Thursday, November 30, 2017

Indiana Small Farm Conference - A Success Story



Registration for the 2018 Indiana Small Farm Conference opens Dec. 1! Join us on March 1-3 to learn new techniques, see what works, and network with other small and diversifies farmers. https://www.purdue.edu/dffs/smallfarms/

Friday, October 27, 2017

Join Hamilton County Master Gardener’s Association members for a fun day of creating your own holiday arrangements!

Bring your imagination, favorite baskets, containers, special bases, and finishing touches.
Enjoy inspiring demonstrations by floral professionals, delicious holiday food and beverages, crafting assistance and unlimited holiday cheer!


Registration includes premium greens, various specialty accent pieces, such as holly & magnolia, plus plenty of pine, fir, and assorted branches.  Bring seed pods, pine cones, rose hips, bittersweet, and other natural collectables to use and share beside other member-gathered items, dried hydrangeas, curly willow, etc. in the sharing area.  A spray painting station will be available with holiday colors and glitter sprays.   Some decorative picks, ribbons, other accent items, oasis, and forms will be available for sale.

Registration is now CLOSED!!!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Sustainable Living Seminar - Climate Change in Indiana - September 27th

Experts from around the state, led by the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, have come together to synthesize the best available science on climate change impacts into a series of reports that discuss how a changing climate will affect state and local interests.

Key topics include public health, water resources, agriculture, infrastructure and more. A guest speaker from the Purdue Climate Change Research Center will highlight their key findings and what climate change means for Indiana. Come find out the top challenges facing Hoosiers and what, if any, opportunities might arise in these changing times.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

CARMEL CLAY PUBLIC LIBRARY
55 4TH AVENUE SOUTHEAST
CARMEL, IN 46032

To learn more, please visit the Carmel Green Initiative website.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Creating Nature in the Burbs

Join Purdue Extension and Hamilton County Master Gardener for a seminar looking at mixing natives with your Iris; supporting and understanding pollinators; smart and healthy garden maintenance techniques, and proper heirloom seed saving and exchange.

To register, download the registration form here and mail a check to HCMGA, 2003 Pleasant Street, Noblesville, IN 46060.




Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Orders Being Taken for Annual Native Tree Sale


The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding its annual fall native tree sale. This is a great opportunity to obtain hearty yet inexpensive native trees and shrubs that beautify neighborhoods, provide habitat for wildlife, produce energy saving shade, and enhance communities. This year 35 varieties of native trees and shrubs are available.

All offerings are $26.00 each and will arrive in 3 gallon containers and be approximately 3-5 feet tall at delivery. Pre-orders are required and are due September 28th. Trees can be picked up Friday October 6th from 12-6:00pm at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds Llama Barn. Order forms and online ordering are available at www.hamiltonswcd.org.



Thursday, July 13, 2017

Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project Dates Announced

An Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project designed to collect and dispose of suspended, canceled, banned, unusable, opened, unopened or just unwanted pesticides (weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.) is being sponsored by the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC).

This disposal service is free of charge up to 250 pounds per participant. Over 250 pounds there will be a $2.00 per pound charge. This is a great opportunity for you to legally dispose of unwanted products at little or no cost.

The following drop-off locations will be accepting materials from 9:00am-3:00pm local time.

  • August 15, 2017: LaPorte County Fairgrounds in LaPorte, IN 
  • August 16, 2017: Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette, IN 
  • August 17, 2017: Grant County Fairgrounds in Marion, IN 
  • August 22, 2017: Franklin County Fairgrounds in Brookville, IN 
  • August 23, 2017: Greene County Fairgrounds in Bloomfield, IN 
  • August 24, 2017: Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, IN 

Complete the Pesticide Clean Sweep Planning Form to the best of your ability. E-mail the completed form to Kevin Neal at this address or fax to 765-494-4331 no later than Monday, July 31, 2017.

Then bring your labeled, leak free and safe to transport containers to the collection site. DO NOT mix materials. In case of an emergency, you should bring with you a list of products you are carrying and a contact phone number.

