Mason County 800 U.S Highway 68 Maysville, KY (606) Fax: (606)

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1 Mason County Newsletter Cooperative Extension Service Mason County 800 U.S Highway 68 Maysville, KY (606) Fax: (606) Letter from the Horticulture agent: Hello Gardeners, Warm weather has finally arrived, and everyone is getting excited to get outside and start getting things ready for spring. We have some great programs coming up in the next couple of months, if you have not been to one our class please feel free to join us where you will learn new things and met some great people. If you have any questions about planting, pruning or want to see additional class you can contact me at Inside this issue: Prepare your garden.2 March tips...3 Class flyers Class flyer & events.7

2 PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID MAYSVILLE, KY PERMIT #10 Mason County 800 US Highway 68 Maysville, Kentucky 41056

3 Upcoming Horticulture Events March 3rd 8:30-3:30: Apple Orchard Field day, (FC Extension & Browning's Apple Orchard) March 5th: Farm Family Night (MCTC) March 7th, 2:00 & 6:00: Shiitake mushroom workshop March 8th, 7:00: Buffalo Trace Beekeeper Association Meeting, Speaker: Gary Keurffer, How to prepare your hive for April. March 12th, 6:00: Master Gardener Association Meeting March 13th, 20th, & 27th, 6:00: Master Gardener Program Series (must be registered by March 6th to attend) March 17th, 8:30-12:30: Buffalo Trace Seed Swap April 4th & 5th, 9:00-3:00: Nature Camp, (for kids) * All Events will be held at the Mason County Extension Office, unless otherwise noted.

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7 March Timely Tips Lawns Sow grass seed. First half of the month is ideal but you can seed all month with good results. Soil samples should be taken in the fall but you can also take them in the spring and still be able to apply fertilizer. Fertilizer is best applied during the fall but the second best time of year is March and April. Flowers Cold tolerant flowers can be planted such as pansies. What should be pruned in March -Roses, summer/fall flowering shrubs (Crape Myrtles should wait until April) -Burning Bush/Privet/Hedges, Boxwood, Holly, Taxus, Laurel & all other evergreens (March-July) Vegetables Fruit Cool season plants can be planted such as cabbage, kale, lettuce, onions, peas etc. Prune fruit trees in Feb-March, Peach trees are sensitive and should wait to prune until harsh weather is over. Start seed indoors for tomato, eggplant, pepper and watermelon. Prune and fertilize brambles and blueberries. Soil test can be taken in the spring, the test cost $6.50 and gives the about of lime, nitrogen, phosphors and potash that should be added. Prepare a spray schedule for your fruit as spraying on time is very important for disease and insect control.

8 Prepare your garden for April showers Source: Richard Durham, UK horticulture specialist There is no surer sign of spring than blooming gardens and flowerbeds, but what happens behind-thescenes to get them to that point? Much of the work goes in before you even break the soil. Before you dig in, it s important to choose the proper site, plan what you will be growing, and prepare the soil to yield the best possible results. A garden is nothing without a good foundation, making it extra important to choose the correct site. Temperature is a large factor for optimal garden growth, so avoid low areas and spots bounded on the lower side by a solid fence or dense trees. These tend to create cooler temperatures longer into the spring, unlike the fast-warming tendencies of a southern or southeastern exposure. Convenience is key, so make sure to choose a site accessible to your house with enough access to water. Finding a balance between watering your plants and drowning them is vital. Choose a well-drained area, one that typically does not hold water for a day or more after rainfall. If poorly drained soil is dominant in your area, consider a raised bed garden. Once you select a site, it s important to have a plan for its layout. Have a general idea of what vegetables or plants you wish to grow in the garden. Some, like tomatoes, peppers, or broccoli, may be available as transplants from local stores, but others will require purchasing seed. Every family has different dietary wants and needs, so knowing how much of each vegetable to grow is important. Your family may be satisfied with two plants of beans, but you may need 12 tomato plants. Knowing your requirements and putting that into consideration when planning your site is helpful. The size of your garden is also a factor; in smaller areas, vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers produce well, but others may not. You are bound to the ground, so plan accordingly. It is important to remember that the soil nurtures the plants, so you need to nurture the soil. Effective gardens are not formed naturally; they take a great deal of alteration to create. If there is surface grass on the site, remove it, turn it over with a shovel, or plow the area several weeks before planting. Once you ve cleared the space, you can begin attending to the soil quality. Organic matter goes a long way in helping the fertility of the soil. Add 1-2 inches of compost, composted manure, peat moss, humus or other organic matter to the surface of the soil, working to a depth of 6-10 inches. If you are considering adding fresh manure, avoid doing so within 120 days of crop harvest.