Know your Soil Temperature before planting ANYTHING!!!!

Spring has sprung and everyone is getting ready to start planting.

The past few weeks have no doubt brought lots of gardeners out into the sunshine.  The calendar tells us we could be planting early spring crops in the garden but what does the soil thermometer tell us.  If you have never thought about the use of the soil thermometer you should!  Have you ever had crops that you planted in garden that just “set” there and did not take off?  Perhaps you planted them in wet soils or perhaps you planted them when the soils were just too cold.

Soil temperature plays an important role in seed germination. Adequate soil temperatures for germination range widely for different crops.  For example, spinach needs a soil temperature of at least 38 degrees to germinate while lettuces, onions and peas like a 42-43-degree soil temperature.  Other  cool season crops like broccoli, cabbage, beets and carrots can germinate at 40 degree soil temperatures.     Potatoes do best at 45 degrees, even though legend suggests St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect day for planting potatoes.    And those tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins prefer soil temperatures in the 58-60 degree soil temperature range.

Need a soil thermometer?  Stop by OSU Extension in Fairfield County and pick up a soil thermometer from Garden Tool supplier, AM Leonard Company in Piqua, Ohio.  The cost of the soil thermometer is $10.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Fairfield County Master Gardener Program.  Soil thermometers are great tools to keep in your garden toolbox to get your garden off to a good start each year.  OSU Extension in Fairfield County is located in the Fairfield County Ag Center at 831 College Avenue, Suite D, Lancaster, Ohio .

 Last Call for Dig Into Gardening…Learn more about Planting for Pollinators

Are you looking for ways to enhance your landscape by planting for pollinators?  Wanting to add more color into your landscape?  This is the last call for Dig into Gardening- A one day educational program for all interested gardeners!!  The event is slated from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore and all proceeds benefit the Fairfield County Master Gardener program.

We will also be discussing boxwood problems and offer up some other plant options for replacements.  This will be a good event to answer lots of plant questions and more.  Cost is for $40.00 for the entire day, which includes a light breakfast and lunch.  We will also have a sharpening truck on site to sharpen all of your garden tools, too!  And the Lancaster Greenhouse mobile Garden Center will be on site over the lunch hour.  For details, call OSU Extension in Fairfield County at 740-653-5419 ASAP.

Registration closes Tuesday, March 19.  Seats are limited!

OSU’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Line has good information for all….

Looking for some good information about gardening?  Check out OSU’s Buckeye Yard and Garden Line at https://bygl.osu.edu.   Be sure to check out the Seed Starting article published by Carrie Jagger, Extension Educator in Morrow County.  Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine provides timely information about Ohio growing conditions, pest, disease, and cultural problems. Articles and supporting photos are created by members of the Extension, Nursery, Landscape, Turf (ENLT) team to benefit those who are managing a commercial nursery, garden center, or landscape business or someone who just wants to keep their yard looking good all summer. Additional fact sheet information on any of these articles may be found through the OSU FactSheet database: plantfacts.osu.edu

 

The Spring 2024 Master Gardener Newsletter is here!

Spring!

In this issue:

  • Brown stink bugs in the home
  • Connie’s Corner; A Message from our MG Coordinator
  • All American selections
  • Growing degree days
  • Edimentals in the garden
  • Vernal pools
  • Cold weather and the Japanese beetle
  • Yerba maté (part 3)
  • Seeing the first greenhouse open sign in spring
  • Featured Books
  • In/Around the Garden; Featured events and event calendar

Find the entire newsletter linked here in PDF.

Got Boxwood Questions? Don’t miss the Dig Into Gardening!

How many of you are still holding on to scraggly looking boxwoods wondering if they will every begin to green up again?  Or are you trying to make the decision to start over?  Looking for a new plant species to try?  Make plans to attend  the Dig Into Gardening one day educational workshop open to all gardeners and friends!

Dig Into Gardening 2022 at Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore

Check out the Fairfield County Master Gardener Dig Into Gardening event slated for Saturday, March 23 at Christ United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Ohio from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30p.m

OSU Extension Educator Carrie Brown will talk about all of the Boxwood Issues we have been seeing in local landscapes and possible solutions to your issues.  In addition, we will learn about Conifers in your Garden, an alternative to the beloved Boxwood and Planting For Pollinators with Scott Beuerlein of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.  It is sure to be a day your will enjoy complete with a light breakfast and lunch.  Cost is $40.00  All proceeds benefit the Fairfield County Master Gardener Program.   To register contact OSU Extension in Fairfield County at 740-653-5419   of check out the Fairfield County OSU  Extension webpage at:  https://fairfield.osu.edu/news/2024-dig-gardening-educational-day.

Come be our guest by  checking  out the flier below  with all the details

DigFlier.2024

 

Native Grasses and Flowers for Ohio Landscapes

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

Don’t forget native grasses and flowers.

This week we continue the quest for native plants to enhance Ohio landscapes and will focus on how to incorporate native grasses and flowers that are appealing to both people and animals. Whether you manage acres of meadows or a few square feet in a garden bed, the addition of native grasses and flowers will be beneficial to your environment. Along with adding interest to the appearance of the landscape, natives increase the functionality of the landscape by providing benefits to the environment.

Native grasses and flowers are already adapted to our climate, soils, insects, and often thrive with less water and fertilizer than other introduced species. Areas that are often seen as “challenging” such as chronically wet, chronically dry, or sloped areas are often sites where native grasses and flowers can be established and need little follow-up care. Many native plants can be left to stand in the landscape through the winter for interest and as overwintering sites for native insects. Occasional removal of Continue reading