Building a Worm Bin

Don’t have the space, location, or time for an outside compost bin? Have you heard about composting with worms (vermicomposting)? Vermicomposting is a convenient way to dispose of vegetable peelings, paper wastes and other organic materials. Worms eat the organic materials and create great compost, which is recycled into rich dark soil conditioner. The worm compost can be used for gardens and house plants to feed and nurture your plants.

What type of worms?

There are 3 main types of earthworms:

• Compost worm – 4 main species 1 Eisenia fetida (Tiger); 2.Dendrobaena venta (Blue Noses); 3. Lumbricus rubellus (red wiggler); 4. Eisenia Andrei (Reg Tiger)
• Earthworker worm most likely seen in your garden, busy at work tilling the soil making it airier and nicer for plants to grow in.
• Root Dwelling worms are deep burrowers, inhabiting the areas around plant roots, rich with decaying roots and fungi and are widespread in farmlands. You won't see these worms, as they never venture above ground.

The best types of worms for vermicomposting are red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) and redworms (Lumbricus rubellus). These two species make great worms for the compost bin because they prefer a compost environment to plain soil, and they are very easy to keep. Worms that feed on vegetable waste, compost, and organic bedding produce richer casting than those that feed on plain soil. You won’t find red wigglers in garden soil. You may find red worms in compost, under rotting logs, and in other organic situations. The problem is identifying them. You won’t be able to tell the difference between Lumbricus rubellus and other worms, so it’s best to buy them. If you don’t have a local supplier, you can order them on the Internet. It takes one pound of worms (1,000 individuals) to start a good-sized compost bin.

Location for Worm Bin

Where will you be keeping your worm bin? Worms thrive in temperatures between 55F and 77F degrees.

• Indoors - A well-tended worm bin is odorless. You can keep it in a pantry, utility room, or under the kitchen sink. A garage, basement, or carport is also a potential site.
• Outdoors - The north side of a structure (such as a house, shed, or garage) is preferred, because temperatures there don’t fluctuate as much. The bin also needs protection from rain and wind. Place it under the eaves or a deck or build a cover that repels rain but still allows good air circulation. An outdoor bin must also be secured against rodents, raccoons, and other animals.

You may choose to place your worm bin outside during the warmer months and bring it in undercover during the cooler months.

It is okay to touch and handle worms with your bare hands as you work with them. Remember that they are photophobic (sensitive to light), so they will tend to move away from you as you add new food waste and new bedding, or when you harvest the vermicast.

What size of bin?

To figure out the bin size you need, you must first determine the amount of food waste your family generates in 1 week. Your worm bin must contain 1 cubic foot of space for each pound of kitchen waste. Note that this does not mean that the bin would always be full, but rather that it would provide ample space for worms to work at the right moisture and oxygen levels.

What materials do I use to build my bin?

You can use a variety of materials to build a worm bin. Plastic totes, wooden bins, and commercial, stackable worm towers all are popular. You also can use a shipping crate or food storage barrel (a great way to repurpose and recycle one). Just be sure that the wood was not treated with chemicals and that other toxic materials have not been stored in the containers (food grade is best).

Bedding

The bedding in your worm bin provides a balanced diet and a damp, aerated home for your

worms.

•  Shredded newspaper or recycled printer paper (do not use glossy paper)
• Corrugated cardboard
• Straw
• Coconut Fiber
• Shredded leaves

Other tips for your bin

• Worms need 75 to 85 percent moisture in their bedding. Lightly mist the bedding when needed.
• When feeding pull aside some bedding and make a hole where you can put food scraps.

Troubleshooting Worm Bin Problems

NC State University Extension created this great troubleshooting chart.

  

For more help creating your worm bin visit University of Idaho Extension office at 501 Main Street, Caldwell, or call (208) 459-6003.

Troubles with your Summer Lawn

The Turf/Tree Team recently had a couple of site visits where our clients are having issues with their lawns. The 1st was fungal issue called Brown Patch, where the grass looked dead and the 2nd issue was an over watering issue where it was impacting his lawn. We also believe the over watering was also impacting the surrounding trees that were under stress. We’ll cover both issue and talk about how to avoid these problems going forward.

Let’s look at Brown Patch impacting a large area of the local neighbors lawn:

    

      No insect problems, just a fungal issue.

Our client swore she was having insect problem, but after we pulled up a large sample of the impacted lawn and took it back to office for analysis. We found both the crown and roots to be intact,  we also found no insect issue, because most insects such as billbugs would be eating away on roots and crown.

What we did find was good soil full of worm eggs and casting and a lot of small roly-polies. The grass though was thin with large patches of light brown grass. Our client had many unfavorable conditions that were going on from overwatering, from causing humidity levels to spike, to having a lawn service come out for multiple fertilizer applications to her lawn. All this added up for a severe case of Brown Patch to develop.  

