Throw Back Thursday!

Teresa Tobin and Denise Gilliland in California Oct. 1989. Photo Courtesy Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Fall Projects Part 2

By John Wilson

John Wilson

Fall Projects – Part II

Last week I talked about fall projects in the lawn, garden and flowerbeds. Today I wanted to continue my list of fall projects as you prepare for winter around your home.

Trees & Shrubs:

• Don’t prune trees until leaves have fallen. Then (making correct cuts) such as removing limbs rubbing each other, growing back to the middle of the tree, water shoots, lower limbs (on older trees) if they hinder mowing and you want an elevated appearance, but not more than 20% of the total canopy of the tree… do NOT apply wound dressing!

• Protect thin barked younger trees from frost cracking with tree wrap (in late November) or use two boards nailed at a right angle to form an “L.” It should be tall enough to fit under the lowest limb. Then position so the “L” protects the south and west side of the trunk. Put a rag between the boards and the trunk so it doesn’t rub, then loosely tie the boards to the trunk to hold them in place.

• Clean fallen fruit and diseased leaves from under fruit trees, do not add this material to your compost pile.

• Remove and burn, bury or chip before April 1 any Scotch pine that died suddenly as this may have been caused by pine wilt. You can use it at home, but do not transport this wood to be used as firewood because you can move the pest that carries this disease.

• Pick remaining apples before a hard freeze and store them in shallow boxes as close to 32F as possible. Remove damaged fruit so it doesn’t spoil good fruit.

• Deep water trees and shrubs, especially newly planted stock, before the ground freezes. This will take more than a sprinkler used to water your lawn. You want to have good moisture 2-3 feet deep.

• Pull mulch away from trunk of trees or shoots of shrubs to prevent vole damage to the bark

• Protect trees and shrubs from deer rubs and browsing, may need to fence larger area or use posts outside trunk

• Protect trees and shrubs from rabbit or vole feeding. Place a tube of ½-inch wire mesh around trees and shrubs that will extend 1-2 feet above expected snow line.

House Plants:

• You probably already brought house plants in if they were outside, but if they were on an enclosed porch, be sure to check houseplants for insects and spiders before bringing into your home.

• Plant amaryllis bulbs by mid-November for blooms during holiday season.

• If purchasing holiday house plants, remove the decorative foil wrap and be sure potted plants have drain holes. Don’t put these plants in a draft or where there will be a lot of temperature fluctuation.

Miscellaneous:

• Now is an excellent time to start a compost pile. Add 1 part green (grass clippings), 1 part brown (leaves), 1 part soil. Mix after last addition this fall and every 2 weeks next spring and summer.

• Sharpen mower blades, clean under mower deck and use an air compressor to blow out dust, leaves and grass clippings before storing your mower for the winter.

• Do routine maintenance on power equipment such as mowers, tillers, or edgers. Change the oil, replace filters, and put fuel stabilizer in fuel tank. Check your owners manual for other guidelines.

• Clean garden tools with a wire brush to remove dirt and plant residue. Remove rust with an emory cloth, then apply a light coat of oil to prevent rusting.

• Remove, clean, disinfect and store plant cages and stakes for use next year.

• Store firewood outside to keep hibernating insects from becoming active in your house. Don’t stack firewood next to your house as this provides a hiding place for mice and other pests.

• Make sure the snowblower is ready to go… NOW! Winter is coming and I’ll guarantee it and it’s a lot easier to do this now than when the snow is deep, the wind is blowing, and your fingers are cold!

Finally, I want to apologize to all the guys out there who just got a bunch of things added to their “Honey Do” list, but hey, misery loves company.

Health Department to Impact Obesity

 Obesity is among the most common, costly and preventable of all health problems in Nebraska and throughout the United States.  It is for this reason that Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department is launching a new initiative called “Healthier Tomorrows” to influence healthier behaviors and prevent obesity in Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton counties.

During February of 2013, area residents were invited to participate in a survey to identify their health risks and concerns.  The results of that survey indicated that 33.9% of residents were obese, 71.7% reported eating less than the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables per day and 66% did not exercise for at least 20-30 minutes 3 times per week.  In an effort to reverse this trend, the Healthier Tomorrows initiative includes the following goals:  1).  Increase fruit and vegetable consumption; 2).  Increase physical activity; and 3). Increase the number of breastfed infants.

Some of the activities to address these goals include working with businesses to adopt healthier snack and vending options, presenting to schools on nutrition, activity and overall heart health, and educating child care providers on breastfeeding policies and assisting them with implementing strategies to support breastfeeding mothers.  In order to truly make a difference in obesity rates in the area, partnerships are being sought with businesses and organizations to reach more people and bring about change within workplaces, schools and organizations.

For more information on Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department’s Healthier Tomorrows initiative and how your business or organization can get involved, please contact Kori King at 402-529-2233.

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Keep Looking Up

Bancroft Senior Center News

8ancroft Senior Center News

* The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.

*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walker. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

The Farmers Market has closed for the season and will open again next year during the growing season.

 Weekly Activities:

Wed. Nov 6: Melody chimes practice at 9:00.  Join us for coffee at 10:00. You pick the game you want to play at 1:30.

