A new year means new opportunities and, while resolutions made in January rarely survive until February, there are some actions we need to put on our calendars so help make 2020 the best it can be for us on the farm and in our lawns and gardens.
So lets begin with January.
January is meeting month; a time when people gather and learn new techniques or reinforce old methods. There will be several opportunities in January and February to attend meetings and conferences that will help us be more efficient. These range from the annual Shepherds Symposium next Saturday to the Virginia Tech Beef Health Conference at the end of the month. In between, Wytheville will once again host the Southwest Virginia Grassland and Forage Conference on Jan. 21.
In February, we need to be out in our fields and pastures looking for opportunities to improve the health of our soils. February is a great month (most times not in 2019) to collect soil samples and determine our fertilizer needs for the coming spring and summer. It is also a great time to renovate pastures and hayfields by frost seeding clover. Using this method, you simply scatter clover seed into existing grassland. The sod needs to be well clipped or slightly overgrazed to facilitate the seed getting to the soil, but it is great way to improve grazing animal performance without too much input costs.
February can also be a great time to get the sprayer back out. Warm days (above 50 degrees) can offer the opportunity to blister several weeds such as thistles, buttercups, henbit and bedstraw. If your fields were yellow, white or purple last spring, use this opportunity. One added benefit to treating fields this time of year is your chances of killing the neighbors garden is all but none existent; however, this only works if you use the correct chemical in the correct amount on the correct target. Know your enemy.
March is a good time to sow some more hardy crops such as spring oats, but is probably too early (cool) for grass seeding. Apply your fertilizers now (although you can give cover crops a shot of nitrogen in February again in warmer weather). One strategy that can work well is to split your fertilizer applications especially in hay crops. Put on half your fertilizer needs now and put on the remainder after the first cutting. March is also a good time to move cattle and livestock to cleaner pastures. Animals that have been shorted on nutritional needs during the winter (and our hay this year is short on both supply and nutrients generally) can find themselves in distress in the cold days of March. Add in mud from cold March rains and cows getting ready to have calves and you have the recipe for a disaster.
April is really two months. The first part of April is a good time to reseed grasses in both our fields and lawns. It is also when we need to make sure our mowers and planters are ready to go. Early April is also when many people begin the process of wasting money. The return of warm weather gets everyone stirred up to make garden. There are some vegetables that can be growing during this time, but, for the most part, both the plants and your pocketbook will be rewarded by planting later in the season. A complete list of garden crops and their planting dates is available at the extension office.
Late April is a time of readiness. If the weather is good, corn can be put in the ground and hay crops need to be coming down. Keeping a careful eye on both the weather and your grasses will help you determine the time to go. Being too early can be bad, but you never really catch up from getting behind.
In our area, with the exception of a pure stand of timothy (which is rare), every hay field needs to be put down in May. Weather and work schedules may interfere, but the loss of nutrients by letting crops get too mature amounts to millions of dollars of losses every year. Mowing in May also means you can get that second shot of fertilizer out and working before the dry weather of summer sets in. Nitrogen is water soluble but it is also volatile in warm weather. We want our soil nutrients moving to the roots, not boiling skyward.
The final month we will look at in this column is June.
June is a good time to get the sprayer back out, but be careful. Gardens and bees are out so be very deliberate in your efforts. That said, early June is a great time to treat our hay feeding areas for spiny amaranth or spiny pigweed while it is small. You can also go after some of the bedstraw areas (the white clouds of weeds you see in hayfields). For homeowners, June is also the month you need to treat your hemlocks and conifers for pests such as bagworms.
Later this spring, we will make our plans for the summer and fall of 2020, but, in the meantime, prepare yourself for a great 2020. It is going to be the best year we will get for the next 12 months.
Jan. 11--Shepherds Symposium, Virginia Tech. Call 540-231-9159; you must preregister.
Jan. 15--VQA Steer and Heifer Sale, Tri State Livestock Market.
Jan. 15-17--VA Farm Show, Fishersville.
Jan. 17--Our Great Gator Giveaway Drawing, noon, at the Virginia Farm Show, Fishersville.
Jan. 20--VQA Steer Take Up, Tri State Market.
Jan. 20--Farm Management Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Farm Bureau Building, Marion. Topic is BQA Recertification.
Jan. 21--VFGC Winter Conference, The Meeting Place, Wytheville.
Jan. 22--VQA Heifer Take Up, Tri State Market.
Jan. 27-30--VCE Annual Meeting, Hotel Roanoke.
Dr. Andy Overbay is Smyth Countys agriculture and natural resources extension agent.
Go here to see the original:
Extension Answers: 2020 resolutions for the farm and garden - Southwest Virginia Today
- March is a busy month for strengthening the lawn - WSB Radio - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- South Portland will give voters a choice: Natural grass, synthetic turf or neither - Press Herald - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Experts Agree: This Is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed for a Lush Lawn - House Beautiful - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- T-Mobile Parks surface gets a makeover ahead of baseball season - The Seattle Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn, According To An Expert - AOL - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Fort Collins is restricting water-loving turf grass in certain places: What to know - Coloradoan - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- Kenan Stadium Returning To Its Roots In 2025 - UNC Athletics - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- Campbell Vaughn: Be careful when planting new grass in cold weather. Here are some tips. - The Augusta Chronicle - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- Turf Grass Is Americas Default Lawn Setting. Chicago Researchers Are Rethinking the Possibilities - WTTW News - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Water-saving turf removal program, Beyond Lawn, enormously successful in first year - Vail Daily - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- A tale of two turfs: Bay Area residents split over using artificial grass - The Mercury News - October 17th, 2024 [October 17th, 2024]
- Green Bay Man Leaps Into Dream Job, Tending The Lambeau Turf - Wisconsin Life - October 17th, 2024 [October 17th, 2024]
- Explaining bermudagrass: When it will be sold to the public, what it is, and where it grows - KSL NewsRadio - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Here's how the turf team grows the grass for the 2024 US Women's Open [photos, video] - LNP | LancasterOnline - June 4th, 2024 [June 4th, 2024]
- Neil Sperry: Fall aster can be great addition to garden - Waco Tribune-Herald - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Here's the best time to water your lawn according to the experts - Tom's Guide - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- When oak trees need water only water will do - San Antonio Express-News - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- City Section football programs on the rise with rebuilds - Los Angeles Times - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- No practice on the prairie | Yarns of Yesteryear | leadertelegram.com - Leader-Telegram - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Browns Nation News And Notes (8/18/22) - Browns Nation - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Garden Q&A: How to survive the lilac apocalypse - Baltimore Sun - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Denville relaxes water restrictions, but automatic sprinklers banned - Daily Record - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- SingleOps Named to 2022 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies in North America - PR Web - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Meera Sodhas vegan recipe for baked aubergines, chickpeas and tomatoes - The Guardian - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- More Thoughts While Weeding: Raised beds for many reasons - Conway Daily Sun - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- O'Donnell: With "Louisville Million," Churchill Inc. dissed the legacy of Dick Duchossois - Daily Herald - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- What did Darwin Nunez do to get a red card? He turned around too quickly, the daft sod - Football365 - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Prairies Are Making Headlines. But What Exactly Are They? Here's an Explainer - WTTW News - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Why you should use a hybrid to chip when playing winter golf - Golf.com - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Everything you need to know about Seattles World Cup bid - Sounder At Heart - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Time For Your Voice to Be Heard, Ballot Due Tuesday - newstalkkit.com - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Method in the 'Madness' Connecting Star Juveniles - Thoroughbred Daily News - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- After a humbling suspension, Alex Coras resilience was evident as he nearly made history with the Red Sox - The Boston Globe - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- COVID Hospitalizations in MN Below 300 for First Time in 5 Months - KROC-AM - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- New Bedford Board of Health and the Residency Rule [OPINION] - wbsm.com - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- WATCH: Implosion of the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino Happen at 9 am Today - 94.5 PST - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Global Grass & Lawn Seed Market Sales, Growth Factor and Forecast 2021 to 2027 Hancock Seed, Pennington Seed, The Scotts Company KSU | The... - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Yard waste collection in the Central Okanagan resumes soon - KelownaNow - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Why Michael McDowell winning the Daytona 500 on the last lap should be no surprise - ESPN - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- NATURE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Greening ideas for the Swampscott school-building design team - Wicked Local - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Turf Grass Seed Market Demand Analysis and Projected huge Growth by 2027 Express Keeper - Express Keeper - February 20th, 2021 [February 20th, 2021]
