Our complete schedule of Summer Fun activities is on our website!
Powdery Mildew Matt Rodriguez, Extension Agent, Horticulture
Powdery Mildew is a very common fungal disease that thrives in the humid areas of North Carolina. It affects several kinds of vegetables and ornamental plants. From Crape Myrtles to cucumbers, powdery mildew is an equal opportunity offender. In reality though, the fungus responsible for this disease is not just one but a group of fungi. All of these fungi are closely related so that helps in identification. Keep in mind the first step of IPM is to identify the problem. Sometimes that means knowing what your plant looks like normally. Delicata squash have huge umbrella-like leaves that have beautiful white net-like patterns on them. Do not mistake the plant’s “normal” look for a disease symptom.
Powdery Mildew occurs when temperatures rise above 60°F. This is the perfect condition for the fungus to sporulate or produce spores. The spores travel via wind to find a suitable host to infect, spreading when conditions are most favorable.
Visit our Summer Fun page for the complete schedule and information on registering!
Are you interested in practical gardening knowledge? Do you want to share your knowledge and help Burke County increase our food security and self sufficiency? Then consider becoming a NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Burke County! Read more about the Extension Master Gardener Program. If you're interested in applying for the class in Burke County, contact Matt Rodriguez, Extension Agent, Horticulture at 828-764-9480 or email him at matt_rodiguez@ncsu.edu.
Visit our Summer Fun page for the complete schedule and information on registering!
Yogurt Bark with Berries Med Instead of Meds
This incredibly simple snack is easy to make and fun to eat! This is also a great way to use up any berries that may be going bad as it stays in the freezer until you’re ready to eat. Add a unique crunch to your Yogurt Bark by sprinkling on unsweetened coconut, chopped nuts, or granola before freezing.
Ingredients:
1½ cups nonfat, Greek vanilla yogurt
1 cup berries (blueberries, sliced strawberries, raspberries)
1/4 cup crunchy toppings: unsweetened coconut, chopped nuts, or granola
Directions:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread yogurt across the parchment paper to make a thin layer about 1/4-inch thick. You don’t need to spread the yogurt all the way to the sides of the pan.
Evenly sprinkle berries and crunchy toppings across the top.
Store in the freezer for at least 2 hours to set.
Take out of the freezer. Using your hands or a sharp knife, break the Yogurt Bark into pieces.
Store in a large airtight container in the freezer until ready to serve.
Helping Your Livestock Endure Heat and Humidity Damon Pollard, Extension Agent, Livestock
Livestock producers can help their animals endure the stress from heat and humidity by providing plenty of food, water, and shade, and maintaining
good animal health. Species specific management also helps producers reduce economic losses from heat stress. Cows consume around 70% of their feed after midnight through early morning. Heat production from ruminant digestion is tremendous, peaking about 4 hours after ingestion. Feed cattle grain rations early in the morning, so they won’t have to rely on
feeding in the hottest part of the day.
Endophyte infected fescue pastures increase heat stress, as the toxins elevate body temperature. Decreased milk production, weight gain, and lowered reproductive efficiency result also. Diluting pure fescue stands with clover, helps offset these effects.
Access to adequate cool, clean water, that is centrally located, helps to reduce heat stress. Avoid giving access to ponds, as wading warms the water, contaminates it, and reduces animal intake. Provide shade, preferably in higher elevation areas to utilize wind currents for cooling.
Horses, in particular, have trouble maintaining body temp in hot humid conditions. Use the comfort index to determine whether or not horses should be worked or ridden. To calculate, add the relative humidity to the temperature and use the sum. 130 to 150, use caution, above 180, do not ride or work the horse.
Healthy livestock handle heat stress better, so reduce stresses from diseases and internal and external parasites and you will help your livestock to endure the stress of summer heat and humidity.
Burke County 4-H Calendar Nicki Carpenter, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
July 1
9:00am - 3:00pm
Summer Fun - Branch Out
July 7
9:00am - 3:00pm
Summer Fun - Sew It Yourself
July 8
9:00am - 3:00pm
Summer Fun - Horsin Around
July 14
9:00am - 12:00pm
Summer Fun - Cloverbud Exploration
July 15-17
4-H Electric Congress
July 21-25
4-H Congress
July 29
8:00am - 5:00pm
Summer Fun - Mountain Adventure
July 30
8:00am - 5:00pm
Summer Fun - Discovery Day
July 31
9:00am - 4:00pm
Summer Fun - Appalachian Adventure
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University works in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
N.C. Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
