Extension NC STATE UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION Summer 2010 Empowering Ggardeners. ardenerHardy Tropicals — Go Bananas Providing ast summer, JC Raulston Arboretum’s Tim dostem) during cold weather is suggested while garden Alderton reintroduced me to the pink vel- the plant is getting established. When growing vet banana, Musa velutina, and piqued my Musa basjoo in Zones 6 and colder, mulch may solutions. L interest in plants that are typically thought of as be helpful even after establishment. tropical but are hardy in at least central North Besides colorful, cold-hardy bananas, Carolina. The pink velvet banana has proven it- another exciting discovery for me has been cold- self hardy as far north as USDA Hardiness Zone tolerant clumping bamboo. I think most of us in this issue 7B. While banana foliage alone is enough to have seen bamboo growing in North Carolina, provide a tropical look in the garden, this plant but many hardy bamboos are of the running C O A S T A L has the added attraction of pink bananas. This type — the ones that people are usually more N E W S isn’t a very tall banana plant, typically reaching concerned with getting rid of than planting. Dr. Rain Barrels and only about 3 to 6 feet tall. Todd Lasseigne, Executive Director of Kerners- Cisterns If you prefer yellow to pink, you might ville’s Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, recently consider the Chinese yellow banana, Musella introduced me to Fargesia rufa ‘Green Panda’. Tomato Problems lasiocarpa. The large yellow flowers of this This cultivar grows to approximately 6 – 8 feet So You Want to be a banana have been described as “lotus-like” and tall and is reported to withstand temperatures Master Gardener? resembling “giant golden artichokes.” This spe- down to -15°F. There are other Fargesia species Lawn Watering cies appears to be as hardy as Musa velutina. and cultivars as well, including Fargesia robusta Q&As Those who live in the coldest areas of North ‘Green Screen’ and Fargesia murieliae ‘New Carolina might consider the textile or Japanese Umbrella’. With Fargesia, the concern in North S T A T E fiber banana, Musa basjoo, which is believed Carolina is more likely to be heat than cold — to be the most cold-hardy banana. It has been they do not fare well in areas with hot, humid N E W S reported to survive in areas colder than those nights. Although information about exactly Hardy Tropicals— found in our state. This species also produces the where the southern limit of production lies is Go Bananas largest banana plant of the three and may grow hard to come by, I offer this caution to those in ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleja to be 10 feet tall or more. North Carolina’s coastal plain: Avoid investing Make Your Land- Although all of these bananas are relatively a lot of money on this bamboo without trying scape Water Wise hardy, mulching around the “trunk” (pseu- some for several years first. The Produce Lady – Mary Helen Ferguson Scale Insects and Ground Pearls Musella lasiocarpa Musa velutina Musa bajoo Extension Gardener Smart Gardening — Rain barrels and cisterns sing a rain barrel or cistern to collect gallon barrel can be filled quite rapidly. Several Urainwater can lower your water bill, help barrels can be linked together if you want to your plants and protect the environment by collect larger volumes of water. reducing runoff. What’s the difference between If you decide on a cistern, it can be placed a rain barrel and a cistern? The size. Rain barrels totally or partly in the ground. A pump (hand, are smaller and installed above-grade, whereas solar or electric) will be needed to use the water. cisterns are larger and can be installed above- or In areas with a high water table, groundwater below-grade. Rain barrels and cisterns can be may cause an empty tank to pop out of the purchased from many sources. You can also ground. When purchasing a tank for inground make your own. A quick Web search pulls up use, make sure it is built for that purpose. In- many sites with instructions and videos. ground tanks are stronger and have extra ribbing Be sure to use a food-grade quality recycled support to keep them from being crushed. New, barrel (55 gallons is a common size). Install a unused 1,000-gallon concrete septic tanks work faucet at the bottom and an overflow pipe near well as cisterns. the top. A screened opening will allow the water If you don’t have gutters, you can still collect Upcoming Events to enter the barrel from the downspout. Elevate rainwater from your roof. A French drain can the rain barrel slightly for easy access to the fau- be placed in the ground along your roof’s drip May 17 cet and improved water flow. Make sure the base line. The pipe from the drain could lead to an Alive at 5 (5 PM) is level and stable. A full barrel is very heavy. You inground cistern. No gutters are needed, plus 1806 SW Goldsboro Street, Wilson may want to tether the barrel in place so it can’t the water is filtered prior to entering the tank. • Guided tour of the Wilson tip over. Check with your termite control company about Botanical Garden. Featured Sizing your system is important. For every cistern or trench placement so that your contract garden: Arboretum (magnolias in bloom). 