Weed Control

Jack Ressor

McCracken County Master Gardener

Weeds are unwanted plants growing out of place. They are usually native and compete well with our lawns and landscape plants.

Healthy lawns and landscape plants should be a gardener’s first line of defense against weeds. Proper watering, mowing, and fertilizing are essential to minimizing the weeds in lawns. In garden and vegetable beds, mulch can help keep the weeds down. Mulches can consist of organic manner such as pine bark, cypress, landscape fabrics, saw dust, plastic or even newspaper. Hand pulling is always an option, but can be difficult on hot summer days. Always kill and remove weeds before they flower to prevent seeding the next generation. When these remedies do not work, a gardener can use various herbicides.

There are two major types of herbicide: Pre-emergent and post-emergent.

        

Crabgrass

Pre-emergent herbicides are usually used in the late winter or early spring before the weed seeds germinate. They are best in controlling annual weeds such as crabgrass. These products can be applied as a liquid or in granular form. After germination, they offer little help in controlling weeds. Examples of pre-emergent herbicides are Preen and Scotts Crabgrass Preventer.

         

      Post-emergent products are directed at controlling weeds that have germinated and are easily visible. They are usually more effective when weeds are small, so treat as early as possible. An herbicide may be specific to a certain weed or be active against many weeds. Post-emergent products can be divided into contact or systemic herbicides. Contact herbicides work by contact directly with the plant. Examples are Ortho Grass Be Gone, and Bayer Advanced All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer. Systemic herbicides are absorbed by the weed causing death. Systemic products may be selective or non-selective. Selective products target certain weeds while not harming desirable plants in the same area. These herbicides include Scotts Lawn Pro Turf Builder with Weed Control. Non-selective materials are used to kill all the vegetation in an area and include Roundup and Ortho Total Kill. Do not let any contact herbicides touch any plants you want to keep. Nonselective herbicides include household items such as salt, vinegar, citric acid and baking soda.

Herbicides are poisons and all contact should be avoided. Use the following guidelines when using them:

1 .      Always read the labels on the herbicide containers and follow the directions before using.

2 .      Wear long pants and shirts, goggles and rubber gloves when using herbicides.

3 .      Wash your any skin contact with soap and water and when finished.

4 .      If an herbicide gets into the eyes, flush the eye slowly with water for 10 to 15 minutes. Check the  label for first aid information and get medical attention as soon as possible.

5 .      Do not breathe the fumes.

6 .      Store herbicides in their original containers out of reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet)  and away from any food. 

7 .      Avoid disposal problems. Only buy what you need. Never flush unused material down the toilet, sink  or storm drain. Take unused and unwanted herbicides to household hazardous waste collections.  Triple wash any empty containers before disposal into the garbage. Never reuse the containers.

Reference: Washington State University, Spokane County Extension

Let’s learn about Honey Bees!

Beekeeper, Jim Gould will present a program on the importance of honey bees as pollinator of food crops at the August 4 Master Gardener Toolbox. Mr. Gould will be discussing the history of beekeeping to include the importation of honeybees to the Western Hemisphere. 

He will discuss the beekeeper’s calendar (monthly management suggestions), beekeeping equipment, beekeeping habitat, and most importantly, how to become a beekeeper.  He will also offer an overview of pests and discuss the urban beekeeping trend, and, bee safety.  Beekeeping equipment will be available for hands-on inspection.

The presentation will be at 5:00 p.m. at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road in Paducah. There is no fee and no advanced registration required. 

Mason Bees Rock!

by Master Gardener, Brenda Johnson

That BUZZ is excitement about a fantastic little pollinator Osmia Lignaria a.k.a. the Orchard Mason Bee, Blue Orchard Bee, Orchard Bee and Mason Bee, a North American native pollinating bee.  They are members of the genus Osmia that carry pollen on their bellies rather than on their hind legs and they nest in holes. They are one of 140 species of Osmia in North America (4000 species of native bees) and are so efficient at pollinating native crops that they are one of the native bees being managed in agriculture.   Insufficient doses of pollen can result in reduced seed set and undesirable shaped fruits.

Why are they called Mason bees? When building their nests, Mason bees use clay to make partitions and to seal the entrance. This unique mud-building behavior leads to their common designation as masons.

