Pruning Blackberries

Pruning blackberries can be tricky because you have floricanes and primocanes, mechanical damage and even insect damage.  This time of year it is faily simple to tell wich canes are alive and wich are dead.  Remove the dead canes first (this will be the ones that had fruit on them last year).  Next remove the spindly canes and anything broken or crossed.  Tip back branches on the extrememly long shoots and continue to the next plant.  For a more detailed description of bramble pruning see Growing Blackberries and Raspberries in Kentucky

Before Pruning

After old cane removal and tipping back

Before Pruning

After Pruning

Theodore Klein award winning plants

Crytomeria japonica 'Yoshino'

In the state of Kentucky we are lucky to have a committee of very qualified individuals review many plants over the years and provide us with a list that would make any landscape proud.  These award winners are selected based on the selectors practical experience with these plants and the plants qualitites being proven in various parts of the state.  In other words we know the plants work and provide lots of good attributes.  The following is a list of the 2012 award winners but by clicking on Theodore Klein you can see all the winners since 1999. 

• Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’
• Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ 
• Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’ 
• Hypericum x ‘Blue Velvet’ 
• Lagerstromia indica x faueri hydrids. Examples: ‘Acoma’, ‘Hopi’, 'Nachez'

New Varieties to try in your Kentucky Garden

At every Land Grant Institution across the United States research is happening on many ideas, methods, crops, etc.  Here at the University of Kentucky researchers in the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture take a look annually at the best varieties for our home gardens and landscapes. On many of these they look at the yield, flavor, disease and insect resistance as well as a whole host of other attributes.  The following is a list of just a few of the varieties that warrant a trial at your place this year:

• Rabbiteye Blueberries varieties Powder Blue, Spartan, and Onslow
• Spring Turnip varieties Hakuri and Purple Crown
• Hardnecked Garlic variety Music
• Bell Peppers varieties Alliance, Archimedes X3R, and Lafayette
• Sweet Corn variety Obsession II (glyphosate resistant) 

For more information the varieties trialed this past year at the University of Kentucky take a look at the 2012 Fruit and Vegetable Research Report.

Living Simply: Getting Back to the Basics

Building on the popular series of classes from last year Dayna and I are introducing the new series for 2013 called Living Simply: Getting Back to Basics.  This year we will tag team each topic while sharing the how to do information as well as the why to do it information (nutritional info., cost saving info., etc.)  This series will be monthly on the third Thursday of the month beginning at 5:30pm.

• February 21: Nature’s Candy: Learn what fruits are best to grow in Nelson County, then learn about the benefits of eating these fruits and different ways to prepare them! 
• March 21: Gardeners and Grandkids: Want to spend more time with your grandkids? Grow a garden with them! Give your grandkids the memories of gardening with you.
• April 18: What’s In Your Pantry?: Learn the best beans to add to your garden, then how to make a meal with them and other staple items in your home.
• May 16: You Can Can!: Want the basics of home canning? We’ll give you all the answers!
• No Class in June
• July 18: Soap Making: Add some lavender plants to your garden and then make your own soap. Great to keep or give as gifts!
• August 15: Knead some bread?: Learn how to make your own bread and what grains to grow for it.
• No Class in September
• October 17: Meats 101: Learn the best cuts of meat, how to cook it, the nutrition of meat, and try a sampling!
• November 21: Turkey Day Preparation: Learn all about turkey safety, how to cook the bird and how to make side dishes big enough to feed your whole family! We’ll show you how to have the perfect, healthy holiday feast.