By The Yard. Autumn in the Kentucky Garden HORTICULTURE NEWSLETTER. Fayette County Extension November 2017

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1 Fayette County Extension November 2017 Cooperative Extension Service Fayette County Extension 1140 Harry Sykes Way Lexington, KY Phone (859) By The Yard HORTICULTURE NEWSLETTER Autumn in the Kentucky Garden Inside this issue: What Makes Leaves Change Color Helping Sickly House Plants Get Well How to Have Beautiful Clematis Blooms November Quick Tips 5 Dealing with Unwelcomed Houseguests 2017 Gardener s Toolbox Classes 6 Recipe, Grilled Sweet Potatoes 6 Looking for DIY Gifts for the Gardener Quick Tip Apply winter mulches around lilies and other perennials flowers after the ground begins to freeze. A 2 1/2 inch layer of bark or woodchip mulch will help prevent frost heaving caused by freezing and thawing through the winter Autumn is a beautiful time in Kentucky gardens, but it can also be a messy time. The season brings piles of leaves from our trees and spent shoots from our flower beds. The way we address this yard waste can have a significant impact on our gardens and the environment. Gardeners commonly rake up and bag leaves to be hauled away to yard waste dumps. This option, while tidy, uses a lot of energy, both yours and the energy to transport the leaves and mixed garden waste. Mulching leaves and yard waste is another option. Why not use this bountiful resource to enrich your lawn and garden and create less waste and air pollution? A very simple technique with leaves is to rake them into a line and mow over them with your lawn mower. The mower will chop the leaves into pieces small enough to fall between the blades of grass in your lawn. The chopped leaves will break down out of sight and provide nutrients to your lawn and improve the quality of your soil. For larger items like spent flower stalks, composting is a simple, easy and environmentally friendly option. Proper composting produces no odor and provides you with a generous amount of nutrient-rich organic compost for your garden which reduces or eliminates the need to buy fertilizer. Composting also eliminates the need to transport garden waste, making composting a triple-win situation for your garden, wallet and the environment. The speed of compost production is influenced by the size of the material placed in the bin, so the more you can chop up the garden debris, the quicker you will have usable compost. Many options for compost bin design and construction are well suited to any location and budget. Continue on page 2

2 By The Yard Page 2 Autumn in the Kentucky Garden, continued Turning leaves into mulch has many benefits. The mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and insulates plants from extreme winter temperatures. The decomposed leaves become an excellent conditioner for warming spring soil helping to attract worms and other beneficial microorganisms. For more information on mulching and composting, contact Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service. Source: Rebecca Schnelle, Extension Horticulture Specialist Quick Tip Don t forget the garden hoses: drain and roll up and store on a warm sunny day. It s hard to get a cold-water hose to coil into a tight coil. Also, be sure and shut off and drain any outdoor water pipes and irrigation systems that may freeze during the cold weather. What Makes Leaves Change Color? This is a question that comes up a lot this time of year, and it can get a little complicated if you start to go in-depth into the biology of trees. So let s keep it simple with the basics. As fall is upon us we have already seen the days get shorter, the nights get longer, and cooler temperatures creep in; all of this plays a role in the fall color we see. Leaf color change has a direct link to day length. As the days get shorter, there are less daylight hours for plants to carry on the chemical reaction of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis and chlorophyll production in leaves slows down and production eventually stops completely. Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green color during other times of the year. When chlorophyll production has stopped, the green color goes away resulting in other colors showing through. This gives us all the variation of color that makes fall my favorite season. You may now be thinking, how do the cooler temperatures relate to all of this? Well, when temperatures start to decline, deciduous trees prepare themselves for dormancy. A membrane forms between the tree branch and the petiole (the stem of the leaf). This membrane gradually cuts off the flow of nutrients, making the leaf weaker, detaching it from the tree. Interestingly, the membrane that forms, creates a protective layer of cells at the leaf node, helping the tree survive the cold weather that is soon to come. Source: Jessica Sayre, Harrison County Agent for Horticulture

3 By The Yard Page 3 Helping Sickly Houseplants Get Well If the houseplants you just brought inside appear anemic, the cause may be an unfavorable environment in your home or disease problems. The unfriendly plant environment could be the result of lower light, humidity or temperatures, 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, 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 diseases, 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 the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service. Sources: Rick Durham, University of Kentucky Horticulture Extension Professor and John Hartman Fayette County Extension Office will closed November 23 and 24, 2017 For the Thanksgiving Holiday

