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August 4, 2004 |
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Hot And Hazy...
The heat of summer has finally caught up with us. We were out
of town when the fist round made its way through Kansas City and
now that we're home we are retreating to the pool and looking for
other activities inside where it is nice and cool. I have been
working in the garden early in the morning and late in the
evening when it is a bit cooler. Not only has the heat
affected my presence in the garden but
so have the mosquitoes. Our yard seems to be heavily infested
with those pesky insects and we have all learned to spray some
type of bug repellent on before stepping outside. At times I have
actually contemplated purchasing one of those hats lined with
netting for protection. Hey, it's not about
looking
good but being comfortable and gardening without being eaten alive. Those mosquitoes won't
get the best of me!
It was nice
to hear the sound of thunder early this morning along with the
sound of rain drops gently hitting the skylight. A somewhat noisy
sound but easier to withstand knowing that the garden is getting
a well deserved drink. I have been watering pots twice a day
keeping them from drying out in these extreme temperatures. Do
you think true summer weather is here to stay for a month or two
or do you think we will continue to ride on the weather
teeter-totter? I am hoping that the extreme heat visits us
only occasionally and the cooler
temperatures stay until October. How about that for a not so bad
summer?
If you have
not yet signed up to enter your tomato in this year's
Tastiest Tomato contest now is the time. Click here for more
information.
Tune in to
AM 980 KMBZ
this Sunday, August 8th from 7-9 AM as I guest host
the Gard-N-Wise Guys gardening show with my good friend Jan
Olson. Lots of good advice and good fun too!
~
Shelly
Beat The Heat...
Ugh... The
heat is on. We've been spoiled by
a mild summer but recent heat reminds us that we've got more hot
days ahead. Remember, exposure to too
much hot weather can be dangerous. Here are some tips to help
you beat the heat :
- Tasks
that occur outdoors in sunny areas should be done in early
morning or late afternoon whenever possible, not during the
midday heat. Most watering, pruning, dead heading, etc., is
better for plants when done in early morning. Many chemicals,
especially insecticides, are better applied late in the day
when the wind is down and beneficial insects are not present.
- Allow
yourself to acclimate to the heat slowly. Over a period of a
week or two, gradually increase the amount of time spent in
hot, still areas or in direct sun.
- Be sure
to stay hydrated, drinking as many liquids as possible. Don't
wait until you are thirsty to have a drink, as thirst is an
indicator that your body is already dehydrated. Water is
preferred, except when heat cramps occur (then drink a lightly
salted beverage like a sports drink). The water's temperature
should be cool, not cold.
- Though
tempting, do not work in the yard in a tank top or without a
shirt due to the potential for sunburn and skin cancer. Wear
loose fitting, light colored clothes. Keep the fabric content
high in cotton to aid sweat evaporation. Neckbands, headbands,
wristbands, visors, and hats can increase evaporation to keep
the body cool.
- Lastly,
take frequent breaks to reduce the amount of time spent in the
sun or heat. After working for an hour, take a break to cool
down and have a drink in the shade to reduce the build up of
heat stress on your body.
Source
Growin' Garlic...
Garlic is a cook's best friend. Home-grown garlic is
an extra special treat. Making sure your garlic is harvested
correctly is simple but important:
Garlic
should be harvested when the foliage begins to dry. Using a
garden fork or shovel, carefully dig the bulbs with the foliage
still attached. Dry the garlic on an elevated wire screen or
slotted tray in a warm, well-ventilated location for 3 to 4
weeks. When properly cured, cut off the dry foliage ½ to
1 inch above the bulbs, trim off the roots and brush off any
loose soil. Place the bulbs in a mesh bag and store in a cool
(32 to 40°F), dry (60 to 70% relative humidity) location.
Properly cured and stored garlic should keep for 6 to 7 months.
Source
Pesticide Problem Prevention...
During summer it is especially
important to take care when applying pesticides.
If rain has been scarce, make sure you
take the time to water your plants several hours before applying
pesticides. You see, drought-stressed plants have less
water in their plant tissues and the chemicals that enter the
leaves will consequently be more concentrated. This in turn can
lead to an unwanted burn-like condition on the leaves.
A
Perfect Pear...
Unlike some crops, pears are usually best when ripened off
the tree. You don't want to wait for the fruit to turn yellowish
before picking. Instead, harvest pears when the color of the
fruit changes from dark green to lighter green and when it is
easily twisted and removed from the spur.
Support
Your Fruits...
When fruit on fruit trees starts getting
bigger the stress on tree limbs can be substantial. So much
so that your trees may need some extra support to prevent limbs
from breaking. Here are some support suggestions from
K-State Extension:
- Wooden Props
- Use one-inch thick boards to prop up limbs. Cut a ‘V’ on the
top edge of the board on which the limb will rest so that it
doesn’t slip off. Long, heavy limbs may need a prop in the
center and another near the outer part of the limb.
- Belt Webbing
- A 2-inch, plastic, belt-like material can be tied to a
heavily loaded limb, then to a large diameter limb above for
support. Where a large limb is used for support, it is good to
have it supporting limbs on opposite sides so the weight is
balanced.
- Taping -
Other solutions include wrapping a tape or belt material around
the tree in a spiral to prevent limbs from bending until they
break. Heavy twine may be used,
but it should be removed when the fruit is picked or soon after
so it does not cut into the bark on the limb.
Source
Tell Your Friends About
Savvygardener.com!
You
Could Win A $50 Gift Certificate
Details...
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What's Hot On The Hotline...
Despite the relatively cool early summer we enjoyed, our
Extension Master Gardeners’ Hotline still receives a number of
calls and visits that concern trees showing the cumulative
results of drought conditions they have endured over the past
three or four years. It often takes them this long to respond
visibly. In addition, many evergreens especially those with dense
structures fall prey to Spider Mites or Red Spider infestations
that require spraying them with water to dislodge them, or with a
miticide to control them. More on tree
pests and problems in this
week's
What's Hot On the Hotline...
Ozone, Mow Zone...
Small gasoline
engines like those found on
lawnmowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers lack pollution
controls. According to the
Mid-America
Regional Council the average lawnmower produces as
much pollution in one hour as forty
late-model cars! Do yourself, and your
fellow gardeners, a favor by not mowing on
ozone alert days. If you have to mow, try to do it
after 7 PM.
Source
Finally... "No
gardener needs reminding that life depends on plants." ~
Henry Mitchell, One Man's Garden, 1992 |
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