Search Results

2022 Peach Twig Borer

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Peach Twig Borer

Posted on: June 22, 2022 by Ruth Givens

It is time for management of the peach twig borer, based on degree days. This pest is a concern for those growing peach, nectarine, apricot, plum and prune. Adult moths are 0.3 – 0.5 inches long, with light and dark gray mottled wings. Scales on the front of head cause the head to appear pointed. The larva is a caterpillar, about 0.5 inch long, with a dark brown head and distinctive, alternating light and dark bands on the body. 

Larvae injure fruit trees by feeding on the buds and twigs early in the season, then the larvae bore into the shoots, causing a characteristic "flagging" or wilting of the new growth. Later generations of larvae feed within shoots or even on the fruit itself. Flagging of twigs indicates an infestation.

For chemical control management options review the PNW Handbook link below to select a control option appropriate for operation. Apply according to label directions.

For cultural controls prune out shoot strikes in the late spring and early summer as soon as they are detected to prevent these larvae from completing development and contributing to summer generations of the pest. If old shoot strikes are observed during pruning in late winter to early spring, plan to apply early season controls. Old strikes hold onto the dead leaves and appear as “flagged” terminals.

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/peach-nectarine/peach-nectarine-peach-twig-borer

https://climate.usu.edu//includes/pestFactSheets/Peach-Twig-Borer.pdf

Ag Talk Tuesday - June 21, 2022

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: June 17, 2022 by Kasia Duellman

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

TOUR DATE CHANGED to JUNE 28TH - Aberdeen Snake River Weed Mg Tour and Field day

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: June 17, 2022 by Pamela Hutchinson

CHANGE THE DATE OF THE Aberdeen Snake
River Weed Mg Tour and Field day

Tuesday JUNE 28^TH 
instead of June 21^st.

Please pass the word

• Registration
  8:30 to 9aTour
  9a to noon
• Followed
  by a sponsored lunch.
• You
  do not need to Pre-register / RSVP

 Three
Idaho pesticide recertification credits will be available.

 EMAIL phutch@uidaho.edu WITH QUESTIONS.

Kimberly does NOT change – will still be held Wednesday June 22nd.

Featured
on the Aberdeen R&E Center Tour Tuesday June 28th

• Herbicide tank mixtures for use in potatoes; Potato variety herbicide tolerance; Simulated Excess
  Rainfall Effects on Herbicides and Potato Crop Safety; Herbicide site of action
  demonstration.
• Weed control in quinoa; Herbicide management in Litchi tomato; Fiber hemp herbicide tolerance.
• In
  addition - Updates from: USDA/University of Idaho potato breeding, Potato disease management, Seed potatoes, Barley and Wheat production and varieties.

2022 Western Cherry Fruit Fly

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Western Cherry Fruit Fly

Posted on: June 3, 2022 by Ruth Givens

Western cherry fruit fly adults are about 0.2 inch long. They have brownish to black wings with dark bands. White maggots infest cherries. The mature maggot makes a hole in the cherry as it exits. Flies overwinter as pupae in the soil.

Once the cherries start to blush (ripen to a salmon blush color) the fruits are susceptible to egg-laying by the adult females. Consider the maturity of the ripest fruit in the orchard when determining control methods. Spraying a product with the active ingredient kaolin can create a physical barrier that prevents females from laying eggs into the developing fruit. For additional control options see the links below.

Forecasted degree days at 1060 DD is predicted to be June 4.

http://treefruit.wsu.edu/crop-protection/opm/western-cherry-fruit-fly/

https://climate.usu.edu//includes/pestFactSheets/WC-Fruit-Fly.pdf

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/cherry/cherry-western-cherry-fruit-fly

The Ag Talk Report and the next Ag Talk Tuesday session

All Crops    All Locations

General announcement - all crops

Posted on: June 1, 2022 by Kasia Duellman

The first issue of 2022 for the Ag Talk Report, a newsletter that supplements the Ag Talk Tuesday series, is now available. Previous issues are available online at the Ag Talk Tuesday website:  www.uidaho.edu/ag-talk

The next Ag Talk Tuesday session is Tuesday, June 7. Join us for a panel discussion on herbicide resistant weeds in Idaho. Registration is required (one time registration allows you to attend all sessions in 2022). Find the link to register on the Ag Talk Tuesday website.