NOTE: OISC reserves the right to cancel this Pesticide Clean Sweep Project if there is not adequate demand. Participants submitting the planning form by July 31, 2017, will be contacted immediately if cancellation is necessary.


Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Daylily Sale at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds

Hamilton County Association of Purdue Master Gardeners is hosting a Daylily Sale this Saturday, July 15 from 8am-noon.  We have over 175 varieties. Come out, invite a friend, and tell everyone you know about the sale!  

Monday, July 10, 2017

"Meating the Need" - 2nd Year!

Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank is excited to be partnering with Hamilton County 4-H again this year to help provide farm fresh beef and pork for Hamilton County children and families served by the local pantries and feeding programs. Last year, "Meating the Need" supplied 2,557 pounds of beef to 21 pantries and feeding programs across Hamilton County.

4-H Beef and Dairy members will be participating again, and this year we are including 4-H Swine members who will also be designating their project animals for purchase through "Meating the Need" at the Hamilton County 4-H Livestock Auction on July 25.

This program provides good, healthy protein, an item hard to provide consistently by the pantries and feeding programs across the county. Your donations would go towards the sale of the animals and to the 4-H members as they pursue their 4-H, education, and life goals.

Please consider donating to "Meating the Need" in 2017!
Donate a Full Beef - $2000
**Donations of $500 and above will be included in all publicity if received by July 16
Donate a Full Hog - $250
**Donations of $125 and above will be included in all publicity if received by July 16
For physical donations, please mail to P.O. Box 881, Noblesville, IN 46061 with "Meating the Need" on the memo line.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Anthracnose of Shade Trees or Wind Injury: Look Alike Symptoms Can Be Perplexing​

The cool, wet, weather experienced periodically this spring has been ideal for the development of anthracnose on shade trees.
 
Anthracnose is the common name for a type of leaf spot and canker disease caused by certain kinds of fungi. Anthracnose diseases affect many trees, but are particularly prevalent on ash, maple, sycamore, white oak, walnut and dogwood. Each species of tree is infected by a different species of fungus, thus the fungus does not spread from oak to maple or maple to ash or ash to sycamore. A different fungal species is also responsible for dogwood anthracnose.
 Symptoms will vary depending on the type of tree and the stage of plant development at the time of infection: leaf spots or blotches; twig dieback and wilting; and browning or death of emerging leaves are all possible. Premature leaf drop often occurs with anthracnose diseases, however, most of the trees infected with anthracnose usually show good resilience, and are not permanently damaged by this early season leaf blight.
 Sycamore anthracnose causes severe blighting of newly emerging leaves and shoots, and eventually causes twig and branch cankers which distort growth. Twig and branch cankers, shoot blight, and leaf blight are all symptoms of the fungus that causes sycamore anthracnose. Leaflet drop, as well as dead tissue along leaf veins or at the leaf edges is a symptom for ash anthracnose. Although defoliation may be so great that anthracnose-infected leaflets practically carpet the walks and lawns nearby, the tree is not dying, it simply puts out a new set of leaves. Anthracnose symptoms on maple and oak range from leaf spots to enlarged blighted dead areas along veins and sometimes to shoot blight.
 Abiotic (noninfectious) injury from environmental factors such as excessive winds or late frost/cold damage have also occurred this spring and may also cause foliar symptoms similar to anthracnose on various deciduous trees.
The most appropriate course of action for established trees suffering from severe effects of anthracnose is to rake and remove fallen leaves from beneath the tree; stimulate vigorous new growth with a balanced fertilizer after the leaves open and the spring rains have stopped; water regularly during extended dry periods this summer; avoid irrigation systems that wet leaves. 

​Leaf Diseases BP-143-W (pdf file)​

Gail Ruhl, Senior Plant Disease Diagnostician - Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory

Friday, June 2, 2017

Purdue Master Gardener Program seeking new volunteers

Noblesville, IN (June 2, 2017) - Beginning August 14th, the Purdue Master Gardener Program intern training will be offered for residents of Hamilton County and surrounding areas.  “The purpose of the Master Gardener Program is to help others grow.  The members of the Hamilton County program are a vibrant and active group that annually donate over 10,000 volunteer hours on approved projects throughout the county.” said Diane Turner, Master Gardener Coordinator with Purdue Extension. 

