From Across the Field – The Downhill Slide

The middle of October is typically one of the busiest times of the year for all involved in agriculture. It is the time to harvest crops, wean calves, breed ewes, and cut firewood for the coming cooler weather. In addition, this is the time to work on planning for the farm enterprise in 2019, begin looking at balance sheets, income statements, and putting the pencil to estimated costs for the next growing season.

As an Extension Educator most of our planning for the first half of the coming year is done at this time. We are currently evaluating clientele needs and designing or scheduling programs around those needs. At this time Farm Management is pretty high on our radars, given the economic concerns around commodity prices, especially corn and soybeans. Be sure to stay tuned for farm management, agronomy, and nutrient management education opportunities as we get closer to the first of the year.

In the home and lawn, it is also the time to start thinking about moving houseplants back inside and see if any of them need repotted. This project is easiest if done outside to keep down the mess. A new pot should be only one or two sizes bigger than the old one. Select pots with good drainage to prevent root rot during the winter months.

Some yellowing of leaves and leaf drop may occur as the plants adjust to lower light levels in the home. If a significant number of leaves yellow, move the plants into brighter conditions. Cut back on the frequency of watering, but water thoroughly. Discontinue fertilizing until spring, but plants that need lower light such as African violets can be fertilized during the winter months if they are receiving adequate light.

For our lawns, if you raised your mower deck in the late spring, now is the time to lower it back down. For most grasses, we can now mow at 2-2.5”, while during the summer, we should have our decks a half inch higher off the ground. If you still want to make a last fall fertilization, I would wait around a month to do that, and then only ½-1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet.

As an educator with a livestock interest, I would be remiss of me if I did not remind you all that October is National Pork Month. October received this distinction as it was traditionally the month when most pigs went to market. Therefore, take some time and celebrate America’s pig farmers by having going “hog wild” and putting some pork on your fork in the next couple of weeks.

I’ll end this week with a quote from American writer and 18th century patriot, Thomas Paine: “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right”. Have a great week and be on the lookout for harvest equipment on the roads. Go Bucks!

 

Garth Ruff,

Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator

OSU Henry County Extension

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