Dig This for 9-24-08
Don't panic this time of year when you see flying ants and termites. Ants by nature once their colonies are established (usually after 3 years or so) have a flying stage where the reproducing males and females grow wings, leave the colony and set out to establish new ones. It sometimes seems like the flying ants number in the hundreds, but don't worry, very few of them actually survive. And, most of the time they make their new home in the woods and meadows, and not in or around our homes.
Most of the flying ants are black. But if you see red bodied flying ant appearing insects, look closer, they're termites. Termite bodies are flatter than ant bodies and they appear to the eye to have only two body parts - head and lower body. The bodies of ants in our area are nearly always black and on closer inspection have three distinct body parts - head, abdomen and thorax.
If you see either flying ants or termites emerging in large numbers around the foundation of your home or from underneath your home, you will want to take a closer look under the house to make sure they haven't made a home there. The WSU Publication EB1814 available online at http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1814/EB1814.pdf shows photos of termite and carpenter ant damage. If you see any of the signs shown in the photos in the publication you'll want to call a licensed exterminator.
Visit http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/flyant.htm to see photos of flying ants and to learn more about this life cycle stage of ants. Another website www.antinstitute.com has ample information about ants. The Ant Institute says an ant can lift 20 times its body weight. There are 12,000 ant species worldwide and 700 of these ant species are in North America. Of the 12,000 species of ants worldwide only 25 species are considered structural pests. That's very good news.
This is also the time of year when we do the spider dodging dance throughout our gardens. The golden orb weaver spider (also called the brown orb weaver spider) likes to stretch its silky web throughout our gardens. These spiders festoon our doorways and porches too. Their webs are really a work of art. The webs are made out of silken protein. The spider patiently weaves its web over and over again. It collects and wraps its web back up on a regular basis. The spider eats the web giving its body much needed protein. Then begins weaving its web all over again. Speaking of protein each spider eats literally hundreds of insects, sometimes thousands, in its short lifetime.
Do not panic if you find yourself entangled in a spider web. As soon as our bodies collide with a web the spider drops from a silken webline down to the ground. Can you imagine how absolutely humongous and monstrous we must appear to a spider? Especially since it sees several images of us at one time with its eyes. The only thing the spider wants to do is get away as quickly as possible. If you're careful you can actually unhook a whole web and move it aside leaving the spider happily nearby. Our gardens and houses would be overtaken with insects if it weren't for our friends the spiders.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Classes Galore
DIG THIS by Peg Tillery (for 9-17-08)
Even though the gardening season is winding down, we can still immerse ourselves in garden themed activities.
WSU Extension in Kitsap County is offering Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Overview Course. Registration forms can be found at http://kitsap.wsu.edu/ag/sustainable_ag_class.htm. This course is for anyone interested in developing a small acreage farm or ranch using sustainable practices. Learn what it takes to have a sustainable small acreage farm or ranch and take a realistic look at goals, resources needed and opportunities available. Guest farmers speak to the class and field trips are taken to local farms.
The course is offered at two locations: Thursdays September 18 through December 11, 2008 at Long Lake Community Hall and Wednesdays September 17 through December 10 at Island Lake Community Center. Classes are held in the evening from 6-9 p.m. The course is open to academic students and community members for continuing education units. Course fee is $225 for individual, family or farm. The cost includes textbooks and materials. For more information contact Arno Bergstrom 360-337-7225 or awbergstrom@wsu.edu. This course is offered as part of the Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Education Program.
The 2009 WSU Extension Kitsap Master Gardener Program volunteer educator training begins on Fridays from January 9 through April 10. The classes are 8:30 a.m. through 4:15 p.m. Master Gardeners (MGs) are volunteer educators who bring WSU research based information and education to the public. MGs are one of the faces of the university in our community. Each person who completes the Master Gardener Program 13-week course completes 72 hours of horticulture education. Course tuition and materials fee is $225. Scholarships and/or payment options are available.
When classes are complete, between the months of April through October MG interns spend a minimum of 50 hours in their communities teaching people to garden successfully and to utilize environmentally friendly techniques. Additionally, Master Gardeners, learn how to identify plants, insects, plant diseases and plant problems. They also learn about native plants, trees, vegetables, fruits and weeds. MGs don’t become overnight experts on plants and the environment, but they do become able resources and researchers of answers for citizens of Kitsap County. They may not always have an immediate answer, but they'll always find the answer or someone who knows the answer.