100 square feet of roof area, a 1-inch rainfall is not voided. will yield about 62 gallons of water. A single 55- — Diana Rashash Plant Sale (6 PM) • Presentation on Bamboo Artwork, Dr. Will Hooker, N.C. State University. Food Production — Tomato problems • 252.237.0113 Bacterial, fungal and viral diseases take a toll ability to take up water and dissolved calcium. May 20 (10 AM – 2 PM) on tomatoes and are difficult to control. Other This could promote blossom-end rot in gardens Pesticide Collection Day problems, however, are caused not by disease that are watered properly. organisms but by cultural practices you can Wilson Agricultural Center, 1806 Cracking appears when a plant has periods of SW Goldsboro Street control. slow growth followed quickly by periods of rapid • 252.237.0113 Blossom-end rot is a common tomato disorder. growth. Several dry days followed by heavy rains It is caused by calcium deficiency and results in can cause these conditions. Consistent watering June 21 (5 PM) decaying, leathery brown areas on the tomato’s is the best way to prevent cracking. July 19 (5 PM) blossom end. One way to prevent blossom-end Catfacing is an enlarged hole or puckering August 16 (5 PM) rot is to add calcium to the soil several months at the blossom end. It may be caused by cold before planting, if the soil has tested low in cal- Alive at 5 weather during growth but is made worse by cium (1 to 2 pounds of gypsum per 100 square 1806 SW Goldsboro Street, Wilson pruning or high nitrogen. Planting at the proper feet). Foliar sprays may help when symptoms • Guided tour of the Wilson time and avoiding too much nitrogen fertilizer first appear. The sprays must be used weekly for Botanical Garden will help to prevent catfacing. an extended period. Follow label directions care- • 252.237.0113 Many home gardens are near turf where weeds fully. Perhaps the most effective way to prevent are controlled using chemicals. Lawn chemicals blossom-end rot is to water tomatoes consis- can drift to the garden, even in very light breez- tently every few days so the soil doesn’t dry out. es. Symptoms that look like diseases are often Mulch helps to keep the soil moist between the result. Use extreme caution when applying watering. Root damage caused by nematodes or lawn chemicals near a vegetable garden. by hoeing around the plants will reduce a plant’s — Shawn Banks Regional News of the Coastal Plain Garden Spot — So you want to be a Master Gardener? Tips ou’ve heard them on gardening questions. Ythe hotline, at farm- Since then, the program ers markets and other has spread to more than local events, answering 30 states as well as other &Tasks gardening and landscap- countries. ing questions. You’ve In North Carolina, Summer Chores seen the demonstration the programs operate at • Water according to plant needs. and educational gardens the county level under Vegetables and newly planted they maintain across the the supervision of the areas may need frequent water- state. You’ve participated county Extension center. ing, while lawns and established in workshops or special Interested individuals plants may need none. events they’ve hosted. must apply and, once • It’s best to mulch in spring, Perhaps your child or selected, complete 4 to 6 but late is better than never. grandchild is involved in months of instruction on Mulching conserves moisture a youth gardening pro- a variety of horticultural and reduces weeds, therefore gram they manage. And subjects. Upon complet- reducing the need for pesticides. you may have thought, “I ing the course and an • Keep warm-season lawns would like to be involved internship, graduates mowed to 1 – 2 inches. Shorter in those projects. How are certified as Exten- lawns need more water. do I become a Master sion Master Gardener • Plant vegetables to extend the Gardener?” Volunteers. Maintaining certification requires season. Beans, beets, Brus- The Extension Master Gardener program volunteering a set number of hours of service sels sprouts and others can be started in 1972 in Washington State, when and continuing education each year.