|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Gardening Programs: - Climate Change in NC Mountains - Native Plants & Pollinators -
Cottage Gardening - Dyeing with Fresh Indigo - Plant Propagation - July Garden Chores
|
|
|
|
- Safe Insect Management - Diagnosing Plant Problems - Basil Downy Mildew - Rose Rosette Detection - Bats - Farm Heritage Trail - Garden Helpline is open!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UPCOMING GARDENING PROGRAMS
|
|
|
|
|
|
NC Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center
presents:
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE NC MOUNTAINS - 3 PART SERIES
|
|
|
Wednesdays, July 7, 14, and 21
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Free Online Event
Introduction The topic of climate, its changing nature and impact on our region can seem complicated and beyond our understanding and reach. Researchers and scientists in North Carolina who work in the field of climate science are best positioned to provide the data and trends that can help us better understand this complex issue and guide decision making. Join us for this three-part series that will answer questions about the difference between climate and weather, the history of the earth’s climate and what this tells us about today’s climate change, how these changes will impact our lives here in the region, and what actions we can take to help mitigate and adapt to climate change in our community.
The talks are free but registration is required.
Click on the Eventbrite links below to register for each program.
|
|
|
|
Session 1: Climate and Weather Made Simple
Wednesday, July 7, 6 to 7 p.m., via Zoom
Presenter: Walter Robinson, Ph.D., Professor with the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at NC State University
Join Professor Walter Robinson as he walks us through earth's climate history and what that history can tell us about today’s climate change.
Dr. Robinson will also go over the differences between climate and weather and the effects of each on a warming planet.
|
|
|
|
|
Session 2: Climate Change and the NC Mountains
Wednesday, July 14, 6 to 7 p.m., via Zoom
Presenter: Rebecca Ward, Assistant State Climatologist with the State Climate Office of North Carolina
Join Rebecca Ward as she discusses how climate change works in our mountains and how it will impact our lives moving forward.
|
|
|
|
|
Session 3: Local Climate Change. How Can Citizens Make an Impact?
Wednesday, July 21 6 to 7 p.m., via Zoom
Presenter: Kathie Dello, Ph.D., Director of the State Climate Office of North Carolina
Join Dr. Kathie Dello as she guides us through a discussion of actions that citizens can take to help mitigate and adapt to climate change in our community.
|
|
|
|
|
Your seminar hosts: - Steve Duckett, County Extension Director/Aquatics/Wildlife/Forestry/Community Development - Alison Arnold, Consumer Horticulture Agent/Master Gardener Volunteer Program
Registration: If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.
|
|
|
|
Gardening in the Mountains presents:
WNC Natives and Nativars - Planting for Pollinators
|
|
|
Thursday, July 15, 2021
aa 10 to 11 a.m. via Zoom
Free Online Event
Presenter: Shelby Singleton Jackson, Carolina Native Plant Nursery We all know native plants are good choices to improve resilience and support pollinators in our gardens. But do you know the difference between natives, nativars, cultivars, and hybrids? Does it matter which you choose when you are trying to sustain local biodiversity, support wildlife, and still have a beautiful garden? Shelby Singleton Jackson, a NC Certified Plant Professional and Horticulturist
at Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville, is passionate about native plants. She will talk to us about natives, nativars, and hybrids; help us understand the differences and why it matters; and give us some suggestions for our native plant choices.Registration: The talk is free but registration is required.
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday Seminar presents:
Cottage Gardening
|
|
|
Thursday, July 24, 2021
aa 10 to 11 a.m. via zoom
Free Online Event
Presenter: Judy Deutsch, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
Cottage gardens are small, floriferous gardens, popular for centuries. In 2019, Buncombe County Master Gardener volunteers added a cottage garden to The Learning Garden at the Extension office. The new cottage garden became an extension of the existing rose garden, and today contains dozens of plants as well as roses. This program will describe the characteristics of cottage gardens. It draws on our experiences and learnings with designing, planting, and maintaining this garden. You will receive some practical advice and tips on how to plan your own special cottage garden.
