08/09: Weeds in your lawn
Summer annual weed species are showing up in greater numbers in lawns this year because of the hot dry summer we’ve been having. Spotted spurge and purslane can out-compete our desirable turf species under these conditions. While your turfgrass goes dormant and stops growing during the hot dry days of summer, these summer annual weeds take advantage of any disturbed area and spread.
Seeds of summer annuals germinate in spring, produce vegetative growth in spring and summer, then produce seed and die in the fall. Their main evolutionary advantage is in the proliferation and persistence of their seed, meaning the plants produce a lot of seeds, and the seeds can remain dormant in the soil for a long time until the right conditions are in place for sprouting and growing.
Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia supina), sometimes called spotted spurge, spreads in a prostrate fashion over the soil surface or over desirable grass species. Prostrate spurge can be recognized by its oppositely arranged, small (1/4- to 3/4-inch-long) leaves that have a reddish brown mark or enlarged spot on the upper surface. When broken or cut, the stems exude a white, milky substance.
Purslane, (Portulaca oleracea) is another prostrate-growing, succulent (fleshy) summer annual that grows in newly established turf or in thin lawns. Stems are thick, sprawling, and red. Leaves are thick and fleshy, light green and wedge-shaped. Flowers are small and yellow. Purslane is a prolific seed producer and seeds may lie dormant in soil for many years before germinating. The fact that it is a succulent also means that it is very drought tolerant, so very prevalent in dry years. An interesting side note is that purslane is not only edible, but as it turns out, nutritious. Recent studies confirm that purslane contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, above average values of Vitamins A and C, and only 15 calories in a 100-gram portion (as compared with 76 in a boiled potato). In Mexico it is called verdolaga and is a favorite comfort food, eaten in an omelet or as a side dish, rolled in tortillas, or dropped by handfuls into soups and stews.
Summer annuals are best managed by use of a preemergent compound applied earlier in the year, before they sprout. Spring treatments for crabgrass, applied as the soil warms to 55-58 degrees (in our area around early-mid April) will also prevent germination of these other broadleaf (non-grass) summer annuals. So if you notice a lot of these this year, be sure to schedule a preemergent treatment next spring. Or, in the case of the purslane, make yourself a salad. For more information on weeds in your lawn, see this Penn State publication: Weed Management in Turf http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uc189.pdf As always, when using herbicides, or any pesticide, read the label carefully and follow the directions.
Seeds of summer annuals germinate in spring, produce vegetative growth in spring and summer, then produce seed and die in the fall. Their main evolutionary advantage is in the proliferation and persistence of their seed, meaning the plants produce a lot of seeds, and the seeds can remain dormant in the soil for a long time until the right conditions are in place for sprouting and growing.
Prostrate Spurge (Euphorbia supina), sometimes called spotted spurge, spreads in a prostrate fashion over the soil surface or over desirable grass species. Prostrate spurge can be recognized by its oppositely arranged, small (1/4- to 3/4-inch-long) leaves that have a reddish brown mark or enlarged spot on the upper surface. When broken or cut, the stems exude a white, milky substance.
Purslane, (Portulaca oleracea) is another prostrate-growing, succulent (fleshy) summer annual that grows in newly established turf or in thin lawns. Stems are thick, sprawling, and red. Leaves are thick and fleshy, light green and wedge-shaped. Flowers are small and yellow. Purslane is a prolific seed producer and seeds may lie dormant in soil for many years before germinating. The fact that it is a succulent also means that it is very drought tolerant, so very prevalent in dry years. An interesting side note is that purslane is not only edible, but as it turns out, nutritious. Recent studies confirm that purslane contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, above average values of Vitamins A and C, and only 15 calories in a 100-gram portion (as compared with 76 in a boiled potato). In Mexico it is called verdolaga and is a favorite comfort food, eaten in an omelet or as a side dish, rolled in tortillas, or dropped by handfuls into soups and stews.
Summer annuals are best managed by use of a preemergent compound applied earlier in the year, before they sprout. Spring treatments for crabgrass, applied as the soil warms to 55-58 degrees (in our area around early-mid April) will also prevent germination of these other broadleaf (non-grass) summer annuals. So if you notice a lot of these this year, be sure to schedule a preemergent treatment next spring. Or, in the case of the purslane, make yourself a salad. For more information on weeds in your lawn, see this Penn State publication: Weed Management in Turf http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uc189.pdf As always, when using herbicides, or any pesticide, read the label carefully and follow the directions.