Training will be held from 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings (one Saturday workshop is included) at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, Noblesville.  Participants will be exposed to a wide range of subjects including understanding soil and basics of plant science, diagnosis of plant problems, using pesticides safely, and growing a healthy vegetable, flower, landscape, and/or fruit plants. 

The Purdue Master Gardener Program is a volunteer training program that provides a learning framework for participants to increase their knowledge on a wide variety of horticultural subjects.  In turn, participants represent Purdue University as volunteers, sharing knowledge while providing leadership and service in educational gardening activities within their communities.

 Materials and expenses for the series of classes cost $150.00 per participant. This expense fee covers such items as reference notebooks, mailings, and name badges.  These materials all become part of the participants personal collection. 

While the class will be encouraged to create new educational outreach programs, there are already plenty of opportunities for which volunteers are needed.  Some of these projects include helping with the annual plant sale, staffing information booths at gardening events, teaching public education classes, speaking to local clubs and organizations, and hands-on demonstration gardens. 


The Purdue Master Gardener Program is an educational outreach of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service.  If you'd like an application or have questions about the Purdue Master Gardener Program, please contact Purdue Extension Hamilton County at (317) 776-0854.  For more information about Purdue Extension in Hamilton County, visit www.extension.purdue.edu/hamilton.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Spring Mulch Cautions from Purdue's Rosie Lerner

Although the benefits of mulching garden plants are many, wood mulch that has been improperly stockpiled can lead to plant injury or even death. Young herbaceous plants are the most susceptible to such injury, which becomes obvious shortly after applying a hardwood bark mulch. Plants may look like they have been burned with fertilizer or pesticides, or possibly, are under severe water stress. All of the above could potentially be a problem, but apparently, we must now add "sour mulch" to the list of suspects.

When hardwood bark mulch is stacked in tall piles and allowed to stand for long periods, the material
Photo credits: Rosie Lerner/Purdue Extension
in the center of the pile begins to compost anaerobically (without air) and may sour. The term "sour" refers to the extreme acidity that occurs under such conditions (reported to be pH of 1.8-3.6, while that of "normal" mulch is generally close to 7.0). Some reports indicate that pine bark does not sour.
The mulch tends to heat as it breaks down, and steam may be seen escaping from the pile when it is finally disturbed. This heat can directly injure plants, if the mulch is not allowed to cool first. However, the more serious problem is that anaerobic composting of hardwood leads to the production of several plant-damaging components; methane, alcohol, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are possibilities.

Injury to young, tender plants is swift, usually within one day of applying mulch. Symptoms include yellowing or blackening of foliage and leaf drop. Depending on the extent of the injury, plants often are able to recover. Thorough watering, especially during hot, dry weather, will help prevent further stress. Do not apply fertilizer to plants injured by sour mulch; such materials can cause further injury. However, if plants recover yet seem to be lacking in vigor, a side dressing of nitrogen may be helpful in mid-summer if weather conditions warrant. Avoid fertilizing during hot, dry weather.
The best course of action is to prevent sour mulch injury in the first place. Stockpiles should be no higher than 4 feet, if possible; if it’s necessary to stack taller, turn them periodically to allow some aeration. Alternatively, sour mulch can be made fit for use by spreading in shallow layers and allowing it to air out for a few days, preferably a week, before using around young, tender plants. If no rainfall has occurred, watering the mulch also may help wash away toxic accumulations.

Monday, April 3, 2017

Sustainability Workshop - Sustainable Growth for Backyard Chicken Flocks

Backyard chickens can be a great source of eggs and fun for your family or an opportunity for some extra income. Join the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Purdue Extension Hamilton County on Saturday, April 29th to learn about Sustainable Growth for Backyard Chicken Flocks.

