The Sunshine Gardening Podcast Kristin G. Hildabrand

In episode 34 of the Sunshine Gardening Podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand welcomes Kenneth Clayton, an Extension Associate in turfgrass from the University of Kentucky. Together, they discuss bermudagrass's challenges to Kentucky lawns and share practical strategies for controlling this aggressive and pervasive grass.















Kenneth begins by explaining the nature of bermudagrass, pointing out its rhizomes and stolons, which facilitate quick spread and difficult eradication from lawns. He emphasizes that bermudagrass is desirable for some due to its hardy nature and ease of care in warm seasons, but it becomes problematic when homeowners do not want it in their lawns. He shares bermudagrass's growth habits and environmental resilience, contributing to its dominance over cool-season grasses like tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, particularly in Kentucky's climate.









Source: Clemson University









The conversation shifts to practical methods for controlling bermudagrass, involving both cultural practices and possible chemical interventions. Kenneth recommends raising mowing heights and adjusting fertilization timing and practices to suppress bermudagrass growth without inadvertently promoting it. He also suggests overseeding in areas where bermudagrass is dormant during cooler seasons and outlines specific chemicals and strategies for those seeking more aggressive control measures. These include the use of glyphosate and multiple applications of selective herbicides documented in the UK publication "Bermudagrass Control for Kentucky Lawns" (AGR-278).







Kristin and Kenneth discuss the importance of setting realistic expectations for the eradication process. They note that completely removing bermudagrass often requires an integrated approach involving persistently weakening the grass through repeated cutting and chemical applications until colder weather assists in its control.







In conclusion, Kenneth reiterates that while cultural practices alone will not fully eradicate bermudagrass, they are crucial when combined with chemical methods for managing its growth. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of following label directions and safety guidelines when using herbicides to ensure environmental safety and maximize treatment effectiveness.







References:









* Bermudagrass Control for Kentucky Lawns, AGR-278 Publication: https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/AGR/AGR278/AGR278.pdf







* Horticulture Webinar Wednesday, Controlling Bermudagrass in Tall Fescue Lawns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWOYZsSUj9Y

In episode 33 of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand welcomes Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist from the University of Kentucky Extension Service, to discuss the invasive species spotted lanternfly. This episode delves into the pest's characteristics, impact, and management strategies, first identified in Pennsylvania and now present in several states, including Kentucky.















Introduction to Spotted Lanternfly









* Dr. Jonathan Larson outlines the unique nature of spotted lanternflies, members of the fulgorid plant hoppers, and explains their invasive status and the threat they pose to over seventy plant species by feeding on them and excreting sticky honeydew, which leads to sooty mold.









Identification and Life Cycle:

















* The spotted lanternfly starts as black and white nymphs, transitioning to adults with striking patterns and colors that can sometimes be mistaken for butterflies or moths. Dr. Larson emphasizes their distinct appearance at various life stages, including a detailed description of adult lanternflies when their wings are displayed.









Adult Lanternfly Surrounded by Older Nymphs







Impact on Local Ecosystems and Agriculture:

















* While primarily harmful to grapevines and the invasive tree of heaven, the spotted lanternfly does not generally kill other trees but significantly impacts the enjoyment of outdoor spaces and has potential economic effects on agriculture, particularly the grape industry.









Spotted Lanternfly Spread and Detection:

















* Dr. Larson discusses the pest's introduction to the U.S., likely via imported goods, and its ability to spread by attaching to vehicles. He also advises on monitoring efforts and how the presence of the tree of heaven can indicate potential spotted lanternfly populations.









Management Strategies:

















* Management strategies include using contact insecticides, systemic treatments like dinotefuran (for professional use only), and creating trap trees treated with insecticides to control large populations in contained areas.







* To find a certified arborist in your area, visit the International Society of Arboriculture website at https://www.treesaregood.org/.









Preventative Measures and Community Efforts:

















* Eliminating the Tree of Heaven and participating in monitoring efforts like Kentucky Keepers are recommended. Dr. Larson stresses the importance of public awareness and community involvement in reporting sightings through designated channels.









Tree of Heaven Photo Source: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia







Resources and Further Support:

















* Various resources are available, including fact sheets and websites provided by state and educational institutions. Dr. Larson also encourages engagement with local extension services and following updates through online platforms.

Welcome to The Sunshine Gardening Podcast, your ultimate source for gardening tips and tricks! I'm Kristin Hildabrand, your host. In today's episode, which is episode 32, we will explore the world of pest control, focusing on those pesky creatures that can ruin your lawn. Dr. Matthew Springer, University of Kentucky Assistant Extension Professor of Wildlife Management, is joining us. From moles to voles and everything in between, we'll discuss practical ways to control these pests and keep your lawn healthy. If you're dealing with unwelcome visitors on your lawn, tune in to get expert advice on managing these critters!







