June 7, 2009

            Who would have thought that June would be so cold and dry?  The rain that we received the last few days has been a blessing for many landowners.  Now if we could only do something about these cool temperatures! 

Actually, my husband and I have welcomed the rain and cool temperatures that we have had lately.  The reason?  All of those hedges that I have mentioned before sustained winter dieback an d in order to save them we had to cut them down to 3 inches to hopefully rejuvenate them.  Keep in mind that I had cut down six hedges as a test pilot to prove to my husband that this was what we needed to do to the others.  Dave said that if these “test pilot” hedges worked out than he would consider doing it to the rest of them next year.  In order to save the hedges, Dave reluctantly cut down all the other hedges with me.  Now our yard is very open and exposed.  I am hoping that the next hedge report that I give will only contain good news.   

Since most of the wheat is near heading or has headed out, wheat farmers need to think about Fusarium head blight (head scab or scab) control.        

            Scab is a concern for winter wheat and small grain farmers when the temperatures during the day are between 70-85°F, night time temperatures are between 65-80°F, and when we have moisture (dew or rain) available.  We have been a little cool lately so the fungus takes a little longer to get established and sporulate but it can still get started with prolonged moisture. 

The reason this disease is so hard to control is that there is only a small window of opportunity for scab control and that time is at flowering.  If you apply your fungicide before flowering you will protect your flag leaf from diseases but you will not receive any protection for scab.  The same goes for applying the product after flowering (not preventing scab) plus you will also be using the product off label when it comes to scab control.

Fusarium spp. fungi are the causal agents in scab.  These fungi over-winter on crop residue such as cornstalks, wheat stubble, and grass residue.  Corn, in particular, is readily colonized by these fungi.  These fungi actually help break down the stalks.  We have seen scab be quite severe when wheat follows corn in a rotation.

            The scab spores produced on the residue are blown by the wind to the wheat heads where germination and infection of the seed head takes place during warm, moist weather.  Infections are most numerous and serious during flowering.

            Heading occurs when the last internode, which supports the head, pushes the head out of the flag leaf collar.  Generally, flowering in wheat begins three to four days after the head emerges.  Flowering begins from about the middle section of the main stem head and progresses to the top and bottom of the head.  Flowering is complete within a few days.

             Timing of application is everything when it comes to the control of scab.  To be most effective in controlling scab, fungicides must be applied at the beginning of flowering.  This means that once the wheat starts heading, you have three to four days to get a fungicide applied so it is on at flowering.

            Each producer will have to make their own decision whether to treat or not to treat for scab control.  A big part of that decision will depend on what the weather is like at the time of heading and whether your variety is resistant or susceptible to scab.  Remember, that wet and humid weather conditions are favorable for wheat to be infected with scab.

            For more information please feel free to contact me at the Turner County Extension Office at (605) 297-3112.

May 28, 2009

Is anyone else in disbelief that it is June already?  If you are anything like me, you are probably wondering what happened to the month of May.  I know May was here but man it sure went by fast!  May is always a busy month for my family as we have hedges, hedges, and more hedges to trim, a garden to plant, and flower beds to work with.  And I can’t forget about a 3 ½ year old little boy and a 1 ½ year old little girl who both love being and playing outside. 

I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours we have logged on the swing, slide, or rock wall at the park.  Or the amount of time and miles we have walked with the stroller and wagon while Benjamin rides his bike.  With all this outside time I am sure exhausted by the end of the night!

If you are like me lately, you have been enjoying the warm spring evenings outdoors.  In case you have not noticed or seen them moving around mosquitoes and ticks are out.  Remember that you still must take precautions against mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus. 

The most effective way to prevent mosquito bites is with the use of a combination of products both applied to the skin and to our clothing.  We can treat our clothing?  Yes, you can treat your clothing and even your shoes with Permethrin.   Permethrin provides long-lasting protection.  You must apply Permethrin to clothing and shoes and allow it to dry for a minimum of two hours before wearing.  REMEMBER, Permethrin should not be directly applied to the skin—it can only be used on clothing. 

