Cummings and Goings in Agriculture
Last year was the first time Yalobusha County hosted a Master Gardeners class. Six ladies completed the class and have contributed their services all over the place. Among the things they have done is work in city and community flower beds, harvest wildflower seeds, serve as hostesses at the wildflower field day at the Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center, and repot the plants at the County Extension Office. Those ladies have given back a lot.
If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, the plans for next years’ class have been announced and you may want to get these dates on your calendar. The statewide classes will start on February 26th. These classes will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1-5pm and conclude on April 3rd. These classes will be taught via distance training at the Yalobusha County Extension Office. Complete training class schedule and registration information will come out later this fall.
Due to increased printing costs and other considerations, the training fee will be increased from $75 to $85 beginning in 2008. This fee increase will cover the additional printing costs as well as increase the funds available in the county Master Gardener associations to cover the costs of the 3-ring binders for the student manuals and the refreshments for each of the classes. The new curriculum will consist of a student manual and student CD that will have the pdf’s of all the material in the power point lessons as well as other publications and information.
Also, for next week, the Yalobusha County Extension Service will open its site for the Childcare Distance Training to be held Tuesday, November 13, 2007, from 6:15 – 8:15 p.m. The topic for this training is “Early Literacy Experiences for Infants and Toddlers” with instructor, Karen Benson. This training is a free service and provides 2 contact hours for childcare providers. Please contact our office at (662) 675-2730 if you plan to attend.
Horticulture Tips:
Now that cooler winter is coming, set out a feeder to provide an alternative food source for birds. After the harsh weather we have had this spring and summer our feathered friends have less resources for food.
The late spring freeze in the upper parts of Mississippi drastically cut back on the fruit and nut crops of some of our native plants. The drought we have experienced has also made it difficult for some of the summer and fall crops of nuts, fruits, and seeds to mature. Keep the feeder well stocked, and clean it regularly.
Before freezing weather hits, bring in house plants you had set outside for the summer. Many indoor plants are topical in origin and could be injured by cold temperatures (in the 40’s) even before freezing weather comes. Clean the pots and spray with a broad-spectrum pesticide to kill any lingering insects. It is also a good idea to apply a fire ant pesticide to the pot as well to prevent you bringing in unwanted guests.
Read and follow all label directions for these pesticides. Check out the Extension publications online that provide information on fire ant control and controlling pests on ornamentals. This is the web address for Extension Publications http://msucares.com/pubs/index.html. You can type in key words to find the pub with the information you need.
