Wonderful Witchhazel 1

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Hilda Ferguson
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edu Wonderful Witchhazel Common Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a large shrub or small tree native to Kentucky that is in the Hamamelidaceae family.

The plant produces beautiful fall foliage with bright yellow leaves (photo 1). It also produces fragrant blooms in the fall and winter.

The fruit is a capsule that will open and shoot its seeds several feet away, which is where the other common name, Snapping Hazel, originates.

Common Witchhazel grows best in moist soils with a slightly acidic to neutral ph. It can be grown in either full sun or shade and has no serious insect or disease problems.

Tannins have also been found in the bark and have been used in eye medications and in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Witchhazel extract has even been used in after-shave lotion.

For more information on Witch Hazel, go to http://www.uky.

1 Hopkins County Horticulture Newsletter Winter 2018 Erika Wood, County Extension Agent for Horticulture Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Service 75 Cornwall Drive Madisonville, KY (270) Fax: (270) hopkins.ca.uky.edu Wonderful Witchhazel Common Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a large shrub or small tree native to Kentucky that is in the Hamamelidaceae family. Its name originates from the old English word to bend. It makes a wonderful landscape plant due to its beautiful autumn color and blooms. The plant produces beautiful fall foliage with bright yellow leaves (photo 1). It also produces fragrant blooms in the fall and winter. The flowers are yellow with four, ribbon-like petals (photo 2). The fruit is a capsule that will open and shoot its seeds several feet away, which is where the other common name, Snapping Hazel, originates. The thin bark of witchhazel is a light brown color and will peel off to show a reddish purple inner bark. Common Witchhazel grows best in moist soils with a slightly acidic to neutral ph. It can be grown in either full sun or shade and has no serious insect or disease problems. Bark from Witchhazel has been used as an astringent for sores and bruises when mixed with water and alcohol. Tannins have also been found in the bark and have been used in eye medications and in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Witchhazel extract has even been used in after-shave lotion. Shown above is photo 1 - Witchhazel. Shown below is photo 2 - Witchhazel in bloom. Interesting Fact: European species of Hamamelis were once used as divining rods to search for water. For more information on Witch Hazel, go to IN THIS ISSUE: Wonderful Witchhazel 1 Norfolk Island Pine Trees 2 Vegetable Planting Dates Chart 3 Mistletoe..4 Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Youth Development Community and Economic Development Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating. LEXINGTON, KY Disabilities accommodated with prior notification.

Norfolk Island Pine Trees If you ve ever gone to a garden center or the garden department of a big box store around the holidays, then you ve probably seen an adorable potted tree known as a Norfolk

I myself kept a lovely Norfolk Island Pine Tree as my Christmas tree for two years before it made its home in the extension office conference room (photo 1).

Norfolk Island Pine Trees are native to the South Pacific where they can grow up to 200 feet tall! I was fortunate to see a lovely specimen in my travels to New Zealand (photo 2).

2 Norfolk Island Pine Trees If you ve ever gone to a garden center or the garden department of a big box store around the holidays, then you ve probably seen an adorable potted tree known as a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla). This festive, little tree is often used as a miniature Christmas tree in many homes but also makes a great houseplant all year round. I myself kept a lovely Norfolk Island Pine Tree as my Christmas tree for two years before it made its home in the extension office conference room (photo 1). Despite its name, this tree is actually not a pine tree, but belongs to the Araucariaceae family, an ancient group of conifers. Norfolk Island Pine Trees are native to the South Pacific where they can grow up to 200 feet tall! I was fortunate to see a lovely specimen in my travels to New Zealand (photo 2). Most likely though, your little Christmas tree will only grow four to six feet tall as a houseplant. Because the Norfolk Island Pine is considered a subtropical tree, it will not tolerate temperatures lower than 45 F, so be sure to bring your tree indoors during the winter months if you are keeping it outside during the summer. If you plan on keeping your pine tree as a houseplant be sure to put it near a window that receives bright, indirect light and water well when the soil begins to dry out. This plant is a pretty slow grower, so don t be sad if you only see it grow a few inches during the year. As for fertilizer, these plants really don t need to be fertilized very often. Fertilize your tree with a houseplant fertilizer once a month when it is actively growing. Repot every few years. If you plan on using it as a Christmas tree, keep in mind that the branches will not hold large, heavy ornaments. Use light weight ornaments and small lights and remove as soon as the holidays are over to prevent any injury. If you treat your little tree well, then it will reward you as a beautiful houseplant and may even be reused as a lovely Christmas tree for next year! Photo 1 - Norfolk Island Pine Tree in the conference room at the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office. Photo 2 -Norfolk Island Pine Tree in New Zealand.