Education sessions include “A Real Life Perspective on Managing a Backyard Flock- 5 Years in the Making” with Jon Whitesel of Circle City Farm, “Know Your Produce: Marketing for Profit” with Liz Brownlee of Nightfall Farm, and “Resources for Backyard Growers: Connecting Producers to Experts & Information” with Jeffrey Deutschman and Chelsie Lawyer of the Indiana State Poultry Association. Additionally, SWCD and Purdue Extension staff will share with attendees the many local resources available to them to start these and other sustainability efforts.

The Sustainability Workshop will take place Saturday April 29th at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall in Noblesville. The workshop costs $15 per person and will run from 8:30am - 12:00pm. Registration can be completed at www.hamiltonswcd.org.

Questions regarding the event can be directed to Claire Lane at claire.lane@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or 317-773-2181 or Diane Turner, Purdue Extension, at turnderda@purdue.edu or 317-776-0854.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Urban Coyotes – Should You Be Concerned? | Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources

Does it seem you are noticing more and more coyotes roaming urban neighborhoods here in Hamilton County?  Check out this great article addressing many of your possible concerns.

Urban Coyotes – Should You Be Concerned? | Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Hamilton County Education Center to Re-open Soon

Beginning April 10th, the Hamilton County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (HCMGA) will once again be available to answer calls and walk-in questions on lawn and garden on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. -  4 p.m. You can also email your horticulture questions to HamiltonGardenline@gmail.com.

The Purdue Extension staff will be on hand to answer questions about food preparation and preservation. Visitors can also schedule an appointment to have their pressure canner gauge checked for accuracy.

Purdue Extension offices across the state provide educational opportunities to Indiana’s communities - our educators, specialists, and volunteers live and work in all 92 counties. Purdue Extension provides practical solutions to real issues – transforming lives and livelihoods in Indiana and around the world.

For more information about the Education Center or Purdue Extension Hamilton County, contact your local office at (317) 776.0854 or visit www.extension.purdue.edu/hamilton.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Purdue University Releases Tomato Grafting Tutuorial

Check out this new step by step guide on how to graft tomato plants by Wenjing Guan, Purdue University Horticulture Department. 

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Common Questions About Crabgrass Germination and Preemergence Herbicides Answered


This time of year many have questions about crabgrass germination and control. Below are several previous Purdue turf tips that answer the most commonly asked questions about crabgrass control.

Exerpts provided by: Aaron Patton, Turf Extension Specialist, Purdue University

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Turbulant Weather Causing Tree Damage Across Indiana

We have had a variety of weather this winter in Hamilton County and across Indiana. Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist with Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources shares what to do next after your trees have been damaged during a storm.  Click below for the related article.    Storms are causing damage and tree cleanup, what to do next

Monday, February 27, 2017

Mild Weather Early Signs of Spring

It's not unusual for Indiana weather to have trouble deciding what season it is. Recent warm spells have had many gardeners wondering what to do about bulbs, and perhaps a few plants that are poking their foliage through the soil. Just what should gardeners do about daffodils, dianthus and daylilies poking out of the ground?

The good news is that no action is required. We're used to seeing this happen in late winter during a February warm spell. The plants will survive just fine.

The longer the mild weather stays around, the more potential there is for damage when below-freezing temperatures return. Foliage that has popped up may be killed back, but the bulbs and storage roots should remain undamaged underground. As the plants completely push out in spring, damaged foliage will appear brown, giving plants a raggedy appearance. But the plants themselves will survive.

Flower buds on spring-flowering trees and shrubs are also starting to plump up, but should be fine so far. As buds progress in their development, they become more susceptible to freeze damage. And, spring is still over a month away, leaving plenty of opportunity for fluctuating temperatures. There isn't much we can do about the weather except to sit back and wait to see what Mother Nature has in store for us!

Invasive Species Awareness Week: February 27-March 3

As we enter Invasive Species Awareness week, it is important to remember that early detection is the best way to slow the spread of invasive species. The early detection of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) by concerned citizens in 1996, and subsequent involvement by community members, has resulted in the containment or eradication of ALB in four states. Continued public involvement will help us protect Indiana trees in the future.

