Roses at the Northern Earth-Kind® Rose Trial in Moorhead have finally budded out (fig. 1). This site was heavily damaged by rabbits (fig. 2). William Baffin, which last fall was a little over five feet tall, has been reduced to about 15 inches (fig. 3).
Figure 1. Rose starting to bud out. Photo credit: Randy Nelson, UMN Extension.
Figure 2. Rose damaged by rabbits. Photo credit: Randy Nelson, UMN Extension.
Figure 3. William Baffin. Photo credit: Randy Nelson, UMN Extension.
UMN Extension, Clay County and NDSU Extension Service, Cass County hosted a vegetable grafting workshop on April 19. Our workshop was presented by Dr. Chiwon Lee, Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, NDSU. Dr. Lee taught participants the basics of vegetable grafting.
Scion is beginning to leaf out. Grafting was performed on April 1.
Add spring color to your yard
Spring flowers are always a welcome sight after a long winter. When it comes to ornamental shrubs, forsythia and double flowering plum are two of the earliest to flower.
Based on observations in Moorhead, forsythia started to flower mid-April in 2010, late April in 2011, and late March in 2012. Double flowering plum started to flower late April in 2010, mid-May in 2011, and mid-April in 2012. Time will tell when they bloom this year.
Most springs, forsythia produce yellow flowers (fig. 1) which cover the whole plant (fig. 2). One of the biggest drawbacks to forsythia is flower bud hardiness. Although no forsythia can be guaranteed to bloom abundantly every spring in our area, there are three hybrid cultivars with good flower bud hardiness, 'Meadowlark,' 'Northern Sun,' and 'Northern Gold.' Dirr (1998) reports 'Meadowlark' having flower bud hardiness to -35 degrees Fahrenheit and 'Northern Gold' having flower buds hardy to temperatures greater than -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Synder (2000) reports 'Northern Sun' having little flower bud damage at temperatures of -32 degrees Fahrenheit. All three cultivars generally grow eight to ten feet high and six to eight feet wide.
Double flowering plum (Prunus triloba 'Multiplex') produces fully double pink flowers (fig. 3) which cover the plant (fig. 4). This shrub is hardy in our area and generally grows to a height of seven to nine feet. This shrub attracts a lot of attention when in full bloom. However, it does not have a lot to offer afterwards.
If early spring color is needed in the home landscape, consider planting forsythia and double flowering plum this growing season.
Literature Cited
Dirr, M. A. 1998. Manual of woody landscape plants. 5th ed. Stipes Publishing L.L.C., Champaign, IL.
Snyder, L.C. 2000. Trees and shrubs for northern gardens. New and revised edition. Andersen Horticultural Library, Chanhassen, MN.
Figure 2. Forsythia in flower. Credit: R. Nelson, U of MN Extension
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Figure 4. Double flowering plum in flower. Credit: R. Nelson, U of MN Extension
Animal damage to shrubs seems to be a common occurrence this year. Here are some photos from the Northern EarthKind™ Rose Trial in Moorhead, MN showing plants with severe rabbit feeding.
Apple Grafting workshop is scheduled for April 1 at the Family Service Center in Moorhead.
This workshop will teach you how to graft and you will be able to take home your grafted apple trees. This workshop has limited seating which will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Please call (218-299-7338) or email (nels1657@umn.edu) me if you are interested in attending. Cost of the workshop is only $10. 2013 Grafting_workshop.pdf
Garden Day set for March 30, 2013 at NDSU, Fargo. Brochure
"High Tunnel Workshop for Home Gardener & Commercial Growers" is set for Thursday, March 7, 2013 at St. Leo's Catholic Church Spirit of Life Center, 211 Langer Ave. N. Casselton, ND from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our workshop presenter will be Mr. Terrance T. Nennich, U of M Extension Professor, Vegetable and Small Fruit Production.
High tunnels are a completely separate production technology compared to regular gardening or field production. At its simplest, a high tunnel is a non-permanent structure with no electrical service and no heating. A single layer of greenhouse plastic covers the frame, is left on year-round, and lasts two or three years. Vents are opened and sides rolled up manually. Plants in the tunnel are protected from frost by mulch or row covers.
High Tunnels are becoming very popular in the local food production system as they allow both the commercial grower & home gardener to produce an abundance of early produce and also extend the end of the year growing season. Fruits and vegetables grown in high tunnels are often of very high quality.
High tunnels require a substantial capital investment up front, but sometimes can pay for themselves in the first year and even return a profit, if managed properly. Although high tunnels are simple in nature they are deep in understanding. This workshop will cover the basics of installing & operating a high tunnel.
This workshop will also feature presentations on climate change, marketing produce, wind generators, and EQIP high tunnel program.
The registration fee is $25, which includes lunch, course materials and refreshments. Participants can call Todd Weinmann at the NDSU Extension Service, Cass County at 701-241-5707 or Randy Nelson at the UMN Extension Office, Clay County at 218-299-7338 for more information. Registration after March 1 is $35.
County commissions, North Dakota State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, status as a U.S. veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, or public assistance status. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 231-7708.
The University of Minnesota, including the University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
You are invited to attend the Crops / Small Grains Update program at the American Legion in Moorhead on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
The morning session will feature presentations by Mr. Michael Krueger, President, The Money Farm, Casselton, ND; Dr. Hans Kandel, Extension Agronomist, Broadleaf Crops, Department of Plant Sciences, NDSU, Fargo; and Ms. Sharon Josephson, Senior Staff for Congressman Collin Peterson, Detroit Lakes, MN.
Mr. Krueger will present "Tight Supplies, High Volatility, Weather Rules." Dr. Kandel will present "Subsurface Water Management Myths and Facts." Ms. Josephson will highlight agriculture policy with her presentation titled "So What is Next?"
The afternoon session will feature the Small Grains Update. Presenters include Dr. Jim Anderson, U of M Spring Wheat Breeder; Dr. Madeleine Smith, Plant Pathologist, NWROC, Crookston, MN; Dr. Dave Grafstrom, NCTC and U of M Magnusson Research Farm, Roseau, MN and Dr. Dan Kaiser, U of M Extension Soil Scientist, St. Paul, MN.
Dr. Anderson will present the results of the 2012 variety trials and provide his and Dr. Jochum Wiersma's insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each variety. The information will help you select the best varieties for your farm in 2013. Dr. Smith will discuss the yield impacts of wheat stripe rust and management options. A number of diseases and viruses that impacted wheat production in some areas of Minnesota in 2012 will also be discussed. Dr. Grafstrom will discuss the results of a grower lead large scale research project and opportunities for growers to participate in the 2013 On Farm Research Program. Dr. Kaiser will discuss a multi-year trial related to tissue sampling in wheat, what you need to know about tissue sampling, and results of multi-year and multi-location research focused on soybean micro-nutrients.
Attendance is free, refreshments will be provided for the morning and afternoon sessions and a complimentary lunch will be served around noon. Morning refreshments will be available starting at 8:30 a.m.
Questions about this event should be directed to Randy Nelson, University of Minnesota Extension educator, Clay County, at 218-299-7338, 1-800-299-5020 or email nels1657@umn.edu.
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