. Dead wood does not count in this calculation. Keep in mind that even light pruning of spring-blooming shrubs such as lilac and forsythia will reduce flowers for next year. We normally recommend that spring-bloomers be pruned after flowering. Shrubs differ in how severely they can be cutback. Junipers do not break bud from within the plant and therefore should be trimmed lightly if you wish to keep the full shape. Overgrown junipers should be removed. On the other hand, there are certain shrubs that can be pruned back severely during the spring. Rejuvenation is the most severe type of pruning and may be used on multi-stem shrubs that have become too large with too many old branches to justify saving the younger canes. All stems are cut back to 3- to 5-inch stubs. This works well for spirea, forsythia, pyracantha, ninebark, Russian almond, little leaf mock orange, shrub roses, and flowering quince. Just remember that spring is the correct time to do this, not now.

Planning to do a soil test soon? Do it this fall instead of the spring. Here is why:

Though we often think of soil testing as a spring chore, fall can actually be a better time. Especially this year as our soil-testing lab at the University of Kentucky will be very busy this spring due to renovations going on at

the lab in Western Kentucky. This means they will be taking in samples from across the State resulting in a long turnaround from submission to recommendations. For more information, contact your local county extension office. Here in Woodford County you can get up to 20 soil samples a year free of charge.

Source: Jessica Walliser I suspect that most farmers look forward to seeing early-blooming flowers appear on their property every spring. And, more often than not, farms are typically smothered in blooms during the summer months, courtesy of wildflowers and cultivated blooms. But, did you know that it’s also important to have a plethora of fall-blooming plants on your farm, too? Autumn bloomers should be cherished for far more than their beauty. While the color and interest they bring to the garden is certainly important, these fall-blooming plants are critical to many types of wildlife.

Hummingbirds Before they begin their migration south, hummingbirds rely on late season flowers for the carbohydrates they need to complete their long journey. Fall-blooming plants such as salvia, asters, lantana and cardinal flower are among their favorites. These plants will bloom from summer through fall’s first frost.

Songbirds Much like the hummingbirds mentioned above, many species of songbirds rely on fall-blooming plants for nourishment. But instead of feeding on their nectar, songbirds rely on the seeds these plants produce. In many cases, the seeds of early blooming plants have already been plucked out by other birds or trimmed off by the resident gardener in hopes of generating more blooms. Fall-blooming plants, however, produce a late crop of seeds that are readily available to migrating songbirds. Some of my favorites include asters, ironweed, coneflower, black-eyed Susans, Joe-pye weed, sunflowers, and more.

Butterflies Fall-blooming plants sustain many different butterflies, too. Monarchs rely on their nectar to fuel their epic journey south, while swallowtails use the carbohydrates found in nectar to produce another round of caterpillars who will overwinter in their chrysalises. Butterfly species that overwinter as adults, such as the question mark and the mourning cloak, feed on these flowers until the arrival of regular frosts. Great fall-bloomers include Sheffield daisies, Joe-pye weed, ironweed, coneflowers, mountain mint, asters, sedums and goldenrods.

Why Fall-Blooming Plants Are Important continued...

Beetles There are also many beetle species that rely on late-season nectar sources to sustain them through their winter “hibernation.” Some species of ladybugs overwinter as adults, as do other predatory beetles, such as some types of rove beetles, soldier beetles, flower beetles and more. Having a diversity of nectar sources available to these species helps improve their ability to overwinter safely. To help your resident beetles, plant goldenrod, boltonia, asters, boneset, Montauk daisies and sedums.

Bees There are around 4000 species of native bees in North America and almost all of them are actively foraging well into the autumn. Without a substantial food source prior to winter’s long rest, it’s difficult for these insects to survive. For some bee species, such as bumble bees, the fertilized queens are the only ones to survive the winter. These queens need to consume ample nectar before hunkering down to hibernate. Other bee species take shelter inside hollow plant stems or small tunnels in the soil for the colder months. These pollinators also need to be well fed prior to overwintering. Some of the best fall-blooming plants for bees include mountain mint, golden rod, asters, bee balm, anemones, daisy-type mums and helianthus.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug On The Move

Source: Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) numbers were higher in much of the Eastern half of the state this summer than other areas. With the start of fall, they have been gathering on the sides of buildings in the afternoons on sunny days, but that is a precursor to their moving into structures. Despite their near ¾” body size, they can squeeze through narrow cracks around doors and windows, in siding, and in ventilation openings around roofs. They are searching for protected places to pass the winter (Figure 1). Once inside buildings they will remain active until mid

