Iron County Extension - News

Water Wise Perennials

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Ask a Specialist: Which Perennials Need Less to Drink?

Answer by: Taun Beddes, Utah State University Extension horticulturist, taun.beddes@usu.edu, 801-851-8460

LOGAN, UT - With record high temperatures already hitting this spring, it is important to be aware of perennials that require less water in the summer heat. Below are some tried-and-true water wise perennials.

* Yarrow (Achellia spp.): There are many species of ornamental yarrow. They vary in height from 6 to 24 inches. Flower colors include yellow, white, red and pink. Yarrows bloom for most of the season. Once established, they survive with little supplemental water. In fact, over-irrigation allows them to get out of hand. Additionally, yarrows attract insect pollinators to the yard.

* Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.): Hummingbird mints are arid west natives and work extremely well in the water-wise landscape. They thrive on little to no supplemental water and bloom from July to first frost. Flower colors include white, pink, yellow and red. Hummingbird mints also attract many insect pollinators. As some species are unsuitable for colder mountain valleys, check plant description tags for cold hardiness ranges.

* Winecups (Callirhoe involucrata): Winecups are a native groundcover-type plant that blooms the first half of the growing season and then goes dormant. Flower color is a beautiful fuchsia-pink.

* Gaura (Gaura spp.): Often referred to as whirling butterflies, gaura blooms from late spring to first frost. It has flower sprays that can be white, pink or red, and individual plants easily reach 3 feet high and wide. Gaura is not hardy in colder mountain valleys and prefers well-drained soil.

* Cranes Bill or Perennial Geranium (Geranium spp.): Perennial geraniums bloom heavily in early summer and then sporadically the rest of the season. Depending on the type, they can reach up to 3 feet high and wide or grow as a ground cover. Flower color varies from white to dark pink. They require a deep soaking every 3 to 4 weeks and are moderately shade tolerant.

* Blanket Flower (Gallardia spp.): Blanket flowers are native to the arid west and have beautiful daisy-like flowers ranging in color from bright or earth-tone shades of yellow to orange and red. They have a spreading habit and do not reach over a foot high. They also bloom from late spring to first frost, but require regular deadheading. The easiest way to cause blanket flower to look ratty and spindly is to overwater it. It thrives on as little as one good deep soaking a month.

* English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): English lavender thrives on little water and lots of summer heat. Depending on the cultivar, the size ranges from 18 to 36 inches high and wide. It blooms in mid-summer and flower color is, not surprisingly, lavender to pink. Lavender should not be cut back much in the fall. Instead, dead stems should be removed in the spring.

* Stone Crop (Sedum spp.): There are numerous varieties and species of stone crop that are either ground covers or upright species. None tolerate over-watering to any degree, which causes them to become leggy and unattractive. However, in dry situations they are stars. An extremely popular upright variety is Autumn Joy. It blooms in late summer and fall with pink flowers.

* Fire Chalice or Hummingbird Flower (Zauschneria spp.): This is a native, underused plant that shines whenever planted in dry situations. It has a spreading habit, reaches up to 18 inches tall and blooms profusely from mid-summer to fall. Its flowers are similar in shape to fuchsia and range in color from orange to deep orange-red.

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Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension writer, Logan, Utah, 84322-4900, 435-797-0810; julene.reese@usu.edu.

Which Perennials are Made for the Shade?

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

ASK A SPECIALIST: WHICH PERENNIALS WORK BEST IN SHADY SPOTS?

Answer by: Taun Beddes, Utah State University Extension horticulturist, 801-851-8460, taun.beddes@usu.edu

LOGAN, UT - Even though options may seem limited, there are many perennials that grow well in shady spots, and most garden centers have an excellent selection. Here are a few to consider:

* Columbine (Aquilegia spp.): Columbine performs well in areas that receive afternoon shade, but not full shade. Most varieties reach 18 to 24 inches in height, but there are a few dwarf varieties available. There are many color options, including white, yellow, pink, red and purple. Columbine often goes dormant by late July and generally only lives 3 to 4 years, but it freely reseeds.

* Lupine (Lupinus spp.): Lupines flower in mid-spring for 4 to 6 weeks. There are multiple species and varieties available. Flower colors include white, red, pink, purple and yellow. The standard size for most is 2 to 3 feet high and wide, but some stay smaller.

* Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.): Most of us have a great aunt or grandma who grew old-fashioned bleeding heart in her yard. The commonly grown species is recognizable due to its pink, heart-shaped, springtime flowers. Less common varieties include a white flowering version and lower growing fern-leafed types. Bleeding hearts go dormant along the Wasatch Front by mid-July. They may flower the entire growing season in cooler mountain valleys.

* Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.): The primary attraction of coral bells is the beautiful foliage that varies in color from green, to red, brown and yellow. The plants offer hard-to-find color contrast to what can be a rather muted landscape. Coral bells also have ornamental white, pink or red flowers in the middle of the summer. Plant size varies from 12 to18 inches high and wide.

* Foam Flower (Tiarella app.): The foam flower is closely related to coral bells, and hybrids of the two exist. The foliage is the main attraction, but its pink flowers are also vibrant. Plant size averages about a foot in height.

* Perennial Geranium or Cranesbill (Geranium spp.): Perennial geraniums grow in shadier areas quite well but require at least some morning or evening sun. Depending on the species, they grow to 3 feet high and wide. Many groundcover forms also exist. Flowers primarily appear in late spring and vary in color from white to dark pink.

* Leopard’s Bane (Doronicum orientale): The main attraction of leopard’s bane is that it has brilliantly colored, yellow daisy-like flowers. Additionally, it is very cold hardy and survives in almost any populated area of Utah. Leopard’s bane reaches a foot high and wide and lives for 3 to 5 years in the landscape.

* Wind Flower (Anemone spp.): Several species are available. Some bloom in the spring and others in the fall. The autumn-blooming types are interesting because few other shade perennials bloom at this time. Over time, plants reach 1 to 3 feet high and wide. Flower colors include pink, white, red and yellow.

* Hosta (Hosta spp.): Hostas are the most popular problem-free shade perennials. They have beautiful foliage and reach anywhere from 6 inches to 5 or 6 feet tall. Leaf shape and color is highly variable, and many blue-tinted and variegated types exist. Deer and snails are about the only detriments to hostas.

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Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension writer, Logan, Utah, 84322-4900, 435-797-0810; julene.reese@usu.edu.

How to Put PowerPoints on iPads

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

iBooks (free from iTunes Store)allows you to look at individual pages, re-size with your fingers and scroll horizontally or vertically. This also make it a good way to easily put PowerPoint presentations on iPads, just convert to PDF (you may need the full version of Adobe Acrobat to do this depending on your computer operating system)

Note: this will not support fancy transitions; just slide to slide scrolling

1. Make sure you have the most recent version of iTunes on your computer and iPad

2. Open iTunes on your computer>open Books>open PDF tab >>Note<< you won't see the books tab until you have at least one book or PDF on there

3. drag and drop all the files into the iTunes PDF section.

4. Make sure you have downloaded the iBooks app from the Apple store (it's free) to your iPad

5. Plug the iPad into your computer; open it and navigate to "books" > select sync all books or the ones you choose.

6. disconnect and they should be there when you open the iBooks app>collections>PDFs

Water Check Your Landscape

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Contact: Kelly Kopp, USU Extension Specialist

Kelly.Kopp@usu.edu

435-797-1523

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

USU Extension Co-sponsors Water Check Program

LOGAN, UT - The Slow the Flow Water Check Program, now in its 14th year, offers free sprinkler system evaluations and educational materials to homeowners in Salt Lake, Utah, Wasatch, Duchesne, Uintah, Sanpete, Piute and portions of Summit, Juab and Garfield counties. The program, co-sponsored by The Central Utah Water Conservancy District, the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake and Sandy and Utah State University Extension, begins May 15.

The free landscape consultation opportunity consists of a walk-through evaluation of the homeowner’s sprinkler system, followed by simple tests to determine the amount of water being applied to the landscape and how evenly it is being applied. Evaluators then use this information to recommend a watering schedule customized to the homeowner’s landscape. The entire process takes approximately one hour.

As the nation’s second largest consumer of water per person (240 gallons per person per day), Utah has a unique opportunity to makes waves in the realm of water conservation. Approximately two-thirds of drinking water in Utah is used to water lawns and landscapes. Much of this water is being applied inefficiently, either due to sprinkler system design flaws or because sprinklers are running too long.

