By The Yard

Fayette County Extension

Save Money, Time and the Environment, Don’t Over-Fertilize Your Lawn

2

Pest Patrol: Varied Carpet Beetles Head for Windows

3

Spring Weather Safety 3

March Quick Tips 5

Recipe: Spinach Pasta Bake 5

Gardener’s Toolbox Registration 7

Inside this issue:

Cooperative Extension Service

Fayette County Extension

1140 Harry Sykes Way

Lexington, KY 40504

Phone (859) 257-5582

Email: DL_CES_Fayette@email.uky.edu

March, 2019

HORTICULTURE NEWSLETTER

Try A Small Scale Garden

This Year With more people living in urban areas, many think they do not have the space to garden. A new publication from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, ID-248: Gardening in Small Spaces, describes how you can garden in a limited area.

Besides space, an issue that may limit gardening is sunlight. Most vegetables require full sun conditions, which equals six or more hours of direct sunlight each day. If you have an open yard free of tall trees or a south facing sunny patio, you should have sufficient light. If you only get four hours or so of light try lettuce, spinach and radishes for the spring garden, or Swiss chard, cucumbers or winter squash for the summer garden.

Gardening with limited space is best done in raised beds or containers. Use raised beds for gardens in your yard. Beds can be made of many materials such as lumber made of wood, plastics or vinyl or concrete blocks. Kill or cover any existing grass within the bed area and add 6 to 8 inches of

amended soil. Amended soil includes 25 percent garden soil and 75 percent organic matter such as a mixture of peat, humus and compost. Little fertilizer should be needed if the mix contains at least 25 percent compost.

For patio gardening, use pots or other containers to grow vegetables. These containers should be filled with potting soil, not garden soil. Use containers large enough to provide soil for good plant root growth. Plants in containers will need occasional fertilizer. Consult the fertilizer label for specific instructions. Larger pots will need less frequent watering than small pots, although container vegetables may need water once a day in the heat of summer. Make sure there are drainage holes to allow excess water to escape the pot. A five gallon bucket is the perfect size for a tomato while a 10-inch pot will hold a hot pepper plant.

The Gardening in Small Spaces publication includes information on plant spacing for beds and containers.

Winter Weather Policy

When Fayette County Schools are closed, call the

Fayette Co. Extension Office,

at 859 257-5582, to verify if class will be meeting.

Continued On Page 2

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Fayette County

Cooperative

Horticulture

Page 2 By The Yard

Save Money, Time and the Environment,

Don’t Over-Fertilize Your Lawn

Lawn care can be expensive and time-consuming. By skipping the fertilizer this spring and summer, you can save money and time and also reduce nutrient pollution.

Most Kentucky lawns have cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass and tall fescue, which prefer fall fertilization. Spring and summer fertilizer applications could weaken your turf, promote weed growth and increase mowing frequency.

Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for growth and development. Most Kentucky soils have plenty of phosphorus and

potassium. In fact, many are so naturally rich in phosphorus, adding more increases the risk of polluting our waterways.

The most common fertilizer blends for homeowners are marketed as "complete fertilizers" because they contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These blends are often available in a formula like 10-10-10, (N-P-K), but they probably contain more phosphorus and po-tassium than your lawn needs.

Excess or improperly applied fertilizer can end up in storm sewers and contribute to nutrient pollution in lakes, streams and rivers. You don’t have to live near a lake or tributary to contribute to the problem. Excess phosphorus promotes rapid and over abundant algae growth in freshwater. Too much algae disrupts ecosystems, harms wildlife, negatively impacts water recreation and may contain toxins that sicken people and pets.

Do your part:

Conduct a soil test to determine what nutrients are needed. The Fayette County Cooperative Extension office can provide you with instructions for collecting soil for analysis.

Apply only what you need. Excess fertilizer will not make your lawn healthier.

Carefully apply fertilizer. Keep it off paved surfaces and away from drains and water sources.

Fertilize cool-season grasses only in the fall.

Contact the Fayette County Exten-sion office at (859) 257-5582 to learn more about soil testing and how to sustainably improve your lawn or garden.

Source: Richard Durham, University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture

A companion publication, ID-128:

Try A Small Scale Garden This Year, continued

Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, provides information on planting dates and care instruc-tions for most vegetables. Both publications are available online. Gardening in Small Spaces is available at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID248/ID248.pdf. Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky is at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/

agcomm/pubs/id/id128/id128.pdf. You can also contact the Fayette County Extension office for a copy or additional gardening information.

Source: Richard Durham, University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture

Photo: Oregon State University

Photo: University of Kentucky

Winter in Kentucky has been interesting, to say the least. Still, changeable

weather is one of the harbingers of spring and often it comes in the form of high winds and blustery conditions. Even though tornadoes can occur in any season, they are most common in spring, along with downbursts and Derecho winds.

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air which descends from a thunderstorm. These violent storms form thousands of feet above the earth’s surface usually during warm, humid, unsettled weather and usually in

By The Yard Page 3

Pest Patrol: Varied Carpet Beetles Head for Windows

Contiued on page 4

conjunction with a severe thunderstorm. Along with rain, dust and debris sucked into the center of the air column form the distinct funnel shape that identifies a tornado. Wind speeds, ranging from 40 to more than 300 mph, can be extremely destructive. A tornado can level a building, lift a railroad car off its tracks and strip asphalt from pavement.

Derecho wind storms and downbursts also come from thunderstorms. Derechos are rapidly moving, large-scale and long-lived wind events associated with bands of thunderstorms or showers. Winds ranging from 57 to more than 100 miles per hour can topple 18-wheelers and blow

down trees. Downbursts are much smaller and are formed by high winds in the upper levels of thunderstorms that funnel down to the surface. Both can cause serious damage and can be life threatening, so even when just a thunderstorm watch or warning has been issued you should always be prepared.

Make a tornado emergency plan for both work and home. Keep a weather radio in good working condition with extra batteries and make sure you and your family know what precautions to take in your home, a car, open country or other situations that may arise.

In your home or any sturdy building, take shelter in the

doors. Attracted to sunlight, they fly to windows in early spring as they attempt to move outdoors to feed on nectar and pollen.

The hairy, caterpillar-like larvae (Figure 2) prefer dark, protected places – drawers, stuffed

furniture, closets, etc. They feed on a variety of natural products, including wool, silk, and cotton; furs, feathers, and hair; processed meals and mixes; spices, cereals, crumbs; and dried pet foods. They also feed on accumulations of dead insects in ceiling light fixtures, wall voids, and attics, and on shed pet hair. These insects are common in homes or buildings having problems with fall accidental in-vaders, such as cluster flies and boxelder bugs

Source: By Lee Townsend, University of Kentucky, Extension Entomologist

Spring Weather Safety

Varied carpet beetles are 1/10-inch long black beetles with irregular patterns of white, brown, and yellow scales on their hard wing covers (Figure 1). The adults are active in early spring after completing their development in-

Figure 1. Varied carpet beetle adults. (Photo: Lee Townsend, University of Kentucky)

Figure 2. Varied carpet beetle larva. (Photo: Lee Townsend, University of Kentucky)

By The Yard Page 4

Spring Weather Safety, continued

lowest level away from any windows, preferably under a sturdy object to protect yourself from falling debris.

In your car, you should attempt to drive to shelter. If this is not possible, exit the vehicle and take cover by laying down in a ditch or low-lying area with

your hands over your head. If a low-lying area is not nearby or you cannot exit your vehicle, strap on your seat belt, cover your head and keep your body below window level.

In a mobile home, even tied down, always evacuate and take cover in a low-lying area and cover your head.

For more information about severe weather preparedness, contact the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service.

Source: Tom Priddy, University of Kentucky, Extension Weather Specialist; Michael Mathews, University of Kentucky Meteorologist; Roy Burris, University of Kentucky Extension Beef Specialist

The Kentucky

Christmas Tree

Association's

Annual Plant

Auction

The Kentucky Christmas Tree Association’s

Annual Plant Auction will be held Saturday,

April 13th, 2019, in the Fayette County

Extension Office front parking lot, 1140 Harry

Sykes Way (formerly Red Mile Place), Lexington.

