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 Gardeners, I am hoping that the weather starts to warm up so we can start planting some of out warm season plants. At the Extension office we will have a pepper and fungicide cucurbit trial that will take place in our garden behind of office. Master Gardeners will be leading both trials and they will also have a flower trial at Old Washington park. Inside this issue: Lawn fertilizer....2 May tips.3 Class flyers...4 Class flyer & events.5 Strawberry recipe... 6
Upcoming Horticulture Events May 9th, 1:00: Basic Flower Arrangement class. (Full) Call to be put on waiting list May 5th, 10:00-12:00: Learn how to make candles from bees wax, Free class (hands-on) all to sign-up, limited space. May 10th, 7:00: Buffalo Trace Beekeeper Association Meeting, Speaker: Bruce Barns May 14th, 6:00: Master Gardener Association Meeting May 21st, 6:00: Got Snakes May 26th, 10:00-2:00: Farmer Market (first day open) May 28th: Closed May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 & June 7, 5:30: Container Gardening & Healthy Eating series (Beechwood Community Center) Call to 564-6808 RSVP June 12th, 6:00: Learn all about flowers, take home a potted flower (for kids) call to RSVP. June 13th, 10:00-2:00: Vegetable Field day (Bracken Co Farm)
Save money, time and the environment; don t over-fertilize your lawn Contact: Richard Durham, extension professor, UK Department of Horticulture Lawn care can be expensive and timeconsuming. By skipping the fertilizer this spring and summer, you can save money and time and also reduce nutrient pollution. Most Kentucky lawns have cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass and tall fescue, which prefer fall fertilization. Spring and summer fertilizer applications could weaken your turf, promote weed growth and increase mowing frequency. Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for growth and development. Most Kentucky soils have plenty of phosphorus and potassium. In fact, many are so naturally rich in phosphorus, adding more increases the risk of polluting our waterways. The most common fertilizer blends for homeowners are marketed as "complete fertilizers" because they contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These blends are often available in a formula like 10-10-10, (N-P-K), but they probably contain more phosphorus and potassium than your lawn needs. Excess or improperly applied fertilizer can end up in storm sewers and contribute to nutrient pollution in lakes, streams and rivers. You don t have to live near a lake or tributary to contribute to the problem. Excess phosphorus promotes rapid and over abundant algae growth in freshwater. Too much algae disrupts ecosystems, harms wildlife, negatively impacts water recreation and may contain toxins that sicken people and pets. Do your part: Conduct a soil test to determine what nutrients are needed. (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension office can provide you with instructions for collecting soil for analysis. Apply only what you need. Excess fertilizer will not make your lawn healthier. Carefully apply fertilizer. Keep it off paved surfaces and away from drains and water sources. Fertilize cool-season grasses only in the fall.
May Timely Tips Lawns Flowers Weed Control: during late spring and into fall should include liquid products, many of the granular products have fertilizer and should not be applied this time of year. Leave grass clippings on the lawns so the nutrients can be returned to the soil. Mow: your lawn at 2-2 1/2, if you mow too close this can cause weed pressure. Plant Perennials: Water at one inch per week. Plant annuals after May 10th to be safe from late season frost. (hopefully no more frost) Mulch beds: for moisture retention and weed control. House plants: can be moved outdoors later this month. Place in a shady spot. Vegetables Shrubs & Trees Plant and seed gardens: Many warm season plants can be planted early in the month while some heat lovers such as peppers should wait until later this month. Stake: Tomato, beans and squash plants as you plant them. Prune: spring flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Prune: evergreens now through August. Watch for bagworms: on evergreens, if you catch the larva while it is small a product you can use is Carbaryl (follow the label). If you wait control will be more difficult.
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID MAYSVILLE, KY PERMIT #10 Mason County 800 US Highway 68 Maysville, Kentucky 41056