Center for Urban Agriculture – Page 20 – Empowering Georgia through UGA Extension

Hard Hats, Helmets, and Tree Care

March 15, 2017September 13, 2016 by Brian Maddy

Danger never takes a vacation:

OSHA requires that a protective hard hat is worn whenever you are working in an area where there is potential for injury to the head from falling objects. For tree care workers that means every time you get out of the truck. Tree workers are often hit on the side of the head (as well as the top) and would benefit from a helmet with side protection.

Q&A

How do I know if I have a safe helmet?

Look on the inside of the helmet. It should have the manufacturer’s name or ID, the date of manufacture, the type and class of helmet, head size and ANSI Z89.1-2014, Z89.1-2009 or Z89.1-2003.

The ANSI numbers mean it has met all the safety requirements for helmets.

What are those other markings?

– The hard hat can be reversed, worn backwards or forward.

HV – The hard hat meets all testing requirements of the standard for high visibility colors.

LT – Low temperature use.

HT – High temperature use.

Can I wear a cap, scarf, or liner in cold weather under the helmet?

Only liners specified by the manufacturer can be used. Check with the manufacturer.

Can you put decals or spray paint the helmet?

Generally, decals are not a problem, but spray paint or adhesives may degrade the plastic or hide defects in the helmet. Again, check with manufacturer.

Do hard hats wear out?

YES! Check hats daily for cracks, dents, penetration, plastic chip flakes, discoloration, and chalky appearance. Look at the liner. If it’s worn or broken it should be replaced immediately.

If a big branch falls on me, I’m going to die anyway, why bother with a hard hat?

Small branches fall too, chippers spit out objects, climbers drop tools, your workplace is full of hazards. In 2012, more than 65,000 cases involving days away from work occurred due to head injuries in the workplace (2015 edition of the National Safety Council chartbook “Injury Facts”). That same year, 1,020 workers died from head injuries sustained on the job. Only 1 in 65 died from a head injury, the 64 others got hurt. Bet they’re glad they had their hard hats on!

No doubt about it, hard hats prevent injuries and save lives!

Should I wear a hard hat if there is no apparent danger?

Yes. Wear it every time you get out of the truck. In your work environment, unexpected hazards are the norm. Your hard hat will defend you from sudden dangers, when you don’t have the time or space to move out of the way.

Are hard hats considered sexy?

Definitely…

Why you should wear a hard hat cutting down a tree

Want to see what happens to tree care workers who don’t wear a hard hat? OUCH!!!! Nigel needs more PPE!

Pesticide Waste Collection (Clean Day) Event

September 12, 2016September 12, 2016 by Greg Huber

The Georgia Dept. of Agriculture will host a Pesticide Waste Collection (Clean Day) event on September 30, 2106 at the Cordele State Farmers Market in Crisp County from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is excited to have the funding to support this excellent program as a benefit to all Georgia citizens and the environment. The collection day is open to all who would like to participate. Due to collection limits, pre-registration is required and must be completed by September 26, 2016. Additional information and registration forms can be found online at http://agr.georgia.gov/georgia-clean-day.aspx

Don’t leave pesticide waste sitting around in storage waiting for an accident or spill to happen, take advantage of this rare opportunity to dispose of pesticide waste safely and responsibly.

For more information, please contact:

Rick Hayes
Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 MLK Jr. Dr. Room 410
Atlanta, Ga. 30334
Office: 404-656-4958 Ext. 4113
E-Mail: ricky.hayes@agr.georgia.gov

Community Food Gardening in the Desert

September 7, 2016 by Becky Griffin

Less than 10 miles outside of Las Vegas’s famous strip is a community food garden. Vegas Roots is a garden in the desert. On a recent trip out west I thought it would be fun to visit a garden with very different growing conditions than what I was used to in Georgia. And, I was curious to know what they were growing in the desert!

The Climate

The climate in this area is hot in the summer, really HOT! In July and August it is not uncommon for temperatures to be over 110 degrees F. And, it is dry. The average rainfall is 4.17 inches; compare that to Georgia’s 55 inches. So, how does this garden grow? It grows pretty well!

Vegas Roots Community Garden was created six years ago. It is a multi-faceted space that contains plots for community members to rent, an area for children’s gardening, and rows for growing food that is donated to seniors and others in need. Volunteers are always welcome and the nearby casinos are very supportive of this space.

