|
1. Bacterial Safety of Private Drinking Water
By Sharon Skipton, Extension Water Quality Educator
Is it time to check the bacterial safety of your private water supply? Late winter and early spring conditions can result in saturated soil and localized flooding. Any well inundated with surface water could have bacterial contamination. In addition, bacteria are most likely to be found during periods of wet weather, especially once the soil is warm.
Testing a private water supply is not regulated in Nebraska. Although it's not required, it is recommended that private water supplies be tested for bacteria annually.
For additional information on bacterial safety of drinking water, see the recently released NebGuide "Drinking Water: Bacteria." The NebGuide was co-authored by drinking water experts at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
|
2. What Well Owners Need to Know about Drugs in Water
Article from National Ground Water Association
Recent news reports about the presence of drugs in America’s water supply have created some public concern over the safety of water, but there are basic steps that the owners of private household water wells should always take to reduce risk to their drinking water.
These safety steps should be practiced under any circumstances—not just in response to the recent news reports about widespread detection of trace amounts of drugs and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in America’s water supply. EDCs mimic or block hormones.
If you already own a water well, here are three steps you can take to reduce risk to your water supply:
- Get a well maintenance check-up by a qualified water well systems contractor to determine whether the well is properly constructed, clean and in good working order.
- Have your water tested annually for bacteria, nitrate and anything else of local concern. Check the water more frequently if there is a change in the water’s taste, odor or appearance.
- Should any contaminants above levels of health concern remain after proper well maintenance, including cleaning, if necessary, a water treatment device may resolve any water quality issues.
For those considering a new well, it is important to use a qualified water well system contractor to properly locate and construct the well to minimize the potential for contamination of the water.
Finally, proper septic system maintenance can be crucial in helping to protect groundwater from contamination, particularly from harmful bacteria. A properly working septic system can effectively treat sewage so the effluent that flows back into the ground can be naturally filtered by the soil. However, a failing septic system can result in inadequately treated effluent, potentially contaminating the groundwater. Septic systems should be checked and pumped by a professional contractor. The Office of National Drug Policy recommends that many drugs not be poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet.
It is important to note that no U.S. federal drinking water standards exist for pharmaceuticals and EDCs in water. Consequently, many water testing laboratories do not have the equipment necessary to test for these compounds. Water treatment experts find that existing technologies show promise in removing many of these substances from water. Such technologies include activated carbon, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration and ozonation
National Ground Water Association; April, 2008
|
3. Take Cover to Avoid Skin Cancer
By Janis Stone, Extension Professor, Textiles and Clothing, Iowa State University
If you like being outdoors on sunny days or need to work in the sun, you should try to avoid sunburn to lower your risk of pre-mature aging, cataracts, and skin cancer. Skin cancer is associated with sunburn during childhood. It is 10 times more likely to occur with light- rather than dark skinned persons, although no one is immune, so all children must be protected.
The American Cancer Society estimates that one million cases of skin cancer will occur each year, with 7,400 cases of melanoma resulting in death. Fortunately, basal and squamous cell cancers are usually treated successfully, but treatment may involve surgery and scarring.
Follow these tips to avoid over exposure to the invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun:
- Cover up – a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and socks.
- Put sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher on skin areas not covered by clothing.
- Wear a hat to shade your nose, face, ears and neck. A 3-inch full-brim is recommended for adults.
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's UV rays are the most direct and intense.
- Wash clothing in detergents containing a fluorescent brightener that can help absorb UV rays to increase the protection of the fabrics.
- Remember, you can get sunburned on cloudy days, and, even if you are in the shade, you can be sunburned from UV rays reflected off water, sand, or snow.
|
4. Caution Necessary When Traveling on Rural Roads
By Dave Morgan, UNL Safetly Engineer
All roads can be dangerous no matter the degree of caution used, but rural roads have more hazards than others.
Most rural roads in Nebraska are gravel or dirt that allows vegetation overgrowth on the shoulders. Gravel and dirt increase braking distances compared to hard, surfaced roads. Rural roads also are likely to have more potholes or soft spots, particularly during spring thaws. Rural roads usually are narrower and have steeper ditches.
The most dangerous vehicles to drive on rural roads, and the ones most common in single-vehicle incidents, are pickups and SUVs. Since they have a higher center of gravity, they are more likely to roll.
Rural roads often have a limited sight distance at intersections, and rural people usually run stop signs or drive faster than the speed limit. Two-vehicle head-on collisions often happen when two cars meet at the crest of a hill. Drivers also need to watch for livestock, wild animals and pedestrians accompanied by domestic animals.
Pedestrians should not walk on rural roads at night when there is limited visibility. When walking or running on rural roads, wear as much reflective clothing material as possible and carry a light. Always walk on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic so vehicles posing the greatest threat can be seen earlier.