Figure 1. Brown marmorated stink bug is beginning to leave crops in search of overwintering locations (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK). In addition to BMSB, we should expect several other insect invaders entering buildings, including boxelder bug, multicolor Asian lady beetle, cluster flies, and western conifer seed bug. But BMSB has the potential to gather in larger numbers in homes than these other pests. Besides just being a nuisance, BMSB releases a cilantro-like odor when disturbed and may feed on houseplants during the late winter months. Management/Prevention With BMSB, as with other household invaders, the best strategy is prevention: keep them out of your home. Buildings that have large numbers gathering in the afternoon are more likely to be invaded.

A lab study at UK found 1/4″ screen to be too wide to exclude brown marmorated stink bugs (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK). • Seal and screen (1/6- inch mesh screen or finer; Figure 2) entry points to attics, around doors and windows, and to basements and crawl spaces to limit numbers that enter. • Topping chimneys with screens or caps can also help. Dr. Mike Potter, UK Entomologist, lists a number of additional steps that can be taken in How to Pest-Proof Your Home (EntFact-641).

Disposing of invaders Indoors during winter, BMSB try to congregate in various places inside structures. This can be in chimneys, closets, window air conditioning units, attics, behind books on a shelf, etc. The best way to remove them once they gain entry is with a vacuum. A knee-high stocking can be used in the suction tube of the vacuum to reduce the number of bags needed. Stink bugs can be disposed of by dropping them into soapy water. Various types of light-baited/funnel traps and soapy water traps can be used to remove them from dark areas.

Happy Gardening! Faye Kuosman, County Extension Agent for Horticulture faye.tewksbury@uky.edu

WC Extension Service Tool Kit

Motorized Honey Extractor Includes:

Motorized Extractor and Stand—Extracts (6) 6 ¼ inch Frames

Bottling bucket kit

Electric knife

Plastic uncapping tub

Capping Scratcher A $50 deposit will be collected at time of pick up and will be returned at time of return. Extractor equipment cannot be kept for longer than 48 hours and must be thoroughly cleaned prior to returning. If equipment is not properly cleaned when returned, you will forfeit your deposit.

Woodford County Farmer’s Market

Don’t Forget To Stop By The Woodford County Farmers Market! Check out the New Locations on Wednesday and Saturday! Monday Market in Midway: Open Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Market sets up in the parking lot of United Bank/Darlin’ Jeans in downtown Midway, KY. Saturday Market on Marsailles Road: Open Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to Noon. The downtown Versailles Saturday Farmers Market has moved to Marsailles Road in the UHaul (old Kroger) parking lot next to the flower shop. Wednesday Market at the Kentucky Castle: Open Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Market sets up in the courtyard of the Kentucky Castle. The Castle provides live music, a cash bar, and prepared foods each week. WC CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Free Soil Testing

Free soil test vouchers are available at the Woodford County Conservation Office to be redeemed when soil samples are submitted

through the Woodford County Extension Service. Up to 20 free soil tests are available per farm or homeowner. This program runs through June 30, 2019, or until the funds are depleted.

Grain Moisture Meter

Liquid pH Meter

Sprayer Calibrator

Grain Test Weight Meter

Hay Probes

Soil Probes

Walk-behind BCS Tractor and Raised Bed Plastic Mulch Layer require a $25.00 rental fee

Please contact the Extension Office, 873-4601, for availability

Electrical Conductivity (EC) Meter

Hay Moisture Tester

Walk-behind BCS tractor - Attachments include: 3ft. plastic layer with drip tape applicator, single rotary plow and 30 inch tiller

Raised Bed Plastic Mulch Layer - Model 2400 lays 4ft. wide plastic and adjustable 3” to 5” bed height (requires 30-hp and 4-wheel drive)

Equipment Location

(4) No-till drills Southern States

(2) No-till drills Woodford Feed

(2) Tubeline bale wrappers Woodford Feed

Chain Harrow Woodford Feed

The Woodford County Conservation District has the following equipment for rent. Please contact the

location of equipment for availability.

New to Our Tool Kit

Wreath-Making with Fresh Greenery December 11th 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Woodford County Extension Office Pre-Registration Required!! Limited to 20 people. Call (859) 873-4601 to register!