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Children’s Program at Friendship Gardens

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Hardin County – The Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting a children’s program at the Friendship Gardens called “Let’s Get Gourdy!” on Saturday morning, October 7. This event is from 10:00 am until noon and will provide several activities for kids ages 5 and up.

We will make birdhouse gourds, gourd ornaments, paint stones to look like pumpkins, and have a scavenger hunt. Visit the children’s garden and get a picture as a butterfly, play tic-tac-toe, dig in the garden trug and find the fairy gardens. Come see what is new in the garden this year. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The event will take place at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County, which is located at 960 W. Kohler Street in Kenton.

Children ages 5 and up are welcome with a responsible adult. The adult must remain with their children for the entire event. Wear old clothes as we will be making birdhouse gourds along with gourd ornaments; and participants will be painting stones in addition to other activities in the Friendship Garden. The event is free and open to the public with no registration necessary. Come enjoy fall activities in the garden! Questions about this event can be directed to the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardeners Facebook page or by calling the OSU Extension office at 419-674-2297.

Carcass Show of Champions

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Hardin County – Have you ever wondered how well the grand and reserve champion fair animals will grade out on the rail?  The OSU Extension office is announcing that the 2023 Hardin County Fair Carcass Show of Champions will be held in-person at Jenkins Meats, 670 E. Marion Street, Mt. Victory on Monday, September 18 starting at 6:00 pm. Viewers will be also be able to watch the OSU Meat Judge giving oral reasons and results at both the Hardin County OSU Extension and Ohio State – Hardin County 4-H Facebook pages in addition to the hardin.osu.edu website after the event. The carcass show will evaluate the meat value of the grand champion and reserve champion steers, barrows, gilts, and lambs from this year’s Hardin County Fair.

Carcass value will be determined by evaluating the dressing percentage, yield grade (external fat thickness, ribeye area (in2), internal fat, and hot carcass weight), as well as quality grade (marbling score and skeletal maturity). Carcass information is very important to breeding livestock operations for making genetic improvements in their seed stock animals; and serves as an effective marketing tool for producers who sell their livestock for meat. The Hardin County Fair Carcass Show of Champions is sponsored by Ohio State University Extension, Jenkins Meats, the Hardin County Fair Board, the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association, the Hardin County Cattle Producers, and the Hardin County Pork Producers.

August 2, 2023

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Good morning,

As I begin this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, we have received some needed rain, but the hot temperatures received recently have caused evaporation and more rain is needed. Most corn fields are at R1 or later and are pollinating or will soon. Most soybean fields have reached R2 flowering, with some early fields at R3 beginning pod. Growth has been slow, but both crops are looking much better than this time a month ago. Weeds are dying in soybean fields because of the recent post herbicide applications. Hay continues to be made, with some mowed hay having been rained on. Oats are being harvested in the county, and some preventative fungicide applications have been made to corn. See the attached Ohio Crop Weather report dated July 31 for more details. Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 3.16 inches of rain in Hardin County during June. Last year, the average rainfall for June was 2.29 inches. Rainfall for the month was 2.38 inches less than the ten-year average rainfall in the month of June. I am just now receiving rainfall reports for the month of July. See the attached Extension Rainfall Report for June. With the dry weather you may want to read the attached article about scouting soybean for aphids.

Ohio Crop Weather

June Rainfall Summary

Soybean Aphid News Release

I have included recent articles about the Drainage Installation Field Day that took place at Ohio State – Lima, and the Hardin County Fruit and Vegetable Crop Walk that was held near Mt. Victory. Upcoming field days that I have included flyers for are the Agriculture Technology Field Day (August 23) in Fulton County, Pumpkin Field Day (August 24) in Clark County, and the Northwest Agronomic Field Day (August 31) in Wood County. If you are interested in pre-purchasing your Farm Science Review tickets for this year’s FSR to be held September 19-21 in Madison County, you can do so at go.osu.edu/fsrhardin2023 for $10 per ticket. This saves you $5.00 per ticket at the gate and provides a $1.00 donation to the Hardin County OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program. See the attached flyer for more information about the FSR. If you are a gardener, you many be interested in attending the Master Gardener Volunteers Diagnostic Workshop (August 25) in Hancock County. Check out the attached flyer for registration information. I would also like to remind you of our Hardin County Master Gardener program on “Growing Cabbage, Broccoli, and Kohlrabi” (August 17) in the Friendship Gardens at 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton starting at 6:00 pm. See the attached flyer for MGV program information.

Drainage Field Day News Release

Crop Walk News Release

Crop Walk Flyer

Ag Tech Day Flyer

Pumpkin Field Day Flyer

NW Agronomic Field Day Flyer

Hardin County FSR Flyer

MGV Diagnostic Workshop

Summer Programs in the Friendship Garden

If you have unwanted farm pesticides that you want to dispose of free of charge, please note that the Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the dates and locations of this summer’s Clean Sweep program. Farmers from any county can take pesticides to these locations to properly dispose of them and you do not need to pre-register. Please note that the times are from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Household chemicals and commercial retailers are not included in this disposal program. As before, I have included some timely ag crops articles below that you may find interesting.

 

Mark

 

Protecting Wheat Seed and Rye Seed While In Storage Before Planting This Fall – Curtis Young

It is not uncommon for a farmer to save some of their wheat or rye crop in a grain wagon for seed to plant their next crop in the fall. Once their wagon is full, it will be shoved into a barn or shed for the rest of the summer until it is needed in the fall. Occasionally, when they return to retrieve their seed, they discover that the wheat or rye has been infested by Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella) and possibly other stored grain pests as well. The activity of these grain infesting insects results in reduced germination potential and/or seedling survivorship requiring an increased seeding rate to compensate for the damaged seed. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-25/protecting-wheat-seed-and-rye-seed-while-storage-planting-fall.

 

Battle for the Belt: Episode 21 – Taylor Dill, Laura Lindsey, Osler Ortez, Stephanie Karhoff, Luke Waltz

Episode 21 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPd3diZNFsU In Episode 21, we talk with Dr. Stephanie Karhoff, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist about scouting for tar spot in corn. Tar spot is a relatively new disease to the state of Ohio, but it can be problematic, especially in Northwest Ohio. When scouting for tar spot, visit multiple locations in your field and answer these questions: Is tar spot present? To what severity? Is it increasing over time? To continue reading this article, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-25/battle-belt-episode-21.

 

August’s Stealthiest Insect Pest: Stink Bugs in Soybean – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

Why are stink bugs the stealthiest insect pest near the end of summer? It’s because their method of feeding is so subtle. You won’t see damaged leaves or sickly-looking plants with stink bugs. They have straw-like mouthparts which they poke through the pod directly into the developing seed. If this happens early enough in seed development the seed will simply abort. If it happens later, the seed will be shriveled and shrunken. Either way, this reduces yield and/or reduces seed quality, though you will not see the damage unless you carefully inspect the pods for missing or damaged seed. To finish reading about stinkbugs in soybean, click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-25/august%E2%80%99s-stealthiest-insect-pest-stink-bugs-soybean.

 

ANR Factsheet Available for Understanding Corn Abnormal Ears: When and Why Do They Develop? – Osler Ortez

Much of the corn has started to tassel (VT) and silk (R1) around the state. These mark the beginning of the reproductive stages and include the grain-filling period in corn. As ears develop and grow, abnormalities can develop at different times and due to various factors. If you find abnormal ear development this season and want to understand development timing and causal factors, ANR-0139 Factsheet has the just of it: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0139. To continue reading this article, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-25/anr-factsheet-available-understanding-corn-abnormal-ears-when-and.

 

Lep Monitoring Network Update #13 – WBC Numbers Remain High, Continue Scouting! – Rebecca DiScipio, Stephanie Pflaum, Amy Raudenbush, Trevor Corboy, Suranga Basnagala , Mark Badertscher, Nic Baumer, Frank Becker, Nick Eckel, Allen Gahler, Don Hammersmith, Mary Jo Hassen, Alan Leininger, Ed Lentz, Kendall Lovejoy, Clifton Martin, Sarah Noggle, Jordan Penrose, Beth Scheckelhoff, Mike Sunderman, Frank Thayer, Kyle Verhoff, Brooks Warner, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon, Jamie Hampton, Les Ober

The Ohio Lep Network is continuing to monitor moth pests across Ohio. We are in our 13th week of monitoring, and we are continuing population reports for Western bean cutworm (WBC), corn earworm (CEW), and both variations of European corn borer (ECB – IA & NY). Read more about the crop insect scouting network at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-25/lep-monitoring-network-update-13-%E2%80%93-wbc-numbers-remain-high.

 

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Fruit and Vegetable Crop Walk

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Hardin County – There is a segment of agriculture in southeastern Hardin County that specializes in commercial fruit and vegetable production. Hardin County is also home to the Scioto Valley Produce Auction near Mt. Victory where much of this produce is sold. Hardin County OSU Extension has planned a Fruit and Vegetable Crop Walk program on Wednesday, July 19 from 6:00-8:00 pm to help with fruit and vegetable production issues. The location of the program will be on a produce farm at 17956 Township Road 245, Mt. Victory. It is open to all fruit and vegetable producers, whether they are commercial or home gardeners.

Gary Gao, OSU Extension Small Fruit Production Specialist will provide information on growing raspberries. Matt Kleinhenz, OSU Extension Vegetable Production Specialist will provide a vegetable production update, Chris Galbraith, OSU/MSU Extension Vegetable Extension Educator, Northwest Ohio will provide a weed control update. Frank Becker, OSU Extension Educator, will provide a fruit and vegetable issues update from Wayne County. Tommy Becker, OSU Extension Educator, will provide a fruit and vegetable issues update from Lorain County.

The program will be held outside so bring your lawn chair and umbrella in case of rain. There will be a diagnostic table so be sure to bring along any weeds, plant nutrition problems, plant diseases, and insect specimens in a sealed plastic bag for questions and answers. The program will conclude with a walk through a produce field or hoop house, pointing out fruit and vegetable issues and steps to properly manage them. There is no cost to attend this event.

 

June 26, 2023

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Good afternoon,

As I write this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, we received a brief shower in Kenton. It seems like the rain has been hit and miss and the crops are growing slowly because of the lack of rain and cool temperatures. Fortunately, we have not had too many 90 degree days to put additional stress on the crops in the field. The most recent Ohio Crop Weather report for June 20 that I have attached shows that 96.4% of the state has been abnormally dry or worse. 97% of corn has emerged statewide, but most of it in Hardin County is V9 growth stage or less. 95% of soybean plants are emerged statewide, but many fields that I have looked at in Hardin County are at V10 growth stage or less. Wheat is in Feekes 11, still in the dough stages but that could change soon with the dry weather. Most of the field crops in the state are rated in the “Good” category. Refer to the attached May 2023 Rainfall Summary for more local rainfall and crop information. For the period of May 1-May 31, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 2.47 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for the same time was 5.41 inches. Rainfall for May was 1.62 inches less than the ten-year average rainfall for the month.

Ohio Crop Weather

May 2023 Rainfall Summary

I have attached a couple related articles that you might find interesting including one looking back on Hardin County Crop Yields from 2022 compared with surrounding counties. I have also included one that takes a look at Dry Weather Crop Impacts. There is a West Central Ohio Hay Day coming up July 6 near Urbana, so I have included a flyer with information about how you can register to attend. Also, if you are cleaning out the grain bins this summer, I encourage you to participate in OSU’s “Farmers’ Exposure to Dust and Noise Hazards at On-Farm Grain Facilities” study. See the attached flyer for more information about how you can get involved with this research. Speaking of research, I have been trapping for True Armyworm, Black Cutworm, European Corn Borer, and Corn Earworm for the past couple of months around the county. Currently I am putting up traps for Western Bean Cutworm, and later will add Fall Armyworm. You can read about our statewide OSU Extension crop insect monitoring and recommendations in the CORN Newsletter (corn.osu.edu). Most insect pest activity has been low, with the exception of Black Cutworm moth flight in a couple fields that I have been monitoring.

Crop Yields News Release

Dry Weather Crop Impacts News Release

Hay Day Flyer

Grain Bin Dust/Noise Research

If you are a gardener, I would like to invite you to attend tonight’s “An Evening Garden Affair” being held at the Friendship Gardens located in Kenton on 960 W Kohler Street. It begins with a garden tour and snacks at 6:30 pm, followed by a 7:00 pm program in the Simon Kenton School gym by Hancock County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer John King presenting on “Small Space Vegetable Gardening.” I have included a news article and flyer with this email with more details about this event. In addition, there is a series of Summer Garden Programs being offered at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County for which I have included a news release and flyer. You are welcome to attend these events as well that are being held by the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers the next few months. Topics include “Hugelkulture,” “Worm Composting,” and “Growing Cabbage, Broccoli and Kohlrabi.” As always, I have included some timely articles from the CORN Newsletter below that you may like to read with a cup of iced tea on these summer afternoons, hopefully during a rain event.

An Evening Garden Affair News Release

An Evening Garden Affair Flyer

Summer Garden Programs News Release

Summer Programs in the Friendship Garden Flyer

 

Mark

 

What happened with crop yields during 1988 and 2012? A recap – Osler Ortez, Laura Lindsey, Greg LaBarge

After a couple of weeks of dry conditions in the state, “the skies opened up” during the last week or so. Showers and storms moved across the state during this period. Prior to these rainfall events, we heard comments “This is starting to look like 1988”, but thankfully, we think that we did not get there. The recent rains and cooler temperatures have alleviated (at least to some degree) the drought concerns in areas of the state. We still need steady rains throughout the growing season, and we hope we get them. For now, the next 7-day forecast has rains for most regions. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-19/what-happened-crop-yields-during-1988-and-2012-recap.

 

Battle for the Belt: Episode 15 – Taylor Dill, Laura Lindsey, Osler Ortez, Pierce Paul, Joe Davlin, Matt Davis

Episode 15 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTgin3qPtoU. In Episode 15, we have a conversation with Dr. Pierce Paul, Cereal Plant Pathology Specialist about corn disease concerns and scouting, along with a field update from the Northwest and Western research stations and an Allen County farmer who planted soybeans first. See the summary article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-19/battle-belt-episode-15.

 

Lep Monitoring Network Update #7 – Trap Counts for CEW and ECB (IA & NY) – Stephanie Pflaum, Rebecca DiScipio, Amy Raudenbush, Suranga Basnagala , Mark Badertscher, Trevor Corboy, Jamie Hampton, Mary Jo Hassen, Clifton Martin, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

The Ohio Lep Network is continuing to monitor moth pests across Ohio. As we have begun our seventh week of monitoring, we are happy to begin reports for corn earworm (CEW) monitoring as well as continuing to monitor for European corn borer (ECB) IA and NY populations. As mentioned in our most recent Lep Network newsletter, monitoring for black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (AMW) for this season has come to a close. For more resources on these pests and many others, check out our website: https://aginsects.osu.edu. Finish reading the insect trapping article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-19/lep-monitoring-network-update-7-%E2%80%93-trap-counts-cew-and-ecb-ia-ny.

 

Dicamba Deadline Reminder – Alyssa Essman

Crop progress is highly variable this year. Some early planted crops have emerged and have had decent growth following recent rains. Dry weather has delayed the emergence of some later planted crops. This means there will also be variability in growth stages, which can have implications for POST application timings. The deadline to apply dicamba over-the-top (OTT) in Ohio is coming soon. For OTT applications of the dicamba products labeled for this use, the cutoff is up to and through June 30th, or the labeled growth stage. There are cutoff dates and/or soybean growth stages for the different products. Find out more details at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-19/dicamba-deadline-reminder.

 

Keep an Eye on the Horizon for Dry Weather Insect Pests – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

While nobody knows what the future holds regarding weather, recent dry conditions have made people think about the potential for drought this summer.  In field crops, certain insect pests tend to be worse under dry conditions – either because hot and/or dry weather favors their biology, reduces the impact of natural enemies that help control them [particularly insect-killing fungi], weakens the plants’ resistance to the insects or increases the physiological damage potential, or some combination of these factors.  While you can’t control the weather, stepping up scouting efforts in drought conditions can help you control unexpected damage from these dry-weather insects. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-19/keep-eye-horizon-dry-weather-insect-pests.

 

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Small Space Vegetable Gardening Topic of Evening Garden Affair

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Hardin County – The Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting “An Evening Garden Affair” on Monday evening, June 26 at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 W. Kohler Street in Kenton. The event is from 6:30 to 8:00 pm and will feature John King, Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteer, and part-time horticulturist with the Findlay Country Club. He is a 1983 graduate of the University of Kansas where he received a degree in Biology.

The topic of the program will be “Small Space Vegetable Gardening.” King will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of growing vegetables in pots and grow bags as well as the square foot gardening method, touching on the Mittleider gardening method. The Mittleider gardening method was developed for growing plants in a soilless medium to create high yield vegetable gardens under precisely controlled feeding and watering conditions.

Attendees will gather in the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County for tours at 6:30 pm with Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers. Learn about the many different themed gardens at this educational demonstration garden. There will be snacks and drinks available, along with free plants to lucky attendees before moving to Simon Kenton School gymnasium with seating at 7:00 pm for the program presented by speaker John King.

This event is free and open to the public, rain, or shine. Those who have an interest in gardening will not want to miss this event. Parking is available at the garden off West Kohler Street or in front of Simon Kenton School. For further information contact the OSU Extension office at 419-674-2297.

Summer Garden Programs

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Hardin County – The Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting three summer garden programs at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 W. Kohler Street in Kenton. The programs will begin with an event on “Hugelkulture” on June 15, “Worm Composting” on July 20, and another on “Growing Cabbage, Broccoli, and Kohlrabi” on August 17.

Learn about Hugelkulture on Thursday, June 15 from 6:00-7:00 pm. Hugelkulture is a centuries old traditional way of building a garden bed from rotten logs and plant debris. This program will be presented by Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Kim Thomas.

A great way to make the richest and cheapest compost for all your garden plants is to practice Worm Composting. Join Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Kim Thomas on Thursday, July 20 from 6:00-7:00 pm for this educational program to enhance your garden’s soil.

Want to know the best techniques for growing cabbage, broccoli, and kohlrabi? Learn the tricks on how to grow these delicious vegetables, and tips on how to keep them pest and disease free. This program will be held Thursday, August 17 from 6:00-7:00 pm and will be presented by Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Stewart Coats.

These events are free and open to the public, rain or shine with the featured program inside the shelter house at the Friendship Gardens with seating. Registration is not necessary to attend. Master Gardener Volunteers will be stationed throughout the Friendship Gardens before and after the programs to answer your gardening questions. All interested gardeners are encouraged to attend.

May 19, 2023

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Good afternoon,

Good to see that the weather is finally cooperating with spring planting after some field work allowed for early planting in mid-April. According to the attached May 15 Ohio Crop Weather report, 26% of corn was planted and 28% of soybean was planted a week ago. Winter wheat is mostly rated in good condition with this spring’s cooler temperatures and wet weather. As of April 30, Hardin County township rainfall reporters recorded only 1.72 inches of rain from April 15-30, but frequent rains in early May and cool temperatures slowed down evaporation rates. See the April Extension Rainfall Report for more information.

Ohio Crop Weather

April 15-30 Rainfall Summary

Recent news articles that I have included with this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update include topics such as scouting for Alfalfa Weevil, Soybean Cyst Nematode sampling, and Planting Considerations for Corn and Soybean. If you are a gardener, I have included an article about free Ohio Victory Garden Seeds that are available at the Extension office, and an article and flyer about our OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Plant Sale that is taking place tomorrow morning at the Friendship Gardens located at 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Alfalfa Weevil News Release

Soybean Cyst Nematode Sampling News Release

Corn-Soybean Planting Recommendations News Release

Victory Gardens News Release

Hardin County Plant Sale News Release

MGV Plant Sale Flyer 2023

Upcoming webinars and events that you may be interested in include a free webinar series beginning next week on Solar Development in Ohio for which I have attached an article and flyer with details about how you can register to listen in on this free program while you are working in the fields or from the comfort of your office. Topics include Solar Development Overview and Trends, Leasing Land for Solar Development, Connecting to the Electric Grid, Solar Project Approval in Ohio, and Construction and Post-Construction. Registration and additional information about the free Zoom webinar series is available at go.osu.edu/solarwebinars. Those unable to attend can view webinar recordings on the Farm Office energy law library at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/our-library/energy-law.

Solar Development Webinars News Release

Solar Development Webinars Flyer

The next Ag Council breakfast meeting will take place Friday morning, June 2 starting at 7:30 am at the Kenton McDonalds restaurant. Join us this coming month for a roundtable discussion on the spring planting season and get updated on agricultural issues and events. I hope the weather cooperates with you from this point forward and wish you a safe spring planting season. As provided in the past, I have included some ag crops articles from the CORN Newsletter that you may be interested in reading.

 

Mark

 

If You Planted and Heavy Rainfall Affected Your Fields…  – Osler Ortez, Laura Lindsey

According to the USDA-NASS report for the week ending 05/14/23, 26% of Ohio’s corn and 28% of Ohio’s soybean acres were planted. About 8% of corn and soybean was reported emerged. Ohio’s planting (and emergence) progress is coming along for both corn and soybean crops. However, there are still significant acreages to be planted yet, and weather does not always help. Heavy rainfall (1-2 inches of rain) events were reported for some areas of Ohio last week. Heavy rainfall can negatively affect planted and emerged fields, planted and non-emerged fields, and yet-to-be-planted fields. If you are in one of the areas with concerns about heavy rainfall, read about how to manage these issues at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-14/if-you-planted-and-heavy-rainfall-affected-your-fields%E2%80%A6

 

Forage Maturity Across Ohio – Jason Hartschuh, Amanda Douridas, Kendall Lovejoy, Carri Jagger, Beth Scheckelhoff, Ed Lentz, Les Ober

Warm weather this spring especially over the last couple of weeks has rapidly progressed forage maturity. Harvesting forages at the proper time for the livestock you are feeding is critical to farm profitability. Poor quality forages must be supplemented to maintain livestock. In the southern part of the state, many forage grasses are in head while in the northern part of the state, some species are in head but most are still in the vegetative stage but will be in head within a week. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-14/forage-maturity-across-ohio.

 

Interested in Soil Health? Learn together with OSU Extension – Jason Hartschuh, Elizabeth Hawkins, Amanda Douridas

Improving soil health can provide a variety of benefits including improved water infiltration, increased water holding capacity, and increased nutrient availability. However, it can be challenging to quantify these benefits in the field. With funding from Ohio Soybean Checkoff, the eFields program is continuing an effort to help better understand how management practices influence soil health and ultimately crop yields. OSU Extension has worked to identify a few soil tests that can provide helpful indicators of improved soil health. We are looking for farmers interested in soil health and who want to participate in a statewide field survey collecting soil health data from fields under various management practices, specifically conventional tillage, no-till, manure application, and cover cropping. Find out how to get involved at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-14/interested-soil-health-learn-together-osu-extension.

