– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension

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For many livestock and wildlife springtime is the ideal time for new life to be born. The abundance of spring babies in pastures and woodlands often causes concerns about potentially abandoned wildlife. Each year the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) reminds Ohioans to avoid removing young wildlife from their natural habitats. Advice from ODW is that human intervention is the last hope for wildlife survival and never its best hope.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) provides the following statements in regard to perceived orphaned and/or injured wildlife.

“Wildlife parents are very devoted to their young and rarely abandon them. Many species are raised by only one parent (the mother) and she cannot be Continue reading →

‘Saucy Seduction’ Yarrow only grows 18 inches tall

Thinking about starting a new perennial garden?  What are the best plants to use?  Can I include some plants to encourage pollinators in my new garden? Come and learn more from State Master Gardener Program Director Pam Bennett as we learn more about some of the newer cultivars in the perennial world.  Plants that maybe have a less invasive habit and are a bit easier to care for and with a trim in mid summer to extend the season of color in your garden.  Pam will also share some examples of some great perennial pollinators, too!   If you are thinking about trying a few new perennials,  or adding some plant for pollinators in your garden make plans now to attend the Fairfield County Master Gardeners Dig Into Gardening Event.  This educational program is back in person after a 2- year hold and is the only fund raising event for the Fairfield County Master Gardener Volunteer Program.  To register, contact OSU Extension in Fairfield County at 740-653-5419 or find the registration flier at https://fairfield.osu.edu/

Register by the 22nd!

Want to learn more about growing an edible landscape? How about learning about those underused, low maintenance perennials? What annuals will bring that “WOW” factor in your containers? We will answers all those questions and more!!

This will a day of good information about a wide variety of topics to help you in your home landscape and your ability to grow a few fresh vegetables for your family!!

Come join the Fairfield County Master Gardeners on April 30 at their “Dig Into Gardening” event.  The event will take place at Christ United Methodist Church, 700 S. Main Street, Baltimore Ohio from 9 am until noon!!

Your registration fee includes a warm breakfast of muffins, fruit and beverages!!

Make plans to join us on April 30!! Follow this link and submit your registration by April 22.

– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension

The tick population in Ohio continues to raise concerns for our citizens. Ticks have been able to persist through our winters, the population is becoming more diverse, and they are contributing to concerns for human and animal health as time goes on. Ticks are vectors of disease, both for people and animals.

Lyme disease is on the rise and anaplasmosis is becoming a greater concern for livestock, both of which are transmitted by the blacklegged (deer) tick, which is very common in areas that are wooded. New ticks moving into our region carry other diseases that can be a concern. The lone star tick is becoming more common in Southern Ohio and can transit monocytic ehrlichiosis, southern tick associated rash illness, and tularemia. The American dog tick can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The Gulf Coast tick is working it’s way North and is Continue reading →