So we followed up by researching from multiple educational websites that address Brown Patch and how to prevent Brown Patch from happening next year. Those articles included attention to cultural practices, such as avoiding excess nitrogen during the summer heat, which can contribute to reducing disease pressure and help improve fungicide performance on intensively managed turf. Improving air circulation and scheduling irrigation times to avoid long dew periods to also help suppress Brown Patch outbreaks.

There are also numerous effective fungicides that are registered for Brown Patch control. When selecting a fungicide, be aware of other turf disease threats and apply fungicides for these threats at the same time to minimize costs and other potential disease problems.

Our next site visit took us out to West Caldwell where the client was having what appeared to be dieback on multiple trees such as Ash, Pecan and Willow. At the time we didn’t have a answer for his tree problems. But after walking around his lawn area looking at the trees, we notice how soft and spongy the lawn felt. Looking around closer, we found large areas of yellowing grass and when we bent over and tugged at the lawn, we felt the crown area separating from the soil surface. We then ask about his watering and fertilizing schedule. We found out he was watering for nearly hour in each zone every other day and his local lawn care service was out frequently applying multiple applications.

     

          Light Yellowing of grass blades

We talked for awhile about how much water his lawn really needs during the summer months and that his lawn care service may be over doing it. He did turn off the watering station to allow his lawn to dry out some while we were there.

When we got back to office we followed up by putting together a Lawn Maintenance Schedule that included how often to water and what his lawn fertilizing needs were for a whole year. He seemed pretty happy with the follow-up schedule. We also sent an older article we found from USDA where over applying the amount of Nitrogen could be causing problems with his Pecan tree. Even though I wouldn’t rule out the 3 story tall tree house surrounding the pecan tree, it may also be impacting on the life of tree.

So far this summer the Turf/Tree Team has been fairly busy with site visits and providing research based answers to the clients. They have enjoyed the opportunity to provide this service which is part of the Master Gardener Program, Canyon County Extension of the University of Idaho.

Growing Good Kids: Junior Master Gardener Program NOTE: schedule for spring 2019 (february?)

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Dig In! Let's get Growin'
Level I Mascot

Fun and educational gardening activities for Kids!

What is the Junior Master Gardener Program?

"The Junior Master Gardener program is an international youth gardening program of the University Cooperative Extension network. JMG engages children in novel, “hands-on” group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind."  (jmgkids.us)  The curriculum is designed to facilitate teaching life skills, math skills, observation skills and social skills through ecology, gardening, reading, and leadership.

How does the program work?

The curriculum offers two levels: elementary (Level I) and middle school (Level II).Level 1 (elementary children) Level 2 (middle/jr. high students) http://jmgkids.us for curriculum and website. Because the JMG materials are creative, well-researched, horticulturally robust and readily available through the Texas A&M University Extension, the materials have been used by a wide range of people and organizations. They are considered a treasure trove of experiential gardening activities, its applications seem limitless. (Fleming)

In Level I, The Literature in the Garden Module features award winning books!
The 2018 Growing Good Kids Excellence in Children’s Literature Award Winners were announced at the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium on July 13, 2018 at Cornell University. http://jmgkids.us/bookawards/

Always a favorite among all age groups: Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens on you tube

Who can participate? Any children's activity groups: 4-H, after school, in school (the curriculum is approved for state standards), nature field studies, gardening clubs, home-schooled children, library programs, wildlife centers, faith-based groups groups. The possibilities really are limitless!

Decorated Potted Grasses

Community Garden Activity

In 2008, the Canyon County Extension Master Gardeners sponsored events at the Middleton Community Center, Nampa Public Library, Veteran’s Therapeutic Garden, Trinity Community Garden, and the Canyon Hill Community Garden. Over 250 youth participated!

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Mr. Thistle
Level II Mascot

For more information contact:

University of Idaho Canyon County Extension 208-459-6003

or

http://jmgkids.us for curriculum and website

"The terms, Junior Master Gardener, JMG and Golden Ray Series, and associated logos, are service marks of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service."

Tomato Taste Off 2018! And the winner is...

Congratulations to the 2018 Tomato Taste-Off winners! Thirty one tomatoes were entered in 3 categories. There were 7 cherry tomato entries. First place was taken by Doug Ranck with a Black/Chocolate Cherry and second place by Mary Van de Bogart with a Sungold Hybrid. The slicer category had 14 entries. Richard Ames won first place with a lovely orange tomato variety named Persimmon. Clara Flynn took second place with the Celebrity tomato. The last category was the paste tomatoes with 10 entries. First prize went to Mary Van de Bogart with a San Marzano Redorta paste tomato. It was huge!

Then Pat Flynn took second with the good old stand by Roma Paste. The first prize winners received $50 gift certificates to a local plant nursery and the second prize winners received $25 gift certificates. Thank you to everyone who entered for all you hard work growing such yummy tomatoes this year!

