Yard & Garden Line News Volume 7 Number 4                                                               April 1, 2005

Features this issue: ROC on the Prairie Hibiscus for Homes and Gardens Barring Barberry Making Insect Predictions For 2005 Deb Brown Retires Early April Garden Calendar Editorial Notes

ROC on the Prairie
Pauline Nickel, Southwest Research and Outreach Center Head

Photo Credits: SWROC

Keeping agriculture and communities strong in southwestern Minnesota has been the primary role of the Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC), Lamberton, since its inception over 40 years ago. Research at the Center has had a broad and positive impact on agriculture in the region and across the state. Outreach programs, delivered by either researchers or Extension Educators, have connected people to the research and the knowledge that has emerged.

SWROC is geographically situated in an area of ecological transition, with quality agricultural land and remnant prairies. It is uniquely position to be involved with citizens, families, agriculture and rural communities. As needs in these areas evolve, work is done to meet new challenges and address specific concerns.

Today the Center's research and outreach programs are focused on finding the best options for production agriculture while concurrently addressing environmental concerns. Environmental concerns have come to the forefront and have become a relevant driving force that affects production. An extensive range of ongoing research incorporates knowledge of efficient agricultural systems that are also economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. At the same time, the Center constantly strives to support communities through strong K-12 and family education.

SWROC is one of six University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Center's strategically located throughout Minnesota. It is a key unit of the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences (COAFES). As a resource for southwestern Minnesota, the Center has strong ties to the other Centers and numerous COAFES departments, as well as other colleges within the University of Minnesota.

Drainage ditch research
SWROC is leading the way for obtaining and recording statistical information about runoff. A drainage ditch study, begun in 2002, is producing valuable data that will be used to determine how conditions within a ditch affect drainage rates, how nutrient and sediment travel through a ditch and what the level of biological activity is within a ditch.

Four 650-foot ditches comprising two side-by-side channels and two overflow channels were constructed from a former grass waterway on the SWROC site. A larger, more realistic-sized ditch area, which will complement the smaller-scale ditches, is being developed about 10 miles south and west of the research facility in Murray and Cottonwood counties.

These ditches are a logical place to capture information before the water and resources drain into river systems, which allows researchers to make solid recommendations about ditch design and management techniques that best help control water flow, nutrient runoff and sediment loss.

Iron-Deficiency chlorosis research
Iron-deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is being studied in plots at several different southwestern Minnesota locations organized by SWROC. IDC, an iron-related deficiency sometimes referred to as iron chlorosis, can cause stunted, yellow-looking, lower yielding plants, even in soybeans that look promising on normal soils.

Information about soil pH, salt levels and available iron is collected and analyzed for any relationship to chlorosis symptoms.

The data collected each year is used to make breeding program decisions. Varieties that consistently score above the program standards for chlorosis tolerance become larger components in the next year of plant breeding and testing. Altogether, the breeding program is generating data from 28,000 soybean plots and about 2,000 different soybean breeding lines each year.

Prairie restoration presents research and educational opportunities
A 30-acre site near the Cottonwood River on SWROC property has been identified as an area ideally suited for prairie restoration. The area contains several diverse habitats in one location - ponds, hillside wetlands, native plant diversity and prairie grasses.

SWROC is committed to developing this area as a native prairie ecology site for education and research. Plans and processes for restoring the land to its native habitat are being thoroughly laid out by a team of experts in the field of environmental science.

The scope of SWROC's vision ranges from programs for K-12, to classes for undergraduates, to seminars for master gardeners, teachers and interested agencies. With SWROC facilities within close proximity of the prairie site, SWROC has a real "diamond in the rough" that will soon show many people what the land and the environment was like a long time ago and serve as an outdoor laboratory for the study of environmental science.

Restoration of the prairie site at SWROC opens up many avenues for new research initiatives. The site requires a burn to help invigorate native prairie species, plants, animals and microbes and to reduce the abundance of woody invasive species. As the process is repeated in coming years, SWROC researchers will have the opportunity to study the timing and effects of controlled burning.