Growing Food in the Desert

If you are interested in renting a 5′ X 10′ plot the cost is $500 per year. The plots come with improved soil and a drip irrigation system installed. The irrigation is automated and most of the rent costs go to pay for water.

Irrigation systems are installed in all the gardening beds.

I visited this garden in early July and was surprised to see beautiful tomatoes and large squash fruits. With a climate so dry, Vegas Roots Community Garden does not have the fungal disease problems that we struggle with in Georgia. I got to eat juicy, ripe raspberries and saw apricot trees. Herbs were plentiful and sometimes the garden sells them to restaurants. My tour guide, Betty, says they will get burnout of plants later in the summer.

It turns out apricots grow fairly well in this desert garden.

I asked about pollinators and it turns out that there are native bees and other pollinating insects that pollinate the plants. The gardeners plant pollinator flowers to attract them, but pollination is not a problem. The garden does not allow pesticides.

Sunflowers help attract native pollinators.

The afternoon I was there a delegation from South Korea was due to visit the garden. It turns out those South Koreans are interested in setting up community gardens in their neighborhoods. Betty indicated that they often get visitors who are in town for the more famous Las Vegas sites.

Vegas Roots volunteer, Betty, is justifiably proud of the garden.

What a great treat to see such a lovely space. Thanks, Betty!

Happy Gardening!

Welcome to the UGA Saw Safety Series

June 7, 2017September 6, 2016 by Ellen Bauske

Danger never takes a vacation:

Great Video?

Greetings! Welcome to Saw Safety, a weekly newsletter of safety tips brought to you by the UGA Saw Safety Team. This newsletter is for professionals in tree care and landscape, men and women who put a saw in wood. One tip per week, short and sweet, easy to share, perfect for a tailgate meeting.

This video has been making the rounds online. What do you think? Missed the buildings, but from a safety perspective, it is hard to know where to begin. No Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), dangerous felling technique, potentially deadly escape route, and little control over the fall.

Felling Tree In Close Quarters

Next week, we will start with the PPE which you can plainly see on the ground (not on the fellers) in this video. Head, eye, ear, leg, and foot protection…

The Importance of Soil Temperatures in Your Garden

August 31, 2016 by Becky Griffin

It is the time of year when Georgia gardeners think about their Fall, cool-season gardens. Leafy greens like spinach, leaf lettuce, and kale are all popular cool-season crops. They don’t require the time necessary to make a “head”, you can eat the thinnings, and the varieties available are endless.

The Importance of Soil Temperatures in August — Lettuce in the Trustees Garden Savannah, Georgia

Often at the beginning of cool-season planting time, germination rates can be an issue. “I have purchased new spinach seed and my germination rate is only about 50%.” Or, “My arugula just did not come up at all.” The problem might not be the seed quality but the soil temperatures, especially in a hot summer like we have been experiencing. Seeds require a specific range of soil temperatures for best germination.

This chart from Cornell University shows optimum soil temperatures for germination of popular cool-season crops:

Crop	Soil Temperatures needed for Germination	Comments
Arugula	40 – 55° F	May fail to germinate in warm soils
Lettuce	40 – 85° F	Best germination below 70° F
Spinach	45 – 75° F	May fail to germinate in warm soils
Kale	45 – 85°F
Collard Greens	45 – 85°F
Mustard Greens	45 – 85°F

If soil temperatures are close to the range extremes, the germination rate will definitely be affected. These temperatures not only affect the germination rate but how quickly the seeds emerge. For example, at 50°F spinach seed can take as much as three weeks to emerge. At 70°F you could see emergence in just days.

Here are soil temperatures being reported by the University of Georgia Weather Network as of Tuesday, August 30th at 9:30 a.m.

Location	Soil Temperature at 2″ depth
Ellijay	73.5 °F
Dallas	79.6 °F
Jonesboro	77.3 °F
Statesboro	83.0 °F
Tifton	78.9 °F
Valdosta	80.4 °F

Using the information shown, gardeners will have a difficult time growing spinach at this time in most parts of Georgia.

The lesson, be patient and monitor your soil temperatures. Cool conditions are coming, I promise!

Happy Gardening!

