On Track
Rockdale County Cooperative Extension
Spring 2012
Upcoming Summer Classes for Adults & Youth
Inside this
issue:
Help! Kentucky
Bluegrass in my
lawn
2
Caring for Daffodils After the
Bloom
2
Carpenter Bees
3
Bringing Color To 4
Your Garden
Rethink Waste:
5
Recycle
4-H Recycling
Bins
5
Take the 40 Gallon Challenge
6
Emergency Food
Supply
6
Grocery Bag
Safety
7
4-H Update
7
Lawn Care on a Budget
Beautiful landscapes don’t just happen. They
are the result of careful planning and hard
work and sometimes money!
When: Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Cost: $6 per person, $10 per couple
(One set of materials)
Where: 1400 Parker Road
Preserving your Harvest Series
Join us as we learn to preserve our extra garden harvest safely.
Home Canning Basics - June 12, 2012
Low Acid Canning - June 21, 2012
Jellied and Pickled Foods - July 12, 2012
Junior Master Gardener Program
Ever wanted to grow a tomato? Ever wondered about bugs that eat our plants? The
JMG program is a seven week program for
rising 4th-6th grade youth. Classes meet
Wednesdays, starting June 6th from 911:30am
Cloverbud Insect Day
A fun, educational insect program for children
ages 2-8.
When: June 21, 2012
Time: 9:30—11:30am
Where: 1400 Parker Road
Cost: $5/per child (Adults are Free)
Pre-registration required. Space is limited.
Insect Day Camp
Learn about insects from the largest to the
smallest! See live insects and learn about
these incredible creatures! We may even eat
a few! Spend a week going buggy!
When: June 11 - June 15, 2012
Time: 9am—12 noon
Where: 1400 Parker Road
Cost: $50.00
Rising 4th-7th graders. Limit 20 participants
Agriculture Day at the Farmers Market
Fun for the whole family! Learn where your
food comes from. See farm animals and
meet the Moo Cow!
When: June 19, 2012
Time: 9am - 12pm
Where: 1400 Parker Road
Cost: FREE
Family Fun Day at the Farmers Market
Enter our Pie contest! Win a monetary prize!
Fun for the whole family featuring vegetable
races, taste tests, Master Gardeners to answer
questions and much more! Shop with our
local farmers for fresh homegrown Rockdale
County vegetables.
When: July 14, 2012
Time: 9am—1 pm
Where: 1400 Parker Road
Cost: FREE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (770) 278-7373
Page 2
Kentucky Bluegrass In My Lawn, HELP!
If you have looked out at your lawn
in spring and noticed patches of white
there is a good chance annual bluegrass has infested your turf grass.
This tough, grass-like weed is extremely common in North American
yards and can be difficult to eliminate. The first step is to know your
enemy. Here are some hints on how
to identify this turf grass troubler.
It may or may not be unattractive.
Annual bluegrass is fast growing and
will be quickly noticed above the desirable turf grass in as little as 2 days
after mowing. Annual bluegrass
forms a dense mat in ornamental
beds. Annual bluegrass is a weed and
once established, spreads rapidly be-
cause of its constant seed production.
Note the location. Annual bluegrass
can infest wet, poorly drained compacted soil. Garden pathways are often a prime location for annual bluegrass. It is a cool weather grass and
turns pale green and dies in hot, dry
weather. The dropped seeds fall to the
soil and lie dormant until cooler, wet
weather returns.
Evaluate the leaves. Annual blue
grass can grow up to 15 inches tall in
optimum growing conditions. The flat
leaves are apple green in color and
about 3/4 inch long. The most distinctive characteristic of this weed grass
is the boat-shaped tip at the end of the
smooth leaf.
Please contact your local Extension
Office for mechanical or chemical
control
Caring for Daffodils After the Bloom
The daffodils bloomed early this year. There are still a few late bloomers but most have lost their
lovely yellow, orange or white flowers. All we have left are the green leaves which are quite boring but are very important! Same with tulip and hyacinth leaves.
