MADISON COUNTY —
As spring approaches, many homeowners begin to think about their yard’s landscape. The winter months can be damaging to trees and shrubs. To ensure healthy spring plants, homeowners may want to prune the trees and shrubs around their home. But do not just prune for the sake of pruning, make sure you have a valid reason for pruning before you begin.
Pruning during the late winter months allows for the removal of damage caused by winter winds and precipitation. The wounds caused by pruning heal most quickly this time of year just as new growth is emerging on the plant. Pruning also allows removal of diseased, crowded or hazardous branches. When pruning trees, the size of the tree does not need to be reduced too much in one season. Limit the pruning amount to one-fourth of the tree’s volume. Start by thinning out branches by cutting them off close to the tree’s trunk or a large limb.
If you have a plant that has grown out-of-bounds, pruning may not be the answer — you may need to consider replacing the plant with one that will reach a smaller size at maturity.
Leave the base of the branch, known as the collar, intact. Cutting the collar will prevent the plant from growing over the wound caused from pruning. Pruning in this manner allows for a healthy tree that is more open to sunlight and air movement. Do not seal or paint the wounds resulting from pruning because this will only delay the tree’s healing.
With spring-flowering shrubs, rejuvenation pruning may be needed. The best time to prune these plants is right after they have flowered. If the shrub is pruned before it blooms, the buds have been removed before their flowers were enjoyed.
Pruning is not limited to a certain time of year. Homeowners can prune at any time if they notice branches and limbs that are damaged either from weather, disease or insects.
Don’t forget about the “The Grass is Greener” lawn care class next week here at the Madison County Extension Office at from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. It is nearly time to start getting our lawns ready for spring and summer! Also there will be a meeting 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, of the Madison County Farmers’ Market at the Madison County Extension Office. If you have questions, please call 859-623-4072.
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
Lifestyles & Community
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Amanda Sears
Tips for winter and early spring pruning
Spring
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Father/Daughter Dance is June 14 at RAAC
Dads and daughters will take to the dance floor Friday, June 14, for the second annual Father/Daughter Dance to benefit the Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Program.
The ball will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Area Arts Center, 399 W. Water St. -
Disease, thieves were all part of life on the farm
Wm. Hensley and Nora Whitaker moved to Maple Grove Road when their daughter, Zona, was 5 years old. They raised hogs, turkeys, chickens and tobacco on their farm.
Zona grew up and married Wm. Mack Ross. And they were blessed with two daughters, Edith Mae and Etta Marie.
In 1918, a flu epidemic came across the land, and Mack took sick and died leaving, Zona with the two young girls to raise. They moved from Paige Hill to Maple Grove to live with Hensley and Nora, her parents. -
Rain, hot weather will make lawns, gardens grow
Hello from Baldwin:
How is everyone's week going? I hope everyone is having a great one.
We finally got some hot and dry weather, then some storms and more rain. That will make the your yards and gardens grow. -
Freedom Rally June 1 in front of the courthouse
Observance of Memorial Day began after the Civil War, but the poet Joyce Kilmer wrote these lines as he served in another great conflict, World War I. His words were more than poetic, they were just and honorable. Kilmer is best known for writing “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree.” He was killed in the Second Battle of the Marne.
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Bookmobile coming to Union City this summer
Union City Day was Saturday. The threat of rain discouraged some yard sale participation but overall it was a good day. Fundraising activities by the club raised more than expenses, so that is good news.
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My heart is crying for Oklahoma
Hello readers, what a wonderfully blessed day we are having here in Paint Lick, Ky.
Not much is happening this Tuesday morning other than most are now aware with the storms headed our way. The weather people say it should smooth out some before it gets to our area, but it’s always smart to be prepared. -
Clothing Closet open this Saturday
Hello everyone. This weekend will be a little less busy with events at the churches and the community center, however we still have the Clothing Closet open this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. They want to see people in need stop by. That is their goal to help others.
Susie will not be having their fish fry till May 31. This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. So mark your calendar for next Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Enjoy your family this weekend. -
Veterans News
The Madison County Veterans invite the veterans and citizens of Madison County to join us in paying respects to our service men and women (past and present) starting at 10 a.m. Monday at the back gate of the Richmond Cemetery, followed by Madison Memorial Gardens at noon. Guest speaker at this year's memorial event will be U.S. Rep. Andy Barr.
Flags will be placed for our service men/women starting Saturday at 8 a.m. at Madison Memorial Gardens and starting at the back gate of Richmond Cemetery. All volunteers are welcome. A special thank you to Memorial Gardens for the gracious donation of flags to be placed at Richmond Cemetery. -
Gone in the blink of an eye
Hi!
One more day of school — yippee!! It sure has felt like summer the past few days, hasn't it? I hope our showers/ storms predicted for today aren’t in the severe category. The folks in Oklahoma have had a tough time of it lately (our prayers are certainly with them).
Can you believe this is Memorial Day weekend? Where did the month of May go -- it was here and gone in the blink of an eye it seems.
Representatives of the Flatwoods Cemetery Association Inc. will be set up at the entrance to the cemetery with ballots for upcoming Board of Directors. Just stop by, mark your ballot and drop same in the ballot box and we'll let you know the names of the 2013-2014 Board members. -
Try these ‘crocking good’ foods
Crock pots are amazing. A crock pot is worth purchasing if you are like myself always on the go.
You can make anything in it, from desserts to breakfast foods, not just stews and soups. The other side of using one is PATIENCE, and a time for preplanning. If you use your time wisely, your crock pot will make your meal planning easier. - More Lifestyles & Community Headlines
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