Fungal Disease Control On Tomatoes

Transcription

1 Washington County Cooperative Extension Service June 2016 Volume 12, Issue 6 Inside this issue: HORTICULTURE Fungal Disease Control On Tomatoes Hydrangeas 2 Plant of the month 3 To Do s 4 Beekeepers News 5 Garden Club 5 A Note From Dennis 5 Wheelbarrow Series Schedule Walk On Washington 6 Garden To Table 7 Recipe Of The Month 8 Like Us at Washington County Horticulture 5 The primary two diseases that infect tomatoes in Central Kentucky are early blight and septoria leaf spot. It doesn t really matter if you know which of these you have but more that you have leaf spots that need to be controlled. These fungal pathogens cause dark spots in the leaves that gradually get larger; the leaf turns yellow and then dies. The fungal spores spread by wind and water splash and prefer a moist environment much like we have had for the last few weeks. If you notice spots on your tomato leaves it is a good idea to start treating the plants with protectant fungicides such as products containing Mancozeb or chlorothalonil. These products come in concentrates that you dilute in water and spray on with a hand held sprayer. After a heavy rain the fungicides will need to be reapplied. Protectant fungicides cannot cure infections on already infected leaves but will contain the disease spread so as to prolong your harvest. Be sure to spray the lower and upper sides of the leaves. Before spraying pull off the infected leaves and destroy them, this will reduce the severity of future inoculation. There are some cultural things you can do to help contain the likelihood of infection and the spread. First, if at all possible don t plant tomatoes in the same location every year. Diseases can overwinter on plant debris and in the soil. Planting tomatoes back in the same spot is asking for trouble. Secondly apply a mulch of some sort around your tomatoes, this will reduce the soil splash unto the bottom leaves and reduce the chances of early infection. Lastly, pull off the bottom most leaves when the first tomatoes set because by then the lower leaves are shaded and not photosynthesizing anyway and they are generally the first to get diseased.

2 Growing Hydrangeas in Kentucky by Michael Boice and Lauren State Primarily known as a source of summer color flowering June through August long after most shrubs have finished. Hydrangeas interesting bark and flower heads can also provide winter texture when left untrimmed until spring. Four species are commonly used in Kentucky landscape plantings. Big Leaf Hydrangea is the most widely used hydrangea species. Its large flowers range from white to pink to blue. While white cultivars remain white, pink or blue cultivar color is determined by soil ph and availability of aluminum. A soil ph range between 5.0 to 5.5 will generally produce the blue flowers, and a ph of 6 and above inspires pink flowers. Most cultivars of this species bloom on the previous season s wood. If temperatures drop too low, the flowers for the next season will be lost. New selections like Endless Summer bloom on current season s growth, providing blooms even if flower buds are killed by late spring frosts. Smooth Hydrangea is popular for its large, white blooms from June to September every year on new growth. Removing the flowers as they turn brown will encourage a second flush of flowers in August. Part shade is best in locations where the weather is generally hot and dry. This hydrangea grows three to five feet tall, making it a possible choice in smaller landscape spaces. There are several good cultivar selections, but the most popular is Annabelle. Panicle Hydrangea is one of the larger shrubs growing six to ten feet tall and six to ten feet wide depending on the cultivar. This plant will grow best in full sun. Enjoy the white to purplish-pink flowers from June to September. Blooms can be pruned when they turn brown or during the winter. One popular selection of this species is Limelight with large, light green flowers that mature to white. Oak Leaf Hydrangea, native to the southeastern United States, is known for its large, oak leaf-shaped foliage, and is a popular landscape choice for areas with part shade. The white to purplish-pink flowers are four to twelve inches long with three- to four-inch wide panicles. The flowers are abundant and fragrant. In the fall, the foliage turns to shades of red, orange-brown, and purple, adding additional color to the landscape.

3 June Plant of the Month Calycanthus Aphrodite A new improved reblooming Sweet shrub with classic sweet fragrance. Captivating bright magenta red magnolia-like flowers are showcased in summer and early fall above glossy green waxy foliage. Proven Winners selections are trialed and tested to be colorful, long blooming, carefree and easy to grow. To take full advantage of the fragrance, sweet shrubs are often planted near entrances, or other outdoor living areas; also pleasing in a shrub border. Long-lasting flowers made good cut flowers. Features to Note: Fragrant Deer Resistant Good For Cut Flowers Calycanthus General Information: Proven Winners variety. Calycanthus are deciduous flowering shrubs. Large, fragrant magnolia-like flowers adorn glossy foliage. Foliage matures to a golden yellow in autumn. Nice specimen plant or in mass for a hedge. Calycanthus Plant Care: No pruning necessary. OK to shape or thin in spring to remove any wayward or older woody branches. See more at: Type: Shrubs Height: Tall 5-6' (Plant 5-6' apart) Bloom Time: Mid-Summer to Early Fall Sun-Shade: Full Sun to Half Sun/ Half Shade Zones: 5-9 Soil Condition: Normal, Sandy Flower / Accent: Red / Red