The most important thing to remember in post bloom care is that leaves must remain on the plants
until they turn yellow. Don’t be tempted to cut them just because the flower is gone. While this
yellowing foliage isn't pretty, it is a sign that the leaves have made enough food to build a strong
bulb for a good flower display next year.
You can hide the unsightly leaves by setting out flowers among the bulb plants mid to late April.
To encourage strong bulb development, fertilize the bed soon after the plants are above ground
and again one month later. Pale or undersized leaves usually indicate a need for fertilizer. Apply a light application of 510-5 or a similar fertilizer. A soil sample is actually the best way to tell what your bulbs need.
Snip off the old flowers before they produce seed. Seed production takes a lot of energy you really want going to the
bulb for next year’s glorious bloom!
A decline in flower size and numbers means that it is time to divide and replant the bulbs. Dig the clumps in spring and
replant them right away, or hold the bulbs in a well-ventilated spot until fall. Digging and replanting in fall is often difficult because the plant leaves are gone and it is hard to find the bulbs.
Page 3
Sp rin g 201 2
Carpenter Bees
You probably noticed your first carpenter bees flying around your house a
week or so ago. Many a homeowner has found the telltale signs of the carpenter bee – nickel sized holes in their shutters, siding, porch railing, etc. by
now. You might even have run screaming from the ‘bumblebees’ that are
eating your house. Carpenter bees are not bumblebees. They live alone, while bumblers are
social. Another difference is that bumblebees have a furry abdomen. Carpenter bees are
large (up to one inch) and have a shiny black abdomen and a yellow thorax. Although it is
rare to be stung by one, their sheer size is scary and people generally stay clear of them.
Carpenter bees get their name because they chew through wood and nest in the tunnel. Their drilling creates a near-perfect hole with telltale sawdust on the ground underneath. The female bee chews into the wood about a half inch and then turns at a right angle
and chews a six inch long tunnel along the grain of the wood. She will lay a series of eggs
in the tunnel. She also makes a pollen ‘bee bread’ for her larvae to eat, which she packs in
the tunnel before sealing it to start the process again. The male is the one you find buzzing
around. He has no stinger, and tries to intimidate you by flying right up to your face. Don’t
feel bad if you’ve run from him before. His job is to scare you away. But now you know
he can’t hurt you, so just stare back! I guarantee he will fly off. You can be intimidating! The female can sting, but she normally won’t unless you grab her with your
hand. Carpenter bees often nest in the same area year after year causing extensive damage. They use the tunnels to overwinter in. Control is not an easy task and I really don’t
think you can ever totally keep them from tunneling in your house, but there are some
things to help. Carpenter bees prefer seasoned bare wood but will attack wood with a stain
or old coat of paint. They usually avoid well-painted wood or wood with bark on it.
In the evening the females will go back to their hole. The simplest way to kill them is to
spray into the hole with an aerosol wasp and hornet spray. After a few minutes you will
hear a loud angry buzzing and the bee will pop out of the hole and land on the ground in its
death throes. Do not get your face close to the hole when you use the spray as it will
bounce back at you. The entrance hole is only about a half inch deep.
I never suggest trying to spray the bees while they are flying. You will probably miss and
get the insecticide on yourself or someone else. Not a good thing! In August, after the larval bees have developed into adults and left the nest sites, plug the holes with dowel rods,
plastic wood or other suitable materials. Plugging the hole removes their place to hide during the winter. Although these insects act ferocious, they are pretty docile and controllable
to a tolerable level. Just don’t reach out and grab one, and you should be fine. Prove your
fearlessness to your friends and laugh while one hovers in front of your face. Your friends
will be impressed!
.
