ELPING GARDENERS PUT KNOWLEDGE TO WORK

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1 IN THE GARDEN NOW March 2016 HELPING GARDENERS PUT KNOWLEDGE TO WORK Precipitation Prediction Lisa Rayburn Extension Agent, Horticulture ~Dr. Diana Rashash Contact Us: NCCE-Onslow County 4024 Richlands Hwy. Jacksonville, NC (910) (910) Fax edu North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. Yikes! It has been downright soggy outside for much of December, January, and February. The next couple of months are predicted to have a slightly higher chance of being wetter than average, as shown in the map below for March, April, and May. Then, we enter a period of equal chances, followed by below average precipitation for the fall. (Image attached) Source: ange/seasonal.php?lead=1 The temperature, however, is another matter. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center website is predicting an increased probability of above normal temperatures from April onward. These predictions are based on the current El Niño gradually decreasing and changing over to a more-neutral situation, and then to La Niña in the fall. It s amazing how sea surface temperatures off the California coast can be such a significant driver of conditions here in eastern North Carolina. For now, we just need it to dry out enough to be able to get into our gardens and fields. Will we be wishing for rain later this year? Maybe. If you establish new trees or shrubs this spring, be prepared to provide supplemental water if needed later in the summer.

2 Tips and Tasks Spring blooming bulbs should be fertilized just as the new growth emerges. If your bulbs have already flowered, wait until November to fertilize with a complete fertilizer such as Summer flowering bulbs can be fertilized when the shoots emerge. Fertilize trees and shrubs before active growth begins (before mid- March). Fertilize based on your soil test for best results. For more information about fertilizing trees and shrubs, stop by the office and pick up a copy of A Gardener s Guide to Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs. Fertilize perennials and annuals in April. Do not fertilize warm season grasses yet. Wait until May or June for best results. If necessary, continue application of preemergent herbicides to centipede and St Augustine lawns through early March. Avoid applications of once turf starts to green up. Bring weed samples to the plant clinic for specific herbicide recommendations. While you are here, request a lawn maintenance calendar for your turf type. Apply a fresh layer of mulch to ornamental beds to suppress summer annual weed seeds now. Make sure mulch is not deeper than 3-4 inches total. March is an excellent time to relocate plants or transplant container grown plants. Fall blooming perennials can be divided now. (Divide spring blooming perennials in the fall.) Keep an eye on new plants and replanted divisions through the spring and summer and provide adequate water to make sure they establish well. Many cool season spring vegetable crops can be planted now. Early March is a good time to transplant broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage plants. Asparagus beds should be established by the end of March. Kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, turnips, and spinach can be started from seed through the beginning of April. Potatoes can be planted until the beginning of May. Remember to wait until after the last frost to plant warm season crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and peppers. The last frost in Onslow County is usually the second or third week in April. However, this is just an average in any given year the last frost may be earlier or later. Plan to plant tender crops after April 20 and be prepared to protect these crops from a late frost if necessary. Heat-loving crops like okra, eggplant, sweet potato and watermelons will do better if you wait an extra couple of weeks for the soil and air temperatures to warm.

3 Around the Home ~Dr. Diana Rashash The last nine months have definitely allowed people to note the problem areas in their yards. These can include wet areas that drain poorly, areas that have eroded, and everything in between. There are things you can do to improve the situation. Some are complex and may require professional assistance. Others, however, may be relatively simple and can be done by homeowners. Some basic information will be needed about your site, which may be obtained by following the steps below. Step 1: Map your site This can be relatively simple, such as using the plat of your property or pulling it up online using Google Earth, your county GIS office, or other mapping tools. The Onslow Multipurpose Complex is shown below, with overlays of the stream and soil types shown. Print several copies of your base map, so other features can be added without overwhelming a single map. Onslow Multipurpose Complex. Source: Onslow GIS Step 2: Label problem areas Problem areas may be wet, compacted, bare, and various combinations. Are the wet areas due to low spots, blocked drainage, or compacted soils? Are eroded areas due to steep slopes, sandy soil, or lack of vegetation? The cause is an important part in diagnosing possible solutions. Step 3: Label site features Site features include drainage easements, ditches, gardens, septic system drainfield and repair area, downspout flow, buried utilities, and other items. Also note where water stands or the direction of water flow. Are there features you want to add? Gardens? Walkways? The site map can help you visualize possible impacts on your property or problems you will need to work around. Step 4: Develop site solutions This is where possible solutions are discussed and evaluated. For example, a low wet area of lawn may be either converted into a rain garden or connected by a subsurface drain to a nearby outlet. If you are considering adding soil to a site, be sure to check its impact on water flow from your neighbors property. It is illegal in NC to impede the flow of water off of another s land. Also consider how water needs to flow to exit your property. You do not want standing water above your septic system drainfield or to cause it to move toward your foundation. If the soil remains wet due to compaction, steps can be taken to improve infiltration. Compaction is often a problem in high use high traffic areas, such as where pets have their paths. Besides being wet, the areas may no longer have much or any vegetation.

4 Plant Spotlight-Eastern Redbud depending on the amount of sun that the plant receives. If you are looking to add a small tree to your yard or property, consider an eastern redbud. Find the Gardening Information on the Radio Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are one of my favorite signs of spring. This small tree is native to the eastern United States. It s early lavender to pink flowers bloom before the heart-shaped leaves emerge. This tree is naturally found as an understory tree in mixed forests, and prefers moist, welldrained soil but it is adaptable to a range of soil conditions. It s small size, maturing at a height and spread of feet, makes it easy to fit in a suburban yard. Aside from their obvious beauty, redbuds have other benefits in the yard. The spring flowers provide nectar for bees. Once pollinated, the flowers produce bean-like pods that provide a food source for birds. Redbuds are members of the family Fabaceae, the same family that beans and peas belong too, and can fix their own nitrogen from the soil. I host the Garden Journal on Public Radio East. The Garden Journal airs Friday at noon on all PRE Stations and Saturday at noon on News and Ideas. In Onslow County, that is 91.5 FM and 89.3 FM on Fridays and 91.5 FM Saturdays. Tune in and join me. Is there a topic that you would like me to address on the show? If so, me at lisa_rayburn@ncsu.edu and you may hear your answer on the air. You can also find me on WJCV once a month as Melvin Bland and I discuss all things garden and yard related. You can join us 98.3 FM and 1290 AM. We ll be on air March 3 rd at 8 am. Several varieties have been selected for a range of flower and foliage colors. C. canadensis var. alba has white flowers while other cultivars range from pale pink to dark lavender-red. Merlot and Forest Pansy were selected for their dark purple-red foliage while Rising Sun has pale yellow foliage in early spring. Foliage color may vary

5 Upcoming Meetings Onslow County Master Gardener Volunteer Association March 10, 9 am Contact: Lisa Rayburn, or lisa_rayburn@ncsu.edu Onslow County Beekeepers Association March 8, 7 pm Contact: Jeff Morton, or jeff_morton@ncsu.edu Onslow County Farmers Market Association March 1, 4 pm Contact: Lisa Davila, or lisaonslowmarket@gmail.com ****************************************** Beginning Beekeeping Class March 5, 12, and 19 8 am until noon In this three session course, students will learn the basics of how to get started as a beekeeper, including understanding equipment, bee biology, seasonal management for optimum honey production, how to recognize and manage bee pests and more. Contact Jeff Morton ( or jeff_morton@ncsu.edu) for more information or to register. Cost of class $60 includes course text book, state and local dues. CONTACT US Follow us on Facebook: wcounty. For additional classes, check out the Onslow County Cooperative Extension website at If you have questions about lawn, landscape or garden problems, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. In Onslow County call , Mon Fri. 8 am 5 pm, or visit us online anytime at While you are there, you can post your questions to be answered by using the Ask an Expert widget (in the upper left hand corner). North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

6 Onslow County Multipurpose Complex NC Cooperative Extension Services 4024 Richlands Highway Jacksonville, NC / FAX