At the Garden Gate. September Basil and Slow Food USA

Transcription

1 At the Garden Gate September 2007 Basil and Slow Food USA The next Garden Discussion to be held at the Mahaska County Extension Office will be Monday, October 29, 2007 at 6:30 pm. The garden discussions are held seasonally, and are free and open to the public. The topics are more of a conversation than a presentation. The audience is encouraged to ask the speakers questions. The presenter for this garden discussion is Treva Reimer. She will speak about growing and using basil. She will also discus the Slow Food USA program. The organization celebrates and sustains agriculture and culinary traditions of people around the world. House Invader Spiders Spiders come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some live indoors, most live outdoors and a few become accidental invaders that wander indoors by mistake, especially in the fall of the year. Spiders are ecologically beneficial as they feed solely on insects and other arthropods, but that doesn't stop people from wondering, worrying about or hating spiders, especially the few that wander inside in early fall. Typically, the caller wants to know if the spider they've seen is dangerous, and what, if anything, should be done in terms of control. First, remember that nearly all spiders are harmless. Spiders are timid and will retreat if they can. They will not attempt to bite humans unless held or accidentally trapped and nearly all common Iowa spiders have fangs too small or weak to puncture human skin. Only two of the hundreds of species found in Iowa may be considered dangerous. Fortunately, both the black widow and brown recluse are very rare. For more on these spiders see ISU Extension bulletin PM-1721, "Potentially Dangerous Spiders" (not available online) and the Horticulture and Home Pest newsletter May 24, 2002 ( 2002/brownrecluse.html). Hunting spiders such as the common wolf spider occasionally enter buildings through gaps or cracks around windows and doors or through There are as many kinds of gardens as there are gardeners. And they define themselves across sharp aesthetic and philosophical lines: utility versus beauty; vegetables versus ornamentals; chemicals versus organics; formal style versus naturalistic. Abby Adams, What is a Garden Anyway Inside this Issue: Garden Calendar Available 2 Kidtoberfest 2 Forcing Daffodil Bulbs Inside 2 ISU Extension Publications of Interest 3 Gardening Guide 4 Fall for Ornamental Grasses 4 Fall Fun & Safety Workshop 5 Junior Master Gardeners 5 Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. Upcoming Events 6

2 At the Garden Gate Page 2 KIDTOBERFEST is a free event being organized by ISU Extension of Mahaska County. It is being held Saturday, October 13th 10 am-4 pm at Penn Central Mall. It is for any youth ages 0-12 and their parents. The goal is to connect youth and their parents to the various types of youth organizations available in the area. We will have free entertainment all day, including Iowa State University s mascot, Cy; Clowns; Storytelling by Linda Fox; inflatable games; dancing from The Dance Academy; etc. Some of the agency's that will have booths are 4-H, Day Cares, SIEDA & Conservation. Volunteers are still needed, contact Amy Ver Meer at or vermeera@iastate.edu if you would like to volunteer. Volunteers receive a free KIDTOBERFEST t-shirt! Garden Calendars Available Twelve Iowans who influenced gardening in Iowa are featured in the 2008 Iowa State University Extension garden calendar. Along with seasonal gardening tips, each month features a short bio and photo of one of these contributors to gardening: Spencer Beach, Charles Bessey, Griffith Buck, Joseph Budd, George Washington Carver, Nick Christians, Ernest Haber, Ada Hayden, Louis Pammel, Jessie Field Shambaugh, Lois Tiffany, and Jack Weigle. The full-color calendar also includes an illustrated timeline of horticulture education plus a list of gardening resources available from Iowa State. "We're also celebrating our 35-year history of producing calendars to help Iowa gardeners," said Haynes. "The monthly photos are some of our favorites from past calendars." This article is modified from a prepared news release from Iowa State University extension. (Continued from page 1) other openings in the course of their active hunting. Other spiders such as the grass spiders (funnel weaver spiders) that build horizontal sheet or funnel-shaped webs on the lawn or low shrubs also wander in by mistake while searching for new web sites. Invader, outdoor spiders usually live for less than a day or two and can not reproduce in the house. Effective management of home-invading spiders starts with exclusionary techniques: Keep outdoor spiders outside by sealing cracks, gaps and other openings, and by repairing windows and doors (especially the door sweep) so they fit tight. Remove potential harborages from around the outside foundation of the building. Trim back shrubs and vines and move firewood and debris away from the foundation. Insecticides applied outside the structure have little if any benefit, though residual barrier treatments to door and window thresholds, garage and crawlspace entrances and likely entrance points such as between the foundation and siding may provide a temporary reduction. Insecticide fogs and sprays are not recommended inside for the management of spiders. These treatments are generally ineffective in eliminating existing spider problems and will not provide long-term prevention. Vacuum or sweep up occasional invaders and discard. For management of household spiders use a vacuum or broom to remove spiders, their webs and eggs sacs regularly and frequently. For more information, see bulletin Pm-1722, "Common Spiders in and Around Homes" (not available online). This article prepared by Ken Hauser and Donald Lewis, Iowa State University Extension Entomologists. It originally appeared in Horticulture and Home Pest News (HHPN) September 12, Current and archived articles can be accessed at Forcing Daffodil Bulbs Inside Brightly colored daffodils are a sure sign that spring has arrived in the midwest. However, it's not necessary to wait until April or May to enjoy these spring-blooming favorites. Daffodil bulbs can be forced indoors to brighten the cold, gray days of winter. If properly planned, daffodils can be enjoyed indoors from January through March. For best selection of bulbs, visit local garden centers in September as soon as the bulbs arrive. Select large, firm bulbs. Avoid small, soft, or blemished bulbs. Daffodil bulbs can also be purchased from mailorder companies. Daffodil varieties that force well indoors include 'Barrett Browning,' 'Dutch Master,' 'February Gold,' 'Flower Record,' 'Fortune,' 'Ice Follies,' 'Jack Snipe,' 'Little Gem,' 'Peeping Tom,' 'Tête-