August Gardening Chores for Your Georgia Garden

August 17, 2016 by Becky Griffin

It is hot but there is work to be done in the garden! According to UGA’s Vegetable Planting Calendar :

Plant the following no later than the dates given:
—August 18: Snap beans and Irish potatoes (seed can be sprouted two to three weeks before planting).
—August 31: Cucumbers and squash; plant varieties resistant to downy mildew.

In order to calculate the planting date, determine the frost date and count back the number of days to maturity plus 18 days for harvest of the crop. If snap beans mature in 55 days and your frost date is November 15, you should plant on or before September 3.

August Gardening Chores for Your Georgia Garden — Chamblee Senior Center Garden

Start plants for broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and onions in a half-shaded area for setting out in September.
Prepare soil for September to October plantings of “cool-season” crops. Apply fertilizer and prepare seeded so rains will settle the rows and make it easier to get seeds to germinate when they are planted.
If watering is necessary to get a stand, open the furrow for seed, pour in water, plant seed and cover. Use starter solution on the transplanted crops.
Water the garden as needed to prevent drought stress.

Beat Weeds While Feeding the Bees – A Guest Post by Josh Fuder

August 10, 2016 by Becky Griffin

We cannot learn enough about the usefulness of cover crops in your community or school garden. This week we are fortunate to have UGA Cherokee County Extension Agent Josh Fuder as a guest writer. He is teaching us about using Buckwheat as a summer cover crop. Josh writes:

Each year I start my garden with grand visions of endless bounty. Something happens around the first part of July though. I’ve gotten full of squash and cucumbers even had a few choice tomatoes; basically I get too full to keep up with the invading army of weeds and pests. The spring veggies are petering out as well as some of those early squash and cucumbers. Then there is the stifling heat and humidity that makes going out in the garden almost impossible before 7 p.m.

Well this year I have a plan keep those garden beds from turning into pasture. No, it’s not mountains of mulch or more hours with the hoe and tiller. Enter Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), buckwheat is an unusually fast-growing plant grown for its grain like seeds in commercial agriculture. In the home garden it is one of the best summer cover/green manure crops available.

Buckwheat Josh Fuder 3 — The strip on the far left was outside of my garden prior to this year and was just grass, clover and weeds. It was tilled and seed was broadcast on April 17th, 2016.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were some of the first American farmers to grow buckwheat as they recognized its benefit in a healthy crop rotation. Native to Russia the flexibility and adaptability led it to be grown on more than a million acres in the U.S. in the late 1800’s. The grain is ground into flour and used in a variety of foods from noodles in Japan to breakfast staples like cereal and pancakes in the U.S. I even had pillows made from buckwheat hulls when I lived in the tropical Pacific. The pillows are meant to be cooler on your head because of the increased space for air. I never got over the crinkling noise each time I would move however.

Planting Buckwheat

Buckwheat is easy to grow by simply broadcasting seeds and lightly raking them in. A pound of seed is recommended per 500 square feet of garden space or 3 ounces per 100 square feet. You can’t really put too much seed down and since you will usually have to buy it in bulk from a local feed store; better to err on the side of too much. Buckwheat does not require highly fertile soils but will benefit from modest levels of nitrogen. Its many fine roots are well adapted at finding lower levels of Phosphorous and when crop residues are returned to the soil it becomes more available for other plants.

Germination begins in about 3-4 days and within 10-14 days the ground should be fully covered with emerging leaves. This quick leaf cover will protect your soil from erosion, retain moisture and shade out those dastardly weed seeds. Now just sit back, drink some iced tea and wait for the best part which is the floral display that begins 3-4 weeks after planting. A large dense planting will literally stop traffic; my neighbors and passersby in my neighborhood have told me they always slow down to admire the five by hundred foot strip that I have along the road.

Same view on May 18th, 2016. Note the road on the left side of photo where neighbors slow down to take in the view.

Buckwheat Care

Resulting honey is dark colored and distinctly different in taste from clover or wildflower honey. The timing of flowering is also very beneficial to bees because the mid-summer is usually when there is less native forage available for bees.

Just remember that those prolific flowers that the bees are pollinating each turn into a seed if allowed to develop and dry on the plant. So if you do not want buckwheat carrying over into your next planting it is best to cut the plants or till them under 2-3 weeks after flowering. Some growers will cut it and leave the plant residue on the surface as mulch providing a pre-mulched area for new transplants.

Thank you Josh, for the information and photographs of your garden.

Happy Gardening!

Enjoying Your Fresh Tomatoes Vingenzo’s Style

August 3, 2016 by Becky Griffin

As gardeners we know that fresh is best. Not much beats a fresh tomato picked right from the garden. Chef Michael Bologna would agree with us. His restaurant, Vingenzo’s in Woodstock, Georgia, is based on freshness. And, he loves a really ripe, fresh tomato.

Enjoying Your Fresh Tomatoes Vingenzo's Style — Chef Michael Bologna leading a cooking class.

Located in downtown Woodstock Vingenzo’s has won many, many awards including one of Atlanta’s Top 50 restaurants (Atlanta Magazine 2012). The restaurant features traditional Southern Italian fare. Sausage, mozzarella, pasta, sauces, and desserts are made fresh on-site.

Chef Bologna comes from an Italian family and he is very, very passionate about food. He truly delights in seeing people enjoy his cooking. He also enjoys teaching others how to prepare wonderful, fresh meals.

Chef Bologna has been invited and cooked at the famed James Beard house – twice! Happily, he has agreed to share one of his favorite recipes with us. It features garden ripe tomatoes, something we all have a surplus of right now.

Chef Bologna’s Fresh Tomato Sauce

2 T olive oil

4 cloves garlic, sliced thin

1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered or 4 roma tomatoes, diced

4oz olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

5 fresh basil leaves

1. Heat 2T oil up until almost smoking.

2. Add garlic and stir.

3. When garlic just starts to show color add tomatoes and stir.

4. Simmer until juices are released from tomatoes and add 4oz olive oil.

5. Simmer for 10 minutes.

6. Remove from heat.

7. Season with salt and pepper and torn basil leaves.

8. Serve with spaghetti or angel hair pasta.

If you haven’t grown tomatoes before, this recipe alone should inspire you. You could try growing some late season tomatoes or visit your local farmer’s market.

Thank you, Chef Bologna, for sharing your talents with us. And just for you…

Buon giardinaggio! (translation: Happy Gardening!)

Your Garden Mission – Eliminate Squash Bug Eggs

July 27, 2016 by Becky Griffin

This week’s garden mission – eliminate squash bug eggs before they become squash bugs!

Scouting for pests in your garden on a regular basis is a MUST. Scouting alerts you to problems before they get out of hand. This time of the year as you scout among your squash plants you may see squash bug eggs. They are not too hard to spot and should be in a cluster:

Your Garden Mission - Eliminate Squash Bug Eggs — Squash bug eggs appear in a cluster.

If you find an egg cluster congratulate yourself because you can now stop this pest cycle. There are several ways to do this. You could remove this leaf. Or, flick the eggs off the leaf with your fingernail but you run the risk of just moving a viable egg that could eventually become a squash bug. There is an easy way to get rid of these eggs and keep the squash leaf intact.

First, cut a short length of tape. Clear packing tape seems to work very well:

Next, press the tape on top of the eggs. Press firmly and move the tape around a bit. The eggs stick to the tape:

Finally, remove the tape and fold it. Crush the eggs within the folded tape and your potential pest problem is removed. Notice the squash leaf is intact.

If you miss scouting and missed finding the squash eggs, the eggs hatch and these squash nymphs become squash bugs:

An easy chemical-free way to take care of your garden! For more information on growing squash successfully see UGA’s Home Garden Series: Homegrown Summer and Winter Squash.

Wishing you a squash bug-free garden.

Happy Gardening!

Tips for Managing Drought Stressed Turfgrass

July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 by Greg Huber

Turfgrass_Drought

Tips for Managing Drought Stressed Turfgrass

During periods of hot and dry weather, certain modifications to your lawn maintenance practices will help to carry your turfgrass through periods of inadequate rainfall and reduce losses. The height of the warm-season turfgrass growing season spans May through August. Given average conditions (regular rainfall and moderate temperatures), bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, centipedegrass, and other warm-season species respond quickly to cultural and maintenance practices such as mowing, fertilizing, aerating, topdressing, and weed management. However, the summer of 2016 has delivered hot and dry weather with less than normal rainfall. With August approaching, now is the time to fine tune your turf management program to salvage an acceptable appearance while minimizing growth until environmental factors improve.