Page 4
BRINGING COLOR TO YOUR GARDEN IN THE
SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER
Six Flags/White Water
Tickets on Sale
Six Flags:
One Day Ticket $36
Seasons Pass $62
White Water:
One Day Ticket $30
Seasons Pass $52
On Sale
ALL SUMMER
at the 4-H Office
Or
Order on Line:
www.sixflags.com/
overgeorgia
*One Day Ticket $35
*Seasons Pass $60
Www.sixflags.com/
whitewater
*One Day Ticket $29
*Seasons Pass $50
Enter Promo Code
rockdale4h
* online orders add a pro-
As you peruse the nursery deciding on what flowers to plant – think about when they
flower. Do you have plants that will show a progression of flowering to keep your yard
colorful all spring and summer? We often buy things that have summer blooms. Consider
adding these plants for color next spring.
Planting annual and perennial flowers can create a vibrant and colorful garden, especially in
the spring and early summer, when the weather is not too extreme.
Good selection and combination is the key.
For the sunny locations plant:
blue /purple lobelia
white alyssum,
red salvia,
golden gazania,
red or pink geranium
dark blue or pink petunias
yellow / orange daylilies
For the shady areas plant:
astilbe
hellebores
hostas
ferns
creeping Jenny
ajuga
cessing fee of $5.30 per
order.
APRIL GARDEN
Chores
Direct seed squash, cucumbers, okra, beans, and other warm season vegetables when soil temperatures reach 55 to
60 degrees.
Begin to harden off your started transplants of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants by setting them outside for a week
or more.
Plant blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
Plant summer blooming bulbs such as anemone, gladioli, and lilies
Divide perennials
Replace mulch in flower beds.
Control weeds in bed while they are young
Page 5
Sp rin g 201 1
Rethink Waste: Recycle
In today’s disposable economy, it often seems easier to throw away old products and buy
new ones. Everything we need can be produced so quickly and cheaply, that we tend to
ignore the repercussions of our waste stream.
Did you know?
• 11% of the total household garbage Georgians dispose of is cardboard.
• 28% of the household waste in Georgia that is sent to landfills could have been
recycled. That is nearly 2 million tons.
Here are a few tips on how to “rethink” the notion of recycling.
• Education is key. Contact your local recycling center or waste management
department for information about recycling in your community.
• States with bottle deposit laws have 35 - 40 % less litter by volume. Become active
and promote bottle deposit laws.
• Be a proactive citizen and encourage business owners to setup recycling bins.
• Talk with your local recycling companies or local government to learn what can and
cannot be recycled in your community.
• Promote programs that recycle plastics.
• Organize a community recycling day for materials that cannot be recycled or are
difficult to recycle. For example, expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), tires, and electronics.
• Participate in AmericaRecyclesDay which is usually in November.
• Recycle or donate your old cell phone.
• When you upgrade your television or computer, recycle or donate the old ones.
• Find a recycling location near you at www.earth911.com.
Recycling is good for the Georgia economy. Did you know?
• Georgia is the second largest market in the U.S. for recycled material.
• Georgia mills using recycled content employ 7,000 people.
• Dalton is often referred to as the carpet capital of the world, and much of the carpet
produced in that area is made from recycled materials.
For more information on how to reduce your environmental footprint in your community,
visit the Rockdale County Extension office at 1400 Parker
Rd. Lobby A, Conyers or call 770/278-7373.
Written by:
Colin Couch, LEED GA
HACE Graduate Student
February 3, 2012
4-H
Recycling Bins:
Salem Gate Shopping
Ctr.
Old Salem Rd.
Soccer Complex
Old Salem Rd.
Shoal Creek Elementary
Little Country Grocery
Store
Bethel Rd
Honey Creek
Shopping Center
Cooperative Extension
Parking Lot
Parker Rd
Rockdale Open Campus
West Avenue
Are you an experienced knitter or crocheter? Join us for the ultimate recycling! Convert plastic grocery bags into usable, beautiful market bags. Call (770) 278-7373 for more information.
