An Early Spring - What to do? There isn't all that much that we can do about the early emer gence of spring flowering bulbs and perennials. Take steps now to keep the soil temperatures as cool as possible for as long as possible. Maintain a good layer of loose-textured mulch over the planting soil to insulate against temperature fluctuations. Avoid thick, heavy mulch. It tends to smother more than insulate. A layer of dry oak leaves or similar textured mulch would be ideal A layer of loose mulch over the tops of emerging shoots or perennial plants also helps to protect them against rapid tem perature changes In general, emerging leaf shoots are quite hardy and take freezing temper atures with no real damage Injury to flower stalks which are deeper into the bulb at the shoot P Great Plains NO-TILL DRILLS • Utilizes proven coulter/opener no-till system. • Compact, well-balanced design transports easily. • Heavy-duty coulters cut through tough ground and heavy residue. • Dry fertilizer, small seeds, and and fluffy seed box options. • Lock-out hubs disengage drives for transport. The proven Great Plains no-till system utilizes a coulter to prepare a mini-conventional seedbed for the openers to place the seed ...at the precise depth selected. See The Dependable Great Plains Dealers Listed Below: C.B. Hoober & Sons, Inc. Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534 717-768-8231 Chambersburg Farm Service 975 South Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201 717-264-3533 Norman D. Clark & Sons Main Street, P.O. Box 27, Honey Grove, PA 17035 717-734-3682 base are often not injured this early. Subfreezing tempera tures for extended periods of time may result in some danger to bulbs and crown damage on perennials. If all the mulch idea fails to sustain dormancy in the plants, plan to enjoy the floral displays earlier than normal this year. Generally plants retain some degree of dormancy until daily temperatures remain above freezing for several days Flowering trees and shrubs that have initiated growth and flowering as a result of the warmer weather may retain some degree of dormancy as long as extended periods of warmer weather do not occur Once full flower development starts, no dormancy remains in the plant Any plants that produce fully open flowers at this time of year will probably not set fruit later in the season. Poor or absent 10 ft. fie 12 ft. pollination or freeze injury to fruit will result. Plants in protected locations or near building foundations, pavements, and stone walls may get leaves earlier than normal. Woody plants that sustain sig nificant vegetative and flower bud injury should be kept well watered during dry periods. This reduces the impact of stress on the foliage needed to provide food reserves for the next grow ing season. On a cultural note, it is important to keep all bulb foliage in good growing condi tion throughout the spring and summer to rebuild bulb quality in the soil. Very often gardeners mow off the leaves when the bulbs fail to flower for any rea son. If the foliage is cut off too soon, the plants are weakened and may not produce quality blossoms next season and beyond. All foliage on plants in the spring and summer puts food energy back into a bulb below ground in order to pro duce a flower stalk and more foliage next season. All plants have survival mechanisms to combat adverse weather conditions. Dormant buds m the stems and crowns of most plants may produce later growth to replace injured buds killed by spring freezes. A light pruning to remove damaged wood, or cutting back to a live stem or branch helps to retain the quality, shape and form of the plant throughout the coming /> F € Great Plains D & E Equipment 307 Edgar Avenue, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 717-784-5217 Carlisle Farm Service 260 York Road, Carlisle, PA 17013 800-447-6829 Lone Maple Sales & Service h , h Equlpment . me. PA Rcippsvitle Road, aL.ow„, PA 18106 610-398-2553 summer. Eliminate any envi ronmental stress on injured plants. Avoid excessive pruning this coming season. WEST CHESTER (Chester Co.) - March is National Nutrition Month. To celebrate, Penn State Cooperative Extension in Chester County, Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, Suite 370, West Chester, is providing a nutrition program on Friday, March 13, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn your sodium and fat limits. Find out how to boost your calcium intake and lower your cholesterol intake. FLEMINGTON, N J - Most Americans take their health for granted Good health is one of the most precious gifts we can have and it doesn't usually hap pen by itself. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life can help. It is the first step in achieving good health including reducing the risk for many dis eases. What is a healthy weight’ It's the weight that's best for you - not necessarily the lowest The Most Comprehensive Set of Time-Proven No-Till Drill Features In The Business Lancaster Farming, Saturday, (larch 7, 1998-811 National Month Workshop What a Healthy Weight Hines Equipment Rt. 28 West, Cresson, PA 16630 814-886-4183 and Rt. 220, Belwood, PA 814-742-8171 C. B. Hoober & Sons, Inc. McAlisterville, PA 17049 717-463-2191 Any questions regarding the above article can be addressed to Tom Becker, Penn State Cooperative Extension at (717)840-7408. Nutrition Confused about what some ot that information on the food label means? Marlene Nash, extension agent/nutrition and health, is a registered dietitian and will answer your questions. There is no charge for this program but registration must be received no later than March 11. So, bring yourself, a friend, and your questions about nutri tion to this workshop. Call the Extension office at (610)696- 3500 to register. weight you think you can be. Rutgers Cooperative Extension will be offering the program "Achieving and Maintaining a Healthy Weight" on Monday, March 9, 7-9 p m at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Center on Route 31, Flemmgton The fee for the program is $3 and pre-registration is requested Participants will learn strate gies to develop normal eating patterns to improve weight For information and registration, call (908)788-1342.
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