Plant some ryegrass as soon as the land is dry enough. It will play out when it turns hot. Then plant a warm season annual like pearl millet for summer grazing and haying. Then come back in the fall and establish your cool season grass. All of this can be done with a sod drill.

Plant some spring oats as soon as the land dries up. You’ll be able to mow the hay off of it before you could graze it. Then plant a warm season annual like pearl millet for summer grazing and haying. Then come back in the fall and establish your cool season grass. Again, all of this can be done with a sod drill.

The best alternative is to establish some warm season perennials for grazing in the summer and get the animals off of fescue. By the time the land is dry enough, it will probably be time to plant warm season perennials (late March, early April). Two good ones would be hybrid bermuda grass (won’t spread) or Red River crabgrass. Also, a seeded bermudagrass would be Pasto Rico (a giant, common mix). Which ever warm season perennial you choose, the Extension Service highly recommends that you have 30-40% of your pastures in a warm season perennial. They will survive summer droughts much better and you get the animals off of fescue.

Things to remember when establishing grass:

DO NOT plant too deep. This can be easily done with a sod drill. Most grasses should be planted between 1/4” to 1/2” deep and NO deeper. Oats should be planted about 1” deep.

Let new grass reach at least 6-8” (oats should be right before heading) before you mow it or graze it. When mowing grass, ALWAYS leave at least 4” of stubble. Grazing can be used but caution needs to be taken so that animals do not pull up the grass by the roots. If grazing is used, it should be done quickly and in a controlled manner such that the grass is not grazed too close. Do not leave animals on new grass at this time or your stand will be drastically thinned.

Mowing or clipping should be done at least once, preferably twice before animals are allowed on the grass permanently.

If your fescue survived the drought and you have grass to fertilize this spring, be prepared to spread your fertilizer as soon as it is dry enough. On pasture, we recommend 75 lbs of nitrogen/acre (about 250 lbs. Ammonium nitrate or 400 lbs of 19-19-19, if you need a complete fertilizer) and on hay land, we recommend 100 lb of nitrogen/acre (300 lbs of ammonium nitrate or 525 lbs of 19-19-19).

Also, if you have not done so, it would be a good time to take some soil samples. If you need lime and do not apply it, there is no need to apply any fertilizer. YOU WILL BE THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY, I PROMISE.

Cattle producers should have their High Mag minerals out to protect against grass tetany also. I recommend using a High Mag mineral year round.

If you have any questions about planting and fertilizing pastures, soil sampling or any other general livestock question, please give me a call at 318-6007.

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Quarantine for Imported Fire Ants

The N. C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is expanding a state quarantine for the imported fire ant in a continuing effort to monitor and address this pest. With the expansion, the quarantine now includes portions or entire areas of 57 counties.

These quarantine changes reflect the current known locations of the imported fire ant in North Carolina. This pest has spread rapidly in the past two years despite efforts to control the movement. This has happened in part due to favorable environmental conditions for the imported fire ant reproduction and flight.

The portion of Randolph County affected is South of NC 49 from Randolph/Davidson County line to Asheboro and South of 64 to the Randolph/Chatham County line. Businesses and individuals within the quarantined areas will need to obtain a certificate or permit to move certain materials through or to non-quarantined areas. Items requiring a permit include sod, soil, hay and straw, nursery plant material, logs or puplwood with soil, and soil-moving equipment. Movement of infested materials could result in the establishment and secondary spread of the imported fire ant to non-infested areas. To find out how to obtain a certificate or permit or if you have questions about fire ants call Barry at 318-6007. Certificates and/or permits are issued by NCDA.

Failure to obtain the needed inspections and certifications may result in the issuance of a stop-sale notice and rejection or destruction of the regulated article. An effective quarantine program is critical to prevent the movement into non-regulated areas of the state.

The imported fire ant first entered the United States through Alabama in 1918. As it spread and became established, it was recognized as an aggressive pest of farmlands, pastures, residential areas, and wildlife. The imported fire ant is considered to be a nuisance and a health concern to humans, livestock and wildlife due to its painful sting.

It was first identified in the southeastern portion of North Carolina in Brunswick County in 1957. Since its introduction, it has spread north to additional areas in the state.

The following are surrounding counties, including Randolph, that are affected. For a complete listing of all counties affected please contact the Extension Office at 318-6000:

Anson	Mecklenburg
Cabarrus	Montgomery
Chatham	Moore
Durham	Orange
Gaston	Randolph
Harnett	Richmond
Hoke	Stanley
Lee	Union

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FAMILY AND CONSUMER EDUCATION

Extension Agent Susan Garkalns

COURSE FOR CAREGIVERS OFFERED

Taking Care of You: Powerful Tools for Caregiving is an educational program designed to provide family caregivers with the tools they need to increase self-care and their ability and confidence to handle difficult situations. The program will run for six consecutive Wednesday nights from 6:00—9:00 p.m. beginning March 26 thru April 30, 2003. The course will be offered, free of charge, at North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Workshops will be facilitated by an AARP volunteer and an Extension Agent. For more information pertaining to the course content and/or registration, contact Susan Garkalns at 318-6004.

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The 10 Commandents of WEIGHT LOSS

Does weight loss top your New Year’s resolution list? Now is the time to adopt a healthier lifestyle for you and your family. Make small, gradual, realistic changes that will build upon one another, creating a healthier future. Start today by reviewing these strategies to help you control your weight:

You shall think “choose well” not “diet.”
Instead of trying to minimize the amount of food you are eating and starving yourself to lose weight, choose foods that allow you to fill up on fewer calories. These are foods that are:

minimally processed,
high in fiber and
low in fat and sugar.

Examples include fruits; vegetables; whole grains such as barley, oatmeal, whole-wheat products and brown rice; and legumes. For protein, always pick leaner choices such as white breast meat of poultry (without skin); pork loin; lean beef; legumes such as black beans, lentils or split peas; and seafood. Prepare these items with little added oil.

You shall make exercise fun.
Find a reason other than cosmetic to exercise, then stick to it. Take up several aerobic activities that are enjoyable, such as an aerobics class, walking, bike riding, swimming, running, hiking, softball, etc. and work out aerobically at least an hour a day, five or six days a week. Exercise should make you feel good!

You shall not eat for boredom.
Tune into emotions and hunger cues. Feed hunger, and avoid eating to relax, cure boredom or overcome depression. Instead, take a walk or call a friend.

You shall eat out wisely.
Try to prepare more meals at home. If you do eat out, choose soup and salad or smaller dishes that are low in fat. Ask for sauces and dressings on the side. If portions are large, take half home!

You shall shop smart.

Fill grocery carts 2/3 full of perimeter aisle foods. These include fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables, seafood, chicken and leaner cuts of meat. Don’t forget to include the beans and rice aisle in this part of your cart!
Aim for 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Naturally sweet, low in calories, full of flavor, fiber, vitamins and minerals, aim for at least one serving of fruit or vegetable at each meal and snack. Keep them low fat.

You shall snack right.

Healthful snacks can round out a nutritious diet and ward off overeating by maintaining blood glucose levels. Keep them nutritious.
Instead of packaged snacks, think ‘out with the bag’ and enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables with lowfat dips or fat-free, light yogurt. Most Americans have trouble meeting the recommended number of servings for fruits, vegetables and dairy/calcium groups.
Keep snacks to less than 150 calories and 5 grams of fat. Snacks are not meant to be another meal or dessert.

You shall be adventurous.

Be adventurous and expand your range of food choices. Explore new tastes. Try exotic produce, and sample lowfat ethnic cuisines to get a break from the everyday norm.
Buy a lowfat cookbook to help you modify traditional high-fat favorites and to introduce appealing new dishes.

You shall use less fat.

Prepare foods using lower-fat cooking methods such as baking meats on a rack, broiling, grilling, roasting or steaming instead of frying. When sautéing, use broth or add only 1 tablespoon of oil for every four people. This only adds a conservative 4 grams of fat per person.
Eliminate “extra” fats. Trim visible fats from meats prior to cooking. Rinse cooked ground meat to “wash away” grease. Remove skin from poultry to reduce added fats.

You shall limit sugar & refined starch.

Try “diet,” “no sugar added,” and “lite” products. Sugar substitutes such as Splenda and Equal for recipes have greatly improved the taste and acceptance of sugar-free products.
Limit refined starch foods that are made with white flour and are low in fiber. Fill up instead with high-fiber choices such as corn, potatoes, yams, limas, peas, dried beans and whole grains. Balance these with plenty of non- starchy vegetables.

You shall not skip breakfast.

Remember the most important meal of the day — breakfast!! A breakfast that includes cereal, fruit juice and skim milk not only starts the day the lowfat way, but also helps to meet your need for fiber.

Good luck — you are now on your way to better health and weight management for a lifetime!

Source: Communicating Food for Health by Vicki Adcock

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Germ Defense Pyramid: A Guide to Cleaning (Source:Charles Gerba, Ph.D., University of Arizona with The Clorox Company)

The germ defense pyramid focuses on surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom that harbor the highest number of harmful bacteria. By following the Germ Defense Pyramid routine, you can reduce the level of harmful microorganisms in your home more than 99 percent, killing the germs that can make you sick. *Daily* Daily disinfecting is recommended for the most contaminated sites, including sponges and dishcloths, sink and drain areas. Cutting boards should be disinfected after every use, especially after cutting raw meat, poultry or fish and before preparing fresh produce. Bleach kills harmful bacteria that are prevalent on cutting boards and countertops, including E. coli and Salmonella, the bacteria that cause food poisoning.	*Two or Three Times a Week* “High touch” zones in the kitchen and bathroom need to be cleaned and disinfected on more of an “as needed” basis, approximately two or three times per week. These areas include faucet handles, toilet flush handles and high-traffic areas on the floor of the kitchen and bathroom. Spills, of course, should be cleaned up as they occur. *Once a Week* In the bathroom, toilets need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected once a week as do all countertops, showers, tubs and drains. Entire floors in both the bathroom and kitchen should also be cleaned and disinfected.

SANITIZING SOLUTIONS First, wash surface with hot, soapy water and rinse. For hard, nonporous surfaces: Mix 1 tablespoon liquid bleach with 1 gallon of water Apply to hard surface. Keep surface wet for 2 minutes. Allow to air dry: Do not rinse. For porous surfaces, like wooden cutting boards: Mix 3 tablespoons liquid bleach with one gallon of water. Apply to surface. Keep surface wet for 2 minutes. Rinse with water and let dry.	DISINFECTING SOLUTION First, remove loose dirt. Mix 3/4 cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Apply to surface. Keep surface wet for 2 minutes. Rinse with water and let dry.

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	4-H/Youth Development Barb Dunn Swanson and Tammy Harrison

Honor’s Night a Success! A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to the Macedonia Falcons and to the parents, leaders and 4-H’ers that helped make Honor’s Night a huge success! Special thanks to: Mr. Robbie Davis and Mrs. Lorraine Smith for their assistance at this program.	Looking for Activities? Looking for activities or lesson plans to use during club meetings? Want to get individual books for your children to work in ? Do we have resources for you! Stop by our office to see what we have available. You can even ‘check out’ booklets and share the information with your club.

The Human Race March 22, 2003 If your club is raising money for the Human Race, you must turn it in to the Extension Office by Monday, March 17. Anyone who raises at least 50 dollars will receive a t-shirt. The Human Race will take place on Saturday, March 22 at Memorial Park in Asheboro. As a reminder, clubs who participate receive 75% of what they raise. The remaining 25% will benefit the Randolph County Volunteer Center.	It’s Presentation Time!! It’s early, but it’s time to start preparing those presentations! For information or ideas contact Tammy

	DON’T FORGET Plant orders can be picked up at Cooperative Extension on Friday, March 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Potato Bar Luncheon March 14, 2003 4-H will again sponsor a Potato Bar luncheon on Friday, March 14 from 11:30—2:00 pm. Each club is asked to donate 3 pans of bars for dessert. Please bring the bars to the Extension office before 10:00 a.m. on March 14. Lunch will include potato, toppings, dessert and drink.