3 At the Garden Gate Page 3 à-tête,' and 'Topolino.' In addition to high quality bulbs, a well-drained commercial potting mix and suitable containers are necessary to successfully force daffodils indoors. Containers for forcing can be plastic, clay, ceramic, or metal. Almost any container can be used as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom. Begin by partially filling the container with potting soil. Then place the daffodil bulbs on the soil surface. Adjust the soil level until the tops of the bulbs are even or slightly below the rim of the container. The number of bulbs to plant per pot depends on the size of the bulb and container. Typically, 3 to 5 bulbs are appropriate for a 6-inch-diameter pot. However, a 6-inch pot will usually accommodate 5 to 7 bulbs of miniature varieties ('Little Gem,' 'Tête-à-Tête,'and 'Topolino'). Once properly positioned, place additional potting soil around the bulbs. However, do not completely cover the bulbs. Allow the bulb tops (noses) to stick above the potting soil. For ease of watering, the level of the soil mix should be ½ to 1 inch below the rim of the container. Label each container as it is planted. Include the name of the variety and the planting date. After potting, water each container thoroughly. In order to bloom, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs must be exposed to temperatures of 40 to 45 degree F for 12 to 16 weeks. Possible storage sites include the refrigerator, root cellar, or an outdoor trench. During cold storage, water the bulbs regularly and keep them in complete darkness. Begin to remove the potted daffodil bulbs from cold storage once the cold requirement has been met. At this time, yellow shoots should have begun to emerge from the bulbs. Place the daffodils in a cool (50 to 60 degree F) location that receives low to medium light. Leave them in this area until the shoots turn green, usually 4 or 5 days. Then move them to a brightly lit, 60 to 70 degree F location. Keep the plants well watered. Turn the containers regularly to promote straight, upright growth. On average, flowering should occur 3 to 4 weeks after the bulbs have been removed from cold storage. For a succession of bloom indoors, remove pots from cold storage every 2 weeks. This article prepared by Richard Jauron, Iowa State University Extension Horticulturist. It originally appeared in HHPN August 22, Current and archived articles can be accessed at When your garden is finished, I hope it will be more beautiful than you anticipated, require less care than you had expected, and have cost only a little more than you had planned. Thomas D. Church Gardens are for People, 1955 ISU Extension (ISUE) Publications of Interest IAN 302 Iowa Summer and Fall Wildflowers PM 683 Composting Yard Waste PM 713 Indoor Plants PM 820 Garden Soil Management PM 1239 Growing and Drying Herbs PM 2004 Home Landscape: Understanding the Basics of Landscape Design RG 206 Questions about Composting RG 311 Growing and Overwintering Tender Perennials RG 304 Late Season Perennial Flowers RG 319 When to Divide Perennials RG 320 Growing and Overwintering Geraniums RG 325 Language of Flowers RG 401 Ornamental Grasses with Winter Interest RG 501 Pruning Raspberries Copy costs at the Mahaska County Extension Office. First 3 pages free, $.05 per page after 3. This applies when our office makes the copy even if the publication is free. These publications (as well as many others) are available to purchase at the Extension office or at the ISUE online store Many of ISUE publications are available for download at the same site.

