Mason County Newsletter Cooperative Extension Service Mason County 800 U.S Highway 68 Maysville, KY 41056 (606) 564-6808 Fax: (606) 564-9226 extension.ca.uky.edu Letter from the Horticulture agent: Hello Everyone, I hope you are enjoying this warm and unusual weather. It is about time to get back into your gardens to start planting. Now is the time to start thinking about your garden layout and what vegetable you would like to grow. If you are not sure what time you should be planting a certain vegetable, please stop by our office and pick up a copy of the publication, Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky or call me. Last month we had several fun classes, including the much anticipated, Succulent Garden Workshop. The Mason County Master Gardener Association held their annual reception dinner with Chris & Mary Breeze as the speakers. Sincerely, Macy Fawns Mason County Office 800 U.S. 68 Maysville, KY 41056
Upcoming Horticulture Events March 7: Webinar: Direct to Consumer Markets (Farmer s Markets, CSA s, etc.) 3:30 PM at the Mason County Extension Office (Please Sign Up if You Plan To Attend) March7: Farm Family Night 5:30 PM at the Maysville Community & Technical College March 9: What s all this talk about Varroa?- Buffalo Trace Beekeepers Association Guest Speaker- 6 PM at the Mason County Extension Office, Monthly Meeting at 7 PM March 13: Starting Seeds Indoors- Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Peppers- 6 PM at Mason County Public Library- Call Library to sign-up March 14: Starting Seeds Indoors- Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Peppers- 1 PM at Fleming County Public Library- Call Library to sign-up March 14: Webinar: Larger Scale Markets & What to consider as you try to grow your business, 3:30 PM at the Mason County Extension Office (Please Sign Up if You Plan To Attend) March 14: Container Garden Series-Onions @ Amo Peters Community Center at 5 PM March 20: WIC & Senior Farmers Market Training- 6:30 PM at Mason County Extension Office March 21: Starting Seeds Indoors- Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Peppers - 6PM at Mason County Extension Office (FULL) March 27: Growing & Cooking From the Garden Cauliflower- 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM at Mason County Extension Office March 28: Container Garden Series-Collard Greens @ Amo Peters Community Center at 5 PM March 29: Monarch Butterflies Class Part 1: 6-8 PM (FULL) April 3: Pruning Fruit Trees Class 4 PM at the Mason County Extension Office April 3: Grafting Class 6 PM at the Mason County Extension Office April 4: Landscape Design Class April 13: Homebased Microprocessor Workshop at Lewis County Extension 9:30-3:30 * All Events will be held at the Mason County Extension Office, unless otherwise noted. Mason County Horticulture Like us on Facebook!
Successfully Transplanting Vegetables By: Rick Durham, Extension Horticulture Specialist With springtime finally here, we turn our attention to the vegetable garden. Getting your transplants up and growing will give you some delicious homegrown produce in the months to come. Transplanting gives a plant more space to develop, but it eill temporarily stop growth, not stimulate it. Therefore, for successful transplanting, try to interrupt plant growth as little as possible. Whether you grow your own transplants or purchase them, these eight steps can ensure successful transplanting into the garden. 1) Transplant on a shady day in late afternoon or in early evening to prevent wilting. 2) Ensure transplants are well watered and their roots are thoroughly damp an hour or two before setting them in the garden. 3) Handle the plants carefully. Avoid disturbing the roots. Try removing plants from their containers by knocking them out in an inverted position rather than tugging on the plants. Plants growing in peat pots may be planted with the pot intact. 4) Dig a hole large enough to hold the roots. Set the plants to the lowest leaf at recommended spacing. Press soil firmly around the roots. 5) Pour 1 cup of a solution of soluble plant food and water mixed according to the label s directions. 6) Put more soil around each plant, but leave a slight depression for water to collect. Break off any exposed parts of peat pots so that they will not act as wicks and pull water out of the soil. 7) Shade the plants for a few days after transplanting on a very hot day by putting wet newspapers or cardboard on their south sides or cover them with a woven cotton fabric such as cheese cloth. 8) Water the plants every 2-3 days during the next week. For more gardening tips, contact the Mason County Extension Office or visit the Garden, Lawns and Landscapes section at www.extension.org.
Grafting Apple Trees April 3 at 6 PM Guest Speaker: Dr. John Strang This will be a hands-on workshop, where every participant will learn to graft apple trees to a hearty rootstock. You will also get to graft and take home your own trees. *Limit 30 Participants Pruning Fruit Trees April 3 at 4 PM Guest Speaker: Dr. John Strang Dr. Strang will be discussing the proper timing and technique for pruning your fruit trees.