3 Earliest and Latest Planting Dates in the Garden in Kentucky Table 14. Earliest and latest planting dates in the garden in Kentucky. (If producing your own transplants, begin two to 12 weeks earlier than these listed dates. See Table 5.) Earliest Safe Planting Date Latest Safe Planting Date 1 Crops Western Central Eastern Eastern Central Western Asparagus (crowns) Mar 10 Mar 15 Mar 20 (Spring only) Beans (snap) Apr 10 Apr 25 May 1 July 15 July 25 Aug 1 Beans (lima) Apr 15 May 1 May 10 June 15 June 20 July 1 Beets Mar 10 Mar 15 Mar 20 Aug 1 Aug 10 Aug 15 Broccoli (plants) Mar 30 Apr 5 Apr 10 July 15 Aug 1 Aug 15 B. Sprouts (plants) Mar 30 Apr 5 Apr 10 July 1 July 15 Aug 1 Cabbage Mar 15 Mar 25 Apr 1 July 1 July 15 Aug 1 Carrots Mar 10 Mar 20 Apr 1 July 1 July 15 Aug 1 Cauliflower (plants) Mar 30 Apr 5 Apr 10 July 15 July 20 Aug 5 Celery Apr 1 Apr 5 Apr 10 June 15 July 1 July 15 Chard Mar 15 Mar 20 Apr 1 June 15 July 15 Aug 1 Collards Mar 1 Mar 10 Mar 15 Aug 15 Aug 20 Aug 30 Sweet Corn Apr 10 Apr 20 May 1 June 15 July 10 July 20 Cucumbers Apr 20 May 1 May 10 June 15 July 1 July 15 Eggplant (plants) May 1 May 10 May 15 June 1 June 15 July 1 Kale Mar 10 Mar 20 Apr 1 July 15 Aug 1 Aug 15 Kohlrabi Mar 15 Mar 20 Mar 25 July 15 Aug 1 Aug 15 Lettuce (leaf) Mar 15 Mar 25 Apr 1 Aug 1 Aug 15 Sept 1 Lettuce (bibb plants) Mar 15 Mar 25 Apr 1 July 15 Aug 1 Aug 15 Lettuce (head plants) Mar 15 Mar 25 Apr 1 July 1 July 15 Aug 1 Muskmelons Apr 20 May 10 May 15 June 15 July 1 July 15 Okra Apr 20 May 10 May 15 July 1 July 15 Aug 1 Onions (sets) Mar 1 Mar 10 Mar 15 (Spring only) Onions (plants) Mar 15 Mar 25 Apr 1 June 15 July 1 July 15 Onions (seed) Mar 10 Mar 20 Apr 1 June 1 June 15 July 1 Parsley Mar 10 Mar 20 Apr 1 July 15 Aug 1 Aug 15 Parsnips Mar 10 Mar 20 Apr 1 June 1 June 15 July 1 Peas Feb 20 Mar 1 Mar 15 (Spring only) Peppers (plants) May 1 May 10 May 20 June 15 July 1 July 15 Irish Potatoes Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 20 June 15 July 1 July 15 Sweet Potatoes May 1 May 10 May 20 June 1 June 10 June 15 Pumpkins Apr 20 May 5 May 10 June 1 June 15 July 1 Radishes Mar 1 Mar 10 Mar 15 Sept 1 Sept 15 Oct 1 Rhubarb (crowns) Mar 1 Mar 10 Mar 15 (Spring only) Rutabaga Mar 1 Mar 10 Mar 15 July 1 July 10 July 15 Southern Peas Apr 20 May 5 May 10 June 15 July 1 July 15 Snow Peas Feb 20 Mar 1 Mar 15 July 20 Aug 1 Aug 8 Spinach Feb 15 Mar 1 Mar 10 Aug 15 Sept 1 Sept 15 Summer Squash Apr 20 May 10 May 15 July 15 Aug 1 Aug 15 Tomatoes (plants) Apr 20 May 5 May 15 June 1 June 15 July 1 Turnips Mar 1 Mar 10 Mar 15 Aug 1 Aug 10 Aug 20 Watermelons Apr 20 May 5 May 15 June 15 July 1 July 15 Winter Squash Apr 20 May 10 May 15 June 15 July 1 July 15 1 Based on average of early maturing varieties. Mid-season and late-maturing varieties need to be planted 15 to 30 days earlier than latest date. Nearly all of the fall-planted garden crops will require irrigation during dry periods. Additional insect controls may be necessary for these tender young plants. *If producing your own transplants, begin two to 12 weeks earlier than these listed dates. For more information, see ID-128: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky,

It is found throughout the United States and can commonly be seen growing as round, dense bunches in the branches of trees.