We have 232 Master Gardeners in Kitsap County ranging from the fairly young age of 20 to the more mature age of 80 plus years. Half of our Master Gardeners work full time and 35 percent of the MGs make their living in the field of horticulture. As the Horticulture Educator for WSU Kitsap County, and the coordinator of the Master Gardener Program here, I am honored to know these 232 individuals. Their energies, ideas, expertise and community service are dedicated to their families, friends, neighbors and residents in Kitsap and Pierce County on our peninsula.
Application packets are mailed out via email (or postal mail for those without email) on October 15 each year. Visit http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/mg_application_request.htm to place your name on the list to receive an application. You can also call the Extension Office at 360-337-7224 to be placed on the application request list. If you reach voicemail, please leave your name, address, phone number and email address.
Even though the gardening season is winding down, we can still immerse ourselves in garden themed activities.
WSU Extension in Kitsap County is offering Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Overview Course. Registration forms can be found at http://kitsap.wsu.edu/ag/sustainable_ag_class.htm. This course is for anyone interested in developing a small acreage farm or ranch using sustainable practices. Learn what it takes to have a sustainable small acreage farm or ranch and take a realistic look at goals, resources needed and opportunities available. Guest farmers speak to the class and field trips are taken to local farms.
The course is offered at two locations: Thursdays September 18 through December 11, 2008 at Long Lake Community Hall and Wednesdays September 17 through December 10 at Island Lake Community Center. Classes are held in the evening from 6-9 p.m. The course is open to academic students and community members for continuing education units. Course fee is $225 for individual, family or farm. The cost includes textbooks and materials. For more information contact Arno Bergstrom 360-337-7225 or awbergstrom@wsu.edu. This course is offered as part of the Cultivating Success Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Education Program.
The 2009 WSU Extension Kitsap Master Gardener Program volunteer educator training begins on Fridays from January 9 through April 10. The classes are 8:30 a.m. through 4:15 p.m. Master Gardeners (MGs) are volunteer educators who bring WSU research based information and education to the public. MGs are one of the faces of the university in our community. Each person who completes the Master Gardener Program 13-week course completes 72 hours of horticulture education. Course tuition and materials fee is $225. Scholarships and/or payment options are available.
When classes are complete, between the months of April through October MG interns spend a minimum of 50 hours in their communities teaching people to garden successfully and to utilize environmentally friendly techniques. Additionally, Master Gardeners, learn how to identify plants, insects, plant diseases and plant problems. They also learn about native plants, trees, vegetables, fruits and weeds. MGs don’t become overnight experts on plants and the environment, but they do become able resources and researchers of answers for citizens of Kitsap County. They may not always have an immediate answer, but they'll always find the answer or someone who knows the answer.
We have 232 Master Gardeners in Kitsap County ranging from the fairly young age of 20 to the more mature age of 80 plus years. Half of our Master Gardeners work full time and 35 percent of the MGs make their living in the field of horticulture. As the Horticulture Educator for WSU Kitsap County, and the coordinator of the Master Gardener Program here, I am honored to know these 232 individuals. Their energies, ideas, expertise and community service are dedicated to their families, friends, neighbors and residents in Kitsap and Pierce County on our peninsula.
Application packets are mailed out via email (or postal mail for those without email) on October 15 each year. Visit http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/mg_application_request.htm to place your name on the list to receive an application. You can also call the Extension Office at 360-337-7224 to be placed on the application request list. If you reach voicemail, please leave your name, address, phone number and email address.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Fall Webworm and Apple Maggot
DIG THIS by Peg Tillery
It's nearly the first day of fall. Along with the approaching date we're also experiencing fall webworm infestations. Don't panic though, these caterpillar tents and moth larvae are nothing like the spring into summer onslaughts of tent caterpillars we sometimes encounter.
Fall webworms spend nearly their entire life encased in their caterpillar-made tents. Drivers on Highway 3 heading north and south have probably seen these tents on the outer limbs of the alders. Fall webworms also build nests in fruit trees, cottonwoods, birch and other deciduous trees. Luckily, these caterpillars are eating machines that live inside the tent. Also luckily, it's a time of year when the trees are going dormant anyway. This is a very good thing. These caterpillars will soon be gone.
I've written a column on fall webworms nearly every September, so we're right on schedule. If you have internet access visit these sites for photos and more information on fall webworms: http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0827/eb0827.pdf and http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/dig_this/dig_this_toc.htm. Look under September for each year.
Bottom line on fall webworm - usually gardeners need do nothing, unless it's a horrible infestation or when growing fruit trees for harvesting. If you need to destroy the nests, cut them from their host plant if possible or strip the webs off. Drop the webs and caterpillars in a bucket filled with soapy water. If your garden is frequently visited by fall webworm and control is needed; next year when the webs begin to form, open the webs and spray with Bacillus thuringiensis Bt. This bacteria will be ingested by the larva as they feed on the leaves. Remember for Bt to work it must be ingested.