The tomato taste-off was facilitated by the University of Idaho Master Gardeners from Canyon County and done in conjunction with the annual Indian Creek Festival that the City of Caldwell puts on every fall. This was the second year that the Canyon County Master Gardeners put on this event. Tomatoes are brought in from community members and master gardeners. The festival attendees were very enthusiastic in their tomato tasting and judging. It was fun to hear all the comments and interact with so many tomato lovers. The biggest surprise was that the same variety of tomato could taste so different from different gardens. For example, we had 4 entries of the Black/Chocolate Cherry tomato grown by 4 different people and they all had very distinct flavors.

Tomato classes were held in the afternoon. Attendees learned tomato basics, how to grow tomatoes on a trellis and how to can tomatoes.

It's never too early to start picking out that perfect tomato to grow for the contest next year!

The Master Gardeners look forward to seeing you at the 3rd annual Tomato Taste off 2019!

September Community Newsletter

In case you missed this issue - here's what's happening in September with Canyon County Master Gardeners! Newsletter link

Keep informed! Sign up for our monthly newsletter here

Turf/Tree Team Part 2

The Tree and Turf Team has been busy so far this summer. Part 2

Our next site visit was near Greenleaf to help answer the question on why a resident’s spruce tree was showing signs of failing health. What we found was a single spruce tree next to a barn where it was starving for water, which was making the tree unhealthy. That in turn attracted Spruce Beetles which started their slow death of the tree. Look at 3rd photo below where bark is missing, also notice the 4th photo below of a neighbor’s spruce tree with severe beetle damage. We took a small walk around and noticed several more spruce trees in neighborhood with similar signs of beetle damage.

Signs of beetle damage are where the needles on infested trees may turn a pale yellowish-green color and tend to drop to the ground after high winds, but rarely turn rust colored on the tree. Needles typically drop from branches the second summer after the tree has been infested. Boring dust, produced when beetles bore new entry holes, may accumulate in bark crevices and around the base of the tree. Streams of resin along the main trunk are often associated with recently attacked trees.

What can you do to help protect your spruce tree?

• Maintain the health and vigor of trees: The Spruce Bark Beetle prefers to attack weaker trees or ones that have fallen so maintaining the health and vigor of your trees is important. Tree culturing activities such as watering and fertilizing trees early in the growing season will help develop and maintain healthy trees.
• Prune lower branches to retain a fully crowned tree. Topping mature evergreen trees as illustrated in the pruning link, page 6, sets a tree up for disease and damage: Pruning should be done in the fall and the branches removed from the site if disease is present.
• Spray the tree with an insecticide registered for use on spruce trees to prevent Spruce Beetle attacks: This should be done in spring by early May to protect the tree prior to the beetle’s emergence and dispersal flight.

Severe dieback

Spruce tree next to barn

   

Neighbors tree with severe beetle damage

Noticeable beetle damage

           

Spruce beetle impact: from Colorado State forest management

https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/spruce-bark-beetle/

It’s Squash Week!

Squash has ancient history dating back as far as 12,000 years, American Indians called squash the “the apple of God”. In the 17^th century squash was introduced to Europe; however, it was not commonly eaten until the 19^th century. Iroquois American Indians had three main crops squash, beans, and maize, also known as the “Three Sisters”.

Types of Squash:  

Summer squash grows on non-vining bushes. The three main types include: the yellow straight neck or crooked neck, the white scallop or patty pan, and the oblong, green, gray or gold zucchini.

Winter squash matures on the vine and is covered with a hard rind that permits winter storage. It is categorized according to its fruit size: small fruits (1 to 4 pounds) include acorn types, butternut types, and some true winter squash types; intermediate fruits (6 to 12 pounds) include banana squash, Cushow, Hubbard and some Sweet Meat varieties; large fruits (15 to 40 pounds) include Blue Hubbard, Boston Marrow and Jumbo Pink Banana varieties; jumbo fruits (50 to 100+ pounds) include Big Max and various Mammoth varieties.

Planting: 

If planting squash from seed, plant them either in a garden bed or in a hill. In the garden bed, they’ll need to be planted 2-3 feet apart at about a 1-inch depth. However, if planting them in a hill, take 3-4 seeds and place them together. Then mound dirt in around them. The hills will need to be 5-6 feet apart. Most summer squash varieties now come in bush form. Winter squash varieties are in vine form. So, plan accordingly if you are growing a vine. Vines need to be planted about 8-12 feet apart.

The final step to planting squash is to water regularly and consistently. One time a week, you’ll need to water the plants deeply. Give the squash plants about an inch of water so the water will reach the roots.

Care: 

Mulch - After planting squash plants place mulch around each plant. This will protect the roots of the plant and keep weeds from becoming a problem.