4 At the Garden Gate Page 4 October Gardening Guide Harvest winter squash before a hard frost Visit a state park to view fall foliage Plant spring flowering bulbs Compost tree leaves Dig up dahlias and cannas for indoor storage Apply broadleaf herbicide to control dandelion and other broadleaf weeds Remove dead garden debris and add to the compost pile Leave ornamental grass foliage over the winter Plant deciduous trees and shrubs Buy a pumpkin from a local pumpkin patch Stop fertilizing houseplants Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials as needed. These items were taken from the 2007 ISU Extension Garden Calendar. It is full of how-to ideas, beautiful pictures of gardening in Iowa, and reminders of things you need to do for your yard and garden throughout the year. The 2008 calendar is available! Cost is $8. Additional Tips: Winterize your garden tools as you use them the last time this fall. Clean flower pots and other containers before storing for winter. Continue to mow grass until the grass stops growing. Store leftover garden seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leave asparagus foliage for the winter. Fall for Ornamental Grasses Every year as we enter the fall season, I realize how much I admire ornamental grasses in the landscape. They offer color, texture, movement and a bit of sophistication to the garden. Grasses also combine easily with woody and herbaceous perennials. Finding just the right grass, however, can be intimidating; many different species and cultivars are used in home landscapes. Below are some of the many ornamental grasses readily available and suitable for Iowa gardens. Start Small For smaller spots in the landscape, try adding one or more of the species below to your collection of small shrubs, herbaceous perennials or annuals. Dwarf Blue Fescue (Festuca ovina var. glauca) The dwarf fescues are one of the smallest of the ornamental grasses, staying under one foot tall. Several cultivars, such as Elijah Blue, have metallic-gray foliage and mounding habits. Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) Although some species will reach 4 to 5 feet in height, the dwarf types like Hameln generally stay below 2 or 3 feet. Their foxtail like plume is an attractive feature in late summer and early fall. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) This grass reaches 3 feet in height and has beautiful blue-gray, fine-textured leaf blades. It is stunning throughout most of the season and combines well with most herbaceous perennials. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Little Bluestem is a native grass that is often underused in the landscape. Plants reach 2 to 3 feet in height and have dark-gray foliage. Look for cultivars like The Blues for more bluish summer foliage and reddish fall color. Go Tall If you are looking for a grass with a little more presence or stature in the garden, the listing below will get you started. Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis actuiflora var. stricta) is one of the most popular ornamental grasses grown today. Plants are 4 to 6 feet in height and have dark green leaves and narrow, tan plumes in early summer. Karl Foerster is a popular cultivar that is noted for its adaptability and attractive plumes. Also look for Overdam, a cultivar with variegated foliage. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native grass that is becoming more popular in landscapes. The plants are durable, reach 4 to 6 feet in height, and are available in many different cultivars. Heavy Metal and Shenandoah have dark metallic summer foliage and reddish fall color. Dallas Blues has blue-gray summer foliage that also turns a good orange-red in fall. The open plumes of Strictum begin to bloom earlier than other cultivars, but remain showy throughout the season. Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) cultivars also are primary players in the ornamental grass market. Their heights of 5 to 7 feet make