This is also the time of year when apple maggot signs show up in harvested fruits. Visit http://skagit.wsu.edu/Agriculture/com_saveapples.htm for abundant information on apple maggot and how to control this pestiferous insect. One thing every one of us can do is pick up and dispose of any fallen apples we see in our neighborhoods and in our own gardens. The trick is to pick up and dispose of fallen fruit every day. Don't leave the fruits on the ground to rot. This applies to all fruit actually. Sanitation is a very good insect pest protection method.
Apple maggots are the larva of a fly. It has classic black and white stripes on its wings. The fly inserts its eggs into apples. Look for small black spots on the outside skin of the fruit. When the larva hatches it works its way through the fruit leaving bacterial trails turning the inside of the fruit brown and mushy. Sometimes before we even cut the apple open we can see brown bruises on the outside of the fruit. We soon discover the discolored and very unappetizing inside. Do not eat or preserve this fruit because of the bacteria.
Visit http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1928/EB1928.pdf for complete information on apple maggot and also on coddling moth. Fruit with coddling moth damage can be salvaged by cutting out the damage, but fruit infested with apple maggot needs to be discarded. Do not compost apple maggot infested fruit. Bag it up and send it to the land fill. Call the Master Gardener hotline at 360-337-7158 to request a copy of the referenced publications if you do not have access to the internet. Or stop by a local Kitsap Regional Library branch for internet access to read the publications.
It's nearly the first day of fall. Along with the approaching date we're also experiencing fall webworm infestations. Don't panic though, these caterpillar tents and moth larvae are nothing like the spring into summer onslaughts of tent caterpillars we sometimes encounter.
Fall webworms spend nearly their entire life encased in their caterpillar-made tents. Drivers on Highway 3 heading north and south have probably seen these tents on the outer limbs of the alders. Fall webworms also build nests in fruit trees, cottonwoods, birch and other deciduous trees. Luckily, these caterpillars are eating machines that live inside the tent. Also luckily, it's a time of year when the trees are going dormant anyway. This is a very good thing. These caterpillars will soon be gone.
I've written a column on fall webworms nearly every September, so we're right on schedule. If you have internet access visit these sites for photos and more information on fall webworms: http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0827/eb0827.pdf and http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/dig_this/dig_this_toc.htm. Look under September for each year.
Bottom line on fall webworm - usually gardeners need do nothing, unless it's a horrible infestation or when growing fruit trees for harvesting. If you need to destroy the nests, cut them from their host plant if possible or strip the webs off. Drop the webs and caterpillars in a bucket filled with soapy water. If your garden is frequently visited by fall webworm and control is needed; next year when the webs begin to form, open the webs and spray with Bacillus thuringiensis Bt. This bacteria will be ingested by the larva as they feed on the leaves. Remember for Bt to work it must be ingested.
This is also the time of year when apple maggot signs show up in harvested fruits. Visit http://skagit.wsu.edu/Agriculture/com_saveapples.htm for abundant information on apple maggot and how to control this pestiferous insect. One thing every one of us can do is pick up and dispose of any fallen apples we see in our neighborhoods and in our own gardens. The trick is to pick up and dispose of fallen fruit every day. Don't leave the fruits on the ground to rot. This applies to all fruit actually. Sanitation is a very good insect pest protection method.
Apple maggots are the larva of a fly. It has classic black and white stripes on its wings. The fly inserts its eggs into apples. Look for small black spots on the outside skin of the fruit. When the larva hatches it works its way through the fruit leaving bacterial trails turning the inside of the fruit brown and mushy. Sometimes before we even cut the apple open we can see brown bruises on the outside of the fruit. We soon discover the discolored and very unappetizing inside. Do not eat or preserve this fruit because of the bacteria.
Visit http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb1928/EB1928.pdf for complete information on apple maggot and also on coddling moth. Fruit with coddling moth damage can be salvaged by cutting out the damage, but fruit infested with apple maggot needs to be discarded. Do not compost apple maggot infested fruit. Bag it up and send it to the land fill. Call the Master Gardener hotline at 360-337-7158 to request a copy of the referenced publications if you do not have access to the internet. Or stop by a local Kitsap Regional Library branch for internet access to read the publications.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Our Starving Local Food Banks
DIG THIS by Peg Tillery
Sally Santana, religious leader and local writer, recently sent out a plea to as many of us as she could reach. She knew that our local food bank cupboards are often bare. We were asked to spread the word to all local gardeners and community groups to grow fresh produce to donate to Kitsap's food banks and soup kitchens.