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

» ATT_v4i1.pdf

Agronomic Soil Testing Class - Online

All Crops    All Locations

Posted on: May 31, 2022 by Stuart Reitz

This online course is designed for crop advisors, agronomists, and others testing soil on farms or in laboratories. The course is led by Oregon State University Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, Dr. Amber Moore.

Lecturers: Various OSU Extension Agronomists and Soil Scientists

Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week for 6 weeks. The 19 lecture modules can be accessed at your convenience.

Cost: $495 (+$60 registration fee)

CCA Continuing Education Units: Six Nutrient Management CEUs

Course topics include:

• Choosing a Soil Testing Lab

• Soil pH and Buffer pH

• Extractable Cations

• Nitrate and Mineralizable Nitrogen

• Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulfate

• Micronutrients

• Salts (Electrical Conductivity)

• Organic Matter & Carbon

• Soil Health Indicators

Registration Link:

https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/course/agronomic-soil-testing

» https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/course/agronomic-soil-testing

» Agronomic_Soil_Testing_in_Oregon.pdf

2022 Apple Codling Moth, First Notification

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Apple Codling Moth

Posted on: May 25, 2022 by Ruth Givens

The first apple codling moths were trapped in mid May . Currently the degree day model is reporting 201 degree days (DD) as of May 25. There are different management options to consider when controlling this pest.

Option A: Starting at 200 DD, forecasted to be May 25, apply a mixture of water and horticultural oil at 1% concentration to smother egg infestation. Follow with first application of insecticide at 350 DD. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.

Option B: Starting at 220-250 DD, forecasted to be May 28, apply insecticides that target newly hatched larvae. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.

Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.

This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/

2022 Apple Codling Moth, First Generation

All Crops    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Apple Codling Moth

Posted on: May 25, 2022 by Ruth Givens

The first apple codling moths were trapped in mid May . Currently the degree day model is reporting 201 degree days (DD) as of May 25. There are different management options to consider when controlling this pest.

Option A: Starting at 200 DD, forecasted to be May 25, apply a mixture of water and horticultural oil at 1% concentration to smother egg infestation. Follow with first application of insecticide at 350 DD. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.

Option B: Starting at 220-250 DD, forecasted to be May 28, apply insecticides that target newly hatched larvae. Reapply insecticides based on the protection interval stated on the label.

Reference publication links to view insecticide options for commercial or residential sites. Commercial products with the active ingredients including; spinetoram, acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, etc. Residential products with active ingredients including; lambda-cyhalothrin (restricted use pesticide), or esfenvalerate and Spinosad (general-use pesticides). Non-spray option is to bag the fruit.

This pest needs prevention all season long for clean fruit.

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/tree-fruit/apple/apple-codling-moth

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1879&context=extension_curall

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/codling-moth-control-in-home-plantings-5-613/

2022 Lilac-Ash Borer Control

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho, Northern Idaho

Lilac-Ash Borer

Posted on: May 23, 2022 by Ruth Givens

The lilac-ash borer (Podosesia syringae), a clear-wing moth, can be a destructive pest of many species of ash (Fraxinus spp.), previt (Ligustrum spp.), lilac (Sryinga spp.).

The Lilac-ash borers have reached the degree days sufficient for emergence. Adults are short-lived and typically deposit all eggs within a week after emergence. The first spray should be applied 10-20 days after adult emergence, approximately May 25- June 15, before the larvae bore into the trunk. Spray should be applied to the trunk and larger limbs, follow label instructions for application and reapplication depending insecticide selected.

Primary insecticides include permethrin (group 3A), bifenthrin (group 3A) and endosulfan (restricted use; group 2A). Please note that imidacloprid (group 4A), a systemic insecticide, is ineffective against lilac-ash borer and should not be used.

