The Sunshine Gardening Podcast

In this episode of the Sunshine Gardening podcast, Dr. Ric Bessin, an entomologist from the University of Kentucky, explains the beneficial nature of Cicada Killer Wasps. These wasps control cicada populations, are generally non-aggressive, and should not cause undue concern. He also highlights their positive environmental contributions and encourages minimizing pesticide use.

Title: Effective Ways to Controlling Moles and Other Pesky CrittersIn 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.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.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 significant problem, their numbers will likely increase, posing future challenges.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, preserving wildlife benefits while managing their drawbacks.Kristin and Dr. Springer also discuss resources from the University of Kentucky, including upcoming publications and educational programs to help homeowners manage pest issues. They encourage listeners to access these resources for further information and support.The episode wraps up with Kristin thanking Dr. Springer for his insights and inviting listeners to subscribe to the Sunshine Gardening podcast for more gardening tips.**Title:** Effective Ways to Control Moles and Other Pesky Critters**Podcast:** Sunshine Gardening, Episode 32**Host:** Kristin Hildabrand**Guest:** Dr. Matthew Springer, UK Assistant Extension Professor of Wildlife Management **Episode Highlights:****Introduction:**Kristin highlights the importance of pest management.Dr. Springer discusses his career shift from pre-med to wildlife management.**Mole Control:**Explains mole behavior and effective control strategies.Recommendations include physical barriers, baits (e.g., talpirid), and various traps.**Other Pests:**Discussion on voles, chipmunks; different behaviors and impacts.Effective trapping techniques for voles and chipmunks using snap traps with peanut butter and oats.**Armadillos:**Recent issue in Kentucky, unique challenges due to non-responsive behavior to baits and random digging.Expected increase in their population posing future challenges.**Wildlife Management Goals:**Dr. Springer advocates for realistic goals and strategic interventions.Importance of maintaining balance between controlling pests and preserving wildlife benefits.**Resources:**Discussion on resources available through the University of Kentucky for pest management.Encouragement for listeners to utilize university publications and educational programs.**Conclusion:**Kristin thanks Dr. Springer and encourages listeners to subscribe for more gardening tips. **Key Messages:**Importance of understanding pest behaviors.Utilizing effective, safe control methods.Accessing professional resources for optimal pest management.

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.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 novice 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.To conclude the episode, Kristin reiterates the value of using the SoGarden 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/id840347996https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.aces.SOW&hl=en_US&gl=US

The Sunshine Gardening podcast episode, hosted by Kristin Hildabrand, features Ray Tackett, an expert in horticulture and the extension agent in Bourbon County, Kentucky. This 28th episode is dedicated to growing microgreens at home and provides an in-depth guide for novice and experienced gardeners.Ray begins the episode by expressing his enthusiasm for microgreens. He notes their potent flavors and versatility in various dishes, such as sandwiches and smoothies. He emphasizes their substantial nutrient content despite their small size.Kristen introduces Ray, speaks of his expertise, and sets the stage for the discussion about microgreens—their selection, cultivation, and harvesting. Ray clarifies the difference between sprouts, microgreens, and baby greens, explaining that they are harvested at different stages and have distinct growing processes.In the detailed discussion that follows, Ray offers practical advice for growing microgreens, starting with seed selection. He recommends beginners opt for easy-to-grow varieties like arugula, kale, radish, broccoli, and mustard. He advises against starting with more challenging varieties, such as amaranth or peas, with specific requirements like pre-soaking.Ray then covers the materials and equipment needed for growing microgreens at home. He stresses the importance of a shallow container with drainage holes, high-quality, unfertilized potting soil, and a light source (ideally natural sunlight, but grow lights can also be used). He suggests a dark cycle for sprouting the seeds to ensure better germination and then providing them with four to six hours of light daily.Watering from the bottom is recommended to prevent diseases and contamination. Ray mentions that microgreens typically do not require additional nutrients aside from what is already in the seed. He also shares a tip about adjusting the pH level of the water for better results, using lemon juice to bring it down to around pH 6.Moving on to the harvest, Ray says that microgreens are ready when they develop their first set of true leaves, typically in about two weeks. He instructs how to cut the microgreens cleanly and stresses the importance of sanitation—always starting with fresh potting mix after each harvest.Regarding storage, Ray indicates that microgreens should not be washed before refrigerating and can be kept in the fridge for five to seven days. He stresses that they should only be washed before use to prevent rapid degradation.Lastly, the episode touches on the culinary uses of microgreens. Ray enthusiastically talks about adding microgreens to sandwiches, smoothies, wraps, and salads and refers to them as "vegetable confetti" due to their vibrant colors.The episode concludes with Kristen thanking Ray for his comprehensive insights into growing microgreens and mentioning additional resources on the Cooperative Extension Service websites of states like Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. She invites listeners to subscribe, leave a review, and provide feedback for future episodes. Mentions show notes and YouTube links for more information about growing and using microgreens at home.