5 At the Garden Gate Page 5 (Continued from page 4) them perfect backdrops to showcase other perennials. Many of the cultivars from this species are noted for ornamental foliage and late display of flower plumes. Look for the green and white striped leaves of Variegata or check Strictus or Zebrinus for leaves with yellow stripes across the blade. Other cultivars worthy of mention are Gracillimus for its narrow dark green leaves, or Morning Light for its narrow greenish white leaves. Silberfeder offers a striking display of plumes earlier in the season. Several other Miscanthus species are equally suitable for Iowa gardens. Look for Miscanthus sinensis var. pupurescens for great reddish fall color. Try Miscanthus floridulus Giganteus if you want plants that will reach more than 10 feet in height. Ravenna Grass (Erianthus ravennae) is often called Hardy Pampas Grass. It commands attention when in flower in late summer because it often reaches over 10 feet in height. This is a wonderful grass to add drama in the landscape, or to hide an unsightly view. Maintenance Tips for Growing Ornamental Grasses Most ornamental grasses thrive in sunny sites with well-drained soils, so plan and plant accordingly. Check the labels carefully for mature size and site preferences. After planting, water well as needed to get plants established. Unlike your lawn, watering after establishment is needed only in times of drought. Ornamental grasses rarely need fertilizer. Once a year or once every other year, scatter some granular fertilizer around them in the spring. Otherwise, save the fertilizer for your lawn. Don t cut back ornamental grasses in the fall. Many will stand for a large part of the winter. Even tan and dead, they are quite attractive after a snowfall. Clean up or cut back ornamental grasses in early spring before the new growth appears. Division is sometimes necessary to keep ornamental grasses thriving in the landscape. If you notice the center of your grass is not as full as before, it may be time to divide it. Division is best done in early spring when the new growth appears. While these ornamental grasses make great additions to any garden, don t stop with the ones on this list. Consider many of the other prairie natives like Side Oats Gramma (Bouteloua curtipendula) or Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). Or consider non-natives like Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia caepitosa) or Moor Grass (Molina species). Annual grasses, such as Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum species), work well in containers and in open spots in the landscape. By this time next year, you too will be impressed with what a few ornamental grasses can do to add interest to any landscape. This article was prepared by Cindy Haynes, Extension Horticulturist, Iowa State University. It appeared as a Yard and Garden column October 1, Current and archived columns can be accessed at Fall Fun & Halloween Safety Workshop Will be held Saturday, October20 10:00 AM-12:30 PM at the Mahaska County Extension Office focusing on Fall Fun and Halloween Safety for Mahaska County 4-Hers. Assist with the scarecrow display, stop inside for pumpkin decorating, make spooky snacks and play some ghoulish games. We will have a Halloween Costume Walk & Contest at noon. Prizes will be awarded for the Most Original, Most Creative, & Most Scary costumes. Cost for this workshop is $5.00. RSVP with Veronica by Monday,October 15. Junior Master Gardeners Next session will be held at the Lacey garden on October 22 at 6 pm. This time change is due to daylight saving time still being in effect. Topic is Three Sisters Garden. A Three Sisters Garden is the traditional native American corn, squash, and beans garden. Junior Master Gardeners is a special interest 4-H club. If you are enrolled in another 4-H club you do not have to pay the enrollment fee again! If you want more information about any of the Mahaska County Extension horticulture events or have horticulture questions, please contact Suzette Striegel, Mahaska County Extension Horticulturist by calling or ing striegel@iastate.edu.

6 Upcoming Events ~Mahaska County Office Staff~ Suzette Striegel, Horticulturist Brian Dunn, County Extension Education Director Bob Wells, Agricultural Economics Specialist Amy VerMeer, County Youth Coordinator Veronica Congdon, Office Assistant Childcare Resource & Referral Jerri Leighton, Coordinator Amanda Brown, Office Assistant ~Office Hours~* Monday Friday 8:00 am 1 pm, 1:30-4:30 pm *changed to better accommodate your lunch schedules! September 6-November 20 Master Gardener Training October 13 Kidtoberfest 10am-4pm October 16 Master Gardener Meeting, 6 pm October 20 Fall Fun and Halloween Safety Workshop 10am 12:30 pm October 22 Junior Master Gardener Session, 6 pm October 29 Garden Discussion: Basil/Slow Food 6:30 pm Mahaska County Extension 212 North I Street Oskaloosa IA Phone: Fax: