IN THE GARDEN NOW July 2018 HELPING GARDENERS PUT KNOWLEDGE TO WORK Vegetable Plants Not Setting Fruit Dear Master Gardener, Lisa Rayburn Extension Agent, Horticulture I ve been growing vegetables for the last 4 or 5 years but this might be the least successful season yet. My plants look good and grow well, but there aren t tomatoes on my plant, or squash on my vines. If the plants are okay, why aren t they producing fruit? Signed, Fruitless in Onslow Contact Us: NCCE-Onslow County 4024 Richlands Hwy. Jacksonville, NC 28540 (910) 455-5873 (910) 455-0977 Fax http://onslow.ces.ncsu. 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. Dear Fruitless, I have noticed that my fruit is coming in several weeks later than last year, so you re not alone! This has been a difficult spring for some of our warm-season crops. April was unusually cool and wet, so a lot of crops didn t get into the ground until 1-3 weeks later than usual. And then, on top of that, it stayed cool and wet, so we re now dealing with the delayed planting and slowed growth. Then, there was May, and all that rain. The insects that carry pollen don t fly during windy, rainy weather. So, we had less pollination than usual. In some cases, that windy rain may have beaten flowers, resulting in a loss of fruit. If your plants are healthy, be patient! While we may have lost some of our early fruit for this season, conditions are improving and your plants should be productive as the season continues. Let us know if you have any questions and please feel free to send us photos of your greatest garden successes (or saddest failures we don t judge!) You can also share updates with us on Facebook, at Gardening In Onslow County. Happy gardening! Lisa
War of the Roses: Fighting Black Spot Rose bushes looking yellowed? Have some dark spots? Dropping leaves? You re not alone: there has been a huge amount of black spot pressure this spring due to the temperatures and the rain. You can mount a counter attack by keeping plants where they will get full sun and dry out quickly. However, that alone will not prevent the disease on susceptible cultivars;; it will simply reduce the disease pressure compared to a site where the plant foliage stays wet for a longer period of time. You ll also want to remove old leaves on the ground, lay down new mulch, prune back your infected canes, and avoid overhead watering. Soaker hoses at the ready! You can learn about controlling black spot here: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rose-diseases/ Canna Leafrollers and How to Treat Them Larger canna leaf roller. Photo by Diana Rashash We are supposed to be north of the typical population area of larger canna leafrollers, but we ve seen enough evidence the past couple of years: the two varieties of leafrollers, larger and smaller, that roll among us. Your initial symptoms may be leaves that remain tightly folded, or that expand but have a line of holes or linear spots. As the season continues, the leaves might develop ragged edges and obvious signs of webbing. If you find leafrollers gnawing on your cannas, alternate spraying products with the active ingredients spinosad and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) every week, making sure to spray down into the rolled-up leaves where caterpillars hide. (Spinosad can be applied up to 6 times per season, per crop, so alternating with Bt gives you a longer treatment window.) Consider acephate if the caterpillars are larger than 1/2 inch in length. Also, cut and remove all foliage from the site at the end of the season to reduce overwintering pupa. Remember: early treatment helps reduce the population but, unless everyone in the neighborhood is treating their cannas, you might have to treat them again later. Want to learn more about the pesky buggers? Check out these links: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/brazilian_skipper.htm http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/l_canna_leaf_roller.htm
Tips and Tasks Landscape Remember to water according to plant needs. Vegetables and newly established plants require more frequent watering than established lawns and plants. Sandy soil requires more frequent watering than heavier soils. Most plants grow best with about 1 inch of water per week. Install a rain gauge so you can track how much rainfall you get. We ve had plenty of rain this year so watering needs have been low. Mulch plants to conserve moisture, inhibit weeds and reduce disease. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses deliver water to the root zone without wetting leaves. Moisture on leaves can contribute to disease development. If you must use sprinklers, water early in the day so leaves dry quickly. Deadheading promotes new blossoms for many annuals and perennials. Remove weeds before they set seed. Lawns Calibrate your sprinklers. Use a couple of straight-sided containers such as coffee cans to measure just how much water you are putting out. Some of my sprinklers will apply 1 of water in 30 minutes while others only apply ¼ inch over 4 hours! It depends on the sprinkler, your water pressure and the amount of area being watered. For lawns, aim for 1 inch of water per week on heavier soils, ½ inch of water twice a week on sandy soils. Mow lawns regularly and at the correct height to promote dense turf and reduce weeds. Centipede, bermuda and zoysia should be mowed to 1 inch, while St. Augustine should be mowed at 3 inches. Time your last application of fertilizer for no later than August 1. Difficult weeds may need a repeat application of herbicide to control. Vegetables Provide appropriate support for fruit and vegetable plants such as tomatoes. Trellises and staking will reduce disease and make maintenance easier. Harvest fruits and vegetables as they ripen. Remove overripe, damaged or diseased fruits immediately to help control diseases and insects. Watch for insects and diseases. If you find an insect or disease, have it identified by your Extension agent and get recommendations for control. Plant a second round of tomatoes and cucumbers early this month to extend your harvest through the fall. Join us for a selection of local produce, meats, wines, jams and jellies, honey, eggs, baked goods, crafts, vegetable transplants and more! Vendors vary from market to market so make sure you check out all three locations: Saturdays from 8:30 to 1:30 at 4024 Richlands Highway Tuesdays from 8:30 to 1:30 at 4024 Richlands Highway Thursday from 10 to 2 on Camp Lejeune