Mosquito repellents:  DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 can be applied on the skin while permethrin can only be applied to clothing.  DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 repels mosquitoes while permethrin actually kills mosquitoes on contact.  For those of you who are looking to protect yourself from ticks remember that basically any product that is used for mosquito control will also work for controlling ticks

South Dakota research of mosquitoes has found that the most critical time for becoming infected with West Nile Virus is mid-July through mid-September.  The Culex tarsalis is the species of mosquito most responsible for transmitting West Nile Virus in South Dakota and this is the time when they are most active. 

The South Dakota Department of Health recommends the following personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of WNV:

·       Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.

·       Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt to limit mosquito exposure.

·       Limit time outdoors from dusk to midnight when Culex mosquitoes are most active.

·       Eliminate standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed.

·       Support local mosquito control efforts.

Personal precautions are particularly important for the elderly, pregnant women, transplant patients, and people with other underlying medical conditions.  Those with diabetes are also at a higher risk of complications from WNV and should take precautions.  People with a severe or unusual headache should see their physician. 

             As homeowners you can consider the use of residual treatments – applying pesticides to shrubs, tall grass, siding, eaves, and other areas where resting mosquitoes are likely to come in contact with the pesticide.  The most effective mosquito control is controlling the mosquito larvae with the use of larvicides.  Homeowners can also refer to SDSU Extension Fact Sheet FS923, “Controlling Mosquitoes Around the Home and Yard,” available online in pdf format at http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/FS923.pdf or ask for it at your county Extension Office.

For more information about West Nile Virus and personal repellents refer to SDSU Extension Fact Sheet 920, “Personal Mosquito Repellents” online at http://agbiopubs.sdstate.edu/articles/FS920.pdf or ask for it at your local Extension Office.

Whether we want to accept it or not, West Nile Virus is here to stay in South Dakota.  For more information about West Nile Virus visit the SDSU Cooperative Extension Service at http://sdces.sdstate.edu/westnile/ or visit the South Dakota Department of Health at http://westnile.sd.gov.  As always, feel free to contact me at the Turner County Extension Office at (605) 297-3112 for more information.

News Release

From Connie Strunk, Turner County Extension Office

May 22, 2009

Does Your Sprayer Need A Tune-Up?

            The SD Cooperative Extension Service will host a Sprayer Calibration Clinic, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2^nd at the Southeast Research Farm, Beresford, S.D.  Proper calibration of sprayer equipment is essential to ensure both adequate coverage of offending weeds and to avoid over-application, which wastes money and may harm the environment.

            The clinic is free, and offers hands-on experience calibrating a sprayer and an opportunity to interact with technical specialists.  For questions, contact Connie Strunk at the Turner County Extension Office at (605) 297-3112. 

May 21, 2009

As farmers are busy with spring planting, tillage, fertilizing, and weed control; extension educators, specialists, and researchers are making preparations for their upcoming field research.  I will be continuing my work with evaluating the soybean aphid resistance gene in soybeans.  Instead of being on-farm, this study has been moved to the Southeast Research Farm in Beresford, S.D. so this study can be incorporated into field schools and crop tours. 

An opportunity that is available to soybean growers in the state of South Dakota is to be part of the soybean aphid parasitoid release project.  Last year there were about 62 releases in six Midwestern states during the 2008 summer.  Turner County was one of 10 release sites in South Dakota.

Based on the Environmental Assessment Study, Binodoxys communis, soybean aphid parasitoid wasps were permitted by the USDA to be released starting in 2007.  In order to be released the parasitoids must not go off target (the target in this case are soybean aphids).  The only insects that it attacks are soybean aphids.

How big are parasitoids and do they sting?  Parasitoids are very small insects, about the size of this comma, and are biologically incapable of stinging or biting people.  Furthermore, parasitoids seldom stray far from the habitats of their host insects.  The soybean aphid parasitoid (Binodoxys communis) is about the size of a gnat and is biologically incapable of stinging or biting people.

A parasitoid reproduces by laying her egg into the aphid body. The egg hatches into a larva which feeds inside the aphid.  Eventually the larva enters a developmental stage called a pupa, as it undergoes the transformation to an adult. The aphid dies and forms a protective shell around the developing parasitoid pupa (a “mummy”). The adult exits the mummy, leaving the shell of the aphid mummy behind. 