“This no-cost program is a wonderful example of the cooperation among water entities in Utah to help meet water conservation goals,” said Kelly Kopp, associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Plants, Soils and Climate at USU and an administrator of the Water Check Program. “The support of the participating water districts and cities has allowed USU Extension to reach out to the public in a very big way.”

Kopp says the Slow the Flow Program will help homeowners save water and money immediately and well into the future.

Participants are required to have an in-ground, automatic sprinkler system and live within the participating counties. Those interested should visit www.SlowTheFlow.org/watercheck or call 1-877-728-3420 to schedule an appointment.

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What is Edamame and Should I Grow It?

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Ask a Specialist: Should I Consider Growing Edamame?

Answer by: Dennis Worwood, USU Extension educator, 435-381-2381, dennis.worwood@usu.edu

Edamame (ed-uh-mah-may), or green vegetable soybeans, has been a long-time favorite snack food in Asia and is now gaining popularity in the United States.

Edamame is a healthy snack choice. Green soybeans are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They have zero cholesterol and are high in the “good” fatty acids.

If you can grow green beans, you can grow edamame. Consider this information.

* After danger of frost is past, plant seeds 2 inches apart and about 1 1/2 inches deep in rows that are 12 to18 inches apart. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge. Mature plants are roughly the size of bush green beans at about 18 to 24 inches tall.

* Edamame has few pests. Plants sometimes suffer from iron chlorosis, which is demonstrated by yellow leaves with green veins. This is easily corrected by applying a chelated iron fertilizer between the rows.

* Edamame pods are ready to harvest from 70 to 90 days after planting. Varieties to consider, in order of ripening time, are: Soy Good, Envy, Beer Friend (yes, really), Early Hakucho, Lucky Lion, Midori Giant, Bee Sweet, Butterbeans and Sayamusume.

* Harvest pods when they are plump and well filled, but before they turn from green to brown. Each pod typically contains two to three beans. All pods on a given plant mature at about the same time, so you can pick many soybeans in a short time when they’re ripe. To extend the harvest season, plant several varieties that ripen at different times.

* As the name “Beer Friend” suggests, edamame is usually eaten as a snack food, like peanuts. To prepare, boil whole pods in salted water for about 5 minutes. Allow pods to cool before serving. To eat, pinch the pod between your thumb and index finger to “shoot” the beans into your mouth.

* A bowl of cooked soybean pods looks somewhat like a mass of fuzzy, lumpy, green caterpillars. People quickly forget the pods’ unusual appearance when they taste the beans. Edamame has a nutty, sweet flavor that even vegetable-hating kids have been known to love.

* Frozen edamame fetches a premium price in the grocery store, but you can easily freeze your own. First, wash the mature green pods, then blanch for 3 minutes in boiling water. Cool and dry the pods and pack in freezer bags. To prepare the frozen beans, cook them in boiling, salted water for 4 to 5 minutes or until the beans are heated through.

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Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension writer, Logan, Utah, 84322-4900, 435-797-0810; julene.reese@usu.edu.

Youth Aggie Adventures Available this Summer

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 MST

Writer: Julene Reese, 435-797-0810, julene.reese@usu.edu

Contact: Scott Williams, 435-752-6263, scott.williams@usu.edu

USU Extension 4-H Announces Aggie Adventures and Summer Camps for Kids

To help avoid the “I’m bored” syndrome this summer, Utah State University Extension 4-H provides opportunities to keep youth active and engaged.

Aggie Adventures and Summer Camps for Kids educational day camps are offered in many counties around the state. The camps are geared for children and youth in first through eighth grades. All camps emphasize hands-on learning and explore a variety of subjects including archeology, robotics, art, history, astronomy and others.

According to Scott Williams, USU Extension 4-H agent for Cache County, the structured yet fun camps can help fill the summer days in interesting, productive ways.

“Every day is an adventure as they make new friends with similar interests and explore things they may never experience anywhere else,” he said.

To see event schedules and registration information, visit http://utah4h.org/aggieadventures. Information on the website is included for Box Elder County, Cache County, Davis County, the USU Botanical Center in Davis County, Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter in Park City, Utah County, Weber County and Washington County.

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Plant Now or Wait ?