Registration: The talk is free but registration is required.
|
|
|
|
|
Demo at The Learning Garden:
Dyeing with Fresh Indigo
|
|
|
Monday, August 9, 2021
aa 10 to 11 a.m.
IN PERSON & OUTSIDE IN THE LEARNING GARDEN
Location: NC Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center 49 Mt. Caramel Road, Asheville, NC 28806
Presenters: Pat Strang and Joyce Tromba, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers
Join us in the dye garden to see how you can use freshly cut indigo to dye cloth. We will use two different techniques to coax a beautiful teal color from the indigo leaves. We’ll have small silk scarves available for you to dye and take home. You will also enjoy a tour of the other dye plants in our garden and see samples of the range of colors that can be achieved with a few easy-to-grow plants.
We encourage all participants at this in-person demonstration to follow CDC guidance for COVID safety.
Registration: The program is free but space is limited to 12 participants.
|
|
|
|
|
Sowing Circle Series presents:
|
|
|
Propagation Workshop July 10 at 10 am
John Bowen, Buncombe County Master Gardener Volunteer, will demonstrate a few simple steps for taking stem cuttings to propagate some of your favorite annuals and shrubs. When and how to take cuttings and how to make a simple “greenhouse” for individual plants are covered. It’s easy and fun! This is a free one hour zoom workshop. Please register at the Black Mountain Library Event Calendar - HEREThis zoom presentation is in partnership with the Buncombe County Master Gardener Volunteers and
Black Mountain Blooms Seed Lending Library. Registration is limited to 100 viewers - so please sign-up quickly.
|
|
|
|
|
LAWNS* To reduce the spread of brown patch fungus disease in the lawn avoid mowing, andwalking on the lawn when it is wet.* Mow fescue and bluegrass lawns 3 inches high.* There are not many Zoysia lawns in the mountains, but if you have one, the warm seasongrasses can be fertilized with a half a pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.* During periods of dry weather avoid adding stress to the lawn and skip a mowingsession. If you mow, raise the mowing deck to a higher level. ORNAMENTALS* Don't fertilize shrubs and trees and complete any pruning early in the month.* Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming on annuals and re-bloomingon some perennials.* Container gardens require attention. Fertilize every few weeks with
liquid fertilizer andcut back plants as needed.* Don't forget to water newly planted trees and shrubs - weekly if needed.
FRUIT* Prune fruiting canes from blackberries and raspberries after harvest.* Prune the vigorous water sprouts on tree fruits to reduce excess growth.* Spotted Wing Drysophila can be problematic on ripening blueberries. To sample - dropfruit in
salt water and watch for larvae to emerge.* Remove overripe fruit from day neutral strawberries to continue production.* Although Muscadine grapes are marginally hardy for our area your site may be protectedenough to get fruit. Did you know that the dark skin varieties are more disease resistantthen the bronze? VEGETABLES* Consistent moisture is important for preventing blossom-end-rot on tomatoes (andsometimes squash or peppers). Mulch helps as well as attention to regular irrigation.* Keep tall vegetables supported with stakes or cages to keep foliage and fruit off theground.* Keep a watch out for early or late blight on tomatoes.* Cut back basil, mint and oregano to keep them compact, encourage new foliage growthand prevent these herbs from blooming and going to seed.* Harvest vegetables when young, tender and tasty.* Dig potatoes when the foliage begins to die.* There is still time to plant late crops of squash, bush beans or cucumbers.* Plan the fall garden. Take time now to soil sample.* Start seeds for transplants such as broccoli, cabbage and collards.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ MORE ABOUT DIAGNOSING GARDEN PROBLEMS!
|
|
|
SAFE INSECT MANAGEMENT in the garden
|
|
|
|
During the gardening season insect management is something every gardener addresses. Start with 3 questions: * What is the insect? * Is it causing a problem? * If so, what is the best way to manage them and minimize the damage to the plants, fruit and pollinators!
Any product labeled to control an insect, disease or plant is a pesticide. This includes natural or organic products such as soaps and oils.
