Just Ask Richard...

Richard Beckort, Extension Educator has compiled some information for you:  

"Since most of you are working from home, watching kids or practicing social distancing, I thought I would send out timely tips on things that you can be doing in your yards."

Just ask Richard Topics...

• Freeze Warning: Later this week, everyone needs to think about protecting their tender plants that they have already planted this spring. You can do this either by bringing them inside or covering them. Cover them only with fabric. You can use small sticks or dowels to hold the fabric off the plants. Do not use plastic, this only intensifies the cold temperatures.
• Frost Damage: With the recent weather we are seeing frost/freeze damage on plants in our landscapes. Although this damage looks severe, most of the time the plants will grow out of it. Trees will re-leaf. With plants like the hostas below, as the plants start re-growing, carefully remove the damage to allow the new leaves to emerge. 
• Cold Weather Effects: With predicted low night temperatures for the next couple of days, people have questions about possible frost/freeze damage to their plants. Current forecasts are calling for 31 degrees F for lows. Most blooming fruit trees and strawberries can withstand temps down to 28 degrees F. Some flowering shrubs will show bloom damage at 28 degrees F.
• Facts For Farmers
• Winter Annual Weeds : So you went to your garden and found its green and you haven't planted anything yet. These weeds are probably "all winter annuals". Common ones are:
  • Henbit
  • Chickweed
  • Purple Deadnettle
  • Follow the link to learn more about identifying and controlling these weeds.
• Indoor Gardening: You and the kids are spending time at home and you are looking for activities together. Try some indoor gardening activities. Some ideas:
  • Plant Herb Seeds, Watch them grow and the cook with them this summer
  • Start a plant from lunch leftovers,,, Use the seed from an avocado or papaya or the top off of a pineapple to grow a new plant! 
  • Start a new houseplant from a leaf stem of an existing houseplant. 
  • There are many more fun and educational activities you can do at home
• Pruning Summer Blooming Shrubs: Summer Blooming Shrubs (ones that bloom after June) need to be pruned while they are dormant (before they leaf out in the Spring). This can still be done in the next week or so. Pruning will encourage more blooms and growth during the summer. 
• Crabgrass Prevention: Since Forsythias are blooming, it is now time to apply crabgrass prevention to your turf grass.

Any Questions, JUST ASK RICHARD! 

Richard Beckort - rbeckort@purdue.edu

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