Mason bees are about the same size as a honeybee though smaller and are a dark metallic blue, not striped brown and orange like the honeybee. When in flight they may be mistaken for a black fly.  Look closely, flies don’t have antennae, bees do.  They are about ½ inch long: females about .55 inch, males about .43 inches long.

No need to fear, male Mason bees have no stingers and having no queen to protect and all of the females are fertile, they’re not aggressive.  Only females can sting, though not likely, since the sting is modified from egg-laying structures. Should there be an incident, her sting is more similar to a mosquito bite than your average bee sting.

Being solitary, like most native bees means that each one tends to its own brood, instead of having a queen and worker bees. However, they build their nests together with others of their kind, much like our apartment living. They will also nest in other locations such as hoses, bamboo, abandoned pipes or holes left by other boring insects.  Females generally create seven to eleven cells per nest.

One can make fancy houses or use untreated lumber (4”x6”) or any piece of wood into a nesting block. Holes can be drilled in the wood on 3/4 “centers and should be 4-8" deep, not going completely through to back side.  Drilling holes smaller than a 5/16” diameter tends to produce a higher number of male bees.  Increase sanitation with use of parchment paper or other types of liners to line the holes, just don’t use plastic.  Paper lining can be removed each season to prevent the buildup of fungi and bacteria.

If using PVC pipe filled with paper straws, bamboo, or tubing, the back ends need to be sealed so no invaders can get in through the back door. Masons will occupy paper tubes or paper straws used the previous year. Regardless of style, nests need to be placed on a south-facing garage, house, or garden shed wall with the cavities tilted downward to limit collecting water.  Wind is also a hazard so a secure mount is needed to keep eggs or young larvae from falling out and young babies would be too weak to crawl back inside.

Early spring is prime time to set out your nests.  Mason bees are active in the early spring and summer, mid-March to late May or early June, the time when most of the fruit trees are in bloom.   During this time, female mason bees spend their days buzzing around, gathering pollen and nectar from flowers within a short distance from their nest, about 300 ft. (100 yds.).  This mixture of pollen and nectar becomes the food, “dough ball” that is placed in each chamber for the new egg.  When the right amount of food has been placed in the chamber the female backs in and lays a single egg into the “dough ball”. Then she partitions the cell with a mud wall and starts all over again repeating the action until she has filled the entire tube.  When the female is adding her final mud plug, she’ll go around and around the opening as she works to close the egg chamber, then flies away looking for another hole.

Individual pheromones help them identify their own hole so if she accidentally goes into another bee’s hole, she will quickly back out and find the correct nest.

The first brood cells that the Mason bee makes (those that are furthest back) will develop into female bees, while the ones closer to the entrance will become males. Thus the males emerge first, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before the females. They spend their time foraging for nectar to build up their strength and buzzing around the nest waiting for the females to emerge. During this time, they do a bit of pollinating but the real contribution made is mating with the females.  Once all the females have been mated, the males die then it is center stage with an all-girl show.  Brood nest building is totally up to the female.

Bees also suffer from predators, and the brood closer to the entrance would be the first to become candy-like food to certain species of flies and wasps that chew through the plugs.  In this way a hungry invader is likely to eat the sacrificial males only and leave the girls safe and sound but sometimes, females often intentionally leave the first cell empty.  As in the world of bees and other species it is all about protecting the females and only a few males need to survive to mate the next spring.  Predators are more apt to take down a nest before a disease can.

The best way to avoid predators is to store the nest in a garage or shed at the end of the active period.  This will give the bee’s added protection from predators and parasites, yet will allow them the needed cold temperatures to break hibernation. If desired, bee emergence can be delayed for a short period by refrigerating the block in the spring until you are ready for the bees to emerge. Bees will need three days to warm up following refrigeration.

Mud, mud, mud is a must have.  It is vital for the ladies to have a mud area available, meaning an open place with no mulch and no grass. Clay soil works best, so no sandy or highly amended soil. It is best to keep the mud area a small distance from the nest so weak emerging bees can’t fall into it.

Pollen, pollen, pollen is another must have.  Mason bees will move to other areas if there isn’t enough pollen in your yard.  Flowers with colors such blue, purple, and yellow (clover and dandelions) are desirable along with the big-leaf maples.  Be on alert to which plants your bees like to visit.  Perhaps you currently have some of the following plants.

•    Trees and Shrubs:  Eastern Redbud, Apple, Currant, Gooseberry, Roses (early blooming, singlevarieties are best), Raspberry, Blackberry, Willow, Plum, Peach, Nectarine, and Viburnums.
•        Perennials and Annuals:  Strawberry, Geranium, Wildflower, Dandelion (mow them while fruit trees are in bloom – you really want them working your fruit and flowers not the lawn).        

Another note, native plants attract native bees, whereas exotic plants attract non-native species.

By autumn, Mason bees have laid their eggs in the nest and they are developing stage by stage.  At this point no bee tends the brood.  The egg hatches and the larva eats the stored food of pollen and nectar, develops on its own, and spins a cocoon, then hibernates in a larval stage known as the prepupa and waits for the first warm days of spring to emerge in your garden. 

When scouting out your garden for these iridescent, metallic dark blue jewels, remember you can develop a partnership.  Your garden can be a Buzz with excitement year after year as long as the bees have sufficient shelter and food, plus you get great fruit and fantastic gardens.  MASON BEES ROCK because they are the best little pollinators.

Think Irises 2016!

Remember the beautiful irises last spring? Did you wish you had more to enjoy? Did yours not bloom as proficiently as in the past? Did your neighbor have one that you coveted? 

Well now is the time to think Irises in 2016! Now is the time to plant irises for next spring’s bloom.

Irises should be planted where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of sun a day. They should be shallow planted. Work the soil until it is loose, plant the rhizomes about 4-inches deep, keeping the top of the rhizome exposed or covered very lightly. Water thoroughly and top dress with a low nitrogen fertilizer. The rhizomes should be dug and divided every 3-5 years to encourage blooming. An added bonus, the divided rhizomes produce more plants! Do not cut the foliage until it dies back in the fall. Do not over fertilize; it is best to use a low nitrogen fertilizer after spring blooming.

More information on growing these beautiful flowers can be found on the American Iris Society website and as well as on The Old Farmer’sAlmanac website.

Herb Appeal III – Beyond the Plate

By Carol Ullerich, Extension Master Gardener

Herb Appeal, an annual luncheon and lecture hosted and prepared by Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs), is scheduled for Thursday, July 16 at 11:45 a.m. at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service at 2705 Olivet Church Road.  This year’s version features a healthy combination of familiar foods complimented by a quintet of herbs—rosemary, savory (2015’s herb of the year), thyme, dill and mint.  “Beyond the Plate” refers to the non-culinary use of herbs for crafts, medicine, cleaning and more. 

Lunch service begins promptly at 12:00 p.m.  Only 60 tickets at $20.00 apiece are being sold.  They may be purchased by check at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service.  Call 270-554-9520 for details.  

This is the third time EMGs have partnered with Laura Duff of A Pampered Palate Catering to develop the luncheon menu.  Under Duff’s direction, EMGs will prepare the bulk of the meal with each dish featuring one or more herbs.  According to Duff, there’s no downside to adding fresh herbs to a meal—you stimulate and satiate your palate simultaneously without adding extra salt, sugar or fat.    

Midtown Market will again provide fresh ingredients for the luncheon.  Since launching his urban food store at 3000 Broadway, Andy Carloss has made great strides in providing organic, locally grown produce to area shoppers.  Initially, he sought local growers to develop his inventory; now local farmers seek to do business with him. 

Herb Specialist Linda Caviness is this year’s featured speaker.  She will highlight the lesser-known medicinal properties of culinary herbs—qualities that bring “healing to the mind, body or spirit; hopefully all three.”   Gardening has been a serious passion for Caviness since the early seventies when she came to Kentucky from Los Angeles.  Newly retired from the Marshall County Library in Hardin, Kentucky, she has big plans for the future.  One of her first priorities is building a greenhouse so she can propagate her own herbs.  While already growing most of her own herbs in raised beds and containers, she occasionally must buy harder to find herbs from other sources. 

While herbs benefit from frequent pruning, Caviness snips only when the plants need it or she needs what the plants are producing.  She uses her harvest for cooking and medicinal concoctions she prepares herself.  Lavender, lemon balm, mint and chamomile are constants in her garden.  Deeming herself a self-taught gardener, Caviness gathered her knowledge of growing herbs from several sources—her grandmother, mother, older friends, neighbors, books, classes, and lots of trial and error.   

Mason Bee House

Caviness will be followed by Brenda Johnson, an EMG, who will share facts about the cultivation of Orchard and Mason bees to improve pollination of early spring fruit flowers in the wake of a decrease in honeybees.  Oblivious to their existence a few months ago, Johnson is now fascinated by them. 

Herb Topiary 

Handmade Mason bee houses will be available for purchase in the boutique that will open after the meal.  Other items available in the boutique include herbs, bird feeders and bird houses, jewelry, topiaries, glass totem poles, and small wheelbarrows planted with herbs.

New Name; Same Mission

Preparing to move to a new campus that is currently under construction, the Purchase Area Master Gardener Association (PAMGA), has recently changed its name to McCracken County Extension Master Gardeners.  Herb Appeal III-Beyond the Plate is a fundraiser for the University of Kentucky Demonstration & Trial Garden on Coleman Road in Paducah.  The garden is an outdoor classroom featuring trial beds, a vegetable garden, a small orchard, vineyard and greenhouse.

EMGs have more than just green thumbs – they are trained in all phases of horticulture by the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University through the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.  Upon completing formal training and passing a written exam, they volunteer their time to assist the McCracken County Horticulture Extension Agent in advising home gardeners.

Educating the gardening public—both adults and children—is the primary focus of EMGs.  The mission is accomplished by staffing a booth at the local Farmer’s Market; sponsoring a standard flower show at the McCracken County Fair each June; operating a telephone hotline for gardening questions during the growing season; offering a free monthly toolbox series on a vast array of gardening topics the first Tuesday of each month; and, maintaining a Speaker’s Bureau.  The local centerpiece of their work is the Demo & Trial Garden for which Herb Appeal III-Beyond the Plate is the sole fundraiser.

McCracken County Fair Floral and Horticulture Awards

The Design Section of the McCracken County Fair Flower  Show was held on Thursday, June 25. National Flower  Show Judges Connie Pittman and Ann Hocker of Bowling Green and Beth Garey of Paducah complimented the sponsors  for a creative and beautiful show.  The theme, "See Blue: 150 Years of the University of Kentucky," was interpreted with twenty-six  different floral designs.  Sally Wilkins was awarded Best of Show for her traditional mass design

Other Blue Ribbon winners were Carol Ullerich , Hanging Design; Beth Garey, Illuminary Design; Jessiann McCarthy, Pot-et Fleur Design; and Elisabeth Kelly, Small Design.

Additionally,  twelve youth designs were entered.  Blue ribbons were given to Anison Nelson, Grade K-2; Abby Brown, Grade 3-5, Emily Krall, Grade 6-8, and Shelby Durham Grade 9-12

Following is a complete list of this year's prize winners.

McCracken County Fair Flower Show Results 2015

“See Blue” Horticulture

Sweepstakes Award Winner, Caroly Meredith. 

Best of Show Winner, Melissa Breeden.

Growers Choice Award Winner, Jim Hank.

Annuals: Zinnia-Anne Parmley, Blue. Martha Brown, Red. Macey Wesmolan, Yellow. Debra Hall, White.  Coleus-Kayleigh Collier, Blue. Marigold-Mike Meredith, Blue. Martha Brown, Red. Genet Davenport, Yellow. Begonia-Carolyn Meredith, Blue & Red. Sunflower-Kristi Hanson, Blue. Norman Wallace, Red.  Salvia-Kayleigh Collier, Red. Cleome-Jane Blue, Red. Other Annuals-Norman Wallace, Blue. Jane Blue, Red. Carolyn Meredith, Yellow & White.

Perennials Flowering: Echinacea-Teri Coscarelli, Blue. Anne Parmley, Red. Genet Davenport, Yellow. Phlox-Debra Hall, Blue. Jane Blue, Yellow. Rudbeckie/Cultivar-Anne Parmley, Blue. Debra Hall, Red. Teri Cosarelli, Yellow. Other Perennials Flowering-Anne Parmley, Blue. Debra Hall, Red. Lois Hammet, Yellow. Danielle Mathews, White.

Daylilies: Single-Elisabeth Kelly, Blue. Tami Richards, Red. Norman Wallace, White. Double-Randall Richards, Red. Ruffled-Melissa Thaxton, Blue. Teri Coscarelli, Red. Spider-Marilyn Gross, Blue. Multicolored banded-Elisabeth Kelly, Blue & Red. Randall Richards, Yellow. Norman Wallace, White.

Perennials Foliage: Sedum-Tami Richards, Blue, Danielle Mathews, Red. Elisabeth Kelly, Yellow. Soloman’s Seal-Lois Hammet, Blue. Hellebore-Anne Parmley, Red. Other Perennials Foliage-Nyla Holder, Blue. Mike Meredith, Red. Randall Richards, Yellow.

Roses: Shrub Rose-Danielle Mathews, Blue.

Wildflowers: Spiderwort-Martha Brown, Yellow. Wild Ginger-Anne McNeilly, Blue. Black-eyed Susan-Tami Richards, Blue. Anne Parmley, Red. Other Wildflowers-Anne McNeilly, Blue. Anne Parmley, Red. Sally Wilkins, Yellow.

Bulbs, Corms and Tubers: Gladiolus-Sally Wilkins, Blue. Mike Meredith, Red. Debra Hall, Yellow. Calla Lily-Gage Holder, Blue. Lois Hammet, Red. Asiatic or Oriental Lily-Randall Richards, Yellow. Allium-Randall Richards, Yellow. Other Bulbs, Corms and Tubers-Nyla Holder, Red.

Hosta Leaf: Small-Judy Benton, Blue. Anne Parmley, Red. Medium-Randall Richards, Blue. Nyla Holder, Red. Melissa Breeden, Yellow. Anne Parmley, White. Large-Danielle Mathews, Blue. Beth Garey, Red. Anne Parmley, Yellow. Gage Holder, White.

Ferns: Christmas Fern-Anne McNeilly, Red. Japanese Painted Fern-Elisabeth Kelly, White. Sensitive Fern-Anne McNeilly, Yellow. Other Ferns-Teri Coscarelli, Blue.

Herbs: Basil-Melissa Breeden, Red. Rosemary-Jessiann McCarthy, Blue.

Oregano-Melissa Breeden, Blue. Norman Wallace, Red. Mint-Norman Wallace, Blue.

Lamb’s Ear-Randall Richards, Red. Other Herbs-Danielle Mathews, Blue.

Vines: Any Flowering Vine-Teri Coscarelli, Blue. Anne Parmley, Red.

Trees & Shrubs: Broadleaf Evergreen Tree-Jessiann McCarthy, Blue.  Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub-Tami Richards, Blue. Anne McNeilly, Red. Needled Evergreen Tree-Tami Richards, Red. Needled Evergreen Shrub-Tami Richards, Blue. Danielle Mathews, Red. Deciduous Tree-Danielle Mathews, Blue. Deciduous Shrubs-Melissa Thaxton, Red.

Hydrangea: Mophead-Melissa Breeden, Blue, Red & Yellow. Gage Holder, White. Snowball-Melissa Breeden, Blue. Jane Blue, Red. Gage Holder, Yellow. Lace Caps-Lois Hammet, Red. Oak Leaf-Jane Blue, Red.

Container Grown Plant: African Violet-Diane Shrewsberry, Blue. Mike Meredith, Red. Orchid-Anne McNeilly, Blue. Lois Hammet, Red. Audrey Williams, Yellow. Succulent/Cactus-Jim Hank, Blue, Red, Yellow & White. Vegetables in containers-Teri Coscarelli, Red. Kayleigh Collier, Yellow. Other Container Plants-Mike Meredith, Blue & Red. Kayleigh Collier, Yellow. Carolyn Meredith, White.

Combination Planting: Herbs-Kayleigh Collier, Red & Yellow. Flowering Plants-Carolyn Meredith, Blue & Red. Foliage/Ferns-Carolyn Meredith, Blue & Red. Kayleigh Collier, Yellow. Other Combination Plantings-Jim Hank, Blue & Red.

Hanging Containers: Carolyn Meredith, Blue & Yellow. Mike Meredith, Red.

McCracken County Fair Youth and Adult Vegetable, Fruit & Nut Results 2015

Beans/Bush- Mark Donham, Blue. Charles Frazier, Red. 

Cabbage/Round Small- Charles Frazier, Blue.

Cucumbers-Ken Frye, Blue. Norman Wallace, Red. Charles Frazier, Yellow.

Lettuce/Leaf-Younghee Choi, Blue. Tami Richards, Red. 

Onions/Matured-Norman Wallace, Blue. Charles Frazier, Red. 

Potatoes-Mark Donham, Blue. 

Squash/Yellow Summer-Genet Davenport, Blue. Megan Bohannon, Red. Norman Wallace, Yellow. Charles Frazier, White.

Tomatoes/Green-Megan Bohannon, Blue. Younghee Choi, Red. Charles Frazier, Yellow. Maryanna Frazier, White. 

Tomatoes/Red-Younghee Choi, Blue. Charles Frazier, Red.

Zucchini-Norman Wallace, Blue. Charles Frazier, Red. 

Other Vegetables-Maryanna Frazier, Blue. Megan Bohannon, Red. Tami Richards, Yellow. Charles Frazier, White. 

Blackberries-Pam Heavrin, Blue. Randall Richards, Yellow. 

Blueberries-Anne Parmley, Blue. Randall Richards, Red.

Gooseberries-Randall Richards, Blue. Other Berries-Tami Richards, Blue. 

Apples-Danielle Mathews, Red. Randall Richards, Yellow. 

Other Fruit-Marcey Wesmolan, Blue. Randall Richards, Red.

McCracken County Fair Youth and Adult Field Crops Results 2015

Yellow Corn-Cole Bell, Red. Hay/Grass-Cole Bell, Blue.

McCracken County Fair Design Show Results 2015

Best of Show Design Winner, Sally Wilkins

Blue Skies: Sally Wilkins, Blue. Carolyn Roof, Red. Elisabeth Kelly, Yellow. Anne McNeilly, White.

Blue Moon of Kentucky: Beth Garey, Blue. Jan Boaz, Red. Brenda Johnson, Yellow. Phyllis Petcoff, White.

My Blue Heaven: Carol Ullerich, Blue. Jan Boaz, Red. Morgan Eggemeyer, Yellow. Jane Blue, White.

Am I Blue: Elisabeth Kelly, Blue. Younghee Choi, Red. Shirley Bailey, Yellow. Jessiann McCarthy, White.

Blue Oasis: Jessiann McCarthy, Blue. Martha Hinton, Red. Phyllis Flowers, Yellow. Nancy Flowers, White.

Lavender Blue: Abby Brown, Blue. Emily Krall, Blue. Shelby Durkam, Blue. Anniston Nelson, Blue. Henry Stratenerz, Red. Nyla Holder, Red. Winter Johnson, Yellow. Gracie Egner, Yellow. Lilly Johnson, White. Emerson Binkley, White. Owen Cody, Green. Anna Binkley, Green.

Is it too late to plant a garden?

The answer is yes and no. It is too late to plant vegetables that require a long growing season, like tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn and eggplant. However, there are some plants such as green beans (bush), cucumbers, summer squash and beets planted in mid-July will have time to mature and produce a nice late summer crop. Don’t forget the fall garden; bibb lettuce, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, kale and potatoes are a few vegetables that if planted in July and August can be harvested in September or October.  Detailed information on growing a late summer and fall garden is available in the Home Vegetable Gardening in

Kentucky on the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension service web site. A free copy of the publication can be picked up at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road in Paducah.

To learn about growing winter squash, please join the McCracken County Extension Master Gardeners for the July 7 Toolbox, Growing and Using Winter Squash in West Kentucky.The session will begin at 5:00 with Norman Wallace, local Master Gardener, presenting.  A brief

slide show will highlight nutritional values, ease of growing and storing, cooking ideas and

referrals to helpful resources for growing butternut, acorn, Hubbard and other winter squashes which are more kin to pumpkins than they are to summer squash.  Wallace has butternut squash in storage from last year's crop and will bring a couple to show.  Squash plants are to be given away, one per person attending, while supplies last that evening. The free program will be presented at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Office, 2905 Olivet Church Road in Paducah. No advance registration is required. 

Herb Appeal III, Beyond the Plate

Tickets are now available for Herb Appeal III presented by the McCracken County Extension Master Gardeners on July 16. In previous years the tickets have sold out early. To prevent being disappointed contact the McCracken County Extension Office or a McCracken County Extension Master Gardener to purchase your advance ticket. See the flyer below for more details.

Hi! Ho! Come to the Fair!

The McCracken County Fair begins on Mon., June 22.  Of special interest to area gardeners is the Horticulture Show that day  

and the Floral Design Show on Thurs., June 25, sponsored by McCracken Co. Master Gardeners, Perennial Gardeners, and Open Gate Garden Club.   All area gardeners are encouraged to enter their best plant specimens and their creative designs.  

Horticulture entries will be accepted 7:30 am--10:30 a.m. on June 22nd.  Floral designs must be pre-registered at amcneilly@comcast.net.   Pick up a complete flower show schedule available at McCracken County Extension Office, or on-line at the McCracken County Fair website under events. 

Sharing

McCracken County Master Gardeners and sixth graders from Mrs. Robert’s science class at Heath Middle School  teamed up to start tomato and pepper plants earlier in the spring. After the Master Gardener’s demo garden was planted and the students took what they wanted, there were dozens of healthy plants left. Four dozen plants were given to both, Family Service Society and Paducah Cooperative Ministry to be distributed to their clients. Some plants were given to residents at Emeritus Assisted Living and Gaither Suites.

Heidi Suhrheinrich, Executive Director of Paducah

Cooperative Ministry receiving plants form Master 

Gardener, Norman Wallace.

Pam Truitt, Director of Family Service Society receives plants

from Master Gardener, Norman Wallace.

The Song of the Cicadas

How much longer will we have to listen to “the song of the cicadas?” According to the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the periodical cicadas begin to emerge when the ground temperature reaches 64°, usually in late April or early May. It takes about 3 weeks for all of them to come out. They will stay active thru June. Good news,

Cicada molting at Doctors Park in Calvert City, KY
Photo by Holly Walker

this is the 13-year species and will not appear again until 2028. The 17-year species is not prominent in our area.

While cicadas are not harmful to humans, livestock or pets, they can damage young trees and woody landscape plants. The UK Cooperative Extension Service advises against planting new orchards and landscape plants until after the periodical cicada activity as ended for the season. Young trees should be protected with netting or cheesecloth which can be removed after the activity has stopped.

More information is available on the UK CooperativeExtension website.  Publication ENTFACT-446, Periodical Cicadas in Kentucky can be picked up at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road in Paducah. 

Tomato Plant Sale

Supporting our partners, Heath Middle School

Meet Peggy Martin!

From the garden of  Master Gardener, Chris Janne

The Peggy Martin Rose is very hardy and disease free, fast growing, and after established will bloom again in fall along with sporadic flower flushes through the year. Every year, spring will bring a bigger, more spectacular flower explosion than the year before, making it the showpiece of your Garden! Give it room to grow to show its full potential. It is not a once bloomer!!! From the Peggy Martin Rose web site.

Peggy Martin is an old rose that survived after being submerged for 2 weeks in 20-feet of salt water after hurricane Katrina. That is a statement of her strength. The rose has been propagated by Dr. William Welch. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the rose went to help with the rebuilding of the historical gardens in New Orleans. To read more of this fascinating story, visit the Peggy Martin Website.

There are many climbing roses hardy to our Zone 7 area. Listed below are only a few that can be found growing in local gardens.

Madame Alfred Carriere

From the garden of Master Gardener, Chris Janne

Cherokee Rose

New Dawn

Anemone,The Fairy,Old Blush, and Noisette are a few more favorites found in our area.

For information on growing and caring for old climbing roses, visit the National Gardening Association website. 

Another Chance for a Floral Design Class

If you did not get a chance to attend one of the daytime floral design classes, you have an opportunity to attend an evening workshop. McCracken County Extension Agent, Kathy Wimberley will present a program on Floral Design at the McCracken County Master Gardener Association Toolbox at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 at the McCracken County Extension Office, 2705 Olivet Church Road in Paducah. As always, the Toolbox is a free program for the community. Due to classroom size, the workshop is limited to 35 participants. To make reservations, please call 270-554-9520.

Floral Design Workshop II

Would you like to create traditional mass designs like these?

Design and photo by Master Gardener, Anne McNeilly

Design by Jean Meredith
Photo by Master Gardener, Anne McNeilly

Or are you more interested in modern creations like these hanging designs?

Design by Sandee Walters 
     Photo by Michael Drewitz      

    

Design by Shirley Knight
Photo by Michael Drewitz

These two types of designs will be the focus of the second floral design workshop on May 11, 1:30 pm, at the UK Extension office at 2705 Olivet Chruch Road.  The free workshops are planned as preparation for the 2015 McCracken County Fair Flower Show, "SEE BLUE;" however, everyone is welcome  even if one is not planning to enter a design in the fair.  The traditional mass design class at this year's show is called, "Blue Skies;"  the hanging design class is titled, "My Blue Heaven."  The latter class will be "hands on" with the participants having the opportunity to experiment  with balance and movement within a supplied frame.