06/09: Backyard Composting Workshop
Are you interested in learning how to recycle your yard trimmings, leaves, grass, kitchen scraps and other organic materials into beneficial compost? Are you interested in improving the soil health of your landscape and garden? Are you interested in keeping safe organic materials from ending up in landfills? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then plan to attend Renfrew Institute’s backyard composting workshop being held on Thursday, October 7, 2010, at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro.
The workshop will be from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center. The grant providing the free composting bins has ended and no bins will be given out at this workshop. Instructions on how you can construct your own composting bin will be given at the workshop. Workshop fee is $10.00 for members of the Institute, $12.00 for non-members.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. You must pre-register by calling Renfrew Institute at 762-0373 or by email at: renfrewinst@innernet.net. Parking is available behind the Visitors Center or in the lower parking lot off Welty Rd. Directions are available at: http://www.renfrewinstitute.org/.
The workshop will be from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center. The grant providing the free composting bins has ended and no bins will be given out at this workshop. Instructions on how you can construct your own composting bin will be given at the workshop. Workshop fee is $10.00 for members of the Institute, $12.00 for non-members.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. You must pre-register by calling Renfrew Institute at 762-0373 or by email at: renfrewinst@innernet.net. Parking is available behind the Visitors Center or in the lower parking lot off Welty Rd. Directions are available at: http://www.renfrewinstitute.org/.
06/09: COMING EVENTS and WORKSHOPS
September 11 - Saturday – 9:00AM-11:00AM – Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at home - $15.00 – Learn basic mushroom identification and experience a hands on demonstration inoculating a log with Shiitake Mushroom spores and take one home with you. Class size limited to 20 people. At the Clubhouse – 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg 17202. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226.
September 11 - Saturday – 1:00 PM - Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour –Miller property off Warm Spring Road. No charge. For more information please contact George Hurd 717-263-9226 x225
September 18 - Saturday - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest – Vernon and Luanne Horst Farm 5002 Cumberland Highway Chambersburg, PA 17201
September 18 - Saturday - 9:00AM – 11:00 AM - Backyard Digital Photography – 9:00AM – 11:00 AM hands on workshop for those interested in capturing flora and fauna found in a typical home landscape. Please bring along your digital camera, and be familiar with its basic operation. Class is limited to 30 people. $10.00 at the Clubhouse.
September 19 -Sunday – 12:00 – 5:00PM – An Autumn Stroll – Franklin County Master Gardener Fall Garden Tour - Franklin County Master Gardeners offer a Garden Tour showcasing 10 gardens in 6 Chambersburg neighborhoods. $10.00
October 2 and 9 – **New** Saturdays – 9:00-11:00 – Two Workshops: Planning and Designing a Perennial Garden (October 2) and Flowers for the Perennial Garden (October 9) $10.00 each, or $15.00 for both.
October 5 – November 16 – **New**Tuesdays – 7:00-9:00PM – Landscape Design and Plant Selection – A seven week series (8 sessions) soup to nuts workshop on planning and implementing a landscape design for your property. Classes can be attended individually, or as a group. $10.00 per class, or $40.00 for the whole series. Contact Cooperative Extension at 263-9226 for details.
October 7 **New** Thursday - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Backyard Composting Workshop at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro. $10.00 for members of the Institute, $12.00 for non-members. You must pre-register by calling Renfrew Institute at 762-0373 or by email at: renfrewinst@innernet.net
September 11 - Saturday – 1:00 PM - Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour –Miller property off Warm Spring Road. No charge. For more information please contact George Hurd 717-263-9226 x225
September 18 - Saturday - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest – Vernon and Luanne Horst Farm 5002 Cumberland Highway Chambersburg, PA 17201
September 18 - Saturday - 9:00AM – 11:00 AM - Backyard Digital Photography – 9:00AM – 11:00 AM hands on workshop for those interested in capturing flora and fauna found in a typical home landscape. Please bring along your digital camera, and be familiar with its basic operation. Class is limited to 30 people. $10.00 at the Clubhouse.
September 19 -Sunday – 12:00 – 5:00PM – An Autumn Stroll – Franklin County Master Gardener Fall Garden Tour - Franklin County Master Gardeners offer a Garden Tour showcasing 10 gardens in 6 Chambersburg neighborhoods. $10.00
October 2 and 9 – **New** Saturdays – 9:00-11:00 – Two Workshops: Planning and Designing a Perennial Garden (October 2) and Flowers for the Perennial Garden (October 9) $10.00 each, or $15.00 for both.
