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by Rett Davis | |
Gardening Q&A by Rett Davis appears in
Alamance County's daily newspaper, The Times-News,
every Sunday in the Accent section. Each week's installment is
posted to this
website, beginning with January of this year. Scroll to the bottom of
this page to navigate to other Gardening Q&As. Please contact
Rett via e-mail with questions
or
comments in regard to this column.
Question:
I have heard about your Master Gardener program and would like to participate. When will it be taught?
Answer:
The Master Gardener program is designed to teach those with the desire to learn the science and art of horticulture and are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with the our gardening clientle. It is a 12 week course that is taught starting on the second Wednesday in January and running for 12 consecutive weeks. All classes are from 9 am until noon on Wednesday. Applications can be printed off on line at and mailed in or they can be picked up at the Agricultural Building, 209 N. Graham Hopedale Rd. in Burlington. Class size is limited to 30. The cost of the program is $75 per person. Graduates of the program are asked to return to us at least 60 hours of volunteer time. They assist us in answering questions on garden related topics, talking to civic groups, working with our schools, and performing other community service activities. The classes are taught by Extension agents, wildlife biologists, landscaper designers, plant pathologists, entomologists, and yours truly. Applications will be accepted during the month of October.
Question:
I have poinsettias outside and they are actually planted in the ground. When do I bring them in?
Answer:
You have about 10 days to dig these up and repot. When you bring them indoors, place them in the sunniest window you have. Then in the evening around 6 pm cover them with a bag to exclude indoor light. Remove the cover each morning. This will encourage the plant to begin its fall coloration.
Question:
When can we expect to have our first frost in Alamance County?
Answer:
Our average annual frost date is October 15th. Light frost can occur earlier in the rural areas of the county. Often times the first 'killing frost' comes later in October or early November. This is when the frost is more widespread, lasts longer, and truly kills plants. If you want to enjoy those summer annuals and vegetables a little longer, be prepared to cover them soon. You may get them to last another month before the big one comes.
Question:
Aphids are all over the leaves of my greens. What can I spray to control them?
Answer:
Insecticidal soap is the safest to use. You can eat the greens the same day. Just be sure to wet the leaves both top and bottom thoroughly with this insecticide. Insecticidal soap is found at most garden centers. Purchase the concentrate and mix according to the label instructions. Repeat as needed.
Question:
I woke up this morning only to find a snake on my kitchen floor. We killed it but are paranoid about others. What can we do?
Answer:
It is that time of the year for snakes to be seeking a place to spend the winter. They are also searching out warmer sites during the cooler evenings. For the next month or longer, snakes will come into garages, lay on drives, walks, and even get in homes trying to absorb as much warmth as possible. In addition, many snakes gave birth to young in August and September. The most common snake people find in their home and garage is a young black rat snake. This young juvenile is not solid black but actually exhibits a pattern that is both black and gray. People are fooled into thinking this is a rattlesnake or young copperhead. Young copperheads have a tan and brown pattern and and the tip of the tail is yellow. Copperheads are the only poisonous snakes in Alamance.
LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP
I will be teaching another Carlina Yard and Neighborhood landscape design class this coming Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 7 until 9. The cost is $15 per person or couple. Call 570-6740 to register. The class will be taught at the Agriculture Building, 209 N. Graham Hopedale Rd in Burlington.
SOUTHERN ANNEX SCHEDULE
I will be at the Southern Annex office on the corner of Bethel South Fork Rd and Snow Camp Rd. this Thursday from 8 am until noon. Come by with all your horticultural or forestry related questions.
North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commitment themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&;T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.