The sale begins at 10:00 a.m.

Bid and take home some Kentucky grown

nursery stock. It’s the perfect time of the year to

plant. Sale will include trees,

schrubs and perennials. For

information, please call

859 223-1140.

By The Yard Page 5

March Quick Tips

Sow grass seed. First half of the

month is ideal but you can seed all

month with reasonable results.

Turf type tall fescue is your best

choice. Dwarf varieties equal less

mowing.

Feed bulbs a balanced fertilizer

now to promote nice blooms next

year. Do not cut leaves down after

flowering. They provide food for

the plant. Let them die naturally.

Vegetable gardens are awakening.

Only work soil when crumbly.

Squeeze a handful of soil into a

ball. Drop it from waist height. If it

crumbles easily soil is dry enough

to work. If not wait for drier times

as wet soils form hard clods.

Remove old stems from rhubarb

and asparagus. Fertilize with

nitrogen, compost or rotted

manure.

Time to plant cool crops in the

garden. These include: asparagus,

beets, cabbage plants, carrots,

chard, collards, kale, lettuce seed

and plants, onions, peas, potatoes,

radishes, spinach, and turnips.

Repot houseplants. Increase pot

size gradually. Plants may be fed a

weak fertilizer solution (one

quarter strength)

Plant pansies and other cold

tolerant flowers.

Use sunny days to begin bed

clean up. Be careful not to tread

on emerging plants.

Cut back perennials and

ornamental grasses. Most grasses

can be divided at this time.

Grasses are very woody and may

require an ax.

Prune and fertilize brambles and

blueberries.

Clean out birdhouses or if you

don’t have any, now is the perfect

time to hang a few.

Seeds of hardy annuals such as

larkspur, bachelor’s buttons,

Shirley and California poppies

should be direct sown in the

garden now

Spray peach trees with a

fungicide for the control of peach

leaf curl diseases. See HO-57 for

more info on peaches.

Don’t forget to register for 2019

Gardener Toolbox Classes. A

condensed registration form is

enclosed in this edition of “By

The Yard” newsletter. For a

detailed listing of the 2019

Gardener’s Toolbox class, visit:

http://fayette.ca.uky.edu/files/

gardeners_toolbox_2019pdf

or call (859) 257-5582 to have a

copy mailed to you.

Don’t forget to “Spring

Ahead” on March 10th for

Daylight Savings!

First day of Spring is

Wednesday, March 20th!

For More Plate It Up

Recipes, Visit:

http://fcs-

hes.ca.uky.edu/content/

plate-it-kentucky-proud

Limited seats available! Please call 859-257-5582 to RSVP

There are many great reasons to grow some of your own food. We will teach the very

basic concepts of growing vegetables. While this class will focus on the early spring

crops that can be planted and harvested before the main planting window, we will also

touch on a few of the popular summer crops. It is far easier than you might think.

Participants will receive a copy of our vegetable growing guide and a packet of seeds.

Class will be led by:

Fayette County Extension Horticulture Technician, Carrie Spry.

Sponsored by our Friends at Lexington Public Library.

VEGETABLE GARDENING

FOR BEGINNERS:

Thursday, March 21st, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at Northside Branch Public Library

1733 Russell Cave Rd.

Free but must RSVP

2019 GARDENER’S TOOLBOX - REGISTRATION FORM

Name: ________________________Phone: _____________E-Mail:________________________

Address: ______________________________City: ______________State: ____ Zip: _________

TOTAL Amount Enclosed $ ________

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!

Sign up early for classes to avoid being turned away because class is full.

ALL classes, including the “Free” ones are “PRE-REGISTRATION” only.

If you need to cancel, you must do so 2 weeks prior to the class time to receive a refund or credit for a different class.

If handouts and/or plants are not picked up 3 days after class, items will be donated. Please make check payable to: Fayette County Master Gardener Association

Mail To: Gardener’s Toolbox ~ Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way ~ Lexington, KY 40504

For more information, call (859) 257-5582

~ 2019 GARDENER’S TOOLBOX CLASSES ~

Class and Cost Class and Cost

Thursday, 3/7: Vegetable Gardening for Beginners, The Early Crop @

Southern States, 2570 Palumbo Drive, Lexington, Cost: Free

Thursday, 3/14: Local Plant Societies and Garden Clubs Fair:, Cost: Free

Tuesday, 3/19: Onions and Leeks, Cost: $10.00 Thursday, 3/21: Vegetable Gardening for Beginners @ Northside branch

Public Library, 1733 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, Cost: Free

Tuesday, 3/26: Favorite Flowers for Cutting, Cost: Free Thursday, 3/28: Breaking Ground, Cost: Free

Thursday, 4/4: Pruning Trees and Shrubs, Cost: $10.00 Thursday, 4/11: Spectacular Sunflowers, Cost: $10.00

Tuesday, 4/23 @ 2:00 p.m.: Chicago Botanic Garden’s Plant Trial

Program, Cost: Free

Tuesday, 4/23: Top Performing Perennials for the Chicago Botanic Gardens

Trials, Cost: Free

Tuesday, 4/30: The Challenges of Dry Shade, Cost: $15.00 Thursday, 5/2: Growing Great Tomatoes, Cost: Free

Thursday, 5/9/19: Unusual Large Annual Flowers that Wow,

Cost: $10.00

Thursday, 5/16: Vegetable Gardening for Beginners, Part II, Maintenance

and Summer Crops @ Southern States Cooperative, 2570 Palumbo Drive,

Lexington, Cost: Free

Tuesday, 5/21: Spring Herb Gardening, Cost: Free Thursday, 5/23: Perennial Ferns, Cost: $15.00

Thursday, 5/30: Perennials for Shady Gardens, Cost: $10.00 Tuesday, 6/4: Late Flowering Perennials, Cost: $10.00

Thursday, 6/6: Figs Without the Fuss, Cost: $10.00 Tuesday, 6/25: Primocane Blackberries, Cost: $15.00

Thursday, 6/27: Growing Blueberries in Kentucky, Cost: $20.00 Tuesday, 7/9: Starting New Plants from Cuttings, Cost: Free

Thursday, 7/18: Perennial Plants of the Year, Cost: $5.00 Tuesday, 7/30: Hydrangeas, Cost: $20.00

Thursday, 8/8: Low Input Lawn Care: Seeding and Renovation, Cost:

Free

Tuesday, 8/27: Harvesting and Storing Herbs, Cost: Free

Tuesday, 9/17: African Violets, Cost: $10.00 Thursday, 9/26: Peonies, Cost: $20.00

Thursday, 10/10: Tulips, Cost: $20.00 Tuesday, 10/22: Unique Daffodils, Cost: $15.00

Tuesday, 10/29: Garden Clean Up with Emphasis on More Natural

Approaches, Cost: Free

Thursday, 11/7: Jamie’s Farm and Garden - A Virtual Tour, Cost: $25.00

Tuesday, 11/19: Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects, Cost:

Free

Thursday, 11/21: Holiday Gift Ideas From Your Herb Garden, Cost: $5.00

Tuesday, 12/3: Tips for Decorating with Fresh Greenery, Cost: $10.00

CLASS FULL

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

Lexington, KY

PERMIT 112

Newsletter

Enclosed

Fayette County

“By the Yard”

Fayette County Cooperative Extension 1140 Harry Sykes Way Lexington, KY 40504-1383

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an

Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education

and employment and authorization to provide research,

education information and other services only to individuals

and institutions that function without regard to economic or

social status and will not discriminate on the bases of race,

color, ethnic origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual

orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy,

marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or

physical or mental disability. Inquiries regarding compliance

with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,

Title IX of the Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the

Rehabilitation Act and other related matter should be

directed to Equal Opportunity Office, College of Agriculture,

Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Room

S-105, Agriculture Science Building, North Lexington,

Kentucky 40546.

Jamie Dockery

County Extension Agent for Horticulture Cooperative Extension Service

Fayette County Extension Service 1140 Harry Sykes Way

Lexington, KY 40504-1383 (859) 257-5582

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING