2020 Scholarship

We are now accepting applications for the Master Gardener Association of Grayson

County scholarship!

Grayson County higher education students studying horticulture or a horticulture - related field for the

2020/2021 school year are eligible to apply.

Please share this information with a student who would be interested in

applying for this scholarship.

Deadline for submission: April 18, 2020, 3:00 p.m.

Contact the Grayson County

Extension Office at 270-259-3492 or visit our Facebook page for

more information.

Editor’s Note…

Whew! Another year has passed and as we begin this New Year, we are already looking forward to spring and digging in the dirt! It seems planting is always on our minds, maybe because plants make our world a more beautiful space to live in.

Our Interns have already been an amazing asset to the Master Gardeners since graduating last May and it has been our pleasure to get to know them better. They have brought some new ideas to the table and their enthusiasm is contagious!

We can’t complain too much about the weather. Even with lots of rain, and only short spurts of bitter cold weather, it’s been tolerable.

Since the Master Gardeners work with other organizations through the Extension Office, we’ll be sharing more information and events on both our newsletter and Facebook page that would be of interest to gardeners.

Happy Garden Planning!

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Cooperative Extension Service

Master Gardener Associa on of Grayson County

The Gardening Thymes                                                                                                 Winter, January 2020 

 

January: Order seeds for spring sowing.

If you don’t already have one, pick out a spot to start a compost pile.

Plan new garden areas.

Prune & remove dead and broken branches from trees.

Start seeds indoors for broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, parsley, petunias and impatiens.

February: Cut back asparagus fronds and ornamental grasses, if not done in the fall.

Remove mulch from asparagus bed. Set up a potting area, stocking with necessary equipment, seed flats, pots, potting mix, etc.

Clean bird houses so they are ready for use.

Cut stems of spring flowering shrubs to force blooms indoors. Start seeds indoors for cilantro, dill, marjoram, sage, thyme, leeks, tomato and peppers.

Bulbs and bare root roses can be planted in late February.

March: Plant carrots, peas, radishes, spinach and potatoes if the garden is dry enough. Add well-rotted manure or aged compost around roses and shrubs. Fertilize flowering bulbs as they appear. Start seeds indoors for Swiss chard and eggplant. Plant blueberries, strawberries and grapes.

Monthly Garden Tips! These tips are based on our average frost dates. Please use them as a general guideline. Our weather can vary greatly in Kentucky, not only from year to year, but also within the various zones. Check weather fore-casting sources regularly for extended outlooks.

Wallace Avenue Community Garden

We Have Expanded! 

The 2nd step in our expansion plan is ready for gardening. The raised beds have been put together and filled. Hopefully the accessible waist high growing table will be installed soon. A picnic table was installed last summer, which will be a nice place to take a break, and to sit and visit with other gardeners.

Renters in good standing, with full deposits refunded, will have first dibs on their original spot.

Plot rentals will begin Monday, February 17th. 

It’s time to start thinking about what plants you want to grow and start dreaming about all the yummy goodness you can harvest!

For information, please call the Grayson County Extension Office at 270-259-3492.

We are on Facebook! Keep up to date with the latest local gardening news plus

upcoming workshops and seminars by “liking” us on Facebook. Master Gardener Association of Grayson County Kentucky

To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Tim West, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927;

or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg. 14th & Independence Ave. SW Washington, DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964). 

Water Quality and Pond Maintenance Tessa Daniel, Kentucky Master Gardener Intern

Constructing a pond can be a rewarding and challenging experience! Anyone can dig a hole in the ground

and fill it with water- but in order to create and maintain a beautiful aquatic feature with a thriving ecosystem, there are many factors you should first consider.

Ponds not only provide aesthetic appeal, they may also serve a purpose. You may be adding a water source for your livestock, somewhere to fish or cool down during the summer, or perhaps you just want to create a safe haven for native flora and fauna? The possibilities are endless!

Your justification for building a pond will in turn affect its location, size and also depth. Before you begin, take time to study the surrounding landscape and soil composition. Will the local watershed support your body of water? Without proper planning, drainage and runoff can become a problem. All too often, new ponds in an inappropriate location will overflow or completely dry up leaving behind an unsightly mess.

The average cost of building a pond can run anywhere between $100 and $10,000. Smaller ponds may require more regular maintenance, but upfront costs are generally much less. If you are lucky enough to have a body of water on your property already, remember that there is always room for improvement. Additional filtration may not always be necessary, but your pond will most definitely benefit when adding any form of aeration, UV clarifying or skimmer systems.