You can report invasive species by calling the Invasive Species hotline at 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684) or using the free Great Lakes Early Detection Network smartphone app, which can be downloaded on iTunes or GooglePlay. Purdue has put together a YouTube video to demonstrate how easily the app can be used to alert authorities:

If you’re interested in learning more about invasive pests and how to report them, sign up for one of our free Early Detector Training workshops!

The workshops will be held on July 11th in Bloomington, July 12th in Aurora, and July 13th in Nashville. You’ll learn about invasive species such as the emerald ash borer, the Asian longhorned beetle, thousand cankers disease, and the hemlock wooly adelgid, their hosts, and how to use the Great Lakes Early Detection Network app to report them.

Friday, January 27, 2017

New Video: Tree Pruning Essentials

Pruning has been called "one of the best, worst maintenance practices" performed on trees. The process creates wounds, which have a major impact on plant processes. Improper cutting on a tree causes severe damage or even death.  Click below to see the full video with tips on proper tree care with Lindsey Purcell, Purdue Specialist in Urban Forestry.


Thursday, January 19, 2017

2017 Indiana Small Farm Conference - Registration Awards Available

The Purdue Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project is providing (10) registration fees to the 2017 Indiana Small Farm Conference for farmers who are beginning (less than 10 years of farming), farm in Indiana, and are willing to participate in the three day workshop/conference at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, Danville, Indiana from March 2-4, 2017. 

The award only covers registration fees (which includes lunch on all three days). Mileage and hotels costs are not included, nor any other food costs. Potential attendees need to apply by filling out this online survey before January 31st. Those being awarded a registration fee will be notified the first week of February.

Good luck! 




2017 Small Farm Conference - March 2-4th


Registration is open for the 5th Annual Indiana Small Farm Conference scheduled for March 2-4, 2017 at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex, Danville, Indiana.

Deep dive into a full day workshop on Thursday, March 2:
  • Hops Production in Indiana
  • Beginning Farmer Workshop: Starting a Small Farm in Indiana
  • On-Farm Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Growers (Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training)
  • Indianapolis Urban Agriculture Tour
On Friday and Saturday, the conference features concurrent sessions on topics ranging from vegetable and livestock production to farm management and marketing. The trade show is open Friday and Saturday for you to network and interact with farm supply and services businesses, non-profit organizations, state agencies, and more. Sit down with experts during consulting corner sessions, check out a trade show demonstration, and catch a screening of The Market Gardener’s Toolkit.

The Friday keynote speaker is Eliot Coleman, farmer at Four Season Farm and author of The New Organic Grower, Four Season Harvest, and The Winter Harvest Handbook. Eliot has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of organic farming, including field vegetables, greenhouse vegetables, rotational grazing of cattle and sheep, and range poultry.

On Saturday, the keynote speaker is Blaine Hitzfield, farmer at Seven Sons Family Farms. Blaine is the second son in the family farm operation and manages the marketing and distribution of their farm products. He will discuss the family and operations team for the farm and how they have been successful at direct sales and regional distribution.

Preview the full conference agenda, which will be updated as additional speakers and details are confirmed.  Visit the registration site for more conference details and to register today!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Seed Collecting for Monarchs!

The Pollinator Partnership and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined forces to launch the Monarch Wings Across the Eastern Broadleaf Forest Project and they need your help! The Project is seed collecting throughout the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas and Missouri.

They have put a call out for enthusiastic seed collecting volunteers in all 5 states to help identify and collect milkweed and other common nectar plants. As a seed collecting volunteer you will be provided with training and be making valuable contributions to supporting migrating monarchs.

No seed collecting experience is required but basic plant knowledge is preferred.  Training and seed collection will start in 2017, but you can get on the list now.  To sign-up as a seed collector please e-mail Amber Barnes will your name, city, state, and preferred email address.  You will be added to their volunteer contact list and more information will follow soon.