Farmers moving large equipment on heavily traveled rural roads at night should use an escort vehicle with flashers on. Reflective paint or strips will help show the outline of farm equipment during reduced visibility. It is not legal to operate any farm equipment on public roads other than during daylight hours. Slow-moving vehicle signs must be displayed on tractors and machinery operating at 25 mph or slower. Warning flashers should be functional and on whenever operating on public roads.
Winter driving requires more caution from rural road travelers. Many rural residents drive long distances to off-farm jobs or to reach distant fields, and less population means help may not come for a while after a collision or getting stuck. A blizzard kit, which many 4-H club members create, can be a lifesaver if stranded in adverse conditions. If a kit isn’t available, at least have extra clothing, blankets, water and some food in the car.
Proper car and pickup maintenance also is important in winter. Make sure tires are properly inflated and the heating system is working. Wintertime is rough on wiper blades. Keep the blades clear of ice and replace them when worn. Fill the fuel tank when it is still more than half-full. Consider using an anti-gel additive to keep the fuel from freezing in diesel engines.
During the end of winter and beginning of spring, rural roads get softer and often have snow and ice on them. Drivers often tend to speed up on a good stretch of road, and then hit ice and lose control of the vehicle. Maintain a slower speed the entire time while on rural roads.
Populations in some of rural Nebraska areas can increase during summer because of farming, state parks, racetracks and fairs. Farmers and other drivers need to watch out for the increased traffic. Farmers should consider the times when moving equipment and when visibility is best for everybody. All drivers should make sure their windows are clean, their mirrors are set and that they use defensive driving.
Spring planting time also sees increased rural road traffic from farmers. Drivers that drive often in rural areas should have a good awareness for increased farm traffic. They just need to slow down and keep a look out.
Do not ever drive under the influence. Alcohol is always a problem, but prescription medications also are becoming an issue for drivers as well. If a person is seen driving erratically, report them to law enforcement. Get them off the roads. They might hit someone else later.
Finally, do not get into confrontations with people who are driving aggressively. If aggressive driving, tailgating, flashing lights, repeated honking or sideswiping is witnessed, call a sheriff or the Nebraska State Patrol. Keep the local sheriff’s department on speed dial. The State Patrol can be reached at 800-525-5555. Cell phone providers use *55 or #55 for the Nebraska State Patrol toll-free number. Check with a local cell phone company.
|
5. Pesticides and Your Health
by Clyde Ogg, Pesticide Safety Educator
Most people understand the benefits of using pesticides to control pests, but more and more of us are also concerned about possible harmful effects of pesticides on the health and safety of our family and pets. Results from a recent survey by the University of Kentucky showed most people believe pesticides cause cancer.
In this discussion, pesticides include "insecticides", which kill insects and "herbicides", which kill weeds. Some other pesticides include fungicides (kill fungi) and acaricides (kill spiders, mites, and ticks).
Farm Family Study
Researchers at the University of Minnesota wanted to find out if pesticides get into the bodies of pesticide applicators and their family members. They also wanted to know if practices used to prevent exposure to pesticides actually reduced pesticide concentrations in the bodies of applicators.
This study looked at 95 farm families. The three pesticides of interest were glyphosate, a herbicide commonly sold as Roundup®, 2,4-D, a herbicide found in many weed control products, and chlorpyrifos, an insecticide sold as Lorsban® and Dursban®.
To look at pesticide levels, researchers took blood and urine samples from the person who applied the pesticide and his/her immediate family members.
The study showed that chlorpyrifos and 2,4-D were often found in the body of the person who applied the pesticide. But, what was unexpected was that low levels of some pesticides were also found in spouses and children, even when spouses and children did not have direct contact with the pesticides.
In this study, 100 percent of family members (farmers, spouses, and children), had detectable amounts of the insecticide chlorpyrifos in their bodies.
The highest amounts of pesticide were found in applicators that did not follow pesticide label instructions. These applicators:
- Did not wear chemical resistant gloves while mixing pesticides
- Spilled the pesticide during mixing and spraying operations
- Had skin contact with pesticides during handling
- Repaired spray equipment without wearing chemical-resistant gloves
- Smoked during mixing and spraying operations
Conversely, farmers who carefully followed label instructions and observed safety precautions had lower levels of pesticides in their bodies.
Risks from Pesticides
The health risk of an individual to a pesticide is a function of its toxicity and the exposure to the pesticide. This idea is expressed by the risk formula: Risk = Toxicity x Exposure.
Pesticide toxicity is often measured by how much pesticide is needed to kill a rodent population. A very small amount of one pesticide might produce a toxic effect, while a much larger amount of another may not. The signal words on the pesticide label indicate the acute toxicity that may occur with exposure to the pesticide.
Danger = high toxicity
Warning = moderate toxicity
Caution = low toxicity.