4 By The Yard Page 4 How to Have Beautiful Clematis Blooms Spring just wouldn't be the same without a clematis vine in full bloom. There aren t too many gardeners who don t have or don t dream of having a trellis covered in brilliant red or majestic purple clematis blooms. And then there is the sweet autumn clematis with its intoxicating sweet fragrance. But there is one question many gardeners always ask, How do I prune my clematis vine? The truth is, your clematis will bloom without any pruning at all. However, if it is pruned correctly, it will grow and bloom more vigorously. Since we grow clematis for its blooms, we should strive to prune them correctly. Timing is very important when pruning your clematis vine. You never want to prune in the fall, the vine needs to stay dormant until spring and fall pruning can trigger a plant to break dormancy at the first sign of warm weather. The problem with this is that warm weather can occur in January and the new growth can t take the return to winter weather and it will kill the plant. Before you start pruning you need to know what pruning category your clematis vine belongs to. There are three pruning groups: A, B, and C or sometimes called 1, 2, and 3. When you buy your plant, it may have a tag on it that will tell you this information. If it doesn t, you can tell by watching what time of the season it blooms and noticing if it blooms on the woody stem that grew last year and survived the winter or if it blooms on green, flexible stems that come straight from the main stem. We will begin with the C or group 3 cultivars. These include cultivars such as the sweet autumn clematis, Jackmanii, and Ville de Lyon. This group will die to the ground over the winter and if left unpruned it will flower only on the top with lots of last years dead foliage and bare stems showing down near the base. This group blooms on new growth so you need to cut the entire plant down each spring, if you don t you will get smaller and fewer flowers each season. The next group will be B or group 2. This group usually includes the large-flowered doubles or rebloomers such as Multi Blue, Henryi and Nelly Moser. The members of this group make a good companion to roses because of their pruning requirements. These plants bloom on old wood in the spring and in late summer smaller flowers will be produced on new wood. When the plants leaf out in the spring you want to remove any stems that have died back and do a light pruning to keep the vines trained to their trellis or structure. If your clematis doesn t die back in the winter and blooms early in the spring it is probably an A or group 1 plant. Some of the more popular species in this group include C.armandii, C.alpina, and C.montana. These clematis will bloom in early spring on old wood. You should wait to do most of your pruning until after the main flowering has finished. If you prune too early you ll cut off the flower buds. If you have a group A clematis that is not doing too well or is overgrown for its spot, it is probably due for a renovation pruning. This can be done after the vines flower. You should cut off almost all side branches, but leave the main vertical stem that fastens the plant to the trellis. The following spring the new growth that sprouts will have had time to mature and should flower normally. Source: Lori Bowling. University of Kentucky Horticulture Newsletter

5 By The Yard Page 5 November Quick Tips 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, especially new plantings, to prevent grass from being damaged. 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. 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. Plant paperwhites, 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. Don t forget to register for Gardener s Toolbox Classes, For a complete class descriptions and registration information visit our website at: s_toolbox_2017.pdf or call (859) to have a registration mailed to you. (Condensed registration included in this newsletter.) Dealing with Unwelcome Houseguests With Fall and Winter, comes problems with insects looking for a home With the warmer weather sticking around a little longer than usual this year, our bug problems in homes haven t been quite as prevalent, YET. It is only a matter of time before you start to see little critters making their way in. Here are a few tips to put into practice this sea-son to help avoid the problem. Install thresholds at the base of all exterior doors. Repair holes in window and door screens. Caulk around windows, door frames, etc. Seal utility openings where pipes and wires enter the home. Install wire mesh over vents in attics, roofs, and crawl spaces to help keep wildlife, birds, and rodents from making their way in. Not only will many of these tips help with keeping insects and pests out of your home, it can also help with drafts, which might result in a lower heating bill this winter. It s a win-win! Chemical control is another option but should be used as a last resort after you have tried other pest-proofing strategies. If chemical control is used, it is recommended to use an exterior barrier spray. Treat the perimeter of the house in a 2-6 foot wide band, and spray 2-3 feet up the foundation wall. Source: University of Kentucky Entomology, ENTFACT-614

6 By The Yard Page GARDENER S TOOLBOX - REGISTRATION FORM Name: Phone: 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 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 ~ 2017 GARDENER S TOOLBOX CLASSES ~ Class and Cost Class and Cost 11/2: Lilies, Cost: 6:30 p.m. 11/7: Stump the Hort. Agent, Cost: 6:30 p.m. 11/16: My Favorite Garden Tools, Cost: 6:30 p.m. 12/5: Holiday Greens, Cost: 3:00 p.m.

7 Looking for some DIY Gifts for the gardener?? Rock Plant Labels Ladybug Golf Balls Mini Tabletop Zen Garden Water Hose Wreath Jean Garden Apron Crocheted Garden Gnome

8 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Fayette County Cooperative Extension 1140 Harry Sykes Way Lexington, KY Lexington, KY PERMIT 112 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Newsletter Enclosed Fayette County By the Yard Jamie Dockery County Extension Agent for Horticulture Cooperative Extension Service Fayette County Extension Service 1140 Harry Sykes Way Lexington, KY (859) UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national 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. To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Tim West, UK College of Agriculture, ; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, ; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC ( ).