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Don't Eat Frost-damaged Rhubarb
Elizabeth Wahle, University of Illinois Extension specialist, horticulture
 With the recent frost some of us have experi-
enced, this article from the University of Illinois Extension is timely.
"Rhubarb should not be harvested when the leaves are wilted and limp after a hard freeze," warns Elizabeth Wahle, University of Illinois Extension horticultural specialist. "Not only do the leafstalks acquire a poor flavor and texture, but the leaves and eventually the stem may become toxic."
Wahle says rhubarb leaves should never be eaten, and petioles (the part you eat) should be harvested only from plants that have suffered no frost damage. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, a toxic substance that may move into the petioles after frost damage. When consumed, the oxalic acid can crystallize in the kidneys and cause permanent damage to the organs.
All petioles that have been exposed to freezing temperatures should be removed and discarded. The re-growth is safe to eat. As normal harvest begins, always leave at least one-third of the petioles unharvested to sustain the plant.
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Bird Sanctuary Offers Programs
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is offering programs of interest to homeowners, gardeners and all outdoor enthusiasts. On Tuesday, July 22, Rebecca Nielsen of the National Wildlife Federation will present Birdscaping through which Ms Nielsen will share tips on how to create and maintain habitats to provide a home for Michigan birds and other interesting wildlife. Bird populations have been declining due to habitat destruction so this is timely information for anyone interested in reversing the damage done.
On Tuesday, August 19, Jordan Burroughs of Michigan State University will present Uninvited Garden Guests. "What's eating your plants and why? From MSU's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Outreach Specialist Jordan Burroughs will explain why certain animals are invading your garden or natural area. In addition to teaching us about these critters, Jordan will tell us what we can do to compromise with them."
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary offers a program called Field Ornithology Course. This course is designed for those who want to learn more about birds in their backyard or who want to improve their birding skills. Novice and experienced birdwatchers are welcome.
Michigan State University Kellogg Bird Sanctuary is located at 12685 East C Avenue, Augusta, Michigan 49012. | |
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A Thought
from the Garden
Consider the many special delights a lawn affords: soft mattress for a creeping baby;
worm hatchery for a robin; croquet or badminton court; baseball diamond; restful
green perspectives leading the eye to a background of flower beds, shrubs, or hedge;
green shadows - "This lawn, a carpet all alive/With shadows flung from leaves' - as
changing and as spellbinding as the waves of the sea, whether flecked with sunlight
under trees of light foliage, like elm and locust, or deep, dark, solid shade,
moving slowly as the tide, under maple and oak. This carpet!
Katharine S. White, Onward and Upward
in the Garden, 1979 |
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If you have a garden, a feeding station or bird pictures that you are proud of, send them to us. We'll share your picture with our readers. Send pictures to:
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Volume 1, Number 3 June 6, 2008
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 A hardy welcome to June and all our Green Thumb friends. Gardening weather this past May sure was challenging to say the least! Windy, cool days and frosty nights we are glad to have behind us. Now it's time to catch up and complete some of the garden projects postponed because of the poor early spring weather.
If you're like the average southwest Michigan gardener you're no doubt behind with your planting. There is still plenty of time to plant and enjoy annual flowering bedding plants and vegetables. Now that our garden soil has warmed up, plants will root in quicker and seed germination rates will be much better.
Be sure not to overlook soil conditioning and fertilizing at planting time. Sphagnum peat moss, composted cow manure, Fertilome container soil, Osmocote slow release plant food, Plant Tone organic fertilizer and Plant Sure Plus with mycorrhiza, all properly used, will increase flower and vegetable yields greatly.
Folks with ash trees in their landscape have been warned by the media to either protect their trees from the emerald ash borer or watch them die. Protecting ash trees is really easy with Fertilome insect drench. Simply mix the insect drench in a sprinkle can and pour around the base of the tree trunk. Once a year, protect your ash tree for 12 months. This method also protects birch trees from borers and leafminers and many plants from Japanese beetle damage. It is important to apply Fertilome insect drench 3 to 4 weeks before infestation period.
Happy Gardening!
George Wedel |
 Q. What should I look for in a hummingbird feeder? A. Hummingbird feeders come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but in my world function precedes form. What I want in a feeder is first and most importantly, attractiveness to hummingbirds. Nothing else matters if birds don't want to use a feeder. Other concerns are the ease of use, ease of cleaning and durability. This being said it's really up to you to determine which feeder best meets your needs.
Here are a few other considerations when selecting a feeder:
A common mistake made when buying any feeder (nectar feeders included) is choosing one that is too large. Hummingbirds are extremely territorial and once they are defending a territory they are not willing to share a food source with other hummers. Hummer feeders need to have their nectar changed every two to three days (more frequently in hot weather). It's important for the health of your hummingbirds to keep feeders scrupulously clean, and there's no reason to let large quantities of nectar spoil since only a few hummingbirds will likely frequent your feeder.