Fertilize - After first bloom appear on your squash plant, it is time to fertilize to the side of the plant. Fertilize regularly. Like with most gardens, fertilization once every 4-6 weeks should be ample.

Water - Water your squash plants heavily. Water them one day a week with one inch of water along with regular watering on other days.

Pest Problems:  

Squash Bugs look like smaller stink bugs. They live on the squash plant and kill it by sucking the

sap right out of the plant. This sucking action releases a toxin from the bug into the plant and kills your plant. Prevention is key. Rotate crops yearly, use insecticides, and pay attention to your plants. If you can catch them while they are still small, it is much easier to get under control. Remember to dispose of all squash plants at the end of the grow season so the bugs don’t overwinter in them.

Blossom-End Rot. You think your plants are doing great, you see fruit forming, and then

you see that the end of the fruit is black which means that your fruit is inedible. This is an issue because of a calcium deficiency or your soil has uneven moisture levels in it.

Stink Bugs They are an issue because they will nibble on your plants. Clean up plants and weeds in your yard, and do not give them a place to overwinter.

Squash Vine Borer The eggs are laid at the base of a squash plant. When the eggs hatch, they begin to gnaw through the plant. This will obviously kill your squash plant. You need to clean up your garden beds every winter, so they don’t have anywhere to overwinter. Seeing signs or finding eggs, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of the plant. It is more about preventing this bug than defeating it because once you see it, then it is probably too late for your plant.

The best companion plants for squash are corn, peas, beans, icicle radishes. These plants help deter certain pests that often attack squash plants.

Harvesting and Storage:

Summer squash can be harvested about 55 days after planting. For optimum quality, harvest while fruits are tender and still have a shiny or glossy appearance. When growing conditions are favorable, harvest the crop daily or every other day. Harvest crookneck and straight neck varieties when fruit is 1½ to 2 inches in diameter. Harvest zucchini when fruit is 7 to 8 inches long and scallop types when they are 3 to 4 inches in diameter. All these squashes can be harvested at smaller sizes for extra tenderness. Do not leave large fruit of summer squash on the plant because this will inhibit the development of additional fruit. Store summer squash in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Turf/Tree Team Part 1

The Tree and Turf Team has been busy so far this summer.
Part 1.

There hasn’t been a slow down with mid-summer fast approaching for Tree & Turf Team.

The team has been all over the valley visiting multiple issues impacting resident’s trees and lawns. We’ll cover a few of our visits in detail, giving what we found, we will show some photos of damage and what advice we gave to help the owners.

Our 1st visit takes us out to Melba where a couple have 2-acre 180 fruit tree orchard that turned out to be a lot of note taking. The couple called into Canyon County Extension Office asking for help with their apple, pear and cherry trees, each with a different problem. The apple trees were being impacted by a severe aphid infestation. “see photo’s 1 and 2”. At this point there wasn’t much we could do because the aphids would soon be gone for the summer eating grasses but they  could return in fall. We made comments about using horticultural oil before bud break next year to help control future outbreaks.  

Aphids causing the leaves to curl

Notice small black spots on the back of leaf

The second tree variety “pears” appeared to be impacted by fireblight. Fireblight is a really nasty bacteria that ends up killing large areas of the tree. The only way to try saving what’s left of the tree is cutting the impacted branch below the infected area and disposing of it. It’s important to get these limbs removed right away because the bacteria can move from blighted spurs and shoots through the vascular system into larger limbs and tree trunk. Death of the tree could result within one season if not properly taken care of.

Signs of fireblight is wilted leaves turning black

Several branches impacted with fireblight               

The third tree issue impacting the orchard was their cherry trees. Research is still ongoing, but we are suspecting a fungal disease called Brown Rot Blossom Blight. The branch tips die back, leaving clusters of dead, brown leaves. Fungus spores infect the tree blossoms in the spring, when the blooms begin to age. Many tiny black spores begin to cover the dying flowers. The spores become active and start to kill the branch tip and work back towards the trunk. Once the dieback begins, the disease cannot be controlled. The only recourse is to prune off the dead portions of the branches and dispose of them in the trash. However, you can help prevent the reinfection of your plants by cleaning up all ground litter from all around the base of the tree.

Clusters of brown dead leaves

Backed off to notice dead branch dieback

Last pieces of advice we gave them was about their drip water system, which was to move emitters out further toward tree drip line instead of directly next to trunk. The 2nd item was to bring in a few truck load of wood chips that could help in retaining moisture and better temperature control under the tree canopy.

Check out some of these links.

Data Reference:

Aphids impact on apples trees:  from Utah State Extension

https://utahpests.usu.edu/uppdl/files-ou/factsheet/aphids-apple.pdf

Fire blight on pear trees: from University of California Extension

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7414.html

Cherry tree fungus blight: from Penn State Extension

https://extension.psu.edu/ornamental-cherry-diseases