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August 4, 2004

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 aheadRemember, 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.

 


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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 breakHeavy 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

 


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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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