Spring is here! For real, even though it’s cooler now than a couple weeks ago! But, then again, isn’t that “spring in Ohio?” And, with spring comes the desire to be outside, doing things, looking forward to flowers and green lawns …
So, it’s time to start getting things cleaned up in the garden and cutting back any perennial foliage that you left for winter interest. (It’s a lot easier to cut the dead foliage back before the new growth emerges!) Ornamental grasses, sedum, and many other perennials will soon be showing signs of new growth, so do it soon! It’s also time to divide summer and fall blooming perennials. Soon, we’ll be ready to cut back roses: Remove any of the dead wood, cutting back to just above an outside facing bud. This encourages growth to go out, away from the center of the plant, allowing for better air circulation.
If you applied protective winter mulch to any of your perennials or roses, you’ll want to begin preparing to pull this away from the crown of the plant. When you do, leave no more than 2-inches of mulch around the plant. Once April gets here, it will be time for the first application of fertilizer for perennials. Remember, the only way you know exactly what is needed is to test the soil first! We have fact sheets in the office that describe how to take a sample and list labs around the state that will do the testing.
When you do apply fertilizer, if any of it spills onto the sidewalk or other off-target sites, clean it up by sweeping into the flower beds or lawn areas. AVOID sweeping fertilizers down the sidewalk to the curb … and consequently to the drains … and then to the water system … !
The Ohio Dairy Producers Association will be holding a Spring Meeting on Monday, April 11, at the Shisler Center on the OARDC campus in Wooster. The primary focus of the meeting will be to learn how we can work together to take back the conversation about dairy and help to educate today’s consumers about where their food comes from. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Some of the topics to be addressed include what is being done to address consumer confidence in dairy and the role dairy farmers play in its success; an update on the National Dairy FARM Program from Katy Proudfoot, Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine; and practical ideas about improving best management practices on the farm. In addition, Domino’s Chief Marketing Officer Joe Jordan will talk about their success in partnering with our dairy promotion program, how dairy and pizza are intertwined, and how we have been and must continue working together to grow dairy sales.
This meeting is open to “all” dairy farmers and includes a catered lunch. There is no cost to attend, but they would like you to register by April 4 at ODPA.org or by calling 614-890-1800.
Well, our “Celebrating Women in Agriculture” program was last Thursday evening. We had 100 women in attendance with a few guys tending the bar: Sheriff John, County Commissioner Tony, SWCD Board Member Lennie. It was a good evening and all seemed to enjoy themselves. It’ll be a couple weeks until we get a chance to review the “formal” evaluations, but the comments and conversations that night were very positive! I imagine we’ll have our date for next year set within the month! I’ll keep you posted!
