November Smart Gardening: Mulch Fallen Leaves into lawn to save $ House Plant 911

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1 November 2017 Your Gateway to Horticultural Education, Resources, and Solutions Cooperative Extension Service Scott County 1130 Cincinnati Road Georgetown, KY (502) Fax: (502) Scott.ca.uky.edu Smart Gardening: Mulch Fallen Leaves into lawn to save $ Mulching fall leaves into lawn can help you reduce fertilizer and weed control. The best dressed lawns begin in fall. After a long, hot summer, you may be thinking to yourself, Why would I want to be thinking about my lawn when I just want to go inside and forget about it? Leaf it and reap garden benefits! On slightly dewy mornings during November, elevate your mower deck to the highest setting and mow leaves, crossing over the leaves once or twice. Do this once a week, as long as weather holds and leaf litter has turned into tiny pieces. There will be an obvious leaf residue on the surface of the lawn that only lasts for a few days. The tiny pieces will eventually sift down through the turf and provide future weed control and essential nutrients that can save you money and time. Come spring, you won t even notice the tiny leaf particles. Up to 6 inches of leaves can be mulched at a time, depending on the type of mower you have. Push mowers will handle smaller amounts, but are still very effective. During the research at Michigan State University, several years passed and turf scientists starting noticing several benefits including needing less fertilizer to achieve that spring green up. The second benefit was less to no weeds. The decomposing pieces of leaves cover up bare spots between turf plants that are an excellent opening for weed seeds to germinate. Experience has shown that nearly a 100 percent decrease in dandelions and crabgrass can be attained after adopting this practice of mulching leaves for just three years. If you have a bagging mower, you can also alternate between mulching into the turf one week and collecting the ground leaves to use as mulch in landscape beds and vegetable gardens. Covering bare soil with ground leaves prevents winter annuals from germinating and makes a great organic addition to the garden. So if you want a recipe for a luscious lawn yet want to be green, put your rake away and don t bag it! Resource: Michigan State University Extension; Photo: Rebecca Finneran, MSUE House Plant 911 After late October s frost, you may have brought many plants inside to stay for the winter to keep them from frost and freeze damage. However, the dramatic environmental switch can sometimes affect your plants in adverse ways. The switch from outside to inside environments can result in lower light, lower humidity, along with temperature change, drafts or improper watering or fertilization. These adverse growing conditions often lead to various diseases indicated by leaf drop, yellow leaves, death of leaf edge and tip, and spindly growth. To keep plants looking good, become familiar with each one's optimum growing conditions including light, moisture and fertility requirements. If plants require high light intensity,

2 November Tips for the Garden A Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) in dire need of water. House Plant 911 (continued) clean the windows where these plants will be put to ensure that they receive the brightest light possible. The highest intensities generally are found in south facing windows that are not blocked by outdoor vegetation or awnings. Plants likely will need less water and fertilizer when grown indoors so reduce these accordingly. Another cause of the sickly appearance could be that while outdoors the plants were infested with insect pests or infected with disease organisms. This initial problem may become severe when you bring the plants indoors because the disease or insect's natural enemies are not in your home. Diseases that spread from one plant to another usually are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses and nematodes that come into contact with plants outdoors. Black, brown or yellow spots may indicate a bacterial or fungal leaf spot disease. To combat foliar diseases, pick off and destroy affected leaves, leave plenty of space between plants, move them to a less humid area and do not wet foliage. Viruses are moved to healthy plants by insects and on human hands. To eliminate a viral problem, discard diseased plants. Soil borne organisms cause root and stem-rot disease which usually occur under very wet soil conditions. Preventive measures are to avoid overwatering plants and provide good drainage. Common houseplant insect pests are aphids, mealybugs, white flies, scale spider mites and thrips. Insecticides usually are not necessary on small infestations limited to a few plants. Dip a swap in rubbing alcohol to remove light aphid and mealybug infestations, or use tweezers or your fingernails to control them. Wash off mites by spraying plants with water. Use a solution of two tablespoons of mild soap per gallon of water and a soft brush or cloth to eliminate heavy insect infestations. If you decide to use a conventional insecticide, always read and follow the manufacturer's label instructions. For more information, contact Sharon Flynt, Horticulture Agent Scott County Cooperative Extension Service. Sources: Rick Durham, University of Kentucky Horticulture Extension Professor and John Hartman 2 Although we are past the best time for seeding, lawns will benefit from a fall application of nitrogen. October and November are excellent months to feed as you can promote vigor without excessive growth. Mow new grass seedlings when they reach two and one half inches tall. Continue to mow lawns as late as needed. Remove leaves from lawns, in new plantings, to prevent grass from being damaged. Start a compost pile with all of those leaves. It doesn t have to be elaborate or technical. A simple pile will make compost if left long enough. When you are finished with tools and equipment for the season clean, sharpen, and oil tools for next year. Make sure to drain, or add fuel stabilizer to gasoline powered equipment. If you have not dug and stored tender bulbs like dahlias, cannas, and gladiolus, do so before the ground freezes. Clean up peony foliage if you have had any of the leaf spotting diseases. This will help prevent the problem next year. Drain and store garden hoses and irrigation systems. November is an excellent time to plant fall bulbs for next spring. Plant paper whites, amaryllis and other ready to bloom bulbs for the holidays. Protect the trunks of fruit trees with wire mesh to prevent gnawing damage from rabbits and voles. Do a thorough cleanup of the vegetable garden. This will remove many insect and disease problems before they can become a problem next year. Monitor houseplants for insect problems. Most common pests can be controlled if detected before they become major infestations. Scott County Extension Office will be closed on November 23 and 24, 2017, in observance of Thanksgiving.

