Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

TIM'S TIPS

LAWN AND GARDEN

Garden mums (chrysanthemums) should be pinched to keep them compact for an attractive fall display.

Pinch, by removing the growing tip of each stem, about every three weeks until mid-July. After mid-July allow the stems to elongate. Each stem will terminate with a flower as days turn short in the fall. Pinching now will insure much branching and luxuriant blooming in the fall.

Ornamental plants growing in hanging baskets or pots on the patio make rapid growth and quickly deplete the fertilizer reserve of the soil. A convenient way to fertilize them is to give them a liquid fertilizer application monthly on the day the water bill is paid. Any of the specialty fertilizer materials on the market will provide good growth if used according to label directions.

With warm weather here for the next six months, now is an ideal time to cut back house plants that have overgrown their location in the home.

All healthy house plants will tolerate being cut back, but not to the pot level. Overgrown plants may be cut back to 12 to 18 inches of the soil level.

If additional plants are desired, use trimmings for starting new plants.

Plant bermudagrass seeds in sunny locations any time this month. Planting after the soil has warmed insures rapid germination and good establishment. Spring planting also insures that the new seedlings will have sufficient time to send out a runner and peg down before cold weather arrives.

Seed hulled bermudagrass at the rate of to one pound per 1,000 square feet. Rake lightly, lightly roll the soil and then cover with weed-free straw hay at the rate of one bale per 1,000 square feet. Water daily until the seed germinate and then begin to reduce the watering schedule to harden the seedlings off.

Begin mowing the grass as soon as the grass is tall enough to mow. Be sure to mow newly seeded lawn with a sharp lawn mower blade. Continue watering, if possible, at a weekly interval during the dry months of summer.

May signals the appearance of one of the most noticeable ornamental insect pests in Arkansas.

This insect is the bagworm and it produces numerous spindle-shaped bags from 1/4 to 1/2 inches in length that hang down from the leaves or branches. It is most often observed on needle evergreens, such as junipers, arborvitae and occasionally pines.

This pest overwinters as an egg inside the bag. The larva build the bag and carries it along as it feeds. The bag serves as protection from birds.

Control can be aided by collecting and burning the bags containing eggs during the winter. Large bagworms are difficult to control with any insecticide. Catch them when they are small and use one of the common ornamental insecticides.

MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS

Although minerals make up only about two or three percent of the nutrient needs of beef cattle, a mineral deficiency can be detrimental.

Mineral deficiency can cause severe health problems and loss of herd productivity similar to either a protein or energy deficiency.

Symptoms of mineral deficiencies often seen in beef cow herds are reduced milk production, slower calf gains and lower calf crop percentage. At birth, some calves are weak, uncoordinated or unable to nurse because of a mineral deficiency. Fewer and lighter weight calves mean reduced beef production.

Minerals are classified in two groups: macrominerals, or those needed in large amounts, and microminerals, or trace minerals needed in small amounts.

Minerals needed in large amounts include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, potassium and sulfur. Trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, cobalt, zinc and selenium.

Few pasture forages or other feedstuffs contain all of the minerals needed to meet the dietary requirements of beef cattle herds. Beef cattle forage diets almost always need to be supplemented with calcium, phosphorus and salt.

Mature cows require about one ounce of salt daily. Most pasture grasses or hays are deficient in salt. Therefore, salt should be provided year-round. High levels of magnesium may be needed during the grass tetany season.

Trace mineral deficiencies have increased in recent years. Copper, zinc and selenium deficiencies have been observed in many herds throughout the state. Therefore, trace minerals should be included in the mineral supplement.

Vitamins A, D and E are included in most mineral supplements. Even though green forages may contain adequate amounts of vitamins A and E, they are relatively inexpensive and are usually included in mineral supplements. Cattle exposed to enough direct sunlight normally acquire their vitamin D needs.

The University of Arkansas Diagnostic Laboratory at Fayetteville will, for a fee, analyze forage samples for minerals. Sampling and mailing directions are available at your county office of the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

Results of a pasture or hay sample analysis can be used to determine amounts of minerals needed to meet the cattle's nutrient needs based on their weight and stage of production.

A complete mineral supplement should be provided free-choice in a single compartment feeder. The feeders should be located near water, no farther apart than one-half mile.

Check the feeders at least once a week to make sure the supplement is fresh and clean. Also, monitor supplement intake to determine if cattle are consuming enough to meet their daily needs.