It is IMPORTANT to select the least toxic material and take precautions to protect the beneficials, you, your family and the environment.
Read the Pesticide Safety Information below to learn more.
|
|
|
Pesticide Safety around Bees and Other Pollinators
If you choose to use pesticides, take these precautions to protect beneficial insects:
- Check for “Bee Hazard” and other pollinator warnings in the Environmental Hazards section and in the directions for use on the pesticide label.
- Avoid spray drift and spraying on windy days.
- Avoid applying when there is dew formation as dew rewets pesticides and prolongs exposure to beneficial insects.
- Spray late in the day after pollinators are done foraging.
- Do not spray blooming plants.
- Select pesticides that are less toxic to bees. See the chapter on insect management in the North Carolina Agriculture Chemicals Manual for information on the relative toxicity of pesticides and reducing the risk of pesticide poisoning to honey bees.
ALSO - Check out Clemson Extension publication on Less Toxic Insecticides HERE
- For honey bees, granular applications are safer than liquid sprays, which are safer than dusts, which are safer than microencapsulated pesticides.
- Avoid spraying natural areas and hedge rows, which provide habitat for native pollinators.
This information came from the Extension Gardener Handbook- Appendix B. Pesticides in the Environment HERE. More on Pesticide Safety can be foundHERE
|
|
|
|
WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY.....?
|
|
|
Figuring out what is wrong with plants is not always easy given the many variables that impact plant health. Categorizing these into two groups (Abiotic and Biotic) is a good place to start. Abiotic or non-living factors include sunlight, temperature, rain or wind. Cultural factors, also abiotic, include watering, pruning, fertilizing and
even how the plant was planted!. Biotic factors are those living factors like insects and diseases. The chart below shows how they differ and how the symptoms spread. Check out the Extension Gardener Handbook for more on PLANT DIAGNOSTICS.
|
|
|
|
Check out these DIAGNOSTIC TABLES
to review common problems!
|
|
|
|
|
|
GARDEN HELPLINE IS OPEN!
Call 828-255-5522 or Email questions and photos to
buncombemg@gmail.com
to get help with your gardening
questions!
|
|
|
|
It is such a disappointment come mid summer when basil suddenly takes on a fuzzy moldy appearance and you realize once again your basil has a bad case of BDM - also known as Basil Downy Mildew. This disease does not over winter here but travels on the
wind from more southern states and infects plants during the warm humid days of summer. 'Genovese', a commonly grown variety, is very susceptible to this disease. Growing resistant varieties is the only way to get a good crop of basil since there are no effective treatments available for home gardeners.Check out this article on what Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers are doing to trial new basil cultivars in counties from the mountains to the coast. Photo by Bruce Watt, University of Maine, Bugwood.org
|
|
|
ROSE ROSETTE - EARLY DETECTION
|
|
|
Early detection is an important management tool for this serious virus!
Check out this publication from UT Extension HERE to learn what symptoms to look for.
|
|
|
|
|
DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT BATS?
|
|
|
Closing air vents or gaps in the siding is the best approach to keep Bats from entering a structure, like your home. Preforming such "exclusions" is a good first step for keeping insects and wildlife outdoors where they belong.
It is important however, to do this OUTSIDE of the summer maternity season (May1 through July
31). Here is a recent bat press release from the NC Wildlife Resource Commission : Prepare for Bat Roosting Season Now (ncwildlife.org)
Bats play an important ecological role by pollinating and dispersing the seeds of hundreds of species of plants!
|
|
|
FARM HERITAGE TRAIL TAKE A DRIVE THIS SUMMER!
|
|
|
The Farm Heritage Trail, a national award-winning scenic driving route, meanders through the rural agricultural communities of Alexander, Leicester, Newfound and Sandy Mush in northwest Buncombe County.
This trail, a leisurely 2 hour drive, included conserved family farms and other farms that are open to the public.
EXPERIENCE THE FARMS! BUY LOCAL PRODUCE, PLANTS, TAKE A FARM TOUR, AND MEET A FARMER!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|