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Contact: Taun Beddes, USU Extension horticulturist

taun.beddes@usu.edu, 801-851-8460

Julene Reese, USU Extension writer

julene.reese@usu.edu, 435-797-0810

Thursday, April 25, 2013

When Should I Plant My Garden?

Determining when to plant a garden can be somewhat confusing in Utah’s unpredictable, varied climate where last-frost dates can vary by many days within just a few miles. Many experienced gardeners have planted at one point and later lost the plants to frost.

An example of how fickle Utah’s climate can be is in Cache Valley. Frost-free days vary from an average of 113 days in Lewiston and Trenton to 158 days on the USU campus. Similar examples occur across the state. Although exact last-frost dates are not available for all areas, a person can still determine when to plant. Often, the best thing to do is chat with a local farmer or experienced gardener in the area.

Consider the geographic characteristics of where you live. When a yard is located in a populated area or on a mountain bench, it usually has a longer growing season. Other areas located at slightly lower elevations, where cold air drains and cannot escape, have a shorter season due to the increased cold air. This is why local commercial orchards are generally located on benches. Additionally, urban and suburban areas are slightly warmer than surrounding areas due to the urban heat effect. Heat from buildings and warmth generated by sunlight reflected from roads and other surfaces increase temperatures and delay frost.

In addition to knowing frost information, a wise gardener takes into account the needs of the plants. Vegetables planted locally fall into four basic categories: hardy, semi-hardy, tender and very tender. Depending on the category, planting dates vary from early spring until early summer. Consider the following:

• Hardy vegetables, including asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, onions, peas and spinach, can be planted as soon as the soil is workable in early spring. This usually ranges between 45 and 60 days before the average last frost. These same vegetables can be safely planted until the date of the average last frost.

• Semi-hardy plants, such as beets, carrots, lettuce and potatoes, can be planted one to two weeks after the hardy group. These can be planted until the average last-frost date.

• Tender vegetables, such as celery, cucumbers, corn and most beans, should be planted on the average last-frost date in your area.

• Very tender plants, such as squash, beans, melons, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, should not be planted until at least a week after the average last frost has passed. Even if frost does not occur before this time, these plants will not grow well and are more susceptible to disease until warmer weather.

If you have lost plants to frost, you are not alone. It is often due to Utah’s fickle weather, and all gardeners can do is try again.

Frost Information for Various Locations in Utah
	Frost Dates
City	Last	First	Frost-Free Days
Alpine	May 20	September 30	136
Blanding	May 13	Oct 12	153
Cedar City	May 10	October 5	148
Delta	May 17	September 28	134
Farmington	May 5	October 10	158
Fillmore	May 16	October 4	140
Huntsville	June 11	September 9	89
Kanab	May 7	October 20	166
Lake Town	June 15	September 10	87
Logan	May 14	September 25	135
Morgan	June 6	September 11	98
Moroni	June 1	September 18	109
Ogden	May 1	October 24	176
Park City	June 9	September 1	92
Price	May 12	October 7	148
Roosevelt	May 18	September 25	130
Spanish Fork	May 1	October 13	165
St. George	April 6	October 28	205
Tooele	May 7	October 14	159

Farm Products to Retail Workshops

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Contact: Kynda Curtis, USU Extension agricultural marketing specialist

kynda.curtis@usu.edu or 435-797-0444

Julene Reese, USU Extension writer

Julene.reese@usu.edu or 435-797-0810

USU and UNR Extension Hold Farm Products to Food Products Workshop

Utah State University Extension and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension co-sponsor the workshop “Farm Products to Food Products: Increased Sales and Season Extension through Value-Added Products” Monday, May 13, in Las Vegas and Tuesday, May 14, in Reno from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time both days.

The one-day workshop held in two locations is intended to provide growers and small processors with relevant information and strategies for developing and marketing valued-added products through direct and wholesale outlets. Workshop topics take a start-to-finish perspective, ranging from idea conceptualizing to business planning, ingredient testing and labeling, processing and sales and marketing strategies. The workshop is taught by Extension personnel from both universities, local growers and industry representatives.

According to Kynda Curtis, USU Extension agricultural marketing specialist and workshop organizer, the workshop will provide farmers and others looking to develop food products for sale with an overview of the product development, processing and market planning steps which need to be considered.