3 DATE CLASS TIME COST November 14 Swim Cap Hypertufa Flower Pot 2:00 4:30 pm Free November 16 Growing Garlic and Shallots 5:30 7:00 pm Free November 28 The Door to Your Garden Pot 6:00 7:30 pm Free November 30 Festive Christmas Wreath 5:30 7:00 pm $10.00 December 6 Holiday Centerpiece with Fresh Greenery (Bring your own container) 12:00?? $12.00 December 12 Extension Garden Club Meeting 9:00 11:00 am Free January 9 Extension Garden Club meeting A Garden Tea 9:00 11:00 am Free January 18 Bulb Forcing 5:30 7:00 pm $5.00 January 23 An Evening with Dave Leonard 6:00 8:00 pm Free February 6 Vegetable Gardening 101 5:30 7:00 pm $5.00 February 13 Seed Starting 5:30 7:00 pm $5.00 February 20 Set Your Table for Salad! Make your own salad table 5:00 7:00 pm $10.00 Description of classes on Page Growing Gardeners Class Series - Registration Form MUST BE PRE REGISTERED Name: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: TOTAL Number of Classes signing up for Amount Enclosed $ Please return to: Scott Co. Extension, 1130 Cincinnati Rd, Georgetown, KY Attention: Growing Gardeners Class Series Checks should be made out to: Scott Co. Extension District Board 3

4 Growing Gardener Class Series Class Descriptions Swim Cap Hypertufa Flower Pot - Hypertufa looks like stone but weighs less and takes whatever shape you want, in this case a flower pot using a swim cap as our mold Growing Garlic and Shallots In many kitchens, garlic shallots are an essential ingredient for many recipes. Learn how to care and grow for these plants in your garden NOW. Each participant will go home with Garlic and shallot bulbs to plant now, so they ll be ready to harvest next summer. A Door to your Garden Pot - Create a quaint garden pot - miniature garden style - for yourself or for giving to those horticulture enthusiast on your Christmas list! Participants will create their own Door to your Garden pot and then plant it with provided plant(s). All materials will be provided. Festive Christmas Wreath Create a beautiful mesh ribbon wreath for your seasonal home décor. All Materials are provided to make a mesh ribbon wreath Holiday Centerpiece with Fresh Greenery Bring your own container (8 to 12 inches in diameter) and make a Festive Holiday centerpiece with fresh greenery and flowers. Bulb Forcing Learn how two have beautiful spring flowers indoors long before they bloom in the spring. AN EVENING WITH Dave Leonard - Meet Dave Leonard, owner of Dave Leonard Tree Specialists, and find out why trees are important and how to take care of yours. There will be a question and answer period as time allows. Vegetable Gardening Wanting a vegetable garden but overwhelmed with how to start? Learn the basics at Vegetable Gardening 101 Seed Starting Learn when, and what and how to start seeds in your home. Set Your Table for Salad! Make your own salad table Want the freshest salad ever? Learn a great way to grow lettuces, spinach, greens, and other shallow-rooted vegetables on your deck or apartment balcony. Bring a hammer, phillips head screw driver, and stale gun., if you have them. 4