4 *Apply approximately one tablespoon of Ammonium nitrate one foot from the base of each tomato in late June. This will force some new growth and give you more late tomatoes while the first ones are ripening. *If you want sweet corn later in the season make additional plantings in June. *Vegetables gardens as well as flower beds need approximately one inch of water per week. *Tomatoes and peppers are less likely to get diseases early on if you apply a mulch before soil gets a chance to splash onto their leaves. *Begin a fungicide program for tomatoes. Mancozeb, maneb, and daconil give good protection against most tomato diseases. Copper based fungicides will give some control for those wanting to remain organic. *Mulch works just as well for vegetable gardens as it does for ornamentals! *If you haven t mulched flower beds go ahead and do so. Mulch will greatly reduce the time it takes for soil to dry out. *Keep an eye on container plants, they will need watering usually at least once a day in the heat of summer and maybe twice a day for really pot bound large plants. If you haven t planted your containers yet June To Do s mix a cup or so of a moisture holding crystal that will hold water and release it when plants need it. *June is also a good time to fertilize annuals again especially if they are starting to turn yellow from the bottom up. *Spring blooming clematis should be pruned immediately after flowering in June. Summer and fall blooming clematis should be pruned in March before new growth occurs. *If you would like to attract hummingbirds plant beebalm, lobelia, cleome, columbine, four o'clock, impatiens, petunias, and trumpet vine. *Feeding hummingbirds with feeders will likely increase your numbers. Wash the feeder weekly if the sugar water is gone or not. Rinse it with 10% bleach and rinse thoroughly. *Let your grass grow longer during dry spells. This will help shade the ground and conserve moisture in the plant. *If you haven t planted your sweet potatoes yet you still have plenty of time. A large local greenhouse has a lot of slips for sale. *Sweet potatoes are heat loving and prefer loose well drained soil with weekly water requirements of an inch. To help conserve moisture and keep the soil loose apply a couple inches of good organic mulch. Straw works great! *Cut back spring blooming bulb foliage when it turns yellow. Don t do it before it turns yellow or you will reduce next seasons bloom. *Remember to water your compost pile and turn it regularly. If it dries out it won t cook properly and you won t have a good finished product. *Don t be surprised if your tree fruits drop some of their load. This is normal and aptly called June Drop. The trees are just managing their crop load. *Spray fruit crops periodically with a multi-purpose fruit spray for insects and diseases. Most homeowners don t need perfect fruit but biting into a wormy apply isn t pleasant. *Some berry crops such as blackberry and raspberry will ripen or start to ripen this month so keep an eye out for birds. They can clean your plants relatively quickly. Bird netting is your best bet for deterrence.

5 Lincoln Trail Beekeeper s Association News and Events Anyone interested in beekeeping in our area should join our local beekeepers association. They meet the first Monday of the month at 6:15 PM at the Washington County Extension Office, bring a dish its always a pot luck. Dues are $ These meetings will feature educational programs as well as the a chance to visit and fellowship with like minded apiarists. Washington County Garden Club News and Events The Washington County Garden Club will travel to Willie Graham s Daylily Garden in Lancaster Kentucky on June 24th. You will be able to view blooming plants and buy divisions on the spot! We will also travel to Stanford to eat at Bluebird Café and peruse their Main Street. We will leave Springfield at 8:30 AM and return by 5:00 PM. Please call the Extension Office if you plan to go with us at A Note From Dennis The older I get the faster time seems to go! Summer is set to start soon and it seems like it just became spring yesterday. The vegetable garden went in later than normal for me but it has taken off of late, and so have the insects and diseases! Remember if you have any horticulture questions you can contact me anytime Gardener s Wheelbarrow Series Schedule You Still Have Time To Sign Up!!! June 7th Morning Hens And Chicks Free!!! Evening Hens And Chicks Free!!! June 21st Morning Cold Hardy Bamboo Free!!! Evening Cold Hardy Bamboo Free!!! August 16th Morning Fall Vegetable Production Free!!! Evening Fall Vegetable Production Free!!! August 30th Morning Pollinator Friendly Gardening Free!!! Evening Pollinator Friendly Gardening Free!!! September 13th Morning Delightful Daylilies $15.00 Evening Delightful Daylilies $15.00 September 27th Morning Peonies The Queens Of Spring $25.00 Evening Peonies The Queens Of Spring $25.00 October 11th Morning Alternative Alliums $10.00 Evening Alternative Alliums $10.00 October 25th Morning Garden Tool Maintenance And Storage Free!!! Evening Garden Tool Maintenance And Storage Free!!! Basic Registration For Any and All Classes $5.00 x Total From Above Total

6

7

8 Washington County Cooperative Extension Service 211 Progress Road Springfield KY, Office Fax We Are On The Web!!! washington.ca.uky.edu Facebook at: County-Horticulture/ Recipe Of The Month