Consider having ponds without bottom drains dredged once every few years to remove the organic material that can accumulate, creating a layer of harmful sludge in which anaerobic bacteria will eventually become overabundant. These bacteria release sulfates as they feed and break down the muck, which may produce a displeasing smell.

The quality of any water is determined by the substances that are dissolved in it. Water tests can help diagnose the symptoms of perhaps a larger problem. Calcium deficiency can cause acidification (pH 6 or below), leading to an overall lack of oxygen. Magnesium deficiency will often stunt plant growth, resulting in chlorosis in the older leaves of aquatic plants. Excess of ammonia, nitrites or nitrates left unchecked will eventually result in the death of any organism living in the water!

Would you mow your lawn once a year? Of course not, and ponds are similar in needing some maintenance. Practicing regular maintenance will keep your pond and its inhabitants happy and healthy. Monitor and record any changes in water quality or plant and animal behavior. Organize tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly or seasonal categories. “Shut down” your pond in the fall or winter by cutting back excess vegetation, removing debris, and lowering the water level to protect any plumbing. Installing a de-icer or covering your pond with a tarp or net during cold weather will prevent freezing.   Nitrifica on is a biological process during which nitrifying bacteria convert toxic ammonia to less harmful nitrate.  Resources and Informa on for ponds, koi, biofilters, SSA, pumps, pipe  h ps://www.thepondguy.com/category/pond‐guy‐learning‐center  Tes ng your pond water using a pond test kit | Velda   

What is Your Favorite Species of Fern? 

Stacy Mudd, Kentucky Master Gardener Intern

Ferns are vascular plants that have roots, stems, leaves and reproduce by spores. It is estimated that about 10,500 species or more exist, yet the exact number is unknown because they are poorly studied and still being found in unexplored tropical areas. Ferns range in size from 0.39 inches tall to 80 feet in height. Some ferns even float on the surfaces of ponds. Ferns are most abundant in the tropics. In Costa Rica, 900 species of ferns exist. That is twice as many as exists in North America.

So, what is your favorite species of fern? Would it be Brake ferns and Table ferns in the genus Pteris, Maidenhair ferns in the genus Adiantum, the Fishtail or Holly fern in the genus Cyrtomium falcatum, Button fern in the genus pellaea rotundifolia or Boston fern in the genus Nephrolepis exaltata? My favorite is the Boston fern for her beauty and longevity (assuming I remember to provide her the care and water she needs).

The Boston fern has been a common houseplant for many years. Whether you hang or pot it outdoors or enjoy its beauty indoors, this fern is attractive and can be maintained for years given the proper care. Helpful tips include keeping your fern in a humid environment such as a bathroom or basement. If that is not an option then placing a rock tray underneath your fern filled with water, that can evaporate, will help your fern.

The lateral stems called the Stolon will root and form new plants. Stolons can be pruned but some should be redirected back into your fern’s pot to continue to give your fern a bushy look. The Stolons can also be placed into a new pot beside your existing fern to provide you with annual propagation of ferns.

Ferns should be watered periodically and thoroughly and fertilized every month during their rapid growth periods and every two to four months thereafter. Household pests include the aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs. These pests should be addressed by organic remedies as the fern leaves are delicate and cannot withstand the harsh pesticides normally used.

Regardless of your choice of favorite fern, research and educate yourself on your selected species and you both will be the better for it.

h ps://www.uky.edu/hort/sites/www.uky.edu.hort/files/documents/

epiphy cferns.pdf 

 

Grayson County Extension Service    (270) 259‐3492 

123 Commerce Dr.                               Fax: (270) 259‐0291 

Leitchfield KY 42754                            graysonext.org  

 Whitney Carman  

Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent Grayson County Coopera ve Extension Service 

Boston Fern/genus Nephrolepis

Maidenhair Fern/genus Adiantum

Jack Thomas House, Kitchen Herb Garden 

Abbie Bales, Kentucky Master Gardener

One of Leitchfield’s historic buildings, the Jack Thomas House, was built around 1812 and located on what is now E. Main Street in Leitchfield. This was the first brick house in the county. Later discovery was that the back kitchen door was probably constructed by a member of the Lincoln family. The House currently houses the Grayson County Historical Society.

Fast forward to 2012, the side yard (by Clinton Street) of this historical house was overgrown with Bermuda grass and choked with weeds. The Grayson County Master Gardeners were contacted to see if there was any interest in developing some type of garden/landscaping.