Integrated Pest Management Efforts
In recent years, Minnesota farmers have witnessed an increase in the variety and severity of insect problems that affect their crop yields. With help from favorable climate conditions, they have adapted to many agricultural processes and become more resistant to conventional management practices like crop rotation. The annoying presence of these plant pests is what keeps Integrated Pest Management (IPM) researchers busy.

Pesticide-based pest control is still a popular choice, but there is broad interest in biologically intensive control techniques. IPM research at SWROC also looks at preventive cultural methods such as variety selection, planting dates and crop rotation.

The IPM experiments conducted at SWROC are leading to valuable conclusions based on a tremendous amount of historical data and sensitivity to the particular geographical conditions in southwestern Minnesota. As a result, many producers, industry experts and agricultural agencies consistently turn to SWROC for resourceful and insightful knowledge that will help them deal with their pest management issues.

Working the mechanics of organics
The Elwell Agroecology Farm (EAF), situated on 160 acres at SWROC, has a 30-plus year history of minimal chemical inputs and limited tile drainage. Nearly 120 acres of the parcel are certified organic, the largest amount for any national research institution. The unique characteristics of the Elwell Agroecology land offer researchers, farmers and others interested in alternative farming systems an unparalleled opportunity to identify and understand the best organic farming practices.

Current studies on the EAF acres include organic Canada thistle management, the reduction of weed populations through improved crop rotations and cover crops, compost and manure management that maintains soil fertility and cropping system effects on tile drainage outputs. SWROC's organic farming research is concerned about enhancing profitability with proven low-cost methods to manage soil, water and nutrient management. The continuing research on the EAF acres provides great support to those who chose a different path in order to be active and viable producers.

SWROC's organic farming research is concerned about enhancing profitability with proven low-cost methods to manage soil, water and nutrient management. The continuing research on the EAF acres provides great support to those who chose a different path in order to be active and viable producers.

From the beginning
Crops research has been a major emphasis at SWROC since the early days. Current areas of research include a great variety of crops including corn, soybeans, oats, alfalfa, wheat, sorghum, sunflower, amaranth and rye.

Each year, SWROC researchers and staff conduct over 60 experiments to determine top variety performance, maturation rates, as well as herbicide and pesticide efficacy. Trials factor in row spacing, plant populations, planting dates, climate conditions, soil health and fertility applications.

Each experiment is set up by a team of SWROC researchers, research technicians and other University faculty. Weeks of planning take into account necessary acreage, equipment and personnel. Vigilant monitoring ensures that trials are carried out with all necessary provisions. SWROC has an extensive and valuable database of soil and field information, which allows for judicious comparisons and precise analysis of each experiment.

These long-term, ongoing research studies offer particular insight into the beneficial aspects of crop rotation, repeated nutrient applications (including manure and organic wastes), drainage systems and climate monitoring. Additionally, these on-going trials can be readily adapted to obtain information on developing problems such as pest or weather interactions. Because of this relevant, unbiased scientific research at SWROC, farmers in southwestern Minnesota, as well as other locations, are able to make rational and informed management decisions year after year.

Horticulture Day draws garden enthusiasts
Horticulture Day at SWROC is held early each April. Annually, Master Gardeners, nursery and greenhouse operators and others interested in gardening attend the event.

The program for Horticulture Day covers many basic aspects of gardening, as well as the latest developments in landscaping and gardening maintenance. Topics range from starting seeds indoors to creating a water garden.

Other garden-related topics that have been have presented include organic vegetable gardening, fruit production, bird watching, butterfly gardens, houseplants, and ethnic gardens.

Horticulture Day is an educational program that gives novice and Master Gardeners an opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy the natural world through gardening.

Ag & U gets real with resources and training
Ag & U started with the vision of educating a new generation of citizens to be aware and appreciative of agriculture's role in society. SWROC and a generous and dedicated network of educational institutions, private agencies, agricultural industry organizations and producers themselves developed this unique and ground-breaking program.

