Winterizing Roses

Last year it got cold fast and my hybrid tea roses went through several hard freezes before I got the mulch put on them. None died but they were very small and took a while to bloom. The forecast called for really cold temperatures so I hurriedly got them covered this year with woodchip mulch.

The hard frost didn't happen but I'm not going to uncover. It will be interesting to see how they survive the winter. Healthy plants going into dormancy is important as well as winter protection.

Hardy shrub roses that don't require protection are becoming more popular. See a recommended list of shrub roses at http://www.riley.ksu.edu/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=199

The BIG Sale

Raising money takes a l-o-n-g time, according to teen time! The mission is to raise enough money to travel to Washington, D.C. in June. So, in honor of this longstanding 4-H tradition, Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) would like to invite you to the BIG fall sale.

The “garage” sale will take place at Pottorf Hall on Saturday, October 10, from 7:30-11:00 a.m. Pottorf Hall is located at CiCo Park in Manhattan, right off of Avery Avenue.

The building will be filled with furniture, appliances, adult clothing, children’s clothing, games, toys, books, shoes, bags, kitchen items, crafting supplies, linens, electronics and much more. Large items will be priced, and clothing will be sold by the bag for $4. All remaining “bagable” items will be sold for $4 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Baked goods and coffee will be sold too. Come support local teens as they learn more about our nation’s government, and collect some wonderful items!

National 4-H Week

Happy National 4-H Week! National 4-H Week is currently being celebrated across the United States, October 4-10, 2009. Clubs are hosting recognition events, school information events, displaying their project work and helping people learn more about this family program. Watch for 4-H announcements and listen for what 4-H members are doing in your local community in newspapers and local radio stations.

4-H is over 100 years old, and offers learning experiences for boys and girls. 4-H is for families! Parents and other adults help children learn by teaching them about a specific project – for example – plant science. Adults also serve as mentors and assist youth in planning events and running their meetings.

Riley County is home to 14 community 4-H clubs and 3 project clubs. The clubs meet throughout the county, so there is certain to be one near you. October 1 started the new 4-H year; now is the time to consider 4-H for your family. 4-H experiences start for youth as young as 5, and continue through high school. Here is hoping that you catch that clover enthusiasm!

Thoughts on Lunchtime

It’s been a busy morning in the Extension Office so lunch time took me by surprise. Come to think of it, it’s been a busy 10 days or so which explains why I haven’t had time to go grocery shopping and my fridge was bare this morning. Since my stomach was starting to rumble I set out, with debit card in hand, in search of some lunch. I’m lucky to have two grocery stores within walking distance of my office. Deciding that I could use the exercise, I set out for the farther of the two. Upon entering the grocery store, I was faced with all kinds of choices from frozen entrees to piping hot entrees in the deli. Since I might not have time to make the trek again tomorrow, I decided to buy for several days. I bought a package of specialty sandwich bread ($2.50), some delicious French onion spreadable cheese ($3.59), a half pound of sun dried tomato turkey ($3.92) from the deli, eight apples and two bananas. My total bill--$14.26. Sounds pretty steep for lunch—until you stop to think that I bought eight lunches. Today’s lunch cost me $1.78, and I’ve still got a banana for my mid-afternoon snack. As I waited for my turkey to be weighed, I noticed that I could have gotten a gourmet sandwich from the deli (with the same turkey and similar cheese) for $5.00 or I could have gone a little further down the counter I could have gotten the full meal deal for $7.99.

By shopping for the sandwich fixin’s myself and making my own lunch, I saved somewhere between $3.22--$6.21. If you figure that I eat at least five lunches away from home each week, it amounts to $837.20-$1614.60 a year in savings. Granted packing a lunch requires either some forethought or a fridge at work, but could you use an extra $800-$1600? I can’t decide what I’m going to do with it---pay the dentist…buy my daughter a clarinet… replace my freezer…put a down payment on my son’s trip to Washington, D.C….fix my sagging deck…save it for next year’s vacation….

Sweet Potato Harvest

After preventing deer from eating the leaves of the sweet potatoes, they are now ready for harvest.

Sweet potatoes should be harvested no later than the first fall freeze because cold temperatures can damage the sensitive roots. However, you maywant to harvest earlier if you prefer a smaller sweetpotato. Test dig a hill to see if they are the size you want.

Sweet potatoes should be cured after being dug. The digging process often damages the tender skin and curing helps these small wounds heal over. Place the roots in a warm, humid location for 5 to 10 days immediately after digging. A location with a temperature around 85 to 90 degrees is ideal. A space heater can be used to heat a small room or other area. Raise the humidity by placing moist towels in the room. The curing process not only heals wounds but also helps convert starches to sugars. This process improves the texture and flavor of the roots.

Sweet potatoes should be stored above 55 degrees. Storage at temperatures below that injures the roots, shortens storage life and gives them an off flavor.

A Balloon for Your Tailgate?

September has arrived, and football excitement is here too! Join the Riley County K-State Research and Extension staff for a tailgate party sure to please on Thursday and Friday, September 3rd and 4th from 5-9 p.m. each evening. Our booth will be in the center of Poyntz Avenue, directly in front of the Courthouse.

We are exploring “Farm to Tailgate,” and event visitors will learn how their tailgate fare was created from Kansas Agriculture products. Register for a tailgate gift package, complete with paper products, condiments, grill and accessories, tailgate food and a $25 gift certificate for Ray’s Apple Market pork products. The gift certificate is sponsored by the Blue Valley Pork Producers.

Extension Agents and Riley County Extension Council members will be at the booth answering visitor questions, creating balloon animals and showcasing local agricultural grains and products. Come check it out! Goooooo CATS!

Verticillium wilt in Maple

My Amur Maple tree allee is suffering from Verticillium wilt. This disease is found in catalpa, redbud, maples, and Russian olive. I have lots of redbuds without this disease. Affected trees show a rapid wilting and drying of leaves in a portion of the tree crown, or in some cases, throughout the entire crown. Vascular discoloration can sometimes be seen on the cut ends of wilted branches.

Christmas Shopping In August!?!?

I bought my first Christmas gift this week! I know—the back-to-school supplies are still on the shelves, but this is actually late for me. Sometimes I start my shopping in January!

I find that saving money all year long, and buying gifts throughout the year helps me to avoid the credit card blues each January.

Do you have a holiday account? Holiday accounts are offered by most financial institutions as a way to help you save for holiday expenses. In most cases, you make weekly or monthly deposits into this account starting early in the year, but you can’t make any withdrawals. Depending on how the account is set up, your bank will give you a check for the amount you have deposited throughout the year plus interest in October or November. You can either make the deposits yourself or arrange to have them automatically deducted from a bank account.

The holiday savings account is a good option for those who are not disciplined enough to set aside money each month for Christmas. This can help you develop the discipline if you need it. One of the best ways to begin saving money is to do it automatically. If you are interested in opening a holiday savings account, talk to an account representative at your local bank or credit union.

Happy shopping!