Page 6
Take The 40 Gallon Challenge
Drought conditions, population growth and increased demand for water are adding stress to the
water supply. Reducing water usage at home not only saves this precious resource, it also helps
homeowners keep more money in their wallets.
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension implemented a nationwide program called
the 40 Gallon Challenge (http://www.40gallonchallenge.org). It is designed to encourage greater adoption of a variety of conservation practices. People are encouraged to make a commitment to save a minimum of 40 gallons a day by adopting new water-saving techniques. Saving
a minimum of 40 gallons a day for 30 days adds up to 1,200 gallons in a month. By making a
few commitments, such as those listed below, you can save money and water.
You can save:
15 gallons by fixing a leaky faucet
8 gallon by turning the water off while brushing your teeth
30 gallons by repairing a leaky toilet
20 gallons by replacing old, non-efficient shower head with a low-flow shower head
14 gallons by installing faucet aerators with flow restrictions on three faucets in the kitchen
and/or bathroom
8 gallons by replacing an old, non-efficient toilet with a low-flow toilet
5 gallons by shortening your shower by 2 minutes
2 gallons by running the dishwasher only when it is full
5 gallons by turning the water off between rinsing dishes in the sink
10 gallons by buying a new, more efficient clothes washer
Visit http://www.40gallonchallenge.org to make your commitment and see how
much water Georgians have pledged to save.
Emergency Food Supply
Spring brings with it the possibility of bad weather and having a three-day emergency
food supply on hand can help ease the stress of any emergency or natural disaster that may
come your way. Consider the following guidelines when preparing a three-day emergency food
supply:
Select foods that require no refrigeration, little or no cooking and foods with little or no
water needed for preparation. The size of emergency food supply depends on the size of your
family. Keep in mind any special needs in your family. Stock your food supply with ready-toeat canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Remember to buy containers you can use up in one
meal or snack.
Add canned juices, soups and canned or powdered milk. Include bottled water for
drinking and extra water to mix with the powdered milk and dilute the soups. Supply enough
liquids (milk, juice, water, etc.) so each family member can have at least 2 quarts per day.
Don’t forget to throw in some comfort foods, too, like cookies, hard candy, sweetened
cereals and instant coffee and tea. Include staple foods such as sugar, salt and pepper and highenergy foods like peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix.
Include a hand-operated can opener, scissors and knife for opening food items and foil
or plastic pouches. The last items in your supply should be disposable plates, cups and utensils.
Don’t forget your family pets. Be sure to include food, treats and enough water for them too.
When you have your food supply together, make a list of dates when food items need
to be inspected and possibly rotated out. Replace them when necessary. Canned foods can last
two years. But for best quality, use them within one year. Powdered milk may be stored 12 to
24 months. Use most of the other foods in the emergency supply within one year, or rotate
them out. Store your emergency food supply off the floor in a clean, dry, dark place away from
any sources of moisture.
Page 7
Spring 2012
Grocery Bag Safety
Cloth shopping bags may be good for the environment,
but are they good for your health? Research shows that
they need to be cleaned regularly to keep them from becoming breeding grounds for germs.
Only use your reusable grocery bag to hold food. If you
need to carry books or gym clothes or other non-food items,
use a different bag. Follow these other tips to keep your
bags ready for use:
So what does this mean? Reusable grocery bags are
safe – but you do need to keep them clean. Hand or machine wash them in hot, soapy water at least once a
week, and always wash after a spill. After washing, machine dry or turn inside out and hang dry. Doing so will
reduce the number of bacteria inside and outside the bag
by more than 99.9%.
* Put unpackaged produce in disposable bags. Not only can
bacteria from the produce contaminate other foods, but the
produce can pick up bacteria from the bag itself. If the produce is not cooked, the bacterial will survive.
The greatest danger is from meat, fish or poultry juices
contaminating the bag or other foods with harmful bacteria that can make you sick. Packages of raw foods can
have bacteria even on the outside. Always remember to
put packages of meat, fish or poultry in a disposable bag
to catch leaks. The disposable bag can then be put in
your reusable bag.