Ag & U offers professional development opportunities for current and future K-12 educators. It utilizes innovative, proven and effective K-12 instructional strategies for teaching concepts related to the food system. A cross-disciplinary approach connects education professionals to science-based resources that support increasing agricultural literacy at the student level.

The goal of the Ag & U program is to connect with teachers and give them the resources and training to be able to use a variety curriculum formats that convey the importance and extent of agriculture in people's lives.

Yearly, Ag & U specialist trains over 1000 educators working in classrooms and community organizations. The Ag & U curriculum is also reaching between 800 and 900 students studying and training to become K-12 teachers.

As the program grows, it is inevitable that knowledge and understanding about the agricultural industry will be embedded in K-12 curriculum throughout Minnesota. Classroom teachers will have the resources to show how agricultural impacts food supplies, natural ecosystems and economic variables. And a new generation of citizens, knowledgeable and respectful of agriculture, will emerge.

Research - rain or shine

	SWROC is equipped with a United States Weather Bureau recording station. Researchers and assistants measure and record the following for distribution to the National Weather Service, researchers, producers, and local media:
	-minimum and maximum air temperatures -soil temperatures -precipitation amounts -pan evaluation levels	-solar radiation -wind speed -wind direction -frost depths

Hibiscus for Homes and Gardens
Deborah Brown, Extension Horticulturist

'Baboo' hibiscus Photo credit: Gilbert Farms

Tropical hibiscus most familiar
Most hibiscus lovers buy large pots of the brightly blooming plants each May, then use them to provide instant color on patios, decks, or balconies. As long as they get plenty of sunlight, these tropical plants are more than obliging, pumping out scores of new flowers all summer long. Each blossom lasts only one day, but so many open at the same time the plants rarely disappoint – unless they're overtaken by spider mites, their chief nemesis.

At summer's end these hibiscuses are abandoned to frost or in some cases, brought indoors to winter over as houseplants. When given a bright, sunny location indoors, most tropical hibiscuses will bloom for a while as larger flower buds developed outdoors continue to mature. But even when they're finished blooming they make attractive houseplants because their dark green foliage is quite handsome. Tropical hibiscuses may begin blooming again indoors as days grow longer in spring. If not, they'll most certainly resume shortly after you put them back outdoors.

Those tropical hibiscuses we are most familiar with are cultivars of Hibiscus rosa sinensis. But when it comes to the hibiscus, there's a well-kept secret: some species are actually winter-hardy in Minnesota gardens – and, they're easy to grow.

Hardy hibiscus

'Mauvelous'' hibiscus Photo credit: Gilbert Farms

Hardy hibiscuses are named cultivars of Hibiscus moscheutos, sometimes called "rose mallow." You'll find them for sale growing in ½ gallon or gallon containers at well-stocked nurseries and garden centers, spring and summer. You can also order plants – and in some cases, seeds – from mail-order catalogs or on-line Internet sources. When grown in perennial gardens and mulched thoroughly each fall, these hibiscuses should prove reliably hardy in the southern half of Minnesota, albeit sprouting two or three weeks later than most hardy perennials each spring.

Showy flowers
In our climate, hardy hibiscus plants don't bloom May through September like their tropical relatives. But once they begin blooming in mid-summer, their blossoms are real show-stoppers. The exotic-looking flowers are enormous – commonly eight to twelve inches across, depending on cultivar. They're available in shades of red, rose, pink, lavender, and white, often with contrasting "eyes" and edges. Some petals are ruffled and some overlap, while others look more like pinwheels. As is true of their tropical relatives, each flower lasts just one day. But once the plants begin blooming, new buds keep opening until frost puts an end to the season.

Until recently flower size, petal form, and brilliant colors have been the primary improvements sought by plant breeders. Currently they're also working to combine those desirable traits with a growth habit that's compact, yet well-branched compared to many of today's plants.

Most cultivars grow three to six feet tall. Because of their height some can be used to create a summer "hedge" or backdrop to other, shorter-statured flowers. They can also be grown as components of a mixed perennial border, valued for their long blooming season. (Noerenberg Gardens on Lake Minnetonka has pink and white petaled hardy hibiscuses scattered throughout their perennial beds as you enter the formal garden area.)

Cultural requirements
Plant hardy hibiscuses in full sun or, lacking that, light shade. In Minnesota gardens they'll grow taller in light shade, and will probably be slower to begin blooming than if they receive six or more hours of direct sunlight daily.

How far apart you space them depends on their function in the garden. If your goal is a row of tall plants, or you want a large mass planting, space hardy hibiscuses about eighteen inches apart. If you prefer bushier, more spreading plants, leave at least three feet between the center of one and the center of the next. To encourage more branching on these bushier plants, pinch an inch back from each growing tip when it's about eight inches long.

While hardy hibiscuses aren't particularly fussy about the soil they grow in, you'll probably achieve the best results when you plant them in a location where the soil contains ample organic matter and moisture. Like most flowering perennials, hardy hibiscuses prefer slightly acidic soil. Working lots of peatmoss into the soil before planting will increase the soil's organic content and ability to hold moisture as well as help acidify it.

Despite the fact that tropical hibiscuses growing in containers need regular fertilizing throughout the growing season, nutrient requirements for hardy hibiscuses are more modest. Fertilize them each spring, as you would other flowering perennials. It isn't necessary to use fertilizer meant specially for acid-loving plants unless your soil pH is quite alkaline. Fertilize again, mid-summer, only if the foliage is lighter green.

Hardy hibiscuses are versatile in their ability to grow under either moist or dry conditions. Though they are quite drought-tolerant once they've become established, they're also capable of growing in soils that are wet enough to be problematic for most flowering perennials. Because of their moisture-tolerance, hibiscuses are a good choice for rain gardens. And they seldom fall prey to disease or insect pests.

In short, hardy hibiscuses are eye-catching, unusual perennials that deserve to be grown more frequently in Minnesota gardens.

Barring Barberry
Janna Beckerman, Extension Plant Pathologist

Common Barberry.

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Common barberry infected with black stem rust.

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Black stem rust life cycle.

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Japanese barberry-not a host Illustrations: Cereal Rust Lab

The common barberry, Berberis vulgaris, was brought to North America by early settlers as a hedge to keep strangers out and small livestock in. This isn't the barberry that most Americans are familiar with: This common barberry has toothed leaves and yellow flowers carried in a long raceme. As a hedge with sharp spines and dense growth, it performed its job admirably, while providing an added bonus of brilliant, red, pie cherry-like fruit that made for excellent sauces, jams, and even wine. In addition to containing small livestock and serving as a source of fruit, a yellow dye was regularly extracted from the bark, and it was used as an herbal remedy for jaundice as well. It is not surprising then, that as the farmer moved west in the 1800's, so did the barberry-and black stem rust.

Black stem rust, caused by the Puccinia graminis, is one of the most important diseases of wheat (it also infects oats, barley, ryegrass, turfgrasses and weedy grasses). Its alternate host is the common barberry, meaning the fungus alternates from cereal/grass to barberry to complete its lifecycle. But even before its westward migration, farmers were well aware that rust was worse near barberry bushes. As early as 1660, laws were enacted to eradicate barberries-more than 200 years before Anton deBary discovered the complex lifecycle of the rust fungus! Barberry laws were recorded in New England from 1726 through 1766. As grain production moved westwards, the laws and understanding of this disease failed to keep pace.

In 1916, a disastrous epidemic of black stem rust resulted in laws against the growing of common barberry in important wheat-producing states. By 1918, a cooperative federal and state program on barberry eradication was started at the urging of Minnesota plant pathologist E.C. Stakman, and barberry eradication successfully broke the rust cycle to prevent outbreaks of black stem rust. In Illinois alone, over 3 million barberry plants were eradicated. In 1919, Federal Quarantine No. 38 was issued to prevent the interstate movement and reestablishment of susceptible barberries, and a federal program was established to test barberry species and cultivars for susceptibility to P. graminis. This enormous task took many years and millions of dollars, but resulted in stable resistance against the existing races of rust. By eliminating susceptible barberry bushes that serve as a source of rust spores that infect cereals each spring, the stem rust fungus is unable to sexually reproduce "children" that could infect the wheat that is resistant to the "parent" population of rust. A single barberry bush can produce over 64 million spores- and 64 million chances to overcome black stem rust resistance.

But what about all the barberry that is present in North American landscapes? At present, black stem resistant cultivars are allowed to be used as ornamentals, with the resistant Japanese barberry (B. thunbergii) (Fig. 4) comprising our most popular cultivars, like 'Crimson Pygmy,' 'Rose Glow,' and 'Golden Nugget.' Introduced from Japan in 1875, Japanese barberry fulfills many of the ornamental purposes of common barberry, having beautiful red, orange, and yellow foliage, and inedible, carmine fruit favored by wildlife, but not people. Japanese barberry has been reported to be invasive in twenty states, but not Minnesota. As an ecological threat, Japanese barberry forms dense stands in forest understories, pastures, and wetlands, where it alters soil pH and fertility.

Although the barberry eradication program ended in the 1970's, work continues to identify which barberries can be grown and which must be quarantined from the north-central states. The USDA and state departments of agriculture cooperate to enforce the quarantine, but reductions in federal monies has resulted in a quarantine that has been unknowingly undermined in recent years. All new barberry varieties proposed for sale must be tested at the Cereal Disease Lab in St. Paul, MN, and certified immune to stem rust before they can be registered for interstate shipments.

However, in my own recent brief perusal of garden catalogs, descriptions of black stem rust susceptible barberry cultivars like 'Fendler's barberry (B. fendleri),' 'Crow barberry (B. empetrifolia),' and 'Hooker's barberry (B. hookerii) make no mention of quarantines, unlike the quarantines surrounding gooseberry or black currants. It may only be a matter of time before a disastrous epidemic, like the one in 1916, occurs and forces people to recognize that we weren't planning our landscapes as much as we are planting problems instead.

For more information on barberry and black stem rust, see the following websites:
The Cereal Disease Lab-Barberry: http://www.cdl.umn.edu/barberry/barberry.html

Barberry Management Program of APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service): http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/barberry/

Making Insect Predictions For 2005
Jeffrey Hahn, Assist. Extension Entomologist

Colorado Potato beetle Photo credit: Jeff Hahn

It's about this time of year that people want entomologists to make insect pest forecasts for the upcoming season. They are particularly interested in such predictions after we experienced an unusual winter. People love to equate lack or abundance of snow fall and extremes in temperatures with general populations of insects.

Although winter weather has a role with insect numbers, it is usually difficult to say exactly what that impact will be. There are also many cases where the winter has had little or no influence on insect populations with spring and summer weather exerting a larger impact. Predicting insect abundance is difficult because there can be a variety of factors that influence populations and it is hard to understand how they interact. Because of the variables involved, there is usually little hard evidence to base predictions so entomologists rely on observations to predict insect trends.

To see what impact, if any, the winter has had on overwintering insects this year, let's review the winter of 2004 - 2005. According to Mark Seely, Extension Meteorologist and Climatologist, central Minnesota and areas in the west experienced less than normal snowfall while areas in the northeast and north central part of the state were very snowy. Temperatures on average were 1 - 4 degrees F. warmer.

Black-legged tick Photo credit: Jeff Hahn

What stands out during this winter are a couple of cold blasts that occurred early in the season. The week before Christmas, Minnesota experienced an arctic snap where temperatures plummeted 15 - 20 degrees F. below average. This was compounded by a lack of a snow cover on the ground. Later in mid-January, we experienced another cold spell when temperatures dropped to a similar level and with only a thin layer of snow in some areas of Minnesota. Will this weather have a major impact on insects in Minnesota? That is a hard question to answer. Certainly in some cases it could but in a lot of instances it probably will not. Even when mortality is fairly high, insect populations are so large that we are not likely to see a noticeable effect.

A good example to discuss is elm bark beetles, i.e. native elm bark beetles (NEEB) and smaller European elm bark beetles (SEEBB). Low temperatures exert a large influence on bark beetles' ability to survive with significant mortality starting around -25o F. However, this winter was generally warm, with only a few instances where temperatures approached -25o F. Temperatures were probably not cold enough to contribute to high mortality of elm bark beetles. What about the lack of snow cover? SEEBB, the predominant species in the southern 1/3 of the state, overwinter primarily under the bark in trees anywhere above ground level so the lack of snow cover will not have any impact on them. On the other hand, NEBB overwinter under bark at the base of trees and are more influenced by snow depth to insulate them from the cold. However, these bark beetles are more common in the northern 2/3 of the state where we experienced heavier snows so low mortality is also expected. Elm bark beetles numbers were already high from last year; expect that trend to continue in 2005.

What about insects that overwinter in the soil or in leaf litter and other debris on the ground. For example, Colorado potato beetles (CPB) spend the winter under leaf litter and other debris. It would be tempting to say that because of the sharp drop in temperatures in December and January that overwintering CPB were more susceptible to mortality. However in areas with sufficient snow, they were probably well insulated and generally survived the cold. Perhaps there was higher mortality in areas where snow was sparse. But even then CPB typically seeks shelter around tree lines where they are better protected and not in open fields where they would be more susceptible to the elements. This will probably result in average survival.

Yellowjacket nest. Photo credit: Jeff Hahn

Regardless to what degree the winter impacts surviving populations, the weather during spring and summer can always influence insects. For example, European corn borers require temperatures at 55o F or warmer to successfully mate during early June. There have been several years recently when temperatures were unseasonably cool at that time which significantly slowed their mating and egg laying. Of course it is important how long the cool weather lasts at this critical time. Unless it is prolonged, it probably will not have an significant effect on insects.

Precipitation can influence populations. In the case of blacklegged ticks (formerly called deer ticks), they are susceptible to dry conditions. We will generally see smaller numbers of blacklegged ticks during seasons of dry weather. Conversely, American dog ticks (commonly called wood ticks) are less susceptible to such conditions and their numbers are not as negatively impacted. However, tick numbers can also be influenced by other factors, such as temperature, favorable environments, and availability of hosts.

Yellowjacket numbers at the end of the summer are largely influenced by the type of weather we experience during spring. When we experience an early warm, dry spring during May and early June, this usually contributes to larger than average yellowjacket numbers. Conversely, cool, wet springs typically lead to average or below average populations.

The abundance of mosquitoes is related to the amount of moisture we receive. When we experience a dry season, expect relatively few mosquitoes and larger numbers when frequent rains fall. This trend can change through the course of the season as well. A few years ago, we had a very wet May and June and mosquitoes were very common. There were predictions of record numbers if that trend continued. But it didn't. The weather became very dry in July and August and mosquito numbers significantly dropped.

MALB Photo credit: Jeff Hahn

There have already been questions on what we can expect from multicolored Asian lady beetles next fall. It is far too soon to make any kind of accurate prediction. The numbers we see will depend the season's temperature moisture and the availability of soybean aphids and other prey. Cool and rainy weather last year as well as a lack of soybean aphids resulted in average lady beetle numbers. Still there were areas with few soybean aphids that experienced high lady beetle numbers. We are still trying to understand what factors are important to determine lady beetle abundance.

It is difficult to predict insect numbers at this time of year. From the examples given here, remember that there are many variables that can influence insect populations during winter, spring and summer. This article just scratched the surface on how complex this can be. In some cases, there are general trends that you can use to reasonably forecast insect numbers but there will always be surprises and unexpected populations of insects that we will see each growing season.

Get the low down on this month's insect pests at Insects http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/EntWeb/Ent.htm

Deb Brown Retires After a career spanning twenty-eight years with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Deb Brown is retiring this April first. She will continue to write for the Star Tribune and appear monthly on MPR radio's Midmorning show. She will no longer contribute to the Yard & Garden News, however. A retirement party will be held for Deb on Sunday, May 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. E-mail Laura Kalisch at lkalisch@umn.edu for reservations and ticket costs.

Early April Garden Calendar

Forsythia and cherry. Photo credit: Beth Jarvis

Lawns:
Raking your lawn now is not required but it can be helpful as you'll not only be removing debris but getting sunshine to the plant. Raking improves aeration and gets the grass growing faster.

Yes, you can seed your lawn now, especially if temperatures continue to be mild and we get just enough rain to moisten the soil, but not make it muddy.

Now is a good time to re-seed shady areas as the seeds will be exposed to more sunlight until trees leaf out. The grass may thin out over the summer.

It's way, way too early for crabgrass killers. Hold off on broadleaf (dandelion) weed control until at least mid-April. Weeds have to be actively growing before they can absorb the herbicide.

Sharpen the blade of your lawn mower and make sure the mower is ready to mow.

Hold off on fertilizing until the soil warms and the grass is not growing.

Seed Starting:
Now is a wonderful time to start seeds for many flower and vegetable garden plants. Many seed packets recommend starting seeds inside 6-8 weeks before moving the plants outside.

Trees/shrubs:
Do *not* prune oak or elm trees now. Wait until October. Oaks may become infected by oak wilt. For a host of information on oak will, visit: http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/OWonestop.html.

For Dutch elm disease information, see: http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/DEDonestop.html

For general information on pruning trees and shrubs see the Extension publication at: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0628.html

Finish pruning mountain ash, hawthorns and shrub cotoneasters by mid April.

Remove winter wrappings from newly planted trees.

Remove stakes if trees have been staked one year or can stand unstaked.

Fruit:
Finish up pruning apple trees now.

If your blueberry bushes are at least 5 years old, they may need to be pruned before growth starts. Remove old wood, weak/broken branches. For info on blueberry care, see: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG3463.html

Leave the mulch on strawberries until you see new growth.

Editorial Notes

Brooklyn Botanical Garden Photo credit: Beth Jarvis

The photo was taken in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden's Japanese Garden in April a couple of years ago.

The 'Garden Salsa' pepper reported on last issue isn't as mild as reported. An avid vegetable gardener and Master Gardener has raised these a number of years and says they can be quite hot. This is a case of the weather affecting the capsaicin production/heat in peppers.

Earlier this week, I spoke with Matt, the maple syrup production supervisor at the Arb. He said this is the worst year in the 15 yrs. he's been doing it. He's gotten no sap.

He blames it on the deep frost in the ground due to our light winter snowfall. Once the frost comes out, we'll need nights below freezing for the sap to start flowing. The latest he's tapped is 4/20.

He advises frustrated maple syrup tappers to leave the taps in a while yet and see what the weather is like. Once the trees start to leaf out, that will be the end of it.

In an upcoming issue, you'll get to meet Katherine Mansfield, the U's enologist. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, enology is a science that deals with wine and wine making, so we'll be discussing the enology work done at the Horticulture research Center in Chaska.

Terry Nennich, Regional Extension Educator-Horticulture, will talk about row covers in an upcoming issue.

Please feel free to cut and paste any of the articles for use in your own newsletters. All we ask is that you give our authors credit.

Back issues Yard & Garden Line News are on the Yard & Garden Line home page at www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/. Deb Brown answers gardening questions on Minnesota Public Radio's (MPR) "Midmorning" program on the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. The program is broadcast on KNOW 91.1 FM, and available state-wide on the MPR news radio stations. (Scroll down for map.)

For plant and insect questions, visit http://www.extension.umn.edu/askmg. Thousands of questions have been answered, so try the search option in the black bar at the top left of the board for the fastest answer.

If you would like to receive an e-mail reminder when the next issue of the Yard & Garden Line News is posted to the web, just send an e-mail to: listserv@lists.umn.edu (note: the second E in listserve is omitted), leave the subject line blank, then in the body of the message, type: sub yglnewslist or to unsubscribe, enter: unsub yglnewslist

Happy gardening!

Beth Jarvis
Yard & Garden Line Project Coordinator


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