- Expect slightly higher sod prices this year - The Albany Herald - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Sod Installation Planned for Golden Hill Athletic Fields The Warwick Valley Dispatch - wvdispatch.com - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Turf being grown in Thermal could be used in upcoming Super Bowls - kuna noticias y kuna radio - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- If you think the weather's been the driest you've seen in your life, you're right - KSL.com - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Sports Turf Seed Market Overview and Competitive Landscape 2021 to 2027 | Hancock Seed, Pennington Seed, The Scotts Company, Barenbrug Group, Turf... - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Lawton Votes to Increase and Extend the Hotel-Motel Tax - KLAW101 - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Two tales from the city in time of trouble - Santa Fe New Mexican - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Built to Last: SingleOps Report Reveals Economic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Green Industry - PR Web - February 14th, 2021 [February 14th, 2021]
- Here's how Tom Brady and the Buccaneers could make NFL history if they win their next two playoff games - CBS Sports - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- The golden age of golf course renovation and restoration - usatoday.com - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Outstanding Growth Turf Grass and Turf Solutions Market Trends by Countries, Type and Application | Turf Star, Inc.,Turf & Garden, Inc.,Integrated... - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Gardening column: Sunflowers have become popular over the years - Mankato Free Press - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- Money Diary: A Junior Doctor On The South Coast On 29k - Refinery29 - January 20th, 2021 [January 20th, 2021]
- 14 clever COVID-19 design solutions from around the world - Los Angeles Times - December 31st, 2020 [December 31st, 2020]
- Key Trends in Grass Seed Market: Growth Drivers and New Business Opportunities 2020-2026 - Farming Sector - December 31st, 2020 [December 31st, 2020]
- Coronavirus Insights: Ongoing Updates Covering The Impact On Grass Seed Market - NeighborWebSJ - December 31st, 2020 [December 31st, 2020]
- How Corona Crisis Will Effect The Grass & Lawn Seed Market Supply And Demand Chain? - NeighborWebSJ - December 31st, 2020 [December 31st, 2020]
- 2020 REWIND: Newton's top stories of the year ranked 6-10 - Covington News - December 31st, 2020 [December 31st, 2020]
- New Year's Eve in Kolkata: A definitive guide on where to eat, drink and be merry - Indulgexpress - December 31st, 2020 [December 31st, 2020]
- Turf Grass Market Analysis and Growth Forecast by Applications, Sales, Size, Types and Competitors by 2020-2026 - Farming Sector - December 28th, 2020 [December 28th, 2020]
- Grass Seed Market in US 2021-2026 Attractive Opportunities and growth factors - Factory Gate - December 28th, 2020 [December 28th, 2020]
- Turf Grass Market Analysis and In-depth Research on Size, Trends, Emerging Growth Factors and Regional Forecasts to 2026 - Factory Gate - December 28th, 2020 [December 28th, 2020]
- Turf Grass Seed Market Size And Forecast (2020-2026)| With Post Impact Of Covid-19 By Top Leading Players-Hancock Seed,Pennington Seed,The Scotts... - December 28th, 2020 [December 28th, 2020]
- Towns Hear Recommendations for R4 Athletic Fields and Facilities - Zip06.com - December 28th, 2020 [December 28th, 2020]
- Fort Adams Trust continues its restoration efforts with a grant from The Champlin Foundation - What'sUpNewp - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Fall time to exclude, evict unwanted wildlife from yards - The Daily Camera - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Turf Grass Market 2020: Potential growth, attractive valuation make it is a long-term investment | Top Players: Turf & Garden,Turf Star,Integrated... - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- 16 Dreamy Ski Cabins We Wish We Were Holed Up In This Winter - Dwell - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Maine Gardener: Invite wildlife in with a 'lawn conversion' - pressherald.com - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Sultan of Sod George Toma's latest gem: a Wiffle ball field - The Athletic - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Lawn Grass & Turf Grass Market 2020 Massive Growth, Size, Industry Share, Trends Analysis, End Users Industries and Forecast Report to 2026 -... - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Top 20 Best Grass Seed Review and Buying Guide - Positively Scottish - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Sports Turf Seed Market Boosting the Growth Worldwide: Sports Turf Seed Market Dynamics and Trends, Efficiencies Forecast 2026 - Eurowire - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Ransomware threats mean SMBs must focus on cyber basics - Best gaming pro - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Xbox Series X/S Consoles and PS5 Accessories Already Arriving at Some Retailers - Best gaming pro - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Huawei's Mate 40 Pro could be firm's last hurrah in the smartphone world - Best gaming pro - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]
- Idaho Sod 2 - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - AGInfo Ag Information Network Of The West - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Sea oats are attractive but watch for unwanted spread - Atlanta Journal Constitution - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Mid-October is best planting time of year - Las Vegas Review-Journal - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]