 

Lep Monitoring Network Update #2 – Black Cutworm & True Armyworm – Amy Raudenbush, Kylie Harbert, Suranga Basnagala , Mark Badertscher, Lee Beers, CCA, Trevor Corboy, Dirk Dempsey, Jamie Hampton, Alan Leininger, Clifton Martin, CCA, Beth Scheckelhoff, Curtis Young, CCA, Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

We are currently in our second week of monitoring for black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (AMW) moths in Ohio. Both moths are early season pests in Ohio that migrate to the state and lay eggs in fields. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars cause damage to the emerging corn plants. Counties with high trap catches should be prepared to scout high risk fields. In addition to BCW and AMW, European corn borer (IA & NY) traps were set last week and numbers will be reported in next week’s newsletter. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-14/lep-monitoring-network-update-2-%E2%80%93-black-cutworm-true-armyworm to learn more about this effort.

 

Cressleaf Groundsel Identification – Alyssa Essman

Fields of yellow flowers can be found all over the state. Issues with cressleaf groundsel can bring about questions concerning toxicity to livestock. Previous C.O.R.N. articles have covered management and can be found at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-08/cressleaf-groundsel-scouting. Cressleaf groundsel may be confused with members of the mustard family, or other species with yellow flowers that bloom this time of year. Below are some key ID characteristics and pictures that can be helpful in differentiating cressleaf groundsel from other species. To continue with identifying this weed, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2023-13/cressleaf-groundsel-identification.

 

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale

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Hardin County – The 18th Annual Hardin County Master Gardener Plant Sale will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Saturday, May 20 rain or shine at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County. The Friendship Gardens of Hardin County is located behind the old HARCO Workshop Building, 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton. Follow the signs to the parking that is available at the garden.

In addition to plants and garden items supplied by the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, there will also be the Hardin County Men’s Garden Club and vendor Star Farms Native Plants at this annual event with plants for sale. In the past, the public has been able to find a wide choice of their favorite flowers, bedding plants, roses, herbs, trees, and various other potted plants at this event.

Sharing from their own knowledge and experience, gardeners from the OSU Extension Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers, Hardin County Men’s Garden Club and vendor Star Farms Native Plants will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice for a successful gardening year. In addition, free packets of Ohio Victory Gardens seeds provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture will be available.

Make sure you put Saturday, May 20 on your calendar to attend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate, and conditions will be more suitable for planting by the date of this year’s plant sale. The OSU Extension Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers look forward to seeing you at the Friendship Gardens once again this year. Come early as noted in the past, the event has been popular, and plants go fast. So, bring your boxes and wagons, and get your green thumb on for the new planting season!

Ohio Victory Gardens Offers Free Seeds

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Hardin County – It’s time once again to get your hands dirty and start growing! The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Ohio State University Extension offices are kicking off the fourth year of the Ohio Victory Gardens program. Due to high demand, the program has expanded to include 50 counties, up from 42 counties last year. Thousands of seed sample kits are available for free to the public to get people planting.

Specific days and times for each office are available on the Ohio Victory Gardens website, as well as planting resources and information. Hardin County OSU Extension will make available Ohio Victory Garden seed packets containing a combination of carrots, cucumber, lettuce, and sunflowers. Seeds are currently available at the Hardin County OSU Extension Office, 1021 W Lima Street in Kenton and will also be available at its annual Master Gardener Volunteers Plant Sale being held Saturday, May 20 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton.

Victory Gardens originated during World War I, an answer to a severe food shortage at the time. People were encouraged to find any usable space, plop in some seeds, and contribute homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs to the effort. The idea was wildly successful, growing an army of amateur gardeners and serving to boost morale and patriotism.

While we’re not in wartime, we can all commiserate the past few months have been tough, mood-boosters are welcomed. So, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio State University are reviving the effort and once again inspiring people to get their hands dirty, realize the fruits of their labor and share with others if inspired. We believe a good day in the garden is good for the soul.

The Victory Gardens Program offers a full website with details on seed distribution, advice, and resources on every aspect of planting and harvesting produce at https://u.osu.edu/ohiovictorygardens/ online. All Victory Gardens participants will be eligible to win a free starter gardening toolkit by completing a short online survey to enter.

 

Article written by Ohio Department of Agriculture and edited by Mark Badertscher-OSU Extension, Hardin County