So why is this parasitoid important?  The Binodoxys communis (soybean aphid parasitoid) is a natural enemy to the soybean aphid.  Natural enemies are predators, parasites, and diseases that prey on a pest (in this case, soybean aphids).  Predation reduces aphid numbers (slows their overall growth).  If predator numbers are high, they can help prevent aphid outbreaks (in good years).  Depending on your predator numbers and the year, you may be able to avoid treating for soybean aphids thus saving some production cost.  Insecticide use, when not needed, can knock out natural enemies, which are your first line of defense against aphid outbreaks.

So how does the Binodoxys communis work?  A parasitoid reproduces by laying her egg into the aphid body. The egg hatches into a larva which feeds inside the aphid.  Eventually the larva enters a developmental stage called a pupa, as it undergoes the transformation to an adult. The aphid dies and forms a protective shell around the developing parasitoid pupa (a “mummy”). The adult exits the mummy, leaving the shell of the aphid mummy behind.  This parasitoid is specialized to prey on soybean aphids (concentrates only on this pest) and is incapable of attacking other types of insects. 

What did we learn from the 2008 release in Turner County?  We introduced 337 parasitoid mummies the week of July 28, 2008 into cages with soybean aphids.  The numbers were allowed to build up and then the cages were removed to release the parasitoids.  We removed the cages during the week of the Turner County Fair and found between 0 and 14 mummies per plant in the cage upon removal.  We counted the 16 plants surrounding the cage borders between August 28 and September 8, 2008 and found a total of 23 mummies on the plants.

            We hope that they establish in the area and that the populations slowly grow and spread over time.  It may take several years to make these aphid-killers a permanent part of the soybean ecosystem.  If the soybean aphid parasitoids become established, they will work for free but this will not eliminate the need for soybean aphid monitoring and treatment, but may reduce the amount of treatments made.  We will do follow-up monitoring this summer to release sites made in 2008.

For additional information about this soybean aphid parasitoid release project contact Kelley Tilmon by email at Kelley.Tilmon@sdstate.edu or for more information about soybean aphid biological control visit www.entomology.wisc.edu/sabc/.  This biological opportunity is open to all soybean producers in the state of South Dakota.  

For more information please feel free to contact me at the Turner County Extension Office at (605) 297-3112.  Your help with on-farm research is greatly appreciated! 

For your information:  A Hands-on Sprayer Tune-up Clinic is scheduled for June 2, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Southeast Research Farm in Beresford, S. D. 

            I called it “Bugs and Slugs”.  Mike Catangui, SDSU Entomologist, taught the Master Gardener class on Insects.  You might be familiar with Mike, as he is a regular on Garden Line.  Garden Line is a great television show that covers all kinds of horticulture issues and is shown on PBS every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.  If you have never watched that show before, I would recommend it.  Since it is a weekly show, it covers topics that are timely for gardeners and landowners in South Dakota.

            Mike showed us numerous pictures of critters that grow in South Dakota.  We had a good discussion debating if they were “good bugs” or “bad bugs”. Of course, insects have a very short life span, and they can be “good” in one stage, and “bad” in a different stage of development.  We spent considerable time discussing the emerald ash borer.  This insect has the potential to wipe out ash trees in the state.  So far, it has been detected in Minnesota, but not yet in our state.

            Onto a different subject – I want to talk a little bit about the cost of fruits and vegetables.  Are they too expensive for you to purchase on a regular basis?  Do you skip over that aisle at the grocery store?  Let’s reconsider.  Although the price of many food items including fruits and vegetables are on the rise, there are still bargains in the produce section as well as in the canned, frozen, dried and juice aisles.  People are coping by eating at home more often, and learning to prepare new recipes.

            Generally, the cost of a serving of fruits and vegetables will be similar t, and often even less than the cost of a snack food.  For instance, the cost of 1 ounce of chips (who stops with 1 ounce?) is 28 cents.  Compare that ½ cup of carrot sticks for about 16 cents, or a medium naval orange for about 35-40 cents. 

            For more comparisons, look at 1 pound of cookies, 1 pound of chips, 2 liters of soda, and ½ gallon of ice cream is going to cost you $13.00.  Two pounds of apples, 2 pounds of oranges, 1 pound of bananas, 2 pounds of potatoes, 1 pound of broccoli, 1 pound of cabbage, 1 pound of carrots, and 1 pound of romaine lettuce is going to cost you $13.38.  Which one of these is a true nutritional bargain? 

