From the Ground up Harrodsburg, KY 40330 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED (859) 734-4378 March, 2017 Fax: (859) 734-4379

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Harrodsburg, KY PERMIT #72 Mercer County Horticulture Newsletter Mercer County 1007 Lexington RD Mercer County Harrodsburg, KY 40330-9203 1007 Lexington Road From The Ground Up Harrodsburg, KY 40330 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED (859) 734-4378 March, 2017 Fax: (859) 734-4379

What a crazy winter is had been so far! It’s starting to look like March is coming in like a lion and I sure hope it will go out like a lamb! Happy Gardening!

Jessica Bessin Mercer County Extension Agent for Horticulture

Shamrocks

Shamrocks are a member of the Oxalis (wood sorrel) family, which contains more than 300 species. Most of these grow from small bulbs although some have tuberous roots. The distinguishing characteristic is the three rounded or triangular-shaped leaves at the end of delicate stems. Most oxalis plants fold up their leaves at night, hugging them tight to the stems until daylight "wakes them up" again. The familiar St. Patrick's Day variety (Oxalis acetosella) is available at grocery stores this time of year. It has tiny, dark green, triangular leaves and grows to a height of about six inches. This variety hails from Europe, Iceland, and Asia. It is not the official Irish shamrock (Trifolium dubium), which is a yellow-flowered clover or trefoil. That clover is difficult to grow indoors, so nurseries and florists sell Oxalis plants instead. If you are wondering how the shamrock became part of Irish history, there are many explanations. The most popular is that St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, once plucked a shamrock from the grass at his feet to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity to his congregation. St. Patrick's Day, which is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, also heralds the arrival of spring. The shamrock was adopted as a symbol of both this patron saint and the "season of rebirth." So how do you grow shamrocks? Shamrocks like cool air, moist soil (except in their dormant period), and bright light. They do not have an extensive root system, so unlike many plants, actually prefer to be crowded in a pot. However, if the plant dries out too quickly, you may need to move it into a larger pot. Fertilize every two to three weeks while the plant is actively growing or flowering, using regular houseplant fertilizer. Be aware that no matter how much care you give this plant, at times it will look sick and lose its leaves. This dormant period, which occurs two or three times a year, is part of the growing process common to all plants grown from bulbs. During dormancy, stop watering. Let the leaves die back naturally, then remove dead, brown leaves. Place the plant in a cool, dark place while it goes through its dormancy period. Plants generally "sleep" for about three months. New green shoots signal that the plant is waking up and needs to be moved back into the light. To divide your shamrocks, wait until the bulbs reach the end of a dormant cycle. Take them out of the pot, and remove small side bulbs. Then replant, just under the surface, in a mix of potting soil and sand. Place in a non-south facing window. Water, keeping the surface just moist to the touch, until plants become established. Other Oxalis varieties have similar growth NOTICE requirements though many go through a shorter, or no, dormancy period. Depending on the variety, the plant may have Public Notification of Procedure for Filing a Complaint: yellow, white, pink, purple, or red flowers and grow as tall as 10 inches. Leaf color ranges from dark green to deep red. Whether you are giving or getting shamrocks this St. Patrick's Day, there's one more thing to keep in mind. Because these The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, plants go dormant, shamrocks are not suitable for growing with other houseplants in mixed pots or planters. If you get a color, age, religion, gender, disability, or national origin. mixed basket of plants, after the holiday, separate the shamrock from the rest and replant in its own container. Don't To initiate a complaint at the college level, contact Tim West in the Business Office at 859-257-3879. At the wait until the plant turns yellow or sickly looking. By then, its roots will be deeply intertwined with the roots of other University level, Terry Allen and Patty Bender in the UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity plants and will be difficult to transplant. Source: University of Vermont Horticulture (859-257-8927) may be contacted. Additionally, employee or clientele complaints involving any research or extension sponsored program or activity may be directed to the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964). Lawn Care Reminders Mercer County Conservation Office  New yards need to be seeded by late March. Tree Give Away!  