The route of human exposure to a pesticide also impacts the toxic effect. Pesticides can enter the human body three ways:
- By absorption through the skin or eyes (dermally)
- Through the mouth (orally), and
- By breathing into the lungs (inhalation)
To reduce the risk of pesticides, choose low toxic products whenever possible and reduce exposure by using chemically resistant gloves and other personal protective equipment as recommended on the label. Or, hire someone else to apply the pesticide.
For more details about pesticide risk, refer to these two publications:
Managing the Risk of Pesticide Poisoning and Understanding the Signs and Symptoms, http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/ec2505.pdf.
|
6. Aquatic Plant Control with Herbicides
By Tadd Barrow, UNL Water Quality Educator
With waters gradually warming and aquatic plant or “weed” growth increasing, the month of May is a good time to think about implementing an aquatic plant management plan. Aquatic plants can be found in most lakes and ponds throughout Nebraska. Moderate growths are important to the ecology of the pond system by providing dissolved oxygen and habitat for aquatic organisms and fish. However, in overabundance, aquatic plants, can restrict recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and boating, impair fish health, reduce water flows and decrease aesthetics of the lake or pond.
Decreasing plant biomass in a pond or lake can be achieved by a number of techniques; hand pulling, raking, chaining, cutting, applying nontoxic dye, deepening, and herbicide application. Due to the effectiveness and ease of application, herbicides control of aquatic plant growth is often the management tool of choice.
Considerations
If control by herbicide is the selected method of removal/control, there are at least eight important considerations in planning a successful program:
- Proper identification of the plant.
- Uses of the water to be treated
- Potential non-target plants that may be affected
- Timing of the treatment
- Water temperature
- Method of application
- Probability of retreatment, perhaps within the same year
- Cost
Timing of application
Most aquatic herbicides should be applied in mid to late spring or early summer when water temperatures are above 65˚ F and plants are growing rapidly. Herbicide penetration is generally maximum at this time. Plants are not only very susceptible during this time, but there is also less biomass to treat early as opposed to later in the season, once maturity has been reached.
If vegetation is treated later in the season, to avoid oxygen depletions and fish kills, only treat one-third to one-half of the area to be treated, wait 2-3 weeks before any follow-up applications. Fall treatments are generally not effective as the growing season is complete. However, fall treatments of cattail with glyphosate are effective (see “cattail control”).
Submersed Plants
There are a variety of aquatic plants or “pondweeds” rooted to the bottom of the lake living below the water surface from depths of 1-20 feet. They have thin leaves attached along the main stem. Many species of submersed plants exist, thus different chemical formulations are required for the most effective treatment.
The most commonly used and most effective chemicals are Reward®, Sonar®, Weedtrine®-D, and Aquathol®. These chemicals are available in liquid form, to be applied in mid-late spring by a tank sprayer, or in granular form (similar to kitty litter) that can be hand broadcast. If necessary, contact UNL lake water quality extension for proper identification.
Cattail Control
Cattails thrive in areas where water is 6 inches to 2 feet in depth. Although deepening may allow for some control, there may still be areas that require an alternative approach. There are a variety of herbicides on the market that are effective on cattails, look for a product that has glyphosate as the active ingredient and is aquatic certified. Roundup® is a glyphosate product but IS NOT certified for use near waters.
One aquatic certified product available through many Nebraska retailers is Shore-Klear® manufactured by Applied Biochemists. Follow label directions for mixing the Shore-Klear® concentrate into a tank sprayer and then follow application rates. It is suggested you add 4.5-7.5 pints per acre of cattails you are treating or spray as a 75% solution with handheld equipment. It is also recommended you add a non-ionic surfactant into the chemical mixture, this will help ensure the chemical adheres to the plant and penetrates the waxy cuticle.
It is best to treat cattails in the summer to early fall months when they are green and actively growing. Initial results will occur in 2 to 4 days. Results begin with wilting and yellowing followed by full browning. Well established heavy growth may require 1-3 weeks to show results.
Filamentous Algae Control
Filamentous is the stringy green “hair” or “cotton candy” like material that can form green carpet like mats on the waters surface. It commonly grows on the surface near submersed plants or cattails and can be wind blown to the leeward side of the pond. There are two effective methods for removing filamentous algae from a pond, 1) hand removal by raking or 2) the use of a chemical called Cutrine Plus®.
Cutrine Plus® granular, is a buffered version of the blue granular copper sulfate familiar to many lake and pond owners, has been widely used by lake owners and managers who claim excellent success by simply hand broadcasting the granules onto/into the area of concern. The granules settle to the bottom and attack the algae before it can form mats upon the surface. There is no minimum water temperature recommended for use, so it can be applied and should be applied early in the season before the algae develops dense mats, which are more difficult to control.
