May 05, 2008 12:34 pm
—
Jacob Weber says he is getting more calls this spring from people asking what they need to do to grow a garden.
Weber is Kansas State University’s Extension horticulturist in Southeast Kansas.
His advice is to start small in an area with ample sunlight. Sure, it can be fun to work your land in the spring and eyes are often bigger than the willingness to fight weeds in the heat of summer.
“Anytime you break the soil you provide an opportunity for weeds and soil erosion,” he said.
When it comes to tools, think simple.
“The hoe has been around for thousands of years and it still works today and still runs on elbow grease. Do not chop with a hoe, but scrape the soil just under the surface,” Weber said.
Another useful tool could be a push cultivator with a big wheel in front.
Some questions answered at county extension centers:
Q: How can I control hornets?
A: Place Sevin dust on the ground around the entrance to the nest. Apply the dust at night. Use a red filter over a flashlight for vision. Bees and wasps cannot see red light but are attracted to a normal flashlight beam.
Q: Is pollen on White Buckeye (Texas Buckeye) fatal to honey bees?
A: The plant is considered poisonous but flowers must be pollinated by insects. It is native to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Q: How can I control dandelions?
A: One method is a herbicide labeled for such use.
Q: What are the purple flowers in my yard?
A: Henbit and dead nettle, which are controlled with a broadleaf herbicide or pulled.
Q: What controls clover and wild violets in lawns?
A: A herbicide with triclopyr as the active ingredient.
Q: Is MaxQ fescue safe for horses to eat?
A: There are no indications of any problems.
Q: How long after a cow has a calf before she is ready to breed?
A: Normally it is about 40 days, but there are exceptions.
Q: Will ladino clover kill a horse?
A: Probably not but it can cause bloat and kill cattle.
Q: Are wild cherry leaves dangerous to cattle this time of year?
A: Yes.
Q: Is this a good time to treat spring-born calves for worms?
A: A better time is in late June or early July after they are exposed to more internal worms. Worm control can add up to 20 pounds to calf weaning weight.
Q: Is cockscomb, an ornamental flower, poisonous to cattle?
A: No evidence has been found to show it is toxic to cattle.
Telephone numbers of area county extension centers:
Barton (417) 682-3579
Cherokee (620) 429-3849
Crawford (620) 724-8233
Jasper (417) 358-2158
Lawrence (417) 466-3102
McDonald (417) 223-4775
Newton (417) 455-9500
Ottawa (918) 542-1688
Vernon (417) 448-2560
Address correspondence to Mike Surbrugg, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, Mo. 64802 or e-mail msurbrugg@joplinglobe.com.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