5 MASTER GARDENERS CORNER PUTTING YOUR GARDEN TO BED BY MILTON ADAMS, SCOTT CO. MASTER GARDENER It s been a very good year for gardening but it s fall and time to prepare the garden for winter and the following year. Start by cleaning out all support items such as tomato cages, stakes, wire, string, etc. Examine any left over plants for any signs of diseases such as fungus, blight, nematodes, etc., remove and destroy them by burning, or disposing of them in trash. Tomatoes are especially prone to fungal diseases if not treated early in the growing season. In preparation for next year, spread clean mulch or compost on the garden and till it into the soil. The next step is to sow a cover crop such as rye grass or winter wheat. The cover crop protects the soil over the winter months from erosion and also provides organic matter for next year s crop. It s also a good time to take a soil sample to accurately plan for treating the soil next spring. Dig down about 4 to 6 depth with a garden trowel or shovel and place this soil in a clean bucket. Do the same in 3 to 4 random spots in your garden. Mix the soil and measure out 1.5 to 2 cups of soil and place in a clean plastic bag or container. Bring to the Extension office at 1130 Cincinnati Rd, Georgetown. It will take 2-3 weeks to get your soil recommendation back. Soil samples are provided by the Scott County Extension office free of charge. For additional information on any aspect of gardening, call the Extension office at By November, nearly all of the cranberry crop has been harvested. Millions and millions of the little hard, tart ruby berries grown in the bogs of Cape Cod (Massachusetts), New Jersey, Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, and the Maritime Provinces of Canada have been bagged fresh or earmarked for juice or canned sauce. The cranberry is a genuine Native American, Vaccinium macrocarpon, a member of the heath family and a relative of the blueberry and huckleberry. The Pequot Indians of Cape Cod called the berry ibimi, meaning bitter berry, and combined crushed cranberries with dried venison and fat to make pemmican. The Pilgrims and those who followed appreciated the wild berries but did not start to cultivate them until 1816, when a bog was planted and tended in Dennis on Cape Cod. By then, American and Canadian sailors on long voyages knew they could eat cranberries to protect themselves from scurvy (cranberries are high in vitamin C) making them a cranberry counterpart to British limeys. From Novembers Farmers Almanac DID YOU KNOW? CRANBERRIES A Seasonal Favorite Open 6-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday December 8.9 & 10 December 15,16 & 17 Monday Wednesday December Ward Hall Candlelight Tours Admission: $7.00 adults, $5.00 children 12 years and up. Open other times in December by appointment Frankfort Road (US 460 W) Georgetown, KY

6 Cultivating Gratitude As gardeners, we are very familiar with cultivating. Three out of four definitions in the Merriam- Webster Dictionary of cultivate have to do with plants and growing: 1: to prepare or prepare and use for raising of crops; 2 a: to foster the growth of; 2b: to culture (the act or process of cultivating living material); 2c: to improve by labor, care, or study; 3: to further, to encourage Thanksgiving holiday is fast approaching, and our garden chores are done. I began thinking on how we could to continue to cultivate, especially in giving thanks. What if we prepared our minds and hearts to give thanks, and nurtured the growth of gratitude, no matter how small; Deciding to work on feeling gratitude day by day? And last but most definitely not least what if we took our gratitude with us in our daily business so that it became an integral part of who we are and we used it to encourage others with? What would it do for others; what would it do for us? There are at least seven researched reasons mentioned below why we should cultivate gratitude: 1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships. A 2014 study found that thanking and acknowledging other people s contributions can lead to new opportunities for us. 2. Gratitude improves physical health. According to a 2012 study published, grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier. 3. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, such as envy, resentment, frustration, and regret, according to Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., and increases happiness and contentment. 4. In a 2012 study by the University of Kentucky, grateful people were more likely to have an increased sensitivity and empathy toward others and a decreased desire to seek revenge. 5. Grateful people sleep better. According to a 2011 study jotting down a few grateful feelings before bed led to better and longer sleep. 6. A 2014 study found that gratitude increased self-esteem, and lead to reduced social comparison and increased appreciation of other people s accomplishments. 7. As found by a 2003 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, gratitude was a major contributor to mental strength (resilience) of some survivors following the horrific experiences of terrorist attacks on September 11. We all have the ability and opportunity to cultivate gratitude. Simply taking a few moments to focus on all that you have rather than complain about all the things you think you deserve is one of the simplest ways to improve your satisfaction with life. Let s all decide to cultivate gratitude. Source: Forbes Magazine, Amy Morin, contributor Gratefully, Sharon P. Flynt Agent for Horticulture Scott Co. Cooperative Extension 6