Welcome to the Sunshine Gardening Podcast, where we aim to help you nurture your passion for gardening! I’m Kristin Hildabrand, your host. In today’s episode, we talk with guest Kenneth Clayton, the University of Kentucky Extension Associate in Turfgrass, who will share some valuable tips on spring lawn care for Kentucky. We will discuss the dos and don'ts of maintaining a healthy Kentucky lawn, from rejuvenating grass to avoiding common pitfalls. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to cultivate a lush, thriving lawn that will last throughout the season. So, dust off your lawnmowers, roll up your sleeves, and join us as we dive into spring lawn care!Interview with Kenneth Clayton:1. Many people ask questions about their home lawns for the spring. Can you explain the dos and don’ts of Spring Lawn Care in Kentucky? What should we do first? starts at 2:42. Properly maintain mower equipment, especially lawnmowers and string trimmers.Sharpen mower blades. Start the year off right.Take a soil test. Bring into the local Extension Office.Purchase pre-emergent herbicides, seeds, and fertilizers to have ready.Check the irrigation system. Prime it up for the spring. 2. Would you recommend seeding the lawn in the spring if you want to improve it significantly if it is thinning? starts at 7:07. Spring is the second best time for seeding the home lawn in Kentucky.It is a little more challenging because grassy weeds are now germinating.If seeding in the spring, you don't want to apply the pre-emergent herbicide. 3. Talk to us about weed and feed products in spring. Yes or no? starts at 8:47.Apply if weeds are present. Scout your lawn. Don't just follow the calendar or buy the four-season package at the big box store. Walk your lawn and see what weeds you have. Look at the weeds and feed them to see if they will control your present weeds.There are not as good results with granular herbicide products as with spraying the weeds.Another consideration is to apply when the leaf blades are moist to help the herbicides stick to the weeds. 4. What are your guidelines for fertilizing the lawn in the spring? starts at 10:02. Soils in Kentucky are sufficient for phosphorus and potassium for turfgrass. Water or nitrogen is the only limiting factor.Spring is the second best time for fertilizingLook over the soil test results.Make sure to take a look at the grass. If it looks good, you don't need to fertilize it.I would rather be reactive with fertility, and with weeds, I would be proactive. 5. Spring mowing will soon start. What general recommendations do you give for mowing? It starts at 15:18. Typically, mow the lawn once a week.Not to remove more than 1/3 of the total height of the grass at any one time.Don't mow so much that you are leaving clumps of clippings that would then smother the grass.Not scalping the lawns.Don't mow too infrequently.When we mow frequently, we promote higher quality-denser home lawns. Don't just fertilize to fertilize. You may not need fertility if the grass is healthy and growing well.6. Are there things we should avoid for spring lawn care in the Kentucky lawn? starts at 19:23.Nitrogen may be the only ingredient needed. Usually, a healthy Kentucky lawn requires 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Soils are generally rich in phosphorus and potassium.Don't scalp the lawns.If you do get rain and can't get mowed, raise the mower's height and come in a couple of days later to mow it down so that the clippings do not smother the lawn. 7. What do you recommend for areas in the lawn that receive a lot more shade and not a lot of sunlight? starts at 21:33. To grow grass well, it does best in full sunlight.Fine fescues are more shade-tolerant, cool-season grasses. Tall fescues can do well in the shade with less traffic. Raising plants' heights can help them get as much sunlight as possible.Breeding work is being done every year. New varieties tend to improve.8. If homeowners have questions about home lawn care for Kentucky, do you have a website where they can get more information?https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/Thank you for listening to the Sunshine Gardening Podcast! We hope you found today's episode on the dos and don'ts of spring lawn care in Kentucky informative and helpful in enhancing your gardening skills. Remember, proper care and attention are crucial for maintaining a robust and lively lawn. Thank you to our guest, Kenneth Clayton, for joining us today! To access the show notes for episode 26, please visit our blog at warrencountyagriculture.com.Before we end, subscribe to the Sunshine Gardening Podcast to receive future gardening tips, inspiration, and knowledge straight to your ears!Stay tuned for more episodes filled with valuable tips and gardening wisdom. Until then, happy gardening!Resources:https://ukturf.ca.uky.edu/