Registration cost is $40 per person and includes breaks, lunch and all program materials. For Las Vegas online registration, visit http://lasvegasfarmtofood.eventbrite.com. For Reno, visit http://renofarmtofoodproducts.eventbrite.com.

The Las Vegas workshop will be held at the UNCE Clark County building, 8050 Paradise Road, Suite 100, Las Vegas. The Reno workshop will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 East 2nd Street, Reno.

Program partners include the USDA-Risk Management Agency, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and the USU Extension Food Quality and Entrepreneurship Program.

For additional information, contact Curtis at kynda.curtis@usu.edu or at 435-797-0444.

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Operation Military Kids

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Contact:

Rachelle Greenhalgh
USU Extension 4-H Project Director, Operation: Military Kids
Phone: (435) 632-4608
Email: rachelle.greenhalgh@usu.edu

Casey Saxton
USU Extension Public Relations Assistant
Phone: (465) 797-0810
Email: casey.saxton@usu.edu

Utahns Show Support for Military Kids

LOGAN, UT – People across the state wore purple on Friday, April 12, to show their support for the children of Utah’s military service men and women as part of an initiative sponsored by Utah State University Extension’s 4-H Operation: Military Kids program. The day was part of Utah’s second annual “Purple Up! For Military Kids” community awareness campaign that is taking place during the month of April, which is designated as the nation’s Month of the Military Child.

“I am sure that each one of us personally knows a military child,” said Rachelle Greenhalgh, USU Extension Operation: Military Kids project director. “I believe that each of us has also admired the strength of their resilient spirit and we honor their bravery.”

According to Greenhalgh, the “Purple Up!” invitation was received well across the state and, in particular, at the Syracuse Arts Academy where 150 military children were honored for their sacrifice. Military children at the academy were presented with certificates of recognition as well as a wall of fame inside the school as a tribute.

“Although Utah’s official ‘Purple Up!’ day has now passed, there are still ways to celebrate military youth,” said Greenhalgh. “Sometimes it’s just the little things that mean the most. If you know a military child, make a point to tell them thanks for what they do.”

Approximately 13,000 youth in Utah live with a service member, and USU Extension’s 4-H Operation: Military Kids program works to ease the burdens of the young people whose parents are experiencing deployment.

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Utah 4-Hers in Washington, DC

dennish@ext.usu.edu (Dennis Hinkamp) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 MST

Contact:

Paul Hill
USU Extension Assistant Professor, Washington County
Phone: (435) 634-5706
Email: paul.hill@usu.edu

Casey Saxton
USU Extension Public Relations Assistant
Phone: (465) 797-0810
Email: casey.saxton@usu.edu

USU Extension 4-H Youth Attend National Conference in Washington, D.C.

LOGAN, UT – A delegation of four Utah State University Extension 4-H youth, representing Utah’s 98,000 4-Hers and 8,400 volunteer 4-H leaders, recently attended National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. The Utah delegation returned home from a week where more than 270 youth and adults representing 4-H programs across the country gathered to exchange ideas, gain knowledge to share back at home and develop recommendations to help guide the future of 4-H programs both nationally and in their communities.

Alayna Bealer of Minorsville, Kayden Ence of St. George, Jacob Webb of Beaver and Karli Wells of Spanish Fork represented Utah 4-H at the April 6-11 conference. Through various conference sessions and facilitated discussions, delegates learned and shared information on current trends and issues relevant to 4-H and youth. Building effective partnerships, creating innovative 4-H programs, expanding the use of technology, working with diverse groups and impacting community needs were also conference topics. At the completion of roundtable discussions, delegates gave presentations to federal agencies to recommend innovative change and represent youth voice.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many youth,” said Paul Hill, USU Extension assistant professor who accompanied the delegation. “Not only because of travelling to and touring Washington, D.C., but presenting to high-ranking officials who have the ear of our Commander-in-Chief.”

The group worked for two days to prepare and deliver presentations to the White House Office of Science and Technology as well as the United States Department of Agriculture. They also met with with U.S. Senators from Utah, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, as well as Utah’s U.S. Representatives Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart.

“Our youth have a heightened sense of the problems that our nation currently faces, particularly the problems their generation is going to have to solve,” said Hill. “When they come home, our youth are commissioned to work on a local level to help solve these challenges in their communities.”

More information about the National 4-H Conference can be found at http://www.4-h.org/4-h-conference/.

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