May/June Concerning Your Health - Jefferson County

May/June
Concerning Your Health

To maintain our accessibility to our clientele and balance the health and safety of
employees and clientele, The Jefferson Co Extension office is closed to the public as
of 3/20/20. We will continue to accept soil sample drop offs outside our office
door. This will allow our office to continue to engage in essential public outreach and
to collect soil samples to submit to UK labs. Regular office hours would still apply to
answer calls and maintain web access with clientele. This decision was made with
our District Director’s approval.
Our Website and Facebook page have our calendars and will continue to have
updates about programming.

Our website: Jefferson.ca.uky.edu

KY Hotline designated by Governor Beshear:                                        (800)
722-5725

CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

                          May/June!
This has been such an unusual year for Kentucky and America. We have been
dealing with everything from the Covid 19 pandemic to Murder Hornets! But as
summer starts we still have gardens, landscapes and outdoor activities to keep us
going in a healthy, positive way. Before the really hot July weather hits there are a
few things to consider and check up on. First up, we will talk about the
sensationalized “Murder Hornets”!

“Murder Hornets” in Kentucky?

No, we don't but we have had multiple questions and emails on the “Murder Hornets”
that social media has been hyping up. I spoke with Dr Bessin, at UK about it and he
has been inundated with questions too. With the information he gave me, this is my
response to questions with all the links in case you need it as well.

What we are seeing now in Kentucky is the European hornet. The European hornet is
about 2/3rd the size of the giant Asian Hornet. In the summer (July-August) we also
see the large cicada killer wasp. I have included a link to the information we have on
the European, giant Asian and cicada killer wasp below. The hornets and wasps
mistaken for the giant Asian hornet in surrounding counties have been identified as
either known hornets or wasps, according to Dr Bessin.

What you are likely seeing now; UK on European hornet:
https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/files/efpdf3/ef600.pdf
Later in the summer; UK on cicada Killer wasp:

https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/files/efpdf1/ef004.pdf
Kentucky Pest News on giant Asian hornet:
https://kentuckypestnews.wordpress.com/2020/01/14/asian-giant-hornet-collected-in-
washington-state/

     What Wrong With My Apple Tree?

The photo above is classic image of Fire Blight. This is a bacterial infection that can
affect members of the apple family. The brown leaves that bend over the tip (as if
exposed to fire) is what we look for with Fire Blight. Pruning is the only control for
non-commercial growers. Details on Fire Blight, when and how to prune is here:
https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-fr-t-12.pdf

This photo is an apple rust disease and fungicide application in early spring, at or
before bloom, is necessary for control. A link for a spray schedule (for a series of
applications early spring) can be found below along with a link to apple rust disease:
https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-fr-t-05.pdf

It is less likely, but possible, spots on apple leaves can be due to early infection of
apple scab instead: https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-fr-t-13.pdf

For information on how, what and when to spray, check out our ID 21, (Disease and
insect control for fruit trees grown in KY):
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/id/id21/id21.pdf

           HELP! I'm Itching All Over!

Eastern Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Hemlock easily confused, the photo below
can help you identify what may be in your yard or on the park trail that may be making
you or your itch all over.

First: This is what parents and children need to know to avoid contact and minimize the
itch: https://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/files/0612-health-bulletin-parent.pdf

Basic information about Eastern Poison Ivy from: William W. Witt, PhD, professor
emeritus in UK’s Plant and Soil Sciences.

Common name: Eastern Poison-ivy
Scientific name: Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze
Life Cycle: Perennial                        Origin: North America
Poisonous: Severe skin irritant to sensitive humans

Eastern poison ivy, frequently called poison ivy, occurs in much of the eastern United
States. It is a woody perennial that can grow as a low shrub, trailing vine, or climbing
vine. As a climbing vine, it can grow several yards and often reaches into the tops of
trees. It will grow in a wide range of habitats, such as pastures, fence rows, and the edge
of woods.

Poison ivy roots are fibrous from a taproot (the main root that grows vertically downward)
and long subterranean rhizomes (rootstalks). Vines are woody and light brown or grayish
and frequently have aerial roots on them. Poison ivy’s easiest identifying characteristic is
a trifoliate (having three leaves) compound leaf. Leaflets are shiny, typically 2 to 4 inches
in length, and pointed at the tip. Leaves turn a bright red or reddish-yellow in the fall and
produce greenish to grayish white berries in late summer to early fall. Reproduction is by
seeds, rootstalks, and stems that root when they come into contact with the soil. Berries
are spread by birds.

All parts of the poison ivy plant, both live and dead, contain urushiol oil and might cause
acute dermatitis to humans sensitive to the oil. Fumes from burning poison ivy plants
might also transmit the oil. Animals such as cats, dogs, and horses are not sensitive to
poison ivy, but can transfer the oil to humans.

Poison ivy plants in pastures usually grow low to the ground, and mowing is not an
effective control tactic. Cutting the vines and removing plants from fences or trees does
not offer long-term control since the poison ivy plant will regrow from root buds or
rhizomes. The most effective control is by herbicidal sprays. Several herbicide products
are available to control poison ivy.

                              Garden Tips
   1. Check you mower blade and keep it sharp. Ragged cut grass leaves lose a lot
       of water and end up looking brown and dull.
   2. Water at ground level when possible to prevent the spread of diseases.
   3. Mulch in the garden and landscape can keep soil temperature and water
       consistent.
   4. Clean tools often!
   5. Cease all pruning of woody plants by July 1st.
   6. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat while working in the garden or landscape.
   7. Liquid fertilizers and pesticides should be applied as early in the day as
       possible to prevent phytotoxic reaction to plants.
   8. READ AND FOLLOW ALL LABLE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN APPLYING
       PESTICIDES!

We Need Your Feedback!

We are working on programing and classes for 2020 -2021 and we want to hear from
you. Jefferson County Extension is here to bring classes and programs of interest
and value to you. Take a moment to respond to the following survey so we can serve
you better!

https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8zYuyb9uNNV6DjL

                            THANK YOU!

  Remember: We are now moved into our new office located at 4200 Gardiner
  View Avenue, 40213 and you can reach us by the same phone number (502-
 569-2344)! Come by to see us, bring samples or pick up publications here, we
                              would love to see you!

Up Coming Events

Unfortunately we have had to cancel all face to face programming and office visits due to
the Covid 19 outbreak.

Visit our website for upcoming information and FaceBook for our new gardening and
horticultural video series. I will be posting weekly videos concerning landscaping, insect
control, lawn care and other timely information about things you can do in and around your
home to make your environment more pleasant while we stay home to contain this virus.

Check our Facebook Page for updates!

        Track the Weather Patterns with the University of Kentucky's
                     Meteorological Records Updates

                                   Quick Links

Best information for gardening in KY, earliest and latest planting dates, soil science, how to
start and more!
Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky
Web MD for Vegetables Great diagnostic tool from Cornell University.
Timing control of insects in the landscape based on when flowering trees and shrubs
bloom.
Control of disease and insects when growing fruit, includes spray schedules for both large
and small fruit.
Pruning landscape trees, including the quick rules for flowering woody ornamentals.
Pruning landscape shrubs, including how to shape them.
Controlling pantry and fabric pests in the home.

                        GOT PLANT PROBLEMS?
                                      call the
                       HORTICULTURE HOTLINE
                   Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm
  A live horticulturist will answer your
                                   questions!