            When planning and shopping for groceries, keep an open mind to new ways to prepare food.  There are inexpensive healthy options, like carrots and cabbage, which are available all year long.  Otherwise, buy the in-season fruits and vegetables to get the best price and the best taste.  During the rest of the year, take advantage of all the other forms – such as canned, frozen, dried, or juice.  Information taken from South Dakota Team Nutrition newsletter.

            This is the time of the year when I have to show a lot of restraint.  I make my daily trip outside to poke around my perennials to see what is greening up.  With warm temperatures and spring optimism, I want to pull off the old leaves and mulch that have been protecting them from the elements.  However, I know better and try to muster up enough restraint to just leave them be a little longer.  I have to satisfy myself with finding the new growth and then hiding it again for just a little longer.  If you can’t remember, last year’s final blizzard was on April 25^th. 

            My new venture for this year is the Master Gardener’s class.  I have wanted to try that class for many years now, and I guess the time is right. I have always loved to play in the dirt so now I will learn the right way of doing things, rather than the way things seem to happen at my house.  I start that class tomorrow in Sioux Falls.  I don’t know if I will ever be a “Master Gardener” but I am going to have fun trying.  I will try to report back on my experiences.

            I anticipate I will meet other class members with much more horticulture knowledge than I have.  I have always prided myself on being able to grow a pretty good salsa garden.  However, for a few years, I had a neighbor that could put my garden to shame.  He eventually moved on, and now my garden looks better again. 

            You might wonder why a Family and Consumer Science Educator is taking the Master Gardener class.  In my mind, I find it hard to separate the two areas.  With all of the work I do with food preservation, I see a direct link between growing the tomatoes and putting them in a jar.  I get questions every year about what kinds of tomatoes are best for salsa, or what kind of cucumbers make the best pickles. 

            I find this even more important with the challenging economy.  Every household is trying to stretch their grocery budget, and I think gardening is a great way to start.  According to the Burpee seed catalog, a well-planned garden will result in a 1 to 25 cost-savings ratio, meaning $50 in seeds and fertilizer can produce $1,250 worth of groceries purchased at a supermarket. And all you need is a small, sunny plot to enjoy these big savings.  I think some hard work is also a key ingredient.  But it emphasizes my point of gardening is a great way to feed your family on less money. 

            I want to report back to you about my first session of the Master Gardener class.  The group met last Friday at the Minnehaha County Extension Office.  I was pleasantly surprised to find about 30 people had signed up for the class.  The class was originally supposed to be at the Southeast Research Farm in the Centerville/Beresford area, but was cancelled there because not enough people signed up.  The class was relocated to Sioux Falls and drew participants from a large area of southeast South Dakota.  While visiting with the others during lunch, it was fun to note that everyone had their own favorite part of playing in the dirt.  Some liked trees and shrubs, some liked perennials, some liked vegetable gardens – you get the picture.  Making the outdoors a more beautiful place was the common bond for all.

            Our first session was like a step back in time.  Cynthia Bergman, Horticulture Educator from Yankton County, taught Botany Basics.  We discussed things that I hadn’t thought about since high school biology class.  I guess the parts of the plant or how plants are classified in the world of biology haven’t changed, but it was definitely a reminder of how much I don’t know. 

            In the afternoon, we studied soils and fertilizers.  I’ve always had lots of questions about the numbers on fertilizers or plant food.  We learned how to interpret the 10-10-10 and the 12-0-12.  I had already heard Cynthia’s lesson about composting at the Greenscaping program in Viborg.  She takes the mystery out of the composting formula by turning it into the greens vs. the browns.  If the compost pile smells, you need to add more brown.  Several good questions from the group came up about on the topic of organic versus the use of chemicals.  I certainly don’t have all the answers to that, but I appreciated the questions because they give you things to ponder over during the week.

I now know why blueberries and pin oak trees won’t grow in this area – it’s all about the acid in the soil.

            I did learn why not to believe in every gardening book that is written, as most are written for the east or west coast and not for us in South Dakota.  I guess that is one more reason to rely on Extension publications because they provide research-based information pertinent to our growing conditions.  Have a good week – and keep watching for the asparagus to appear.  That is a treat only May can bring.

            As I listen to the rain this morning, I can only think of the May flowers that this April shower will bring.  The weather is warm enough to be optimistic of an upcoming growing season, but still cool enough that the furnace runs. That sounds like a South Dakota spring to me.

            I enjoyed Week 2 of Master Gardener training.  Most of the crew from Week 1 returned so I guess they didn’t get scared away, and we even gained a few new faces.  Chris Zdorovtsov, the Horticulture Educator from Minnehaha County spoke on turf.  Prior to that day, I always thought the green stuff in my yard was my lawn, now I know it is “turf”.  I had also looked at it in one of two ways – needs to be mowed, or was just mowed.  Chris explained how to seed new turf, general maintenance of existing turf, and troubleshooting problems.  She explained different types of grass seed for different uses.  I was impressed with the Buffalo grass that is used in hot and dry areas.  It doesn’t take much water, or require much mowing, but the green-time of this turf is limited.  It will not work for every home-owner, but it has its place.  Some Buffalo grass has been planted by the Outdoor Campus parking lot in Sioux Falls if you want to look at it.

            In the afternoon, we listened to Larry Osborne, SDSU Plant Pathologist, talk about plant diseases.  I entered the room at 5’3” tall. I must have been much shorter when I left, because it seemed a lot of information was going over the top of my head.  Bacteria, fungus, or virus – oh my!  Larry has a wealth of knowledge and was fun to listen to.  But let’s just say that I’m going to have to read those chapters again and thank goodness for pictures.

            On a different note, I want to mention one thing about the swine flu.  Information is breaking as I type about the progress of this disease.  With all of the uncertainties, there is one thing that is certain.  You must become diligent about washing your hands!  With all pathogens in the plant and animal world, your best defense is good hand washing.  Remember to use soap with warm, running water.  Friction is essential so rub your hands together for 15-20 seconds and then let the running water rinse it all away.  Dry your hands with a paper towel.  Keep the paper towel in your hand to shut the water faucet off and to open the door of the rest room.  Then throw the towel away.  Remind all family members of the importance of good personal hygiene habits.

            It was another good day at the Master Gardener class.  Again, the subject material for the day was information that I was familiar with.  It always helps to speak the same language with the instructors.  Chris Zdorovtsov, Horticulture Educator from Minnehaha County, started the morning with vegetable production.  I have always had a small vegetable garden, but I continue to look for ways to improve my efforts.  The main idea that I took back from the morning session was the importance of rotating crops – even in the smallest gardens.   Garden pests and disease are easier to control if you do not grow the same crops in the same areas.  So even if you are planting just a few tomato and cucumber plants, rotate them for better success.  Some of the other members in the class experiment more with different varieties of vegetables, but I usually rely on the tried and true. 

            We discussed the differences between heirloom plants versus hybrid plants.  There are advantages and disadvantages of each.  Generally speaking, the heirloom varieties are known for better flavor and their seeds are saved from year to year.   Hybrid plants are more disease resistant, the fruit or vegetable is more consistently shaped, and their seeds cannot be saved.  

            Rhoda Burrows, SDSU Horticulture Specialist, taught the afternoon session on fruit production.  I have one apple tree, one grape vine, and two raspberry bushes – so I guess I qualify for fruit production.  I didn’t know anything about growing any of these plants when I planted them, so I guess my harvests have been the result of dumb luck rather than training and experience.  I learned that grape vines should be planted in the worst soil you have – I manage to get a few batches of grape jelly every year, so I must have done something right.  I was very interested in all the berries that can be grown in different parts of South Dakota.  Rhoda talked about what a nutritional wealth they are – I wish I had more room to try growing more berries.     

            The discussions continued on chemical usage versus organic production.  I find it interesting to hear all the different solutions there are for garden problems.  It is evident that there is more than one way to handle bugs and weeds.

            For those of you that are lucky enough to have extra asparagus, you might want to try freezing it.

1. Select young tender spears. Wash thoroughly and sort into like sizes.
2. Trim ends and peel or use the “break method” described above. Cut spears into even lengths to fit freezer bags or freezer containers.
3. Water blanch small spears 2 minutes, medium spears 3 minutes and large spears 4 minutes.
4. Remove from blanching water and immediately immerse in ice water for 5 minutes to cool. Drain slightly.
5. Package, leaving no headspace, seal, label, date and freeze at zero degrees or below for up to one year.