Extension Calling: advice for the farm, garden, and home

Being out in cold temperatures is often necessary. But, there are a few things you can do to improve your comfort and safety. We cover how to layer your clothes, travel safely, and how to help livestock stay warm and healthy in low temperatures.

If you are looking to expand your spring flowering, you have to plan ahead. September is a great time to plant new bulbs, corms, and rhizomes. Enjoy greater success with proper vernalization, planting, and placement.

Using soap to kill insects isn't as simple as it seems. Today we go through the ins and outs of what makes soap an appropriate insecticide and what to avoid.

References:

Fundamentals of Using Soaps as Insecticides by Dr. Raymond Cloyd https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasbugs/2020/06/12/fundamentals-of-using-soaps-as-insecticides/

Insecticidal Soap Written byPaul Pugliese. Growing & Mowing in Bartow County March 4, 2024 https://site.extension.uga.edu/bartow/insecticidal-soap/

The Use of Horticultural Oils and Insecticidal Soaps For Control of Insect Pests of Amenity Plants Fredric D. Miller Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) November 1989, 15 (11) 257-262; DOI: https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1989.055 https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/15/11/257

Horticultural oils and soaps play important roles in reducing pest pressure and lowering risks for a biological control program. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/compatible--tools/

Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control Factsheet | HGIC 2771 | Updated: Jul 30, 2021 https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/insecticidal-soaps-for-garden-pest-control/

Soap Sprays as Insecticides Published on: June 17, 2015 By Scott Oneto, Farm Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension

UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog News and updates from the statewide UC Master Gardener Program office. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=18009 Insect Control: Soaps and Detergents – 5.547

by W.S. Cranshaw 1 1Colorado State University Extension entomologist and professor, bioagricultural sciences and pest management. 12/96. Reviewed 3/08. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-control-soaps-and-detergents-5-547/

Coming clean on soap in the garden September 22, 2023 Author: Marissa Schuh, Extension educator, integrated pest management Reviewed by Julie Weisenhorn Extension educator, horticulture https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/coming-clean-soap-garden#sources-2944060

Learn about the differences in sidewalk salt and their effects on the ice, environment, and the sidewalk itself. We also remind our poultry owners about biosecurity tacticts to protect their birds from avian influenza

Join us as we explore the impact of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on our forests, uncovering its origins, spread, and the ecological consequences of its control. Learn about hope for management and what you can do to protect your prize hemlock tree from this invasive pest.