	CONGRATULATIONS to: Cynthia Craven, Sew Sew’s 4-H club leader, for winning the Northwest District 4-H Leader Award! Cynthia received this at the leaders’conference in early February. Cassie Garner, Sew Sew’s 4-H Club member, for being selected to perform at the 4-H Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala which will be held on March 18, in Charlotte!

Deadline: March 21, 2003
		4-H Junior Camp Slots still available.
Who:	Youth ages 8 - 12 years old
Where:	Eastern Environmental 4-H Center Columbia, NC
Cost:	Includes: food, insurance, and lodging Call our office for cost
Deposit:	non-refundable deposit
If you're interested in this or other camps, please contact Tammy at 318-6013.

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HORTICULTURE

ROSE BASICS: by Amy-Lynn Bartel

Roses require good drainage; with heavy clay soils it may be necessary to prepare a raised bed. The soil should be tilled to a depth of 8-12” . The pH level should be in the 5.5 to 6.0 range. For the best results planting should be done in the early spring or in the fall. A good plant will require a hole 12” deep and 18” wide. Broken roots should be pruned and the top portion cut back to 5-7”. Before you put the soil back into the hole be sure roots are loose and not pot bound. The backfill should contain native soil mixed with potting soil. Roots growing in the native soil have a better moisture relationship. Mulching with 3-4” of organic matter will provide aid during stress periods. The mulch will hold moisture, discourage weeds and prevent soil crusting. To prevent disease problems mulch should be replaced each spring. Generally a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 fertilizer at a rate of 2-3 lbs per square feet spread between two applications in the early growing season is adequate. When buds begin to form apply another application for 10-10-10 at a rate of 1-2lbs/100 sq. ft., repeat this application every 4 weeks or until mid-August. Typically North Carolina summers do not provide enough moisture for roses. Extra irrigation is necessary; a soaker hose provides moisture to the root system while keeping the foliage dry. If you need to use overhead irrigation do it early in the morning to give the foliage time to dry and lessen the possibility of black spot and powdery mildew.

Woman pruning

Pruning is an important, necessary step in growing roses. Correct pruning improves the overall shape and promotes new healthier growth. Most annual pruning should be done in early spring just as buds break dormancy. The gardener who prunes to early risks losing future growth to frost damage, and the one who prunes too late will have a plant weakened from a loss of sap. When the buds begin to swell go ahead and prune. Spring pruning also allows for the removal of wood damaged by the winter. Always make sure that your pruning shears are clean and sharp before you start to prune.

The reward of all this work can be beautiful flowers that can be cut for your enjoyment inside. First year roses should be allowed to bloom, and not cut continuously. After the rose bush matures the flowers can be cut regularly. You will want to cut stems either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Cut above the lowest 5-leaflet leaf (usually 3-5 inches above the base of the stem). Immerse the stem in a tall container of warm water and refrigerate for at least one hour. Remove the flowers from the refrigerator and arrange them in a vase. Be sure to freshen the water every day for longer lasting flowers.

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Garden TO DO List for March:

Plant a Tree for Arbor Day! Arbor day is March 21st this year.
Plant small fruit plants, grape vines and fruit trees before the buds break.
Prune the roses before buds break.
Pick off faded flowers of pansy and daffodils. Pansies will flower longer if old flowers are removed.
Apply crabgrass herbicides to your lawn in late March to help control crabgrass.
Divide perennials like daylily, Shasta daisy, blanket flower, and coreopsis.
Make sure old plantings of perennials like peony, hollyhock and phlox are clean of last seasons growth.

Garden TO DO list for April:

Fertilize all early spring flowering plants like Forsythia and evergreens like holly early in April.
Plan out your annual bedding plants and some of your vegetables plants this month.
Prune April flowering plants like azalea, lilac and weigela after the flowers fade.
Plant warm season grass like Bermuda and centipede this month.
Mulch all your landscape plants as needed. Pine needles, cypress mulch and pine bark are good mulches.
Spray red tips weekly with a recommended fungicide if leaf spot has been a problem.

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