Squashing the Squash Beetles Think those are ladybugs crawling around the zucchini? Put on your specs and look again: you might be infested by squash beetles. Don t let the cute spots fool you: squash beetles can mean serious damage to your melon patch and his cousin, the Mexican bean beetle will indeed have you jumping. Younger beetles will eat the skin off your leaves, leaving the veins. Older ones go whole hog and your leaves will be decimated. Check out the chart at the end of this webpage for all the treatment options: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/cucumbersquash-melon-other-cucurbit-insect-pests/. Remember to start with the biorational options whenever Squash beetle feeding on zucchini plant. Photo by Lisa Rayburn possible, working up to harsher pesticides as need be, and to keep your garden s sanitation standards high: adult squash beetles overwinter in crop debris and are known repeat offenders. We want your feedback! If you like our newsletter, or want to see something new, let us know! Give us a call 910.455.5873 or email lisa_rayburn@ncsu.edu. Speaking of new, we have a new volunteer working on our newsletter. If you see Jessie at our next Master Gardeners course, say hi! Association Meetings Onslow County Master Gardener Volunteer Association Meeting July 12, 9 am Contact: Lisa Rayburn, 910.455.5873, lisa_rayburn@ncsu.edu Onslow County Beekeepers Association Meeting July 10, 7 pm Contact: David Peed, 910.330.7584 or myscubashop@yahoo.com Onslow County Farmers Market Board Meeting July 25, 5:15 pm Contact: Marie Bowman 910.455.5873 mkschwei@ncsu.edu
Summertime Ratatouille * Time: 45 min, prep to table Serves: 2 as a main, 4 as a side This classic French stew is cooked in stages so the vegetables individual flavors shine. 2 onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 bay leaf 3 Tbsp olive oil 1 medium eggplant, chopped 1 ½ Tbsp fresh basil, chopped (or 2 tsp dried) 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried) 1 tsp fresh marjoram, chopped (or ½ tsp dried) 1 ½ tsp salt 2 summer squash, chopped 2 green, orange, or red sweet peppers, cut in strips 2 cups tomatoes, chopped Sauté onions, garlic, and bay leaf in olive oil, about 5 minutes. Add eggplant, herbs, and salt. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until eggplant is soft, about 15-20 minutes. Add squash, peppers, and tomatoes, and simmer until peppers and squash are tender, about 10 minutes. Serve with pasta or polenta, sprinkle with fresh parsley, dark, briny olives, and/or freshly grated Parmesan. Also consider a streak of Greek yogurt or a bright fried egg! * inspired by Simply in Season, by way of Indigo Farms Classes Vegetable Gardening 101 Series July 21 st (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cucumber, Tomatoes) 10 am Cost: free Registration: 910.455.5873 Location: Discovery Gardens We will meet the third Saturday of each month, at 10 am, in the Discovery Garden (besides the Farmers Market). Come plant and tend the vegetables in the raised bed gardens with us. Each month, we will discuss what we are planting and why. Then you can help plant! These informal classes will be a great way to get your hands dirty, ask questions and get ideas that you can apply in your own garden.
Landscape for Life Learn the skills you need to develop a sustainable landscape design for your personal property. Classes will be held each Wednesday evening form 6-8 pm at the Extension Office. Classes are free but preregistration is requested. Call 910.455.5873 to reserve your seat. Sessions include: July 11 Site Mapping and Evaluation July 18 Understand and Improving Soils July 25 Understanding Water and Harvesting Rainwater August 1 Landscape Design Concepts August 8 Plant Selection August 15 Optimum Planting Practice Home Preservation 101 (Canning) July 28 9 am to 3pm Cost $20 (lunch included) Learn the basics of canning water bath, pressure canning and freezing. Call 910.455.5873 to reserve your seat. Master Gardener Volunteer Class Scheduled We will be holding out next Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class from September 6 November 8. Classes will meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-12. There will be an occasional field trip. Cost $125. Call 910.455.5873 or email lisa_rayburn@ncsu.edu for more information or to request an application. This training is intended for volunteers who wish to learn how to be better gardeners while helping other gardeners by sharing their knowledge. Class participants learn about a wide variety of gardening subjects including vegetables, fruits, lawn grasses, shrubs, flowers and trees. The training focuses on developing diagnostic skills for insects and diseases of plants. Classes are also given on soils, propagation, plant identification and more. Master Gardeners receive 40 hours of training and after graduation they provide 40 hours of volunteer work in the community. Master Gardeners are involved in a range of community projects including: answering homeowner inquires at the Extension Office and Farmer s Market, participating in our Growing Minds training (for local school children), and developing the Discovery Gardens. The 2018 Master Gardener course will begin September 6 and run through November 8. Classes will usually be taught Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 am until noon with the occasional field trip being held outside normal class hours. Cost for the course is $125. Space in the class is limited. Applications and payment must be received by August 24. CONTACT US If you have questions about lawn, landscape or garden problems, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. In Onslow County call 910.455.5873, Mon. Fri., 8 am 5 pm, or visit us online anytime at http://onslow.ces.ncsu.edu. While you are there, you can post your questions to be answered by email using the Ask an Expert widget in the upper left-hand corner.