Follow this link to learn how to become a Cherokee County Master Gardener: https://evs.tamu.edu/
Learn more about the Master Gardener Program
How to treat Fire Ant Mounds
HOW to ATTACK FIRE ANTS – 6 ways….from Mississippi State University entomologist Blake Layton.
1} Granular Baits: When properly applied, granular fire ant baits are low in cost; quick and easy to apply; safe to pets, children and wildlife and effective, giving about 80% control. Baits are “fire ant-edible” granules containing low doses of slow-acting insecticides or insect growth-disruptors that are applied by spreading them over the lawn. Foraging fire ant workers collect these granules and carry them back to the mound to feed to the young. Depending on the product, it can take two to six weeks to see the full benefit of a bait treatment, but patience and persistence pays. Broadcast a granular fire ant bait over your lawn three to four times a year: around Easter, around Independence Day and around Labor Day, and you won’t have many fire ants in your lawn.
2} Dry Mound Treatments: This is the most convenient way to kill individual fire ant mounds. Keep a can of one of the dry mound treatments on hand to spot-treat mounds you see while working in the yard. Just sprinkle the labeled amount of product over the mound and walk away. Treatments that contain acephate smell terrible but work great, killing most mounds in just a few days. Treatments containing deltamethrin or beta-cyfluthrin don’t smell so bad but tend to be less consistent. Use a combination of granular baits and dry mound treatments to knock fire ants out of your yard with a one-two punch.
3} Liquid Mound Drenches: This is the fastest way to kill individual fire ant mounds. Drench a mound with an appropriate rate of permethrin, bifenthrin or other labeled product and all ants contacted by the drench will die quickly. The key to success is to use enough drench to thoroughly soak the mound: about one gallon for medium mounds and two gallons for large mounds.
4} Broadcast Insecticide Sprays: Primarily used on golf courses and other commercial turf, broadcast sprays contain ingredients such as bifenthrin, permethrin or cyfluthrin. Sprays kill exposed ants on contact and then move into the soil to provide residual control of foraging workers and newly settled queens.
5} Broadcast Insecticide Granules: This includes granular insecticides containing active ingredients such as bifenthrin, gamma-cyhalothrin or cyfluthrin that are applied by spreading the granules over the yard. Fire ants don’t eat these granules. Instead, the insecticide they contain leaches into the soil where it provides residual contact kill of foraging workers and newly settled queens. Some products give up to 4 months control.
6} Broadcast Fipronil Granules: Strictly speaking, fipronil is another broadcast insecticide, but fipronil (Top Choice, Fipronil 0.0143G and similar products) is placed in a class by itself for several reasons. First, a single application can give season-long control (the label indicates up to 1 year); second, it can only be applied by licensed commercial applicators, and third is the hefty cost. If you want season-long fire ant control with a single treatment, this is the way to go, but expect to pay for it. Also expect it to take a few weeks to begin working; mounds won’t die out overnight
Controling Feral Hogs
Feral Hogs in Texas: An Invasive Animal
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-local/feral-hog-management/
Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are a non-native animal found across the state of Texas. They rely on rooting in the soil to find food, which can cause significant damage to natural resources. They are resilient animals who often compete with native wildlife for resources. Additionally, feral hog ranges overlap with agricultural operations, livestock, and human populations. In the areas where overlap occurs, feral hogs cause millions of dollars worth of damage and run the risk of spreading disease. Texas has no native predators capable of regulating feral hog populations, so land managers must implement control techniques to keep populations in check.
In recent decades, feral hog populations have grown dramatically in Texas leading to corresponding increases in the damage they cause. The resources provided here are intended to increase the understanding of feral hog biology and natural history so that management efforts can be more successful. The management techniques discussed here provide a variety of options so that land managers can select the tools that will work best for them.
Planting Trees and Shrubs
“How to Create a Container Garden”
10 Steps to Container Garde
A step-by-step guide for creating a container garden, including choosing the right containers and soil, selecting the right plants, and caring for the plants over time.
1. Choose a container
There are many container options available, so choose one that fits your style. Choose from glazed clay pottery, natural looking stone pots, brightly colored plastic, rustic metal containers or find a truly unique container. Make sure that your container has good drainage because soggy roots will kill your garden. No drainage? No problem. Either drill your own or line the bottom of the container with several inches of broken terracotta and small stones. Keep in mind that your plants will grow better in a larger container rather than a small one. More soil means more space for roots to grow. More roots mean prettier flowers!
2. Prepare your container
If your container is large and you are worried about the cost (or the weight) of filling the entire pot, simply turn sturdy recycled plastic pots upside down in the bottom of the container or use packing peanuts. If you don’t already have pots to use, we carry a selection of cheap insert options available in-store. Make sure not to choose a flimsy pot to use or the weight of the watered-in soil can collapse your garden
3. Fill your container with soil
Choosing the right soil for your container garden is essential. The better the soil is, the better your plants’ roots, foliage and flowers will grow. We recommend Eko Organic All Purpose Potting Mix. Made locally here in Colorado, this potting mix has more nutrients than what you would find in other bagged mixes. Fill your container until the soil reaches couple of inches from the top. Make sure not to mound your soil, it should be about one inch beneath the top once finished. This will act as a water reservoir, giving your plants more time to hydrate themselves.
4. Add a good starter food
We love to use Bio Tone Plant Starter on what we plant both in the ground and in containers. This microbe-enhanced all natural plant food includes both endo & ecto mycorrhizae. You’ll grow a larger root mass to help plants establish quickly and promote bigger blooms, and Bio Tone reduces transplant loss.
5. Pick your plants
Choose plants that go together, not only by color but also those that need the same growing conditions. Planting sun-loving plants in a shaded area container, or visa versa, will be a disappointment after all your work.
6. Prepare your plants
Get your planting project off to a healthy start by “cleaning” your plants first. Pick off any spent blooms or yellowing leaves. If any of your plants are root bound, score or carefully cut the roots which allows new roots to grow from the cuts. Pinch back any plants that are too tall or leggy. To trim your plants, cut directly above the node of leaves that sits at the height you desire. This will encourage side, instead of vertical, growth.
7. Plant!
Position your tallest plants in the center of the pot, and the trailers around the edge. As you plant, make sure not to compress the soil. Instead of pressing the soil down, move it to the side to make room for your plants. Fill the soil back into the remaining space so that the plants are tucked securely in place.
8. Water
Give your new plants a nice long drink. You want the water to run out of the drainage holes of the pot. If you don’t have drainage holes then you’ll want to water less you so don’t turn the soil into a bog.
9. Fertilize
Quite honestly, the simplest trick to great containers is to routinely fertilize them. Choose a fertilizer high in phosphate, which encourages blooming. We recommend Fertilome Rooting & Blooming.
10. Maintain
As the season progresses, be mindful to keep up on the maintenance of your container garden. Deadheading flowers will not only help your garden stay disease free, it will also encourage new flowers to form. Cut back the plants in your container garden if they get too wild so you can keep the desired shape and form. Or… let them go crazy and see just how big they will g