Thurs. Nov 7: Pool tournament at the center with the Wisner pool players. Make your reservations for the potato and chicken noodle meal at 12:00.  Play cards after lunch about 1:30.

Fri. Nov. 8: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and walking ex. class at 10:00. Have a cup of coffee at 10:20. Remember to sign up to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30.

Mon. Nov.11: We will have a pitch tournament at 1:30.

Tues. Nov. 12: Pool at 9:30.  The walking ex. class is at 9:30. Come early and play Wii bowling at 1:00 before we start bingo at 2:00.

Wed. Nov. 13: Melody chimes practice at 9:00.  Join us for coffee at 10:00. Sign up for the pinochle tournament at 1:30.

Did You Know?

Below are just a few of the events that occurred on November 3rd of many different years,

1911-Chevrolet officially enters the automobile market in competition with the Ford Model T.

1917-1st class US mail now costs 3 cents per ounce.

1936-President FDR (D) wins landslide victory over Alfred M Landon (R).

1955-Alabama woman bruised by a meteor.

1964-LBJ (D) soundly defeats Barry Goldwater (R) for pres.

1975-Good Morning America premieres on ABC (David Hartman & Nancy Dussault).

1978-1st broadcast of “Diff’rent strokes” on NBC TV.

1989-Lou Piniella is named manager of the Reds, replacing banned Pete Rose.

1992-Bill Clinton (D) wins US presidential election over President Bush (R).

Tree Program

Fall Projects: Part 1

By John Wilson

John Wilson

Looking at the extended forecast, the next week or two looks like great weather to get outside and work around the home! I get lots of calls about “Is it time to do this?” or “Should I wait to do that?” so I thought I’d summarize answers to the most frequent calls I get this time of year. These will give you a head start on a healthier garden and landscape next year.

Lawn:

• Apply late season fertilization (1 pound actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet) to bluegrass and fescue lawns. It might not seem like it since the grass isn’t growing as fast as it was a month ago, but this is the most important fertilization of the year because the roots continue to grow and store food, even after top growth has slowed or stopped. It will also give you a more uniform green-up next spring.

• Control broadleaf perennial weeds such as dandelions, clover, or ground ivy after a light frost, but before a hard freeze. This will lessen the chance of accidently injuring other plants in the landscape.

• Water your lawn thoroughly before the ground freezes if adequate rainfall hasn’t occurred.

• Mow and mulch or rake up leaves so they don’t smother areas in your lawn. This also reduces the chance of having snow mold.

• Don’t walk on frozen turf, especially repeated traffic damages, which can injure or kill the crowns of grass.

Garden:

• Clean up diseased plants/fruits/vegetables and dispose of them. Do not add them to compost pile.

• Map where things were planted so you can avoid planting same vegetables in same area. This is important for tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant because they are all susceptible to some of the same diseases. None of these should be planted where any were planted the year before.

• Work your garden area now when the soils are dry, not in spring when the soil is wetter. Incorporating compost or organic material will improve fertility and soil structure.

• Mulch strawberries with straw after plants have died back and the soil is cooler. This is usually something you should do around Thanksgiving.

• Harvest tomatoes, squash and other fruits/vegetables before a killing frost and bring them inside to mature

• Leave root crops such as beets, turnips, carrots and parsnips in ground and cover with 6″ of straw mulch so the soil doesn’t freeze. Then harvest by the end of the year. This can improve the taste.

• Asparagus can be cut back after killing frost in fall which will look tidier… or you can wait until spring which adds winter interest and catches snow. Either is acceptable.

Perennials:

• Leave green growth on plants until killed by a hard freeze. As long as it has good healthy green growth, the plant is still making food for next year’s growth.

• Mulch fall-planted plants and bulbs to help protect them from winter damage and heaving.

• Dig and store tender plants like gladiolas, tuberous begonias in a cool (45-55F) moist area while dahlias and cannas should be stored in a cooler (35-45F) dry area.

• Protect tender roses with mulch, but wait until late November. Don’t prune roses in the fall unless you must to get the bush in a rose cones. Sometimes dieback occurs from those cuts. Wait until spring to prune if you can.

• Cut back perennial flowers about 1-2″ above crown and ornamental grasses to a height of 5-6″ in the fall if plants are diseased or you want a “tidy” winter appearance. Or you can wait until spring to do this pruning to add some winter interest and some plants supply winter food for birds.

• Don’t overwater perennials going into winter as this can cause crown rot. Also pull back mulch from around the base of perennials.

Next week I’ll continue my list of things to do around the home in the fall.

Medicare Recipients Compare Prescription Drug Coverage

Mary Loftis, UNL Extension Assistant and SHIIP Volunteer got into the Halloween spirit last week as she helped Medicare recipients compare their prescription drug coverage at the Oakland Library.

To sign up for a free comparison time call UNL Extension in Burt, Dodge or Washington County.

Mary Loftis has the Halloween spirit. Photo Credit/Deb Hawkins.

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

Living With Diabetes Program

Learn new strategies to fully live with diabetes at the free diabetes educational program Monday evening, November 11 at 7:00 p.m.

This program will be held in the Distance Education Room in the Tekamah-Herman High School.

The program will be live so any questions may be asked and answered.

Call UNL Extension in Burt County to reserve your spot by Friday, November 8.

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu