Weed Update

Weeds don't take holidays.

While we are thinking about a holiday trip to the mountains or the coast -- weeds are going to keep doing what they do best -- reproducing. Summer annual weeds are going to seed with wild abandon. Although you cannot stop seed production you can sure reduce the amount of seeds produced by controlling summer annuals now. While herbicides like glyphosate work on mature weeds, the time it takes to die from glyphosate treatments will allow a lot of seeds to mature before plants succumb to the inevitable.

Fall applications work better you say?
I had a salesman once try to explain to me how bentazon (Basagran TO) worked really well on Yellow Nutsedge in early Fall. My response was -- "well, so does frost". Seriously, nutsedge has been making tubers for months but it is still a good idea to kill what you still have to prevent even more tubers from forming. Nutsedge can be controlled by glyphosate or glufosinate or bentazon But please, next year resolve to get serious about nutsedge earlier in the season.

Fall applications of glyphosate do work better on many perennial weeds. In particular, deciduous woody weeds are generally well controlled with late summer or early fall applications of glyphosate. But, you often don't see the results until next spring when plants begin to grow -- ahh, then the fun begins. New growth, if it occurs, will be stunted, malformed, and yellowed. Plants usually die back but often will start new growth after a time. When this occurs, treat again with an appropriate herbicide such as glyphosate or triclopyr for the one--two punch that knocks your weeds flat.

But don't forget to plan ahead --
Winter weeds have already started to emerge in some areas, so get your preemergence herbicide applications out soon to prevent winter annuals like henbit, chickweed and annual bluegrass from turning your Thanksgiving celebration into another gardening labor day.


Joseph C. Neal
Professor and Extension Specialist -- Weed Science
Department of Horticultural Science

Fall Webworms

Fall webworm tents are prominent features of many landscapes this time of year. They set up shop in pecan, walnut, American elm, hickory, fruit, some maples, persimmon and sweetgum trees. They are well protected from contact insecticides within their water proof tent. In addition, fall webworms expand their tent as they feed rather than foray out to feed and return the way eastern tent caterpillars do. Look for large silken tents at the ends of branches. All the caterpillars are in the tent, so if tents are pruned from a tree the problem is solved. For larger infestations, use a systemic insecticide that will move into the plant tissue. This will ensure that caterpillars die when they consume leaves. Some systemic products are acephate, TriStar, and Acelepryn, which can be applied as foliar or drench applications. For recommendations, see http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/shrubs/note07/note07.html.

Euonymus Scale

From: Steve Frank, Extension Entomologist

Euonymus scale crawlers have emerged on containerized research plants on the North Carolina State University campus. It seems that landscape plants, particularly shaded ones, are still a week or so behind. Therefore if you haven’t dealt with this scale yet this year you have a third and final chance to deal it and prevent problems in the spring. Crawlers are very susceptible to insecticides so scout to determine when they are active in your region. There are several newer products available that may be more effective and softer on beneficials than pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides. More information can be found at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/shrubs/note15/note15.html.

Tree Farm Event

Here is a terrific workshop for private forest landowners.

To: Forest Landowners

From: Daniel Smith, County Extension Director

Subject: Tree Farm Meeting in McDowell County

The North Carolina Tree Farm Program of the American Tree Farm System announces a private forest landowner’s workshop at BSA Camp Grimes on Vein Mountain Road, in Dysartsville NC. The workshop will be on Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.

The morning session will feature speakers on sustainable forestry practices and wildlife habitat, non-timber forest products and a panel discussion of working family forest conservation easements. 2008 National Tree Farmer of the Year, Dr. Bob Cooper of Forsyth County, NC, will be the featured luncheon speaker.

Following a complimentary lunch workshop attendees will tour the managed forest on the Scout Camp, which has been certified by the American Tree Farm System as a NC Tree Farm. The afternoon forest tour will feature field discussions of both pine and hardwood management practices, improving habitat for wildlife, developing recreational opportunities in the forest and protecting water quality in forestry operations. Transportation for the field tour will be provided. The workshop is provided free of charge courtesy of the North Carolina Tree Farm Program and local supporters.

Call the NC Cooperative Extension Service office in McDowell County at 828-652-8104 or by email at Jane_McDaniel@ncsu.edu to register for the workshop. Registration is free. The cut-off date for advance registration is Monday, September 14, 2009.

Directions: From I-40 Exit 86 take NC 226 south. Go south approximately 8 miles to Club House Road. Turn right and then turn slight right on to Vein Mountain Road, and go 0.3 miles to the camp entrance on the left.

For Additional Information Contact:
Jim Sitts
Columbia Forest Products
Old Fort, NC
828-724-4191 ext. 2205
jsitts@cfpwood.com

Mitchell Co. Business Survey

We need your help! North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a collaborative member of the Improving Mitchell County Business Survey Project. Businesses of all types are being asked to provide information that can be used to help improve existing businesses as well as help to create an environment conducive to new businesses. Agriculture is a critically important business in the county and regardless of how small or large your operation is we are asking that you complete the survey at http://tinyurl.com/lwpd6p. The AMY Regional Library is coordinating the data gathering so if you have any questions at all, please call Dan Barron at 828-682-4476 or director@amyregaioanlibrary.org.

The project is a collaborative effort of the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission's Mitchell County Certified Entrepreneurial Community Committee, Toe River Economic Alliance, NC Cooperative Extension, Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, Mayland Community College's Small Business Center, Toe River Arts Council (TRAC), AMY Regional Library, HandMade in America, Spruce Pine Main Street and Bakersville Merchants' Association.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Tomato Workshop

Highlighting Studies on Growing Organic Heirloom Tomatoes

And Growing Tomatoes with a Microbially Active Biochar Product

When: August 21, 2009 10:00 AM
Where: Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, NC
Directions at: http://www.agr.state.nc.us/research/mrs.htm
The Studies:

Organic Production of Heirloom and Heirloom-type Hybrid Tomatoes by Jeanine Davis and Dilip Panthee
Farmers and gardeners have been very interested in the organic heirloom tomato studies that we have conducted at this research station since 2004. This year, 11 heirloom tomato varieties and 9 new heirloom-type hybrids are being grown with an organic insect and disease control strategy that we have developed from results from the previous years’ studies. For the first time, we are growing these indeterminate tomatoes on a high-stake, string and weave system instead of a standard trellis system. There will also be a taste test to compare all the varieties.

Assessing the Effects of Fertilizer Rates and Carbon-based Soil Inoculants on Tomato Growth and Yield by Jeanine Davis
Everyone is talking about biochar and how it can improve crop yields, remediate soils, reduce fertilizer use, sequester carbon, and as a byproduct of its manufacturing, be a source of an alternative fuel. This study is one of several in the Southeast testing CHARGROW, a biochar product inoculated with beneficial soil microorganisms. Different formulations of the product were used to grow the transplants at two rates. The plants are being grown under three fertilizer regimes. Organic disease and insect control products are currently being used. A member of the Carbon Char Group will be present to discuss biochar and CHARGROW.

Tomato Sandwiches Provided: Back by popular demand-free tomato sandwiches! Make your own sandwich-we’ll provide the tomatoes, bread and mayonnaise. Chips and tea will round out this light lunch.

Come Prepared: This is an outdoors workshop. We will have canopies set up, tables, and chairs. If we have heavy rain, we will move inside for the taste tests and lunch.

For More Information: Please call Terri Schell at 828-684-3562 or email her at Terri_Schell@ncsu.edu.


Jeanine M. Davis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Email: Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu
Websites: http://ncherb.org
http://ncspecialtycrops.org
http://ncorganic.org
Blog: http://ncalternativecropsandorganics.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeanineNCSU
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanine-Davis/1442912228
Address: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center
455 Research Drive, Mills River, NC 28759
Phone: 828-684-3562
FAX: 828-684-8715

Honey Bees and CCD

Within the past year much research has been done to try and find out what caused huge die offs of honey bees last year. The cause was labeled CCD or Colony Collapse Disorder, but it was never pinpointed what was the driving force of CCD. Researchers from multiple agency's and university's have been studying the disease. The following link gives a good overview of some of the results and where the team of researchers are heading to try and find out the problem.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-08/ps-sfh081309.php