Copper sulfate may also work to control filamentous algae, however over time the copper sulfate can damage the bottom dwelling insects and zooplankton that can be important to the overall aquatic ecosystem. Multiple treatments throughout the season may be necessary with either product.
Dose Rates and Costs of Cutrine Plus ® and Copper Sulfate
Cutrine Plus® recommended application rate is a 30 lb bag for every 0.5 acre. Cutrine Plus® generally sells for around $103 per gallon 30 lb. bag, with prices subject to change. The manufacturer of copper sulfate recommends 0.8-1.75 pounds (0.3-0.65 parts per million) of per acre foot of water. Other pond treatment recommendations are around 0.5 pounds per acre foot of water.
Hint: An acre foot of water is equal to one surface acre that is one foot deep. A bag of copper sulfate generally runs around $2 per pound, after shipping. It may require some experimentation with application rates, you may find a slightly higher or lower dose is best for the level of control you desire.
Duckweed Control
Duckweed often referred to as watermeal, appears as minute (1-3 mm) lime green dots on the water. Duckweed is the smallest of all flowering plants commonly associated with stagnant conditions or backwater areas. The best method for removal is by using a liquid herbicide called Weedtrine-D®. This is a contact herbicide that begins to work immediately. It is easy to apply by a simple tank sprayer. One gallon will cover approximately 4000 square feet. Weedtrine-D® is also very effective if submersed aquatic plants become a problem.
WARNING: Water that is treated with Weedtrine-D® should not be used for swimming for one day. Wait 5 days for irrigation, human or animal consumption.
Suppliers
There are numerous suppliers of aquatic herbicides throughout Nebraska, they can commonly be found at your local Farmers Cooperatives. Many COOP’s are retailers of aquatic herbicides but most do not have the chemical on hand, if requested they can generally have the product you request within a weeks time.
Remember to follow label directions for the herbicide and location. If there are any questions regarding application or aquatic plant identification please do not hesitate to the University of Nebraska’s Lake Water Quality Extension Program.
For free of charge identification, pull the plant, leaf and stem. Pat dry with a paper towel and place the plant in a zip lock bag, then include a brief note in an envelope to:
Tadd Barrow
UNL Lake Water Quality Educator
516 Hardin Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0995
(402) 472-7783
|
7. Pasture Weed Control
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Weeds in pastures and rangeland cost millions annually by reducing forage yield, lowering forage quality, and causing animal injury through toxicity or specialized plant organs (thorns and spines). Effective weed management begins with a healthy pasture. Weeds are seldom a serious problem in a well managed, vigorously growing pasture. Good pasture management involves the proper choice of the forage species and variety, an adequate fertility program, controlled grazing management, and pest management (weeds, insects and diseases).
If pasture health declines, weeds will exploit the situation and become established. Bare ground is the perfect environment for establishment of weeds. Once established, weeds must be controlled with mechanical or chemical methods. However, unless the pasture-management problem that caused forage decline is corrected, the grass will not reestablish and weeds will re-infest the area.
For more information on pasture weed control checkout these websites:
2008 Guide to Weed Management in Nebraska, http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/ec130.pdf
Herbicides for Summer Pasture Weed Control, http://www.extension.org/pages/Herbicides+for+Summer+Pasture+Weed+Control
|
8. Calibrating Hand Held Sprayers
By Tom Dorn, UNL Extension Educator
Do you need to spot spray weedy patches in the lawn or pasture? Do you plan to spray these patches using a hand-held sprayer? We will discuss a simple step-by-step calibration procedure that ensures you apply the correct amount of pesticide to comply with the product label and so you will achieve satisfactory results.
In order to apply the recommended amount of chemical through a sprayer, the user needs to know two things:
- The quantity of total spray output that you will be applying per unit of area, e.g., gallons per acre (GPA)
- The recommended amount of product to apply per acre.
I recently came across a simplified method of calibrating hand held sprayers. This methodology works for calibrating either compressed air (pump up) sprayers or sprayers with a motor driven pump to create pressure (hand guns). The following procedure illustrates the steps required to properly calibrate hand-held sprayers. Most of the procedure is the same whether one is using a compressed air or powered sprayer. Italicized text applies only to compressed air sprayers.
Measure Spray Output
- Note the full mark on the spray tank. There will be space above the full mark for compressed air.
- Determine the useful volume of the spray tank by measuring the volume of water needed to fill an empty tank to the full mark.
- Using only water, fill the container to the full mark and test the spray pattern. Add pressure and/or adjust the spray tip until you are satisfied with the spray pattern.
- Measure and mark a test area 18.5 feet x 18.5 feet square
- Spray the test area in the manner you would normally do when controlling the target pest and record the time in seconds to treat the test area.