4 One of the many festive decorations inside our homes this holiday season is Mistletoe. But what exactly is Mistletoe? Mistletoe, whose scientific name is Phoradendron, means tree thief, which is very fitting considering that Mistletoe is a parasitic plant. It is found throughout the United States and can commonly be seen growing as round, dense bunches in the branches of trees. Mistletoe is parasitic in that it will steal water and nutrients from its host tree, which may cause harm if the infection is severe. Mistletoe can still photosynthesize, but it penetrates the bark of the tree with root-like structures and infects the tree. Mistletoe Mistletoe is a perennial plant that produces fleshy green leaves arranged oppositely on the stem. White berries are formed in the fall and are eaten by birds, who will pass on the seeds and spread to other branches. Mistletoe seeds are poisonous to humans and other animals and should not be consumed. If you find Mistletoe on your trees and would like to get rid of it, cut out infected branches as soon as you see the Mistletoe and prune the branch back beyond the original point 6 to 12 inches so that all roots inside the branch are removed. It is important to have all the roots removed because any remaining tissue can regenerate back into a whole plant. Plate it up! Kentucky Proud Recipe for the Winter Season!!

Upcoming Events December 5: Festive Trees and Shrubs, 11:00 a.m. December 10: Plant Identification 101, 5:30 p.m. January 23: Growing Class Series: Nut Trees, noon January 28: African Violets, 5:30 p.

m. April 17: Growing Class Series: Peppers, noon April 27: Spring Lawn and Garden Fair, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. May 4: Spring Plant Swap at Farmers Market, 9:00 to 11:30 a.

For more information or to RSVP, call the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office at 270-821-3650.

Pennyroyal Master Gardeners calendar! Follow us on Facebook!

Farmers Market vendor? For more information, contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 270-821-3650.

5 Upcoming Events December 5: Festive Trees and Shrubs, 11:00 a.m. December 10: Plant Identification 101, 5:30 p.m. January 23: Growing Class Series: Nut Trees, noon January 28: African Violets, 5:30 p.m. February 11: Houseplant Swap, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. February 20: Growing Class Series: Brambles, noon March 11: All About Roses, 5:30 p.m. March 27: Growing Class Series: Strawberries, noon April 1: Carnivorous Plants, 5:30 p.m. April 17: Growing Class Series: Peppers, noon April 27: Spring Lawn and Garden Fair, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. May 4: Spring Plant Swap at Farmers Market, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. May 15: Growing Class Series: Cucumbers, noon Dates may be subject to change. For more information or to RSVP, call the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office at Pennyroyal Master Gardeners 2019 Trees Calendar Stop by the Hopkins County Cooperative Extension Office and pick up a copy of the 2019 Pennyroyal Master Gardeners calendar! Follow us on Facebook! Hopkins County Horticulture Hopkins County Farmers Market Master Gardeners, Pennyroyal Interested in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer or Farmers Market vendor? For more information, contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at Please Note ~ If schools are closed due to inclement weather, meetings and activities scheduled for that day could also be canceled. Call the office at to find out for sure.

Community and Economic Development 4-H Youth Development Family and Consumer Sciences Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension Service LEXINGTON, KY 40546 Educational programs of

political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

For more information or to register for the workshop, call Annhall Norris at 859-257-1812 or visit http://fcs-hes.ca.uky.

6 Community and Economic Development 4-H Youth Development Family and Consumer Sciences Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension Service LEXINGTON, KY Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating. For more information or to register for the workshop, call Annhall Norris at or visit Hopkins County Extension Office 75 Cornwall Drive, Madisonville Cost is $50 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. April 16 Disabilities accommodated with prior notification. This videotaped HBM workshop is required to become a Homebased Microprocessor in Kentucky. It is the first in a series of steps which includes recipe approval (at a cost of $5.00 per recipe), verification of an approved water source, and annual certification by the Kentucky Food Safety Branch (with a certification fee of $50 per year). To qualify, farmers must live and farm in Kentucky. The final product must contain a fruit, vegetable or herb grown by the farmer. Products may be sold from the farm, registered farmers markets or certified roadside stands. Once certified, Homebased Microprocessors may sell products such as canned tomatoes and tomato products, pickled fruits and vegetables, salsa, barbecue sauce, pepper or herb jellies, pressure-canned vegetables, and low- or no-sugar jams and jellies. Homebased Microprocessor Workshop

Lincoln County Extension Homemakers Newsletter

Lincoln County Extension Homemakers Newsletter Cooperative Extension Service Lincoln County 104 Metker Trail Stanford, KY 4084 606-365-2447 Fax: 606-365-3238 lincoln.ca.uky.edu It's hard to believe that