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Kyle’s News and Reviews

Home Landscape Class Offered On May 25


This past Saturday I got out and worked most of the day on a little building that I have been trying to finish for the last several weeks. At the end of the day, or actually around 3:30 p.m. when I thought that I couldn’t do any more, I decided to call it quits for the day.  The wind was blowing a steady breeze all day, but with temps in the 80s and humidity very high, also it didn’t take long to get soaking wet and kind of slow down my work pace. 

I have always thought that I was in pretty good working shape but it didn’t take long on Saturday for one of my helpers to make the comment that “you sure can tell who has a regular office job.”  I often wonder if it is actually working in the office that makes you get out of physical shape or if it is the fact that I am just getting older and cannot work like I used too.

Over the last week or so I have received several calls on the when and how of pruning azaleas.  Now is the time to prune your azaleas, or any time between bloom and the first of July but, better sooner than later.  There are several steps to properly prune azaleas, first prune out any dead wood in the plants.  

Next you need to decide what height you want to keep the plants at, then start cutting back individual long shoots into the body of the shrub.  The last step to pruning is to thin the canopy back in the shrub, I cut the limbs that are growing back into the middle of the crown and leave the ones that are growing to the outside of the canopy.  

Making thinning cuts like this allow more sunlight into the middle of the plant and ultimately a healthier plant.  Some people like to trim azaleas with mechanical powered shears, this does make the job of pruning easier, but will also make a big colored ball in the springtime, which is not very attractive.

If you would like to learn more about lawn care, shrub care, or any other home landscape questions, plan to attend the Home Landscape Maintenance class at the Extension office.  The class will be given on May 25th at 6pm at the Multi-purpose building in Coffeeville.  This program is designed for homeowners and landscape professionals to hone their ability to better care for landscapes. If you would be interested in attending please call the Extension office at 662-675-2730 to reserve your spot.

The next vegetable growing class will be on Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at the Multi-purpose building in Coffeeville.  These classes are for the commercial grower, as well as the home gardener.  At the next meeting we will discuss post emerge weed control, insects, fungus and other growing challenges.  If interested call the Extension office at 662-675-2730.

The Coffeeville Saddle Club will host a Judged Show on Saturday May 6th at the Multi-purpose Building in Coffeeville.  The show will start at noon and there will be a concession stand provided by the 4-H Horse Club.

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