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Alexander County Center

Green Thumb Gazette

February 2023 Newsletter
Fruit Plant Sale-Place Your Order NOW

It is time again to start ordering your fruit plants and trees! The N.C. Cooperative Extension - Alexander County Center is now taking orders and will until sold out. Please know that the earlier you place your order the better chance we will be able to complete your request.


To check current availability or to place your order, please visit our order form or call our office at 828-632-4451.

Plants will be available for pickup on March 16, 2023. There are some new items this year as well as some we have offered previous years. As always, should you have any questions please contact the center at 828-632-4451 or email Cari Mitchell, Horticulture Agent, at cari_mitchell@ncsu.edu.

 
Do you have an interest in pesticide license?  A pesticide school will be offered in Caldwell County February 8-9, 2023.  To register or for more information please contact the NC Cooperative Extension-Caldwell County Center at 828-757-1290.
Are you needing pesticide recertification credits???

N C Cooperative Extension-Alexander County will be offering 2 hours of credits on the following days in the following categories:

Private V Training:
February 27, 2023, 6-8 p.m. at the Alexander County Service Center

Private X and Commercial Applicator Training:
(credits to be offered:  1.5 hours credit in A,B,G,H,I,L,M,T and 2 hours credit in K,N,O,D,X)
March 1, 2023, 2-4 p.m. at the Alexander County Service Center

If you need more information regarding these classes please contact Cari Mitchell at cari_mitchell@ncsu.edu

Orchardists from North Carolina and surrounding states are encouraged to attend this meeting packed with updates from NC State Specialists. There will be industry exhibitors and sponsors present at the meeting, along with a meal.

This meeting is FREE and Open to the Public. Prior registration is required to obtain an accurate headcount for the meal. Please register ASAP, or by February 10, 2023. Register on the Eventbrite Page or by calling the N.C. Cooperative Extension – Alexander County Center (828-632-4451).

Note that this meeting is suitable only for commercial growers and those who work with the commercial orchard industry. This will not address homeowner/backyard fruit production.

*NCDA Pesticide Recertification Credits (2: N,O,D,X) will be offered for NC Applicators.
 
For more information on the Extension Master Gardener Program, visit this link: https://emgv.ces.ncsu.edu  Alexander county applicants can call 828-632-4451 to register or receive more information.
BOLOs (Be On The Lookout)....

Month-by-month lists of common plant diseases, pests, and other problems you may encounter in North Carolina yards and gardens. Straight from our PDIC (Plant Disease & Insect Clinic) entomologists and pathologists!




Click on the following links to see the Garden Calendars for each month:

Do’s, Don’ts , and the 5 D’s of Pruning

Do’s:
  • Use sharp clean tools
  • Prune with cradle/hook facing away from main branch
  • Prune before flushing with all plants! (Flushing is a term for when plants start to put on new growth)
  • Have multiple tools with you for use on various size branches (if you have to use much force or two hands, use a different tool: loppers or pruning saw)

Don’ts:
  • Use anvil blade shears (they will crush plant tissue)
  • Prune roots and shoots with the same set of shears (can spread disease)
  • Rush through pruning (each pruning cut elicits a growth response from lower buds, meaning each cut matters!)
5 D’s of Pruning (Technique)

  1. Dead - these branches/limbs aren’t helping anyone
  2. Damaged - any that have been broken by the weather or those that have been rubbing together, creating sores
  3. Diseased - remember to clean your tools during this one so any disease doesn’t spread further into the tree
  4. Dangerous - any low branches that you may run into with your lawn mower or limbs that are too close to gutters, etc.
  5. Deranged - any crossing branches, watersprouts, or wild branches that take away from the natural structure of the plant
Feeding Winter Birds

Feeding birds in your backyard is a great way to add some life and color to a cold, winter landscape. There are many different bird species that can visit a feeder. The type of landscape habitat you have in your backyard will determine how many and the types of birds that visit. A landscape that is more wooded and in rural areas provides a haven for a greater diversity of birds.

Deciding what type of feeder and type of seed to buy can be overwhelming with the numerous choices available. Different bird species prefer different feeders and seed, and where you place your feeder will affect the diversity of species you attract. As a general rule, all feeders need to be sturdy, easy to clean, and should repel water to limit degradation of feed.

For more information about feeding winter birds go to the following link:  Feeding Winter Birds
 
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
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