Several Master Gardeners undertook this project and in 2012 began research on planting a ‘kitchen garden’. These herbs were what would have been planted in the 1800’s in this area and the plan was to be as maintenance free as possible. It was decided that an herb garden would begin this project. Many herbs were researched with a large number being discarded as not appropriate for this time period in Kentucky.

As the work began in 2012, it was discovered that at one time a hitching post for horses was on the spot chosen for the herb garden. The hope had been to use the existing soil; however, there were too many tentacles of grass that would quickly overcome any herbs that would be planted. The ground was treated with weed killer and large pots were dug into the ground and soil was placed in each pot. Yes - it was hard work and time consuming, but the project had begun!

The herbs that were planted and were historically correct for the 1800’s were: Lavender, Lemon Thyme, Regular Thyme, Chives, Rosemary, Tarragon, Fennel, Sage, Oregano, Parsley, Bee Balm, Basil, and Coreopsis.

The following years were spent maintaining the herb garden, and planting around the original log cabin with Johnny Jumpups, Morning Glories and Passion Flower Vines. Roses were planted along the fence at the front of the house. Mints of Spearmint and peppermint were added to the herb garden along with chamomile and horehound.

Maintenance has slacked and the herb garden is currently overgrown. However, several of the original herbs are still in existence and can be viewed in the Spring with a stop at the Jack Thomas House. A big thank you to the City of Leitchfield Public Works Department for the mulch that was added this past fall.

We do have a couple of Master Gardeners who are planning on tackling the garden this year, so hopefully the plants will be returned to their original intent.

Stop by and visit the Jack Thomas House.

Vendors Wanted

11th Annual Plant Fair & Spring Fling

Saturday, May 2, 2020

If you would like to join us for this fun-filled day, please contact us through our Facebook page

or call the Extension Office at 270-259-3492 for more information.

Facebook: Master Gardener Association of Grayson County KY

Jack Thomas House, Clinton Street, Leitchfield 

You may be wondering who the Master Gardeners are. Our Master Gardeners live in this county and are your friends and neighbors. We are housewives, teachers, business owners, community leaders, co-workers, nurses, doctors and retirees! We are trained volunteers, dedicated to educating our community in all aspects of horticulture.

Enjoy talking about gardening?

Want to learn more to become a better gardener?

 

Call now to put your name on the list for the next 

Kentucky Master Gardener Training Program

Participants meet for class once a week for 14 weeks

Topics include: Basic Botany, Entomology, Fruits, Annual and Perennial Flowers, Landscape Design, Lawn Management, Ornamental and Woody Plants, Pesticide and Pesticide Safety, Plant Pathology, Soils and Fertility, Vegetables and Volunteerism.

For more info, please contact Whitney Carman, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent at 270-259-3492.

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What’s Happening at the Extension Service

May 2, 2020, 11th Annual Plant Fair, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.,

at Grayson County Middle School, Leitchfield, KY ______________________

For more information contact the Grayson County Extension Service at 270-259-3492,

or check us out on Facebook: Master Gardener Association of Grayson County Kentucky.

2020 Community Garden Classes March 12, April 9, May 14 & June 11 12:00 Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Held at the Wallace Avenue Community Garden. All sessions are free!

Topics to be determined. Please call the Extension Office to register.

5th Saturday Classes

The Live at Five Homemaker Club hosts a FREE craft class on the 5th Saturday of any month that has 5 Saturdays. The focus of this year’s classes are items that can be entered in the Grayson County Fair next fall. Of particular interest to gardeners are a Nature Craft on February 29, 2020, and Fairy Gardens on August 29, 2020. Supply lists will be available before each class.

Space is limited, so be sure to call and sign up soon! (270) 259-3492

______________________________________

Grayson County Fair September 1 — September 7, 2020

Did you know that it’s FREE to submit entries in the County Fair?

Did you know if you win a ribbon, you win money? Yes, MONEY!

As you are planning and planting your garden this spring, thinking ahead of what could possibly be entered in the fair, such as a favorite or unusual plant or flower, or maybe a favorite canning recipe using your homegrown fruits or vegetables? There are several divisions that are well suited for gardeners; fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers. There are plenty of other categories including canning, culinary, needlework, quilts, hobby, sewing/clothing and Fine Arts, as well as many youth divisions.

As a reminder, you can only enter one item in each division, but there are hundreds of divisions.

For more information visit their website at www.Graysoncountyfair.net.