Cabbage Looper

Usually, the imported cabbage worm feeds on my broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. It might be a different year for pests since the cabbage looper is the one feeding. I picked them off this broccoli which is growing in a container. The others in the garden are under row cover which keeps the moths from laying eggs on them.

There are several insecticides for management. I've used products containing Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad in the past. The insects are most often on the underside of the leaves so treatments need to be applied there. Cole crop leaves are waxy so use a spreader/sticker with the insecticide for improved results.

Cooking Camp

Youth currently in grades Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd are invited to cook – during Cooking Camp, June 14-18, 2010. The camp will be held at the Leonardville Community Building from 1:30-4:00 p.m. each day. Extension Agent, Andrea Feldkamp and Nutrition Assistant, Marina Hairgrove will be teaching the camp.

Campers will get to explore new foods, learn about kitchen safety, how to select fresh produce, prepare snacks and treats, read a recipe, measure wet and dry ingredients, and learn how to prepare food for others.

Space is limited to 25 campers, and registration is due June 1. Visit www.riley.ksu.edu to register today! Campers will design their own apron, recieve a chef hat and a book of recipe's from the week. Come join us!

String trimmer

String trimmers are suppose to make trimming fast and easy. Unfortunately, they often kill plants when used improperly. They remove bark from trees. Tall fescue is best cut no shorter than 2 inches and higher is better. The grass around this tree is less than an half inch. The grass will use up its food storage attempting to replace the leaf blade. Thinning and death of the grass will be the result from this practice. The appearance is bad enough of an uneven lawn. This was professionally cut grass. Someone was paid to hurt the grass and tree.

Cedar rust

The cedar-apple rust disease is active during rainy periods. It is usually done for the season around Memorial weekend. Susceptible apple and crabapples are treated with a fungicide like myclobutanil to protect leaf and fruit tissue. This disease rarely harms the juniper or cedar so protective treatment for those plants in July is not suggested.