* Never store unwashed reusable bags in a hot car where
bacteria can thrive. This is a real concern in hot, humid climates.
Reusable grocery bags are good for the environment, but
keep them clean so they will be good for your health too!
4-H Update
Did you know that Public Speaking is the ranks as the number one fear in America? Well, Georgia 4-H members are
conquering that fear every year. Rockdale County 4-H took 15 excellent middle & high school 4-H’ers to District Project Achievement a couple of weeks ago. DPA has two parts, a portfolio resume part and a presentation part. There are
multiple topics for the 4-H member to choose from history and preforming arts to beef and poultry. Rockdale County
had 9 members place in the top 3 of their category. If they are high school aged members and place 1st in their category
they advance to the state competition this summer. Rockdale County 4-H is proud to say that we have 3 members competing on the state level this summer.
Rockdale County 4-H Envirothon Team placed 3rd at the
Regional Competition and will be advancing to the state
competition on April 20 at the University of Georgia.
Rockdale County 4-H
Canoeing, campfires, swimming
and even swatting a few annoying insects are all part of 4-H
summer camp. It last only a
week, yet the memories endure
for life.
Last month as I visited each Elementary School throughout Rockdale County, my heart began to weigh heavy.
Why? Because at each school despite the prospects of
having a ton of fun, some kids were focused on the idea
that their parents would not have the money to pay for
camp. Many families are in need because they are surviving off of one income, may have soaring medical expenses, or have experienced a loss of a job. Either way, it is a
sad day when children lose hope.
you goose bumps.
The cost of one week of camp at Rock Eagle 4-H Center is
$300, which includes transportation, food, lodging, a tshirt, and all the activities. Some families just cannot afford
it, but most make an aggressive effort to pay for something.
We are trying to meet them somewhere in the middle to
make it possible for all interested children to go to camp.
Any amount of money will help and donations are taxdeductible. Even partial scholarships will make a difference. For many fifth graders, 4-H summer camp is a chance
for them to be away from home for the first time. They enjoy time with others in their peer group away from their
parents where they can build self-esteem and selfconfidence, make new friends, and learn how to be selfdirecting young people.
It was then that I took the opportunity to tell them about
If you would like to help send a deserving 4-H’er to camp,
the Rockdale 4-H Camp Scholarship opportunity. If only
you could see the light in their eyes when they learned that donations can be sent to the Rockdale County 4-H Club,
it would be possible for them to go to camp, it would give 1400 Parker Rd, Lobby A, Conyers, GA 30094. For more
information, call 770-278-7373.
Rockdale County
Cooperative Extension
1400 Parker Road
Lobby A
Conyers, GA 30094
Phone: 770-278-7373
Fax: 770-785-5957
E-mail: uge1247@uga.edu
Dear Extension Friends,
My daffodils are peeking through the mulch and to me that means spring
is just around the corner! I fear we still have some winter weather to get through
first though. This edition of On Track offers lots of information on spring landscape chores, recycling and 4-H News. You'll also see lots of upcoming classes
for homeowners and vegetable gardeners. Check out the Farmers Market Agriculture Days and enter the pie making contest or see farm animals. There are lots of
great Cooperative Extension events coming up. We hope to see you soon!
We are here Monday - Friday 8-5pm.
Sincerely,
Jule-Lynne Macie
County Extension Coordinator
Rockdale County
Staff:
Jule-Lynne Macie, County Extension Ag Agent
Brittany Johnson, County 4-H Agent
Cindee Sweda, County Extension Agent FACS/4-H
Tammy Harris, 4-H Program Assistant
Latausha Gipson, Horticulture Program Assistant
Robin Turi, 4-H Program Assistant
Dorsey Sharpton, FACS Program Assistant
Janet Story, 4-H Program Assistant
Sue Archambault, Secretary
Rockdale County Cooperative Extension is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.