So, put on your gardening gloves, and let's dive into the secrets of controlling moles and other unwanted visitors on your lawn. Let's get started!















In episode thirty-two of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand discusses methods to control common lawn pests, focusing on moles and covering voles, chipmunks, skunks, and the newly emerging issue of armadillos. Kristin is joined by guest Dr. Matthew Springer, UK Assistant Extension Professor of Wildlife Management, who shares his expertise on various wildlife management strategies and insights on pest behaviors.







Controlling Moles in the Lawn







The episode begins with Kristin welcoming her audience, highlighting the relevance of pest management during the active lawn care months. Dr. Springer shares his background, explaining his shift from pre-med to wildlife management due to his interest in the outdoors and environmental sciences, influenced partly by his father's forestry background.







The conversation then turns to pest control, starting with moles. Dr. Springer elucidates mole behavior and their solitary nature except during breeding and provides strategies for homeowners to deal with mole infestations effectively. He discusses using physical barriers and baits (specifically mentioning a product called talpirid) and the pros and cons of various mole traps, emphasizing safety concerns when pets and children are present.







Besides moles, they discuss other pests like voles and chipmunks, noting their different behaviors and impacts on lawns and gardens. Dr. Springer details how trapping these smaller rodents effectively can involve snap traps baited with peanut butter and oats, also stressing the importance of correct trap sizing to avoid teaching animals to avoid the traps.









Vole







Chipmunk









A significant part of the discussion also addresses the recent presence of armadillos in Kentucky, their unique biological traits, and the difficulties they present in control due to their random digging habits and poor responsiveness to baits. Dr. Springer highlights that while armadillos are not a major problem, their numbers will likely increase, posing future challenges.







Armadillo







Throughout the episode, Dr. Springer stresses the indiscriminate nature of wildlife impacts on lawns and gardens and the importance of setting realistic management goals. He advocates for tolerance and strategic intervention only where necessary,

Welcome to the 31st episode of The Sunshine Gardening Podcast, the ultimate source of expert advice and gardening secrets. I'm Kristin Hildabrand, your host for today's show. This episode will delve into the fascinating world of hummingbirds with Annette Heisdorffer, Daviess County Horticulture Extension Agent. You won't want to miss this episode if you're going to bring more of these delightful creatures to your garden and create the ultimate hummingbird hotspot. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some fantastic tips and tricks to attract hummingbirds to your Kentucky garden!















Hummingbird Introduction







Kristin opens the podcast by introducing the topic and highlights the joy of observing hummingbirds. Annette then dives into the specifics of hummingbird characteristics, emphasizing their preference for tubular-shaped, brightly colored (red, orange, or yellow) flowers and placing feeders and flower clusters in separate territories to minimize conflicts between the territorial birds.







Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Visiting Cardinal Flower







Annette also discusses the hummingbirds' need for secluded nesting areas and nearby water sources, adding that urban dwellers without access to such natural elements might face challenges in attracting these birds. She shares tips on selecting plants and flowers that attract hummingbirds, including cardinal flowers and various native plants like bee balms and trumpet honeysuckle.









https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56hR-DJagbY

Plants for Attracting Hummingbirds







How to Make Hummingbird Nectar







Following plant suggestions, the conversation shifts to homemade hummingbird nectar. Annette recommends a 1:4 sugar-to-water ratio, advising against adding red dye as it could harm the birds. She explains the importance of boiling the mixture to prevent fermentation and stresses using feeders with some red parts to attract hummingbirds while avoiding yellow parts that might attract bees.









https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p42mvA97neA

How to Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar







The discussion also covers maintenance tips for hummingbird feeders. Annette advises cleaning the feeders weekly with hot, soapy water, possibly using a bleach solution, and thoroughly rinsing them. She mentions using glass feeders, which are easier to clean and disinfect.







Lastly, Kristin and Annette tackle common questions and challenges that listeners might face, such as the appropriate duration to keep feeders up during the year and avoiding common gardening mistakes that could deter hummingbirds. Annette recommends resources like Dr. Thomas Barnes's publication for more detailed information on creating hummingbird-friendly gardens, which are listed below under resources.







Conclusion







Thank you so much for tuning in to another episode of The Sunshine Gardening Podcast! We hope you enjoyed our discussion on attracting hummingbirds to your garden. Remember, with just a few simple steps, you can create a welcoming environment for these amazing birds to thrive.







Be sure to visit our website at warrencountyagriculture.com for all the show notes from today's episode. And if you enjoyed what you heard today, please consider leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people and grow our community.

In episode 30 of The Sunshine Gardening podcast, host Kristin Hildabrand introduces the focus of the discussion to be the SOW Garden app and its applicability to Kentucky gardeners. The show's introduction underscores the podcast's aim to inspire gardeners with helpful advice and particular attention to plants suitable to Kentucky's gardening conditions.















Kristin begins by welcoming Dr. Rick Durham from the University of Kentucky. They jump right into the topic with Rick outlining his background in horticulture as an extension specialist with a broad scope of responsibilities in consumer horticulture. He then delves into the origin of the SOW Garden app, initiated by Alabama Cooperative Extension and adopted by Kentucky with local data inputs. The 2023 launch in Kentucky has given local gardeners a customized tool.







The app's core utility gets highlighted next, with its three main features—My Garden, a library of plants, and a journal function—each designed to aid in planning and managing gardens. My Garden allows the user to schedule multiple gardens and set reminders for planting, while the library houses extensive information about common vegetables, such as planting dates and care instructions. The journal records plant progress and issues that arise during the growing season.







SOW Garden App- Create a Garden







SOW Garden App- Crop Information







SOW Garden App- Planting Date







Kristin probes further into how the app could assist with pest control. Rick emphasizes that the app suggests potential problems but refrains from giving specific pesticide recommendations. Instead, it points users towards local extension offices for tailored advice.







They discuss how the app aids beginning gardeners with its repository of basic plant information, such as expected yields, spacing, and soil pH levels. The conversation touches upon various plant suggestions and the importance of local knowledge for practical gardening.







Regarding the accessibility of the SOW Garden app, Rick assures listeners that it is free and available for iPhone and Android users. While the app can adapt to location changes for custom advice, it also encourages users to seek more in-depth assistance and publications from their county extension offices.







SOW Garden App







To conclude the episode, Kristin reiterates the value of using the SOW Garden app for garden planning and management and informs listeners they can find a link to download the app in the show notes on their blog. The parting message invites listeners to leave reviews and reach out with questions or episode suggestions, wrapping up the episode with encouragement for the gardening community to keep learning and growing their gardens.







Links:







SOW- A Planting Companion: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sow-a-planting-companion/id840347996







SOW- A Planting Companion on Google Play: a href="https://www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.aces.SOW&hl=en_US&gl=US" target="_blank" rel="...

In the Sunshine Gardening podcast episode 29, entitled How to Grow Guide for Dazzling Dahlias in Kentucky, host Kristin Hildabrand welcomes listeners to a show dedicated to cultivating dahlias. She introduces guest Dennis Morgeson, a Horticulture Extension Agent from Washington County, who possesses a wealth of knowledge on growing these flowers in Kentucky.















Kristin begins by highlighting the beauty and variety available in Dahlia blooms and touches upon their tropical origins. Dennis explains his love for dahlias, mentioning their ease of growth and the possibility of preserving them year after year with proper care.







Dahlia Varieties







The conversation shifts to selecting the right dahlia varieties for Kentucky, with Dennis advising against expectations for "dinner plate" size blooms due to the state's heat. He recommends 'Kelvin floodlight' for those seeking larger flowers and emphasizes the influence of weather on bloom size.



























































Dennis discusses the importance of proper cultivar selection and techniques like pinching to maximize bloom size. He mentions different dahlia series, including the Bishop series, with its smaller red flowers and purple foliage, which proves easy to grow in Kentucky.







Soil Preparation & Planting







As per soil preparation, Dennis underscores the need for loose, humus-rich soil with good drainage to prevent tubers from rotting. He encourages incorporating organic matter like aged manure or peat to amend Kentucky's clay soil.















Dennis instructs for soil temperatures above sixty degrees when planting dahlias, typically around mid-to-late April or May in Kentucky. He advises proper plant spacing, with larger dahlia types needing at least eighteen inches. He also recommends staking the taller dahlia varieties to prevent wind damage.























Fertilization is discussed. Dennis recommends a half cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting, followed by monthly applications until August. He highlights the significance of soil testing to avoid guessing fertilizer needs.







Dahlia Pests & Harvesting Tips







Dennis covers common pests, such as slugs, Japanese beetles, and thrips, offering various control methods, from slug bait and soapy water for beetles to insecticidal soaps and protective mesh for thrips.







The episode also addresses best practices for harvesting dahlia blooms, emphasizing cutting stems and placing them in hot water to prolong indoor vase life.