- Pump up the pressure again and spray into a container for the same number of seconds it took to treat the test area (step 5) and measure the fluid ounces (fl-oz) caught in the container. The number of fl-oz caught in the container will be equal to the gallons of spray you would have applied had you sprayed a full acre (GPA).
Determine the Amount of Chemical to Add to the Tank
- Divide the useful capacity of the tank (step 2) by the spray output, GPA (step 6) to determine the decimal fraction of an acre covered by each tank of spray solution.
- Read the label to determine the volume of product recommended per acre.
- Multiply the volume of product per acre (step 8) by the fractional acre covered per tank (step 7) to determine the amount of product to add per tank of spray.
Example:
- Don measured the useful volume of the spray tank and found it to be two gallons. (Step 2)
- He measured and marked a test area 18.5 x 18.5 feet. (Step 4)
- He sprayed the test area and found it took 32 seconds. (Step 5)
- He caught the output in a container for 32 seconds and measured 34 fluid ounces of water caught. This shows Don was putting out the equivalent of 34 gallons per acre. (Step 6)
- Each tank will cover 2 gallons / 34 gallons / acre = 0.059 acre (Step 7)
- The product label recommends 1 qt (32 fl-oz) of herbicide per acre. (Step 8)
- The amount of product to add to a full spray tank is: 32 fl-oz per acre x 0.059 acres per tank = 1.9 fl-oz per spray tank. (Step 9)
How to Measure small quantities of pesticide.
One could measure small quantities of pesticides using a number of different measuring devices. Three common examples are:
- A measuring cup (Dedicate a measuring cup for garage use only. Never use the same cup that is used for cooking.)
- A Tablespoon (If you will be using a Tablespoon from the silverware drawer, check volume by pouring water from a measuring spoon into the spoon designated for pesticides to check the actual volume.)
- A disposable syringe calibrated in milliliters (These are sold at veterinary supply and farm supply stores). This is my personal favorite because you suck chemical into the syrnge instead of pouring chemical from the bottle into an open measure which can spill on your hands or clothes. A syringe accurately measures any volume up to its full capacity.
The calculations below demonstrate how to compute the chemical needed for our example using these three fluid volume measuring devices.
- 1.9 fl-oz /8 fl-oz/Cup = 0.24 Cup per tank. Add just under 1/4 cup of product per tank.
- 1.9 fl-oz x 2 Tbsp per ounce = 3.8 Tbsp. Add just under 4 Tablespoons per tank.
- 1.9 fl-oz x 29.6 milliliters (ml)/fl-oz = 56.2 ml. Add just over 56 ml per tank.
|
9. Staining Wood Siding
By Doug Stokke Assistant Professor, Iowa Dept. of Forestry
With the approach of spring, our thoughts often turn toward outdoor projects. Installing new wood siding or freshening your existing siding may be among the things on your "to do" list. Stains are becoming increasingly popular due to the relative ease of application and low maintenance.
If you are starting with new siding, make sure that it is clean and dry before you begin. Dry weather and temperatures above 50 degrees F are needed. Stains are available in a wide variety of natural colors and pigments. Select a "penetrating stain" designed for exterior use. These penetrate the wood and do not build up a film thus reducing or eliminating the potential for cracking and peeling of the finish in the future.
Stains are best applied by brush. Be sure to carefully read and follow all directions on the container, paying particular heed to instructions for avoiding lap marks. Fort e longest lasting finish, use at o-coat system in which the second coat is applied before the first coat has completely dried. One caution: Don't apply thick coats or too many coats of stain. This will build a film and defeat the purpose of the penetrating stain. Stain applied too heavily will peel much as paint may.
Thoroughly clean existing finished siding before applying a new stain. Test compatibility and color on ani conspicuous area. Proceed according to the manufacturer's directions. If your siding has paint on it you will need to remove all of the paint, exposing bare wood, prior to applying the stain. In most cases, if you have a paint finish, stain will not be an option for refinishing.
Although stains are relatively low maintenance, they do require periodic attention. Reapply stain about every five years, depending on the siding, stain type and color, and most importantly, exposure to the elements. A one-coat stain may need attention after two to four years, but a two- coat stain may last as long as eight years. A stain finish that is properly applied and maintained requires very little preparation work before refinishing.
|
10. Pine Needle Scale- Identification & Control
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Pine needle scale, Phenacaspis pinifoliae, attacks mugo, Scots, Austrian and red pines. Landscape trees, Christmas trees and trees along dusty roads are the most seriously affected trees. As the number of insects increase the tree often looks like it has been "flocked" in the summer. In addition the amount of damage increases. Left alone, the insects will kill the tree.
Pine needle scale over-winters as reddish eggs under the dead female body cover. Eggs hatch during candle growth. The crawlers move onto the new needles on the same tree or they may be carried or blown onto another tree. Mature scale appear as very small, 1/8th to 1/16th inch long, elongated, pure white dots on the needles.
