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
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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.