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One
thing of note is the plant development. Even last fall we had
flowers and shrubs blooming. It even seems like the maple trees have
had the buds swelled and ready to go since about Thanksgiving. We
can’t really do anything about flowers and shrubs "getting
out of sync," but we can help prevent other problems from
occurring.
Any
extra growth by plants takes energy. This can be either vegetative
or reproductive growth (leaves or flowers). Each time something
grows it takes energy. The simplest way to help plants get over this
energy loss is to keep them in good growing condition. Proper
fertilizer and watering go a long way to accomplish this. In the
case of evergreens (including the broadleaf evergreens such as
holly, azaleas and rhododendrons) watering anytime during the winter
when soils aren’t frozen is also a good idea.
Most
plants would do well with about an inch of water per week. This
would be the ideal. Most of the time, there is a surplus of water in
the soil that can be used by plants when it doesn’t rain. This
fall and winter there really hasn’t been much. This can lead to
evergreens having brown needles or leaves. The plants basically lose
more water than they can take up. Strong winds compound these
problems. The simple solution is to run the hose or sprinkler when
you can. Mulches to help prevent evaporation will also help. Use of
an anti-transpirant or wind blocks will also keep needles or leaves
from losing so much moisture.
When
it comes to fertility, the rule of thumb is to apply about 15 pounds
of 10-10-10 per 1,000 square feet of garden area to flowers,
vegetables, trees, etc. Some literature says to limit applications
to 10 pounds in areas where there is grass to avoid burning the
grass. Don’t apply fertilizer at this time. It might actually spur
growth. Fertilize during active growth periods such as May and
August. If you have a soil test, you may fertilize according to
needed nutrients.
Hopefully
these tips will help you preserve valued landscape plantings. Please
call the Extension office if you need further information.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Master
Gardeners graduate
The
first class of Master Gardeners has had its first graduates. Master
Gardeners undergo intensive training in various horticultural
topics, pass a detailed exam, then volunteer 60 hours of service
time to the community in horticultural education. Those completing
service and now certified as Master Gardeners are Bob Graue, Russel
Allen, Wilma Clark, Dorris Morris, Dr. David Kvitle, Mary Moore,
Lisa Wrage and Pat Cooper.
A
second Master Gardener training session will be this fall in
Lincoln. To receive information, please contact Don Miller at the
Extension office at millerd@mail.aces.uiuc.edu.
More information on the program is available on the website at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/.
[John
Fulton]
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A
proper windbreak involves more than just planting a lot of trees
around the farmstead. Windbreaks provide maximum benefits by
sheltering buildings from winter winds, so the first thing to do is
determine the direction of prevailing winds.
The
prevailing winds for most of Illinois are from a northwesterly
direction; so for the best protection, windbreaks should be located
on the north and west sides of the farmstead.
The
shapes of farmsteads vary, but the most effective and easily
arranged windbreak is designed in the form of an L, with the point
to the northwest. The windbreak should be set no closer than 50 feet
from the buildings to prevent dead-air pockets around buildings in
the summer and to minimize snowdrifts in the winter. If you have
room, 100 feet is even better.
Generally,
evergreen windbreaks consist of three rows, with trees in the middle
row planted to alternate between those of the outside rows. The rows
should be at least 16 feet apart, with the trees spaced 16 feet
apart within the row. If planted too close to each other, the trees
will crowd and shade each other as they mature, killing the lower
branches needed to slow surface wind.
How
many trees to buy is another consideration. One way to estimate the
number of trees required is to multiply the length of the windbreak
by 0.20. Most windbreaks need 100 to 150 trees. Buying a few extra
trees might be wise, to replace losses or to plant around a garden.
For
best protection, the windbreak should be continuous and
uninterrupted, but if access is needed to nearby fields, avoid
making gaps at the northwest corner or along the legs. This can be
done by overlapping the legs, providing a continuous row of trees,
yet allowing space for access to fields.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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You
can attract songbirds and other wildlife to your windbreak and even
discourage pest species by taking a few special considerations in
the design stage. Windbreaks are valuable additions to wildlife
habitat in regions of intensive agriculture. Although many species
of wildlife will benefit from windbreaks, not all of them will be
conspicuous. Some species are nocturnal and some are secretive. A
good design and a well-laced bird feeder will bring many species
into view. The
single most important variable influencing the use of a windbreak by
wildlife is its size. The windbreak will be used by more wildlife in
direct proportion to its length and width, that is, the number of
rows and their length.
A
diversity of shrub and evergreen species will attract more wildlife
than will monotypic rows of single species. Various species produce
fruit at different times of the year, providing modest amounts of
food over an extended period of time. Where windbreaks are composed
of just one or two species, the fruit comes on at one time and
cannot be fully utilized by resident wildlife, or it may attract
undesirable concentrations of migrating birds for brief periods in
the fall. A diversity of tree and shrub species will also reduce the
impact of insect or disease problems in the windbreak.
Species
known to be good for attracting nesting birds include spruce, pine,
arrowwood, and hawthorn. Species with favored fruits include
American plum, Chokeberry, hawthorn, high-bush cranberry, arrowwood
and dogwood.
Upcoming
events
Jan.
29 — Illinois Tillage Seminar, Spring Valley; reservations by Jan.
22
Jan.
31 — Horse Nutrition Workshop, Lincoln; reservations by Jan. 24
Feb.
4 — Entomology Roundtable, Lincoln; reservations by Jan. 27
Feb.
12 — Illinois Tillage Conference, Bloomington; reservations by
Feb. 5
[John
Fulton]
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Terms
of three directors will be expiring: Tom Martin, Mount Pulaski; Mike
Boyer, Middletown; and Doug Thompson, Atlanta. The business meeting,
beginning at 7:30 p.m., will include election of directors.
Featured
speaker for the meeting will be Doug Schemmer, grain channeling
manager for Monsanto. Doug was raised on a central Illinois grain
and livestock farm. He received a master’s degree in crop science
from the University of Illinois. For seven years he served as a
Monsanto sales representative in the western Illinois area. He then
served as a Monsanto technology staff member for three years.
Doug
will be speaking on the research and development of products in the
pipeline, biotech acceptance and grain channeling, with a
question-and-answer session to follow.
Please
call the district office at (217) 732-2010, Ext. 3 for reservations.
[News
release]
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