Two generations of this scale occur. The overwintering eggs hatch in mid-May and the summer produced eggs hatch in late July. Unfortunately, the eggs may hatch over a period of two to three weeks.
Sprays will be needed in a series of two or three sprays at seven day intervals during mid-May and mid-July. Use contact and systemic insecticides labeled for evergreens or pine needles scale control.
Pine Needle Scale, http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2553.html
|
11. Grow Delectable Raspberries in Your Home Garden This Year
By Mary Ann deVries, ISU Extension Horticulturist
The sweet taste of homegrown raspberries makes them a favorite in any garden. They are easy to grow and are well suited to most areas.
Raspberries come in four basic types: black, purple, summer-bearing red and fall-bearing red. Traditional raspberry flavors typically are associated with the summer and fall-bearing red varieties.
Selecting the right plants is an important first step. Plants are best purchased from a reputable garden center to ensure they are virus free.
Raspberries do well in most full-sun locations, but avoid heavy clay or poorly drained soils. Place new plants 1 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows spaced 6 to 8 feet apart. Late March and April are ideal times to plant raspberries. Harden off plants outside in a protected area for a few days prior to planting.
Pruning is the primary challenge for raspberry growers. Because summer-bearing raspberries are biennial, first year canes produce only leaves. In the second summer these canes produce fruit.
At the end of the second season, the old fruiting canes, which are then among other first-year canes, must be pruned out. Thorns make this a tricky task.
Fall-bearing raspberries are a good alternative. Because they bear fruit in late summer, leaves and fruit develop on the same cane in the same summer. After frost, these canes can be mowed rather than removed individually by hand.
Suggested summer-bearing red raspberry varieties include Boyne, Liberty, and Latham. Excellent fall-bearing red raspberries include Heritage, Red Wing, and Autumn Bliss.
|
12. Select Perennials and Annuals That Enhance Your Landscape
By Cynthia Haynes, ISU Extension Horticulturist
Gardening season is almost here. Selecting healthy plants suitable for your site and planting them carefully are the first steps in establishing a successful landscape. When you wander the endless rows at your local garden center, consider the following before making any purchases.
Healthy plants have full leaves, stocky stems, and an extensive root system. Look for new growth at the stem tips and ends of the branches.
Before visiting the garden center, tour your landscape. Look at the sites that need additional plants and answer these questions:
- Is the soil typically moist, average, or dry?
- How much direct sun does the site receive each day?
- How much room (height and width) is available?
- What type or color of foliage, flowers, habitat, etc., would you like in the landscape?
There are thousands of perennials and annuals. A few are suited for almost any site or situation. Read the labels carefully. Make sure they match your site requirements.
Most annuals and perennials are ready to plant in mid to late May after the last threat of frost has passed. Be sure to plant them carefully, usually at the same level they were planted in the container. After planting, water them well and add mulch to prevent weed competition.
Select plants that have tightly closed flower buds instead of fully opened flowers. This way you can enjoy the flowers in your garden.
|
13. Growing Tomatoes
By Kathleen Cue, UNL Extension Associate
First-time vegetable gardeners like to ask, “What is a good tomato to grow?” To find an answer, there are some things they need to consider beforehand.
Most important: determinate or indeterminate? Determinate tomatoes are those that are shorter in stature and tend to set fruit all at once. Staking is important for these varieties too, although the staking materials are shorter, usually around 4 feet. Determinate tomatoes are better suited for containers than indeterminate varieties but all perform best when planted in the garden. Good determinate varieties to grow include Celebrity, Better Bush and Carnival.
Indeterminate varieties are true vining-type tomatoes. Stems continue to elongate through the growing season, always setting more flowers and fruit. This tendency extends the harvesting period. Plants can get really big, so staking is crucial. One plant can easily reach 6 feet or more. Indeterminate varieties to try include Early Girl, Mortgage Lifter, Jet Star and Better Boy.
When it comes to disease resistance, the more letters after the cultivar name, the better the disease resistance. V, F, N, T, A, St, and TSWV are some common letters after a tomato variety and each indicates resistance to a specific problem. The “V” denotes resistance to Verticillium wilt, “F” to Fusarium, “N” to Nematodes, “T” to Tobacco Mosaic Virus, “A” to Alternaria Stem Canker, “St” to Stemphylium Gray Leaf Spot and “TSWV” to Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. Look for these letters on the plant tag, listed after the variety name.
Should I choose hybrid or heirloom varieties to grow? Hybrid tomatoes represent some of the newest and best inroads in disease resistance and performance. Heirloom or “antique” tomatoes have a long history of cultivation, many selected by Native Americans or brought over by early settlers. While heirloom varieties tend not to be as disease resistant, they make up for this in vigor, with a wonderful range of fruit color, taste and shape. Black Krim, Principe Borghese, Mortgage Lifter, Amish Paste, Cherokee Purple and Green Sausage are examples of heirloom tomatoes with delightful names and wonderful taste.