October 5 – November 16 – **New**Tuesdays – 7:00-9:00PM – Landscape Design and Plant Selection – A seven week series (8 sessions) soup to nuts workshop on planning and implementing a landscape design for your property. Classes can be attended individually, or as a group. $10.00 per class, or $40.00 for the whole series. Contact Cooperative Extension at 263-9226 for details.
October 7 **New** Thursday - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Backyard Composting Workshop at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro. $10.00 for members of the Institute, $12.00 for non-members. You must pre-register by calling Renfrew Institute at 762-0373 or by email at: renfrewinst@innernet.net
01/09: Best Annual Flowers in 2010
Alan H. Michael, Penn State Cooperative Extension Educator for Dauphin County and Director of the Annual Flower Trials at the SE Research Center in Mannheim, PA has released the winners for 2010.
The objective of the trial is help gardeners, landscapers and commercial growers select the best annual flowering plants. This year we saw constantly high temperatures above 90 degrees F. with many days at or near 100. Little rain fell for weeks on end, and then we received sudden downpours of 2-3 inches with winds exceeding 40 mph, then back to heat wave conditions. The best varieties must not only tolerate, but also thrive under these conditions. They must exhibit excellent heat tolerance, sufficient vigor to recover from storm damage, disease and insect resistance, and the ability to produce new attractive leaves and flowers. Here are some of the best plants for 2010 based on their performance:
‘SunPatiens Series’ (Impatiens Hybrida) is similar to New Guinea Impatiens, but sun tolerant. They are bred by Sakata Seeds and sold by Paul Ecke Ranch. The whole series is attractive and blooms all summer in full sun. They remain compact and do nicely in either containers or landscape beds. ‘SunPatiens Spreading Corona’, an orange variety, ‘SunPatiens Compact Blush Pink’ and ‘SunPatiens Compact White’ are the top three, although all ten varieties performed well this year.
The objective of the trial is help gardeners, landscapers and commercial growers select the best annual flowering plants. This year we saw constantly high temperatures above 90 degrees F. with many days at or near 100. Little rain fell for weeks on end, and then we received sudden downpours of 2-3 inches with winds exceeding 40 mph, then back to heat wave conditions. The best varieties must not only tolerate, but also thrive under these conditions. They must exhibit excellent heat tolerance, sufficient vigor to recover from storm damage, disease and insect resistance, and the ability to produce new attractive leaves and flowers. Here are some of the best plants for 2010 based on their performance:
‘SunPatiens Series’ (Impatiens Hybrida) is similar to New Guinea Impatiens, but sun tolerant. They are bred by Sakata Seeds and sold by Paul Ecke Ranch. The whole series is attractive and blooms all summer in full sun. They remain compact and do nicely in either containers or landscape beds. ‘SunPatiens Spreading Corona’, an orange variety, ‘SunPatiens Compact Blush Pink’ and ‘SunPatiens Compact White’ are the top three, although all ten varieties performed well this year.
31/08: Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest
The Franklin County Farm Bureau invites the public to the 2010 Farm Fest on Saturday, September 18th, 2010 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Vernon and Luanne Horst Dairy Farm located at 5002 Cumberland Highway Chambersburg, PA 17201.
The Horst Dairy features a unique robotic milking system for its 65 cows. They also have a replacement herd and grow forage crops of corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and grass hay on 145 acres. Come learn about modern farming and enjoy the Free Milk and Ice Cream, Wagon Tours, Food, and the stars of the show – the Dairy Cows and their cute Baby Calves – up close and personal. “Come share a learning experience with us and make a memory.”
Directions: Take 81 North to Exit #20. North on 997 toward Green Village. Farm is on the right, before you reach Rte 11 (Molly Pitcher Blvd)
The Horst Dairy features a unique robotic milking system for its 65 cows. They also have a replacement herd and grow forage crops of corn, alfalfa, soybeans, and grass hay on 145 acres. Come learn about modern farming and enjoy the Free Milk and Ice Cream, Wagon Tours, Food, and the stars of the show – the Dairy Cows and their cute Baby Calves – up close and personal. “Come share a learning experience with us and make a memory.”