Kitsap WSU Extension Master Gardeners, Bremerton Urban Garden Society (BUGS), local p-patch gardeners and children at Poulsbo's Raab Park currently grow fruits and vegetables to donate to the food banks and soup kitchens. Other community groups do too, but if each of us who garden in Kitsap County would share our extra fresh produce with local food banks and soup kitchens, thousands of hungry people could be served.
On Monday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. more than 93 people came to Bremerton Foodline. It was nearing the end of the month and their food budgets were stretched to the max. Many of them have to make the choice between transportation to their jobs or eating. Most of these Foodline visitors are part of our working poor. Some of the parents eat only one meal a day so their children can have three healthy meals. Others are seniors whose limited incomes cannot even begin to catch up with growing costs of living.
South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank's website says, "One-third of the households in Kitsap County made $1200 or less per month in 2006." It's hard to even imagine how a family of two or more people with limited incomes can find money for groceries after paying rent (or a house payment), utilities and transportation to and from work.
The food banks are only open certain days and times, so make sure you call first before bringing donations. Our local food banks and soup kitchens are: Bremerton Food Line (360-479-6188), Brother's Keeper Meal Program, Central Kitsap Food Bank (360-692-9818), Bainbridge Island Helpline House Food Bank (206-842-7621), North Kitsap Fishline (360-779-5190), Bremerton Salvation Army Food Bank & Meal Program (373-5550), Sharenet Food Bank (Kingston and Hansville)(360-297-2266), South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank (Port Orchard)(360-876-4089), Stand Up for Kids (Central Kitsap), St. Vincent de Paul Assistance Office (Bremerton)(360-479-7017).
We can each help feed the hungry here in Kitsap County. Even if we don't grow vegetables and fruit, we can at least find a few dollars each month to donate to our nearest local food bank. If we ourselves don't have any extra dollars to spare, we can volunteer in a myriad of ways at our local food banks. If you can't help in any of these ways, say "thank you" to your local farmers market vendors and your local grocery stores, many of whom donate to local food banks and soup kitchens. If these merchants aren't contributing already, encourage them to do so. Ask your friends, neighbors and workmates to donate produce, dollars or talents to help feed the hungry of Kitsap County.
Sally Santana, religious leader and local writer, recently sent out a plea to as many of us as she could reach. She knew that our local food bank cupboards are often bare. We were asked to spread the word to all local gardeners and community groups to grow fresh produce to donate to Kitsap's food banks and soup kitchens.
Kitsap WSU Extension Master Gardeners, Bremerton Urban Garden Society (BUGS), local p-patch gardeners and children at Poulsbo's Raab Park currently grow fruits and vegetables to donate to the food banks and soup kitchens. Other community groups do too, but if each of us who garden in Kitsap County would share our extra fresh produce with local food banks and soup kitchens, thousands of hungry people could be served.
On Monday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. more than 93 people came to Bremerton Foodline. It was nearing the end of the month and their food budgets were stretched to the max. Many of them have to make the choice between transportation to their jobs or eating. Most of these Foodline visitors are part of our working poor. Some of the parents eat only one meal a day so their children can have three healthy meals. Others are seniors whose limited incomes cannot even begin to catch up with growing costs of living.
South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank's website says, "One-third of the households in Kitsap County made $1200 or less per month in 2006." It's hard to even imagine how a family of two or more people with limited incomes can find money for groceries after paying rent (or a house payment), utilities and transportation to and from work.
The food banks are only open certain days and times, so make sure you call first before bringing donations. Our local food banks and soup kitchens are: Bremerton Food Line (360-479-6188), Brother's Keeper Meal Program, Central Kitsap Food Bank (360-692-9818), Bainbridge Island Helpline House Food Bank (206-842-7621), North Kitsap Fishline (360-779-5190), Bremerton Salvation Army Food Bank & Meal Program (373-5550), Sharenet Food Bank (Kingston and Hansville)(360-297-2266), South Kitsap Helpline Food Bank (Port Orchard)(360-876-4089), Stand Up for Kids (Central Kitsap), St. Vincent de Paul Assistance Office (Bremerton)(360-479-7017).
We can each help feed the hungry here in Kitsap County. Even if we don't grow vegetables and fruit, we can at least find a few dollars each month to donate to our nearest local food bank. If we ourselves don't have any extra dollars to spare, we can volunteer in a myriad of ways at our local food banks. If you can't help in any of these ways, say "thank you" to your local farmers market vendors and your local grocery stores, many of whom donate to local food banks and soup kitchens. If these merchants aren't contributing already, encourage them to do so. Ask your friends, neighbors and workmates to donate produce, dollars or talents to help feed the hungry of Kitsap County.
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