Regardless of what type of tomato you grow, the taste of homegrown tomatoes beats store-bought any day!
|
14. Nebraska Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling
By Clyde Ogg, UNL Pesticide Safety Educator
Thirty-nine sites throughout the state will be participating in the 2008 Nebraska Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling program, and are available to collect rinsed, plastic pesticide containers from private and commercial pesticide applicators. A complete listing of collection sites can be found online at http://pested.unl.edu/recycling.
The program recycles rinsed and clean 2.5 gallon jugs and plastic crop protection drums of 15, 30, and 55 gallons. Applicators from a variety of sources may recycle the rinsed containers including farmers, ranchers, custom applicators, aerial applicators, household exterminators, lawn care operators, mosquito abatement programs, roads departments, park departments, etc. Household and residential plastic pesticide containers are not able to be accepted in this program. Once triple-rinsed, they may be disposed of as solid waste.
This year is the 17th year for the Nebraska Pesticide Container Recycling Program. Beginning in 1992, about 1,750,000 pounds of plastic, or over 800 tons, have been recycled and removed from Nebraska's landscape.
The recycled plastic is used in field drain tile, plastic pesticide containers, shipping pallets, railroad ties, marine pilings, construction site mats, truck decking, speed bumps, parking stops, dimension lumber, waste drums, and more.
For more information about pestcide container recycling, please contact:
Clyde Ogg
Pesticide Safety Educator
PSEP Coordinator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension
(402) 472-1632 or (800) 627-7216
http://pested.unl.edu
|
15. Groundbreaking Website Offers Answers to Life's Questions
A groundbreaking new Web site launched today, eXtension.org, promises to be a gateway to answering all of life’s little questions – from parenting, to saving and investing, entrepreneurship and vegetable gardens.
eXtension experts are the brains behind eXtension.org, a sort of “next-gen Google,” where curious minds can find a range of information including how to calculate their retirement readiness score, tips to easing credit card debt, how to grow the best tomatoes on the block or ways to set a schedule for a new born baby. Even better, if the consumer can’t find the information he or she is looking for, real live authorities in their area of interest monitor and answer questions through the Web site. And all of eXtension’s resources are available to knowledge-seekers at no cost.
With 16 resource areas, called “Communities of Practice,” consumers can easily navigate the site to find exactly the answers they need. A Community of Practice is typically multi-institutional, multi-state and multi-disciplinary bringing the "best of the best" educational resources to the public.
Communities of Practice include:
In addition to providing credible eXtension experts to answer knowledge-seekers’ questions, eXtension.org also offers opportunities for consumers to interact with each other to grow their knowledge in a particular field. Drawing on the popularity of online social networking, individuals interested in a specific topic or subject matter area can “gather” to form a Community of Interest. As that Community of Interest grows, professional educators with expertise in that topic or subject matter area join together and form a Community of Practice.
Extension, http://www.eXtension.org, is able to pull the best, most researched knowledge from the
smartest land-grant university minds across America, connecting knowledge consumers with
knowledge providers. eXtension offers:
- Credible expertise
- Reliable answers based upon sound research
- Connections to the best minds in American universities
- Creative solutions to today's complex challenges
- Customized answers to your specific needs
- Trustworthy, field-tested data
- Dynamic, relevant and timely answers
For more information, click on www.eXtension.org.
|
16. Rabbits Giving You the Run-Around?
By Scott Hygnstrom, UNL Extension Wildlife Specialist, and Stephne VanTassel, Wildlife Project Manager
As gardens green up this spring, few species of wildlife will cause as much frustration as the cottontail rabbit. A hungry bunny can mow down a row of peas, lettuce, or beans in a matter of minutes, leaving only stubble and fond memories of the salad enjoyed the year before. Take heart though…a tool is available that you can use to parlay those persistent perpetrators.
I suggest installing a simple fence around your garden. Purchase a two-foot wide roll of chicken wire from any farm, hardware, or lawn-and-garden store for about $0.30 per foot. Also, remember to pick up enough 3/8-inch steel fence rods to support the fence at ten-foot intervals. Install your corner posts and use a hoe to dig a four-inch deep trench from corner to corner. Attach the chicken wire to the fence posts with a twist of steel wire and bury the bottom edge in the trenches to keep rabbits from crawling under. If you don’t want to dig, just level the soil and put a 90-degree bend in the fence, extending out 2-inches along the ground. Then tack down the 2-inch skirt so it remains flush with the ground. This skirt, though not as secure as trenching, will generally prevent rabbits from sneaking under the fence. Apply a little tension to the corner posts with guy wires to make a nice tight fence.