Diversifying species in the landscape, maintaining optimum plant health, monitoring, and preventive sprays (if necessary) are the best methods for preventing infestations. Only preventative treatments exist.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1920&context=extension_curall

https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/insect/05614.pdf

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/ash-fraxinus-ash-borer

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/hort/landscape/hosts-pests-landscape-plants/lilac-syringa-ash-borer

Ag Talk Tuesday - May 17th at 11:00 AM Mountain

All Crops    All Locations

Ag Talk Tuesdays

Posted on: May 16, 2022 by Juliet Marshall

May 17 — FSA programs and policies — Matt Gellings, Ben Thiel — Doug Finkelnburg (host)

» https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/news/ag-talk-tuesday

Grain production worldwide in dire straights

Small Grains    All Locations

Cereal Production 2022

Posted on: May 4, 2022 by Juliet Marshall

All - I usually do not send pest alerts out like this with scary titles as I do not believe in “saber rattling”. But there are several situations occurring worldwide that are concerning to me in regards to wheat production.

1) The war in Ukraine - beyond the obvious disruption to everyday activities associated with agricultural production, the destruction of port cities and export infrastructure in addition to targeted destruction of grain and shipping facilities in Ukraine, and shipping of grain stores to Russia will reduce worldwide supplies.  https://phys.org/news/2022-04-india-wheat-crop-snags-export.html

2) Heat wave in India - https://stories.app.goo.gl/6Gjk Temperatures above 110 degrees F in central India (46.5 degrees Celsius (114.08 Fahrenheit) have reduced grain production in some areas by as much as 50%.

3) Reduced production in China - https://www.reuters.com/business/china-ensure-agricultural-product-supplies-including-grains-2022-03-05/

BEIJING, March 5 (Reuters) - The condition of China's winter wheat crop could be the "worst in history", the agriculture minister said on Saturday, raising concerns about grain supplies in the world's biggest wheat consumer.

4) US production projections are for lower than average. From the Idaho Wheat Commission Newsletter on 4/29/22: Chicago wheat futures rebounded on Tuesday as the worst U.S. winter crop rating since 1989 put attention back on global supply already strained by the war in Ukraine.

Current conditions in Idaho and the PNW are favorable to winter wheat production with the greatest constraint associated with dry conditions. In fact, the extremely cool weather has delayed plant maturity, increasing the potential for heavy stooling of the wheat crop. Looking at data from the UI potato website, growing degree days are far behind previous years:

While data from Aberdeen is not available on Agrimet (https://www.usbr.gov/gp/agrimet/agrimet_station_list.html) comparing data from Kimberly and Parma show a rather surprising lag in GDD throughout southern Idaho.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THIS YEAR’S GRAIN PRODUCTION IN IDAHO?

Heavy stooling increases yield potential for winter wheat and winter barley. While the weather is unpredictable, if the conditions stay favorable to grain growth, consider applications of plant growth hormones to reduce lodging. (If it is not too late in your area.)

Take advantage of the extra (and localized) rain events to increase subsoil moisture storage while irrigation is available. Yes, if you have irrigation, use it to increase soil storage capacity for later season moisture shortages, especially beneficial if prediction for hot and dry late spring and summer weather actually occurs.

Control yield-robbing weeds.

Scout for diseases. Stripe rust literally can annihilate wheat and barley production.  The Good news is that we usually have low barley stripe rust disease pressure and wheat stripe rust forecasts from Dr. Xianming Chen are for low to moderate disease pressure in the Washington and Palouse areas. "Recommendations for the eastern Pacific Northwest - As stripe rust has not been found and the disease is likely to have a late start, fungicide application is not recommended in the early growth season at the time of herbicide application for winter wheat, unless stripe rust is observed in the fields.” Dr. Chen, 3/7/22 email.

Due to enduring drought conditions throughout the west (including CA and NV, downwind of southern Idaho production), I expect low disease pressure from stripe rust. I also do not recommend fungicide application at herbicide timing for stripe rust control, even in susceptible varieties. Always scout, and if sound, report stripe rust infections to me ASAP so I can get the word out.

Even if planted early, spring grains has gotten a delayed start due to cool conditions and emergence has been slow. If expected hot dry conditions develop in May through July, yield potential can be reduced with heat at flowering. A lot depends on (obviously) the temperatures as the season progresses.

Pay close attention to conditions at flowering for scab (Fusarium head blight) and potential mycotoxin contamination from DON.

When crops are harvest ready, get them out of the field ASAP to reduce the likelihood of sprout damage from August rains.

This year may be one of the most profitable years for grain production so PAY ATTENTION to the details.

Wishing everyone the best for the upcoming season!

Cheers,

Juliet

-- Juliet M. Marshall, Ph.D.

Plant Sciences Department Head, Endowed Research Professor, Cereals Pathology and Agronomy

Idaho Falls R&E Center

1776 Science Center Drive Suite 205

Idaho Falls, ID 83402

208-529-8376 office

http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/cereals/scseidaho/

“We shouldn’t be looking for certainty. Instead, we should be saying to ourselves ‘When do we have enough evidence to make good decisions.’” Cailin O’Connor UC Irvine

Growing Degree Days for Potatoes

Potato    All Locations

Posted on: April 28, 2022 by Nora Olsen and Mike Thornton

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%">Snow, hail,
rain, sunshine, and wind appear to be interchangeable this April. To focus on
the temperatures so far, calculating growing degree days (GDD) or heat units is
one method to look at the effect of temperature on the potato crop. Plant
growth and development is greatly influenced by temperature, and we use GDD to
get an idea of how the plant is developing throughout the season. It also gives
a great snapshot on how the current season compares to previous seasons. Daily
GDD is calculated by adding the maximum temperature and the minimum
temperature, dividing by 2 and subtracting a base temperature. The base
temperature is used to define the temperature at which potato growth is
diminished. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%">To quantify this
period of cold temperatures, we collated the cumulative GDDs for Parma,
Kimberly and Aberdeen. The source of the GDD was AgriMet (www.usbr.gov/pn/agrimet/wxdata.html)
weather stations located at the three sites. The AgriMet calculation of GDD
uses 50F as a minimum and 86F as a maximum. There are limitations to the use of
these minimum and maximums since potatoes will grow outside of this range, but
these calculations can still provide a reasonable prediction of the temperatures
impacting potato growth. The GDD these past weeks is quite a contrast to the
GDD from 2021 and the 11-year average.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>



</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%">To help
provide a picture of the relationship between temperature and plant
development, we will continue to update the GDD graphs weekly for the three
locations and post at </span><a href="http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/storage"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:107%">www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/storage</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%">. Aberdeen GDD was not available at
this time but will be posted on the website when available.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

» http://www.uidaho.edu/cals/potatoes/storage

2022 Plant Diagnostic Clinics

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: April 28, 2022 by Nic Usabel

Many University of Idaho Extension office locations offer a free plant diagnostic clinic where certified Idaho Master Gardener volunteers help answer clientele questions. Here are the details that were shared with the PNW Pest Alert Network for those locations in the Treasure Valley.

UI Extension, Ada County (Boise, ID): The plant diagnostic clinic operates April through September and is staffed Monday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Ada County residents should contact 208-287-5900 or email adamg@uidaho.edu with landscape and garden questions. For additional details visit https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/ada/horticulture 

UI Extension, Canyon County (Caldwell, ID): The free plant diagnostic clinic operates May through September and is staffed Monday and Wednesday 1 PM to 4 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM. Canyon County residents should contact 208-459-6003 or email ccmg@uidaho.edu with landscape and garden questions. For additional details visit https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/canyon/horticulture. 

UI Extension, Owyhee County (Marsing, ID): Landscape and garden questions for Owyhee County residents can be directed to UI Extension Canyon County at 208-459-6003 or ccmg@uidaho.edu. Contact information for Owyhee County is 208-896-4104 or owyhee@uidaho.edu. For additional details visit https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/owyhee.  

Don’t see your county listed? Visit https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/directory/counties to find contact information for your county office.

2022 Spring Plant Sales

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley, Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: April 27, 2022 by Nic Usabel

Spring Garden Plant Sale

UI Extension, Canyon County (Caldwell, ID): Searching for new plants to add to your garden or landscape? The University of Idaho Canyon County Master Gardener Spring Garden Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 AM to Noon, at Canyon County Extension Office, 501 Main Street, Caldwell. Preorders can be made at https://bit.ly/ccmgstore and are available for pick up Saturday, April 30 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Additional inventory will be available that is not provided for preorder. Available plants include vegetables, herbs, houseplants, succulents, flowering perennials, native plants, and so much more. Join in the fun! For More information, call UI Extension, Canyon County at (208) 459-6003.

UI Extension, Ada County (Boise, ID): Let’s get growing! The University of Idaho Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 AM to Noon, at the Ada County Extension Office, 5880 Glenwood Street, Boise. Offerings include houseplants, herbs, vegetables, and berries, flowering perennials, gardening books, and so much more. Cash or check only. Please no early birds. For more information, call the Master Gardeners at (208) 287-5900. Come join the fun!

There are several local groups and organizations that are hosting plant sales around the Treasure Valley. Check in with your local church groups, high schools, colleges/universities, and civic groups. Here are those we have been alerted to. 

• Idaho Botanical Garden Online Plant Sale, Boise, (member only April 22, public April 29)
• Vallivue High School, Caldwell, April 30
• Ridgevue High School, Nampa, April 30
• Marsing FFA Chapter, Marsing, May 4
• Canyon Springs Garden Outreach, Middleton, May 7
• Catholic Women’s League St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Nampa, May 7
• Middleton Boy Scout Troop, Middleton, May 7

2022 Extension Drought Resources

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley

Posted on: April 24, 2022 by Nic Usabel

If you are looking for ways to conserve water during this growing season here are a number or resources available from various Extension programs. 

• University of Idaho Extension Drought Resources
• Utah State University Extension Drought Resources
• Watering a Home Landscape During a Drought, Colorado State University
• Native Plant Landscaping: Curb Appeal and Low Water Use, University of Idaho
• Landscaping with Native Plants, University of Idaho
• Idaho Climate & Weather Resources, University of Idaho
• U.S. Drought Monitor for Idaho, National Drought Mitigation Center

For additional questions reach out to a local Extension office. Find a local University of Idaho Extension Office.

Ag Talk Tuesdays resume for 2022

All Crops    All Locations

General announcment

Posted on: April 19, 2022 by Kasia Duellman

We are excited to announce that the University of Idaho Extension's Ag Talk Tuesday sessions resume May 3 for the 2022 season. 

Each session starts at 11:00 AM (MDT) on the first and third Tuesdays, May through August.

These live events begin with crop updates where all participants are invited to contribute, followed by a featured presentation. You can find a schedule of featured topics and speakers (subject to change) and more information on our website:  

https://www.uidaho.edu/ag-talk 

Registration is required to attend. You only need to register once to attend all sessions. Once you register, information on how to attend via Zoom or by calling in by phone will be sent to you in a separate email. 

To register, click this link (or copy and paste the following into your web browser):  

https://uidaho.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElce6uqTwpH9CuQSsCTa_7B01HC8gfuGXn

Please join us starting May 3 at 11:00 AM (MDT) for these live, online sessions that focus on agriculture - current season issues related to pests, diseases, weeds, diagnostics, soil health, irrigation/water, agronomy & more along with featured topics and guest speakers.

For questions, please contact one of the organizers: 

Kasia Duellman (kduellman@uidaho.edu)

Doug Finkelnburg (dougf@uidaho.edu) 

Pam Hutchinson (phutch@uidaho.edu)

Juliet Marshall (jmarshall@uidaho.edu) 

Olga Walsh (owalsh@uidaho.edu) 

» https://www.uidaho.edu/ag-talk

Seeking help for a research project

Potato    All Locations

Posted on: April 7, 2022 by Jeff Miller

A research project funded by the tri-state (ID, WA, and OR) research consortium is looking for some help (see below). If you are able and interested, please contact David Wheeler (contact info below).

Good luck with planting!

Jeff

2022 Dry Spring Conditions

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 25, 2022 by Nic Usabel

Much of Idaho has experienced below average precipitation this past winter and it continues into early spring. The Treasure Valley is no different. During periods with low water resources, it is important to prioritize watering needs. While some lawn conditions appear dry it is not yet time to begin the watering of residential lawns. Consider the following as a prioritization to follow during times of low water resources:

• Young or newly transplanted trees which have a limited root system. Ensure to proper application of water and water deeply and infrequently based on soil texture.
• Established trees and shrubs should also be given consideration to priority watering as established plants are high value and take many years to replace. When applying water to trees and shrubs apply at an appropriate rate that allows water to soak into the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Frequency of water depends on soil texture and if water restrictions are in place. General guides are as follows: April once per month, May through September up to twice per month.
• Fruit gardens, vegetables gardens, and flowers are generally next on the list of prioritizations. Consider using a wood mulch or organic matter around trees, small fruits, and plants to reduce water evaporation from the soil. Avoid direct stem to mulch contact. Fruit trees and small berries may benefit from an early water now if soil conditions are dry. Early spring bulbs may also benefit from an early water if dry conditions are present. 
• Lawns finish out the priority list. If watering the lawn, ensure that sprinklers are operating correctly and applying water to desired location. Make water applications so that water is applied deeply and infrequently. Increase the mowing height of the grass and consider mulching the clippings versus bag removal. 

Resources:

• Watering a Home Landscape During Drought, Colorado State University Extension
• Watering Home Lawns and Landscapes, University of Idaho Extension 
• Watering Home Lawns: How Much and How Often, University of Idaho Extension

» Idaho SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent

2022 Rose & Grapevine Pruning

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 25, 2022 by Nic Usabel

Across the Treasure Valley it’s time to prune grapevines and roses. See below for more resources for pruning these landscape & garden plants.

ROSES:

Rose pruning should occur when the buds are starting to swell in early spring. Below are a few resources that can be read or viewed for rose pruning.

• How to Prune Roses, Utah State University Extension video
• Early Spring Pruning of Roses, University of Maryland Extension video
• Guide to Pruning Roses, University of Maryland Extension
• Pruning Roses, Colorado State University

GRAPEVINES:

The University of Idaho Research & Extension Center in Parma recommends pruning grapevines in the Treasure Valley no sooner than mid-March to ensure that low temperatures do not kill buds after pruning. Grapevines can “bleed”, movement of sap from the cut, heavily when pruned in spring. This does not harm the vines. Below are a few resources that can be read or viewed for grape pruning.

• Grape Pruning Four Cane System, Utah State University Extension video
• Grape Pruning, USU Garden Guys & Gal video
• Pruning Grapevines, University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension video
• Yard and Garden: How to Prune Grapevines, Iowa State University 
  
• Grape Vine Management, Utah State University Extension
• Grape Trellising and Training Basics, Utah State University Extension

2022 Spring Lawn Fertilization & Care

General Landscape and Garden    Treasure Valley - Idaho

Posted on: March 22, 2022 by Nic Usabel

Spring lawn fertilization for cool season grasses recommend that fertilization be made while energy is being directed to root growth, which is followed by leaf growth. This timeframe for cool season turf in the Treasure Valley traditionally March thru early May. If mulching is a practice in your lawn maintenance plan, nitrogen can be reduced by ½ pound annually. 

The proper rate of fertilizer application is best achieved when using a soil test result to identify the fertilizer needs of the soil. UI Extension publication Using Soil Test Results for Garden Fertilization will help guide the steps.  Applications should be split between spring and fall. Application rates should not exceed 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in any one application, access Southern Idaho Lawns Fertilizer Guide to identify additional time(s) for application if rate would exceed the 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet limit with only and spring and fall application. Always follow label directions.

For more information on how to obtain a soil sample to a soil test submission contact your local University of Idaho Extension office. 

Another method of identifying application rate is based on the level of turf maintenance from low to high traffic. Application rates should not exceed 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in any fertilizer application and always follow label directions. Review descriptions, timing, and rate of application below.

1. Light use: Classified as occasional foot traffic or little to no play from children. Annual turfgrass recommendation is 0-1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Split the application between a spring and fall application. 
2. Moderate Use: Typical children’s play and occasional garden parties. Annual turfgrass recommendation is 2-3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Split the application equally between a spring, early fall (late September) and late fall (Mid October to Late November) 
3. Heavy Use: Frequently used sports field play, heavy traffic and/or frequent garden parties. Annual turfgrass recommendation is 4-6 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in spring, 0.5 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet late May/early June, 0.5 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet late June/early July, 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet early fall (late September) and 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet late fall (Mid October to Late November).

If your lawn is suffering from soil compaction or development of a thick thatch layer core aeration can be completed in the spring but is preferred in fall while weed pressure will be reduced. For more information visit UI Extension publication Core Aeration of Lawns-Benefits & Procedures.

Spring provides the opportunity to seed new turfgrass areas or to over-seed areas that may have been damaged over the winter. Cool temperatures will promote germination and growth of cool season turf species, tall and fine fescues, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. Weed pressure can be higher during the spring as compared to the fall when seeding or over-seeding.

If there are additional questions on lawn care or weed management reach out to a local University of Idaho Extension office.