By Mid-March you can start applying herbicides to help control broadleaf weeds like chickweed, plantain, Mercer County Conservation District will be conducting its and dandelions. annual spring tree seedling giveaway for all Mercer County landowners. This year the seedlings will include Black  Avoid spring and summer fertilization. This can cause Walnut, Eastern Redbud, Yellow Poplar, White Oak, Southern excessive top growth which can reduce resistance to Red Oak, Chestnut Oak, Pin Oak, Persimmon, Gray Dogwood, drought and heat during the summer. and Rough Leaf Dogwood. The 4,000 seedlings on hand are  Crabgrass pre-emergence herbicides can be applied in one to two years old and will be bagged in small groups. March. A good indicator plant for when crabgrass is Planting instructions will be provided to each individual. The germinating is when the forsythias are blooming. seedling giveaway will begin Wednesday March 22nd at the Mercer County Conservation Office. For more information call  Wait until mid-May to apply white grub control. Will the Warm Weather Hurt My Plants? Linda Lake at 859-734-6889 extension 3 or visit the Mercer  Don’t apply lime unless your lawn needs it. Take a soil This has been a winter of fluctuation in weather. There have been days where we have seen huge swings in the County Conservations Office located at: sample and bring it to the Extension Office for a free temperature. Driving around Mercer County last week I noticed many flowers and trees in full bloom that should still be 227 Morris Dr, Harrodsburg, KY 40330 taking their winter naps. How will plants respond to the warm weather we have had? Madison County Horticulture soil recommendation. agent Amanda Sears explains below. Office hours are 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Lawns: Warm temperatures in winter promote good root growth. However, if temperatures dive too low too quickly, lush top growth will be more likely to die back, but you should expect to see it rebound again in spring. To help your lawn, avoid walking on it when it is wet and until it starts growing again in the spring, and avoid the urge to apply fertilizers in late winter and spring. Ornamental Trees and Shrubs: Plants suited for our area can deal with fluctuations in weather. Many trees and Mark Those Calendars!!! shrubs require a certain amount of cold weather before they will break dormancy. Because of this, they will not bud out at the first sign of warm weather. For trees and shrubs that are not as well adapted to our area, they may require less Mercer County Farmers Market Advertising Committee– March 6th, Mercer Co. Extension Office 6PM cold weather before their dormancy is broken, and may emerge too early. This will lead to a loss of the flowers for this year. But the long term health should not be affected. Fruit Trees and Shrubs and Grapes: As with ornamentals, most types of fruit must have a certain amount of cold Mercer/Boyle Grafting and Pruning Class– March 18th, Mercer County Extension Office 10:00 -3:00 PM weather in order to flower. Because of this, an extreme drop in temperature later in the winter may severely affect the This grafting class will go over nutrition and growing info for apples and pears. In the morning there will be a hands-on buds. This will reduce flowering in spring and consequently the harvest. If you see that the buds are swollen, this means pruning demonstration. In the afternoon lunch will be provided, and grafting will begin. Participants will take home 3 the plant is more vulnerable to cold injury. However, most plants should produce a crop the following year assuming apple trees and a pear tree on dwarf rootstocks which they have grafted, as well as a grafting knife. 15 person limit, $20 winter weather conditions are more favorable. payment secures your spot! Please Call: 859-236-4484. Berries: Mulched strawberries should be fine. Blackberries and raspberries on the other hand may be starting to bud prematurely. This will make them more sensitive to the cold weather. If canes die back, the fruit crop this year will be affected, but the next year’s crop should be fine. Fall fruiting blackberries and raspberries should be expected to Gardening Through the Seasons with Jessica -March 23rd, Mercer County Extension Office produce fruit as normal on new spring growth. Classes are filling up quickly! Call 859-734-4378 to reserve your spot today! Spring Flowering Bulbs: The foliage and flower buds are hardier than you might imagine. Temperature drops into the teens, or even briefly into the single digits should not hurt plants where buds are showing color and are still Farm City Celebration-March 21st, 6 PM encased in the leaves. Cold weather later in the season may be a different story. For example, daffodils in flower are more sensitive to the cold (not the plants themselves, but the flowers). If temperatures drop much below the mid 20s, it See insert for more details. may be best to pick the flowers and any buds showing color and enjoy them indoors. Plants themselves are not usually damaged by the weather and should be expected to bloom normally next season. Fort Harrod Beekeeping Club –March 27th, Mercer County Extension Office 6:30 PM Perennial Flowers: Most perennial flowers should be fine especially if they are protected by a layer of mulch. The mulch helps to moderate soil temperature and mulched soils will likely be cooler than unmulched areas. Premature new growth could be protected by laying some branches over them. A light covering is best; the goal is to lightly shade Hypertufa Planters Class-April 5th, Mercer County Extension Office 2 PM the new growth and soil to help moderate temperatures. Hypertufa is a synthetic version of a real type of rock called tufa, a naturally porous sedimentary rock. Tufa was popular in Vegetable Gardens: Any cover crop planted in late fall should be doing very well. But be on the lookout for insect Europe in the 1800's for use as sinks and troughs for animals. Gardeners later discovered these troughs and sinks made pests that you would not normally have to deal with following colder winters. Be especially vigilant for early season great planters. Tufa rock became harder to find and more expensive, so gardeners developed hypertufa as a way to insect problems and correct them promptly. Early season pests may give rise to greater infestations later in the season. simulate the natural tufa rock. Come out to the Extension Office and learn how to make your own! This class is free and is limited to 10 people. You will get messy! Please RSVP by March 24th, call 859-734-4378 to reserve your spot today!