You will be amazed at how easy the fence is to install, and they don't look too bad either. Best of all, the fence will protect your garden from rabbits, ground squirrels, pets, even kids with softballs for several years. With a few extra steps you can enjoy your backyard and the wildlife therein. Happy gardening!
More information:
Rabbit Control and Management Information, http://www.icwdm.org/wildlife/rabbit.asp
Cottontail Rabbits, http://www.icwdm.org/handbook/mammals/CottontailRabbits.asp
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
17. UNL Termite Workshops Begin May 5th
Termites are already active and homeowners may be finding mud tubes and swarmers soon, if they haven't already. A workshop for homeowners titled “Everything Homeowners Should Know About Termites and Termite Control” will be held in Hastings, Omaha and Lincoln in early May.
The goal of this program is to educate attendees so they will be able to make better decisions about termites and termite control.
May 5, Hastings: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore Ave. Local contact, Ron Seymour (402)461-7209.
May 7, Omaha: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd. Local contact, Dennis Ferraro (402)444-7804.
May 8, Lincoln: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Rd. Local contact, Barb Ogg (402)441-7180.
Registration is $25, and includes reference materials. Pre-registration payment is not required, but the public is asked to call ahead so enough reference materials are available. A brochure with program details and registration information can be found at: http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/allworkshops08.pdf
|
18. My Horse University Presents "The Unwanted Horse", May 14
My Horse University, a national online program based at Michigan State University, is proud to sponsor FREE live web presentations given by experts in the fields of equine science and veterinary medicine. These events cover topics that are important to you and can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. Please join us!
May 14 , The Unwanted Horse- This presentation will cover the plight of the unwanted horse in the
U.S. It will focus on the types of horse that becomes unwanted, the
reasons they become unwanted, and possible solutions to the problem.
Euthanasia, carcass disposal, rescue and retirement options, as well as
the efforts of the Unwanted Horse Coalition will be included in the
discussion. Presenter:
by Dr. Tom Lenz, DMV, American Assoc. of Equine Practitioners
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
Register online
|
19. 4-H Horse Project Leader, Parent & Volunteer Clinic, May 19
Any adult interested in providing education to 4-H horse project members is welcome to attend this clinic. Clinic participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring a horse in order to enhance their hands-on experience.
Topics:
Basic Showmanship & How to Teach It
Fundamentals of Horse Training
Basic Horsemanship & How to Teach It
How to Tie the Knots Required in Level II
District Horse Show Procedures
Registration: $15 (Make checks to: University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
DUE BY: Monday, May 12 (After this date, contact the UNL Extension
Office in Dodge County for more information on space availability and any clinic changes.)
4-H HORSE PROJECT LEADER, PARENT & VOLUNTEER CLINIC
Monday, May 19, 2008/ Fremont, NE
Name: ___________________________________ County: _____________
Address: ______________________________________________________
Day Ph: _______________________ Evening Ph: _____________________
Please check ONE: I plan to bring a horse ______ YES _______NO
|
DUE TO: Please send completed form and $15 fee to:
UNL Extension in Dodge County
ATTN: 4-H Horse Clinic
1206 W. 23 rd Street, Fremont, NE 68025
Contact Information
Instructed by:
Monte Stauffer
Extension Educator
UNL Extension
In Douglas/Sarpy Counties
1261 Golden Gate Dr. Ste. 4E
Papillion, Ne. 68046
(402) 444-7804
mstauffer1@unl.edu |
Hosted by:
Tracy J. Behnken
Extension Educator
UNL Extension
In Dodge County
1206 W. 23 rd Street
Fremont, NE 68025
402-727-2775 #14
tbehnken2@unl.edu |
|
20. From Recipe to Reality Seminar, May 31
The Food Processing Center is offering a one-day seminar for all individuals interested in exploring the idea of starting a food manufacturing business. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
Program dates for 2008:
May 31 - Lincoln, NE (Presented in Spanish)
June 2 - Lincoln, NE
August 8 - Lincoln, NE
October 27 - Lincoln, NE
Contact Jill Gifford at (402) 472-2819 or jgifford1@unl.edu for an information packet. For more information, visit the UNL Food Processing's Food Entrepreneur web site.
|
21. Master Beekeeping Workshop, June 26-28
A Master Beekeeping Workshop will be offered in Mead, NE at the Agricultural Research and Development Center Headquarters Building on June 26-28. This workshop will provide detailed instruction in the biology and management of honey bees. Training will include both classroom and hands-on sessions.
Beekeepers should have at least one year of experience managing honey bees before registering for this workshop. A team of experts has been assembled to make this an outstanding educational opportunity. Registration for the workshop is $100 and includes five meals, refreshments, a cap and a workbook.
Brochure
|
|
|