Directions: Take 81 North to Exit #20. North on 997 toward Green Village. Farm is on the right, before you reach Rte 11 (Molly Pitcher Blvd)
30/08: COMING EVENTS and WORKSHOPS:
September 11 Saturday – Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at Home 9:00 -11:00 AM – $15.00 – Learn basic mushroom identification and experience a hands on demonstration inoculating a log with Shiitake Mushroom spores and take one home with you. Class size limited to 20 people. At the Clubhouse – 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg 17202. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226.
September 11 Saturday – Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour -1:00 PM –Miller property off Warm Spring Road. No charge. For more information please contact George Hurd 717-263-9226 x225
September 18 **New** – Saturday Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM– Vernon and Luanne Horst Farm 5002 Cumberland Highway Chambersburg, PA 17201
September 18 Saturday – Backyard Digital Photography – 9:00–11:00 AM- Hands-on workshop for those interested in capturing flora and fauna found in a typical home landscape. Please bring along your digital camera and be familiar with its basic operation. Class is limited to 30 people. $10.00 at the Clubhouse.
September 19 – **New**Sunday– An Autumn Stroll – 12:00–5:00 PM – Franklin County Master Gardener Fall Garden Tour - Franklin County Master Gardeners offer a Garden Tour showcasing 10 gardens in 6 Chambersburg neighborhoods. $10.00
September 11 Saturday – Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour -1:00 PM –Miller property off Warm Spring Road. No charge. For more information please contact George Hurd 717-263-9226 x225
September 18 **New** – Saturday Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest - 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM– Vernon and Luanne Horst Farm 5002 Cumberland Highway Chambersburg, PA 17201
September 18 Saturday – Backyard Digital Photography – 9:00–11:00 AM- Hands-on workshop for those interested in capturing flora and fauna found in a typical home landscape. Please bring along your digital camera and be familiar with its basic operation. Class is limited to 30 people. $10.00 at the Clubhouse.
September 19 – **New**Sunday– An Autumn Stroll – 12:00–5:00 PM – Franklin County Master Gardener Fall Garden Tour - Franklin County Master Gardeners offer a Garden Tour showcasing 10 gardens in 6 Chambersburg neighborhoods. $10.00
With watering eyes, many of you are witnessing the homecoming of ragweed pollen season—August through November. Despite this seemingly emotional reaction, nobody actually favors any of the 40 different species of ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) that inhabit the U.S. Annually, tens of millions of Americans suffer allergic reactions from pollen and various other substances. Ragweed is wind pollinated and because of that, a single plant produces more than a billion pollen granules. Wind can carry the ragweed pollen up to 400 miles. Because it blooms at the same time, many people confuse goldenrod (Solidago spp.) with ragweed. (Visit Franklin County Master Gardener blog at franklincountymgs.blogspot.com for pictures on ragweed and goldenrod) Pollen from goldenrod not only does not trigger allergies but also provides important food resources for countless native bee species, as well as for honeybees.
24/08: Gypsy Moth Assessment
Although the gypsy moth population crashed in 2009, with minimal larval emergence in 2010, it is still prudent to check susceptible tree species, like oaks, for signs of infestations. Penn State Cooperative Extension of Franklin County is cooperating with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-Bureau of Forestry (DCNR) and the USDA Forest Service in a joint effort to assess gypsy moth caterpillars in certain residential and public high-use areas within the county. Residents who have experienced defoliation in past years should contact Penn State Cooperative Extension, Franklin County at 717-263-9226 or by email at rce11@psu.edu, if you would like to be included in this year’s assessment. Field analysis of the properties will be conducted in late September of this year and landowners will then be notified about any plans for a spring 2011 spray. Please contact this office by Friday, September 17th, 2010 to guarantee participation.
23/08: COMING EVENTS and WORKSHOPS:
August 25 Wednesday - Tomato Tasting Day Noon-5:00 PM – Fun, free event - Come judge which tomato variety looks and tastes best. 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, 17202 – By the Stream. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226 x 234.
August 28 Saturday – Invasive Plant Management Field Workshop - 9:00 am – Noon - $15.00 per person - 844 Oakleaf Road, McConnellsburg. Contact Greg Strait at 717-485-3145 for more information or to register.
August 31 Tuesday – Strong Women Classes – Various sites in the Chambersburg area, Shippensburg, Mercersburg, Greencastle, and Waynesboro. For more information please contact Mary Ann Oyler at 717-263-9226x229.
September 11 **New**Saturday – 9:00AM-11:00AM – Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at home - $15.00 – Learn basic mushroom identification and experience a hands on demonstration inoculating a log with Shiitake Mushroom spores and take one home with you. Class size limited to 20 people. At the Clubhouse – 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg 17202. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226.
September 11 **New**Saturday – 1:00 PM - Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour –Miller property off Warm Spring Road. No charge. For more information please contact George Hurd 717-263-9226 x225
September 18 **New**Saturday - 9:00AM – 11:00 AM - Backyard Digital Photography – 9:00AM – 11:00 AM hands on workshop for those interested in capturing flora and fauna found in a typical home landscape on film. Please bring along your digital camera, and be familiar with its basic operation. Class is limited to 30 people. $10.00 at the Clubhouse. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226.
August 28 Saturday – Invasive Plant Management Field Workshop - 9:00 am – Noon - $15.00 per person - 844 Oakleaf Road, McConnellsburg. Contact Greg Strait at 717-485-3145 for more information or to register.
August 31 Tuesday – Strong Women Classes – Various sites in the Chambersburg area, Shippensburg, Mercersburg, Greencastle, and Waynesboro. For more information please contact Mary Ann Oyler at 717-263-9226x229.
September 11 **New**Saturday – 9:00AM-11:00AM – Growing Shiitake Mushrooms at home - $15.00 – Learn basic mushroom identification and experience a hands on demonstration inoculating a log with Shiitake Mushroom spores and take one home with you. Class size limited to 20 people. At the Clubhouse – 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg 17202. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226.
September 11 **New**Saturday – 1:00 PM - Forest Stewardship Woodlot Tour –Miller property off Warm Spring Road. No charge. For more information please contact George Hurd 717-263-9226 x225
September 18 **New**Saturday - 9:00AM – 11:00 AM - Backyard Digital Photography – 9:00AM – 11:00 AM hands on workshop for those interested in capturing flora and fauna found in a typical home landscape on film. Please bring along your digital camera, and be familiar with its basic operation. Class is limited to 30 people. $10.00 at the Clubhouse. For more information please contact (717) 263-9226.
21/08: Fall Webworms
The Fall Webworms are visible in some areas as a whitish web in the end branches of trees in the area. They will use over 90 species of trees as their host, so they can show up most anywhere. Fall webworm feeds on almost all fruit, shade, and ornamental trees except conifers.
According to Ward Upham, Kansas State University Extension Horticulture Educator, this insect is present more often on trees that are not surrounded by other trees. The larvae begin by constructing small webs near the ends of branches. The insect will gradually increase the size of the web as the need for food increases. Some webs can be up to three feet across. They will continue to feed for about six weeks, then pupate and fall to the soil.
Pruning and destroying the infested portions of branches is a common control practice while webs are still small. Also, a stick or pole with a nail inserted crosswise can be used to snag individual webs. Twisting the pole after insertion will cause the web to wrap around the pole where it can be removed and destroyed. Instead of a nail inserted crosswise, some people use a toilet brush attached to the end of a pole.
Fall webworms usually do little harm to bigger trees. Smaller trees may need to be sprayed if they have a nest, so the tree can continue to produce food until frost. If spraying is necessary, you can spray the tree with carbaryl (Sevin). Spray inside the nest rather than the whole tree since the caterpillars stay in the nest. A commercial quality, high-pressure sprayer maybe needed to penetrate the webs. Concentrate your spray on the foliage as carbaryl is a stomach poison and must be eaten to be effective.
According to Ward Upham, Kansas State University Extension Horticulture Educator, this insect is present more often on trees that are not surrounded by other trees. The larvae begin by constructing small webs near the ends of branches. The insect will gradually increase the size of the web as the need for food increases. Some webs can be up to three feet across. They will continue to feed for about six weeks, then pupate and fall to the soil.
Pruning and destroying the infested portions of branches is a common control practice while webs are still small. Also, a stick or pole with a nail inserted crosswise can be used to snag individual webs. Twisting the pole after insertion will cause the web to wrap around the pole where it can be removed and destroyed. Instead of a nail inserted crosswise, some people use a toilet brush attached to the end of a pole.
Fall webworms usually do little harm to bigger trees. Smaller trees may need to be sprayed if they have a nest, so the tree can continue to produce food until frost. If spraying is necessary, you can spray the tree with carbaryl (Sevin). Spray inside the nest rather than the whole tree since the caterpillars stay in the nest. A commercial quality, high-pressure sprayer maybe needed to penetrate the webs. Concentrate your spray on the foliage as carbaryl is a stomach poison and must be eaten to be effective.