Choose a red feeder since that is an attractive color to hummingbirds. Look for red in the feeder itself rather than relying on dye to color the sugar solution.
Ants are attracted to nectar. Picking a feeder that doesn't drip nectar and that can be hung from an ant moat is an important consideration. Built-in ant moats are better yet.
The most attractive color to bees and wasps is yellow. Better feeders no longer have yellow parts. Look for hummingbird feeders whose shape discourages bees from reaching the nectar (usually saucer-shaped styles).
Hummingbirds prefer to sit when they feed if they are able to do so.
There should be no little nooks and crannies in the feeder for mold to lurk in. A dishrag, a small bottle brush and a clean pipe cleaner should be sufficient tools for cleaning. Also very helpful are tiny brushes specifically designed to clean hummingbird feeder ports. Look for feeders that do not require snapping to be put together; this reduces the opportunity to spill nectar and break your feeder.
My favorite feeder and the one I use is the Aspects HummZinger Mini. It is small, holding 8 oz, so you  won't throw away lots of nectar. It has perches so hummers can sit and eat (I'd eat much less if I had to run in place as fast as I could when eating.) It has a built-in ant moat. The bee guards are built in, never need replacement and they do not add yellow to the feeder. It is dishwasher safe (top rack only) and that does a better job of cleaning than hand washing. It has a lifetime warranty! And perhaps most important it's made in the U.S.A.
If you enjoy hummers as much as I do check out these YouTube videos.
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Wedel's Garden Center has a safe and easy solution to the problem of dog urine spots in your yard. Guard Dog Lawn Protectant is made in the U.S.A. with organic compounds and non-pathogenic bacteria. No animals were used in its testing. Guard Dog is safe for your lawn, children and pets.
Guard Dog Lawn Protectant uses an unique technology to focus on the grass roots where dog urine damage occurs. It consumes the ammonia from the urine, binds the salts from the urine and increases soil permeability to allow for grass recovery. It is effective with all soil types and all grass species.
The ready-to-use formula cures individual spots on your lawn. Simply spray the area that is damaged enough to wet it and the grass will repair itself. The ready-to-spray concentrate can protect or cure damage to your entire lawn. Just attach the bottle to a garden hose and spray the affected area. One bottle covers 5,000 square feet, enough for three treatments. Apply every eight weeks to prevent spots. When curing large spots, those greater than eight inches in diameter, grass will take time to fill in depending on grass type and growth rate. For faster fill-in, you can reseed immediately after application. |
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Today's Lawn Tip: |
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This might be a perfect year for an explosion of crabgrass in your lawn. Eighty to 90 percent of crabgrass germination occurs when adequate moisture is present and soil temperatures are between 60 degrees F and 70 degrees F at zero to two inches depth. Neither of these requirements has been met, consistently, during May. These conditions are present now.
I'm sure you've noticed that your turf grass has basically stood still for most of this spring and it just isn't quite as green as it usually is this time of year. That is another result of this year's climate.
Wedel's recommends the application of crabgrass control be applied during the last week of April through the first week of May. If you followed this recommendation, you should be ok. If your application of the control was applied earlier in April, you may experience breaks in the protection.
Mow your lawn at a high setting on your mower to help shade the soil which reduces the germination rate of weed seeds including crabgrass seeds. Make an application of Scotts Super Turf Builder and step up irrigation to the summer rate of 1/2 inch twice a week.
Don't be surprised if 2008 is one of the "good" years for a large crop of crabgrass.
Any crabgrass plants that show up in your turf can be quickly killed, without damaging adjacent good turf, with Ortho or Fertilome summer crabgrass killer. |
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Saturday Mornings
Birdwatch 8:00
with host Roger Taylor answering all of your birding questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 800-742-6590.
Over the Garden Fence 9:07
with host Andy Wedel answering all of your landscape and gardening questions
Call in at 382-4280 or 800-742-6590. | |
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Note from the Editor
"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass!" "We're not raising grass." Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." Harmon Killebrew (professional baseball player, b.1936) It sounds like the elder Killebrew had his priorities in order. Of course, there's no reason both can't be accomplished but we will leave the family raising to you and would be happy to help you raise a beautiful carpet of lush, green grass at the same time. Our Scotts Lawn Professionals are always here with information and advice to ensure your success.
Maybe I went twice around the barn to get to the house but I told you Mr. Killebrew's story to remind you that Father's Day is coming up soon. One week from Sunday, June 15, will be his special day. We honored Mom with beautiful hanging baskets, a new rose bush, just the right annuals for her garden or special container last month. How about a new shade tree, flowering shrub or flat of vegetables for Dad? How much would he appreciate something he and the kids can plant together! Based on my research, Dad can never have too many tools, too. A new pruner, lopper, shovel, wheelbarrow? How about a rain barrel? We have them all, and so many other ideas for you. Stop in and let us help you find the ideal Father's Day gift for your dad, husband or brother.
'Til next time,
"It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping."
-- John Sinor | |
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