The first order of business is to recognize moisture stress in turfgrasses in the early stages. Look for areas with a dull bluish-gray cast. Additionally, take note of footprints and tire tracks in the turf that do not seem to rebound.

Dr. Clint Waltz, UGA Extension Turfgrass Specialist, suggests these tips for managing turfgrass during drought periods:

Raise the cutting height within the recommended mowing range
Reduce fertilizer applications until conditions improve
Modify herbicide programs during high temperatures and moisture stress
Water deeply & Infrequently
Grasscycle
Use water conserving and drought tolerant turfgrasses

Raise the Cutting Height

Turfgrass stress can be reduced by using a sharp mower blade and raising the cutting height by 1/2″ or to the tallest allowable height of the recommended mowing range during drought. A clean cut also reduces moisture loss through wounds and minimizes entry points for disease. Taller shoots promote deeper roots and a dense canopy can help to reduce ground surface temperatures and conserve moisture. Grasscycling (mulching clippings versus bagging) can also help to conserve moisture.

Reduce Nitrogen Applications

Plant growth requires water. Without water, the benefits of nitrogen are not optimized and you may be wasting product. Promoting heavy top growth amidst drought conditions increases water demand. Reduce rates or postpone fertilizer applications until environmental conditions improve to fully realize the benefits of fertilizer while saving water and reducing turfgrass stress.

Modify Herbicide Programs During High Temperatures and Drought

Many herbicides act upon plant growth processes and can be less effective during periods of drought when weeds are not actively growing. In addition, certain herbicides may cause damage to drought-stressed turf or non-target landscape plants due to volatilization and drift during high temperatures. Review your pesticide labels for specific information regarding temperature requirements, watering requirements, and proper application.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

The optimum watering schedule can be roughly determined by observing the number of days that pass between signs of moisture stress. Apply sufficient water to saturate the root zone to a depth of 6-8 inches. Clay soils and sloped areas may require staggered watering intervals to allow time for water infiltration between cycles and prevent runoff. Irrigating in early morning conserves water by reducing evaporation and drift. A good practice is to align watering schedules with drought management rules so that in the event of a declared drought, the appropriate watering program is already in place. As of July 26, 2016 there are no official declarations of drought by state or local authorities in Georgia and responsible landscape and lawn watering may take place between the hours of 4:00pm and 10:00am in accordance with the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010. In the event that water resources require a drought response level 2, watering programs would need to be adjusted for the odd-even schedule by address.

Use Water Conserving and Drought Tolerant Turfgrass Cultivars

The University of Georgia Turfgrass breeding programs continue to make excellent strides in developing improved cultivars with low water use and high drought tolerance. For new installations or where turfgrass replacement is needed, look for improved certified cultivars such as TifTuf bermuda. Visit www.GeorgiaTurf.com for more information on selecting turfgrasses.

THE LOOK AHEAD: JULY & AUGUST

DATE:	TITLE	DESCRIPTION	DETAILS
July 27	UAC Industry Issues Lunch + Learn. Details & Registration	Beat the Heat and Earn 2 Category 24 GA Pesticide Recertification Credits or 1 Private	LOCATION: Snellings Walters Insurance Agency, 1117 Perimeter Center W, Atlanta GA 30338 TIME: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm COST: $20 for UAC members/$25 for visitors. Registration includes lunch.
August 4	UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day Details & Registration	Acres of Information & CEU Credits. Discover the latest turfgrass information, products, and equipment.	LOCATION: UGA-Griffin Campus 1109 Experiment Street Griffin, GA 30223 TIME: 8:00 am – 2:30 pm COST: Visit georgiaturf.com for Registration Details
August 9	Georgia Certified Plant Professional (Plant ID & Written Exams) Details & Registration	The Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture Offers Achievement, Advancement, & Credibility through Professional Certification.	LOCATION: Gwinnett Technical College 5150 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 TIME: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm COST: $165 For details, visit gcpp.info
August 31 – September 1	SEGreen Landscape & Plant Conference Details & Registration	See, hear, and make more green at SEGreen, the roadmap to the future for Southeast growers, landscapers, and retailers.	LOCATION: Athens Classic Center 300 N Thomas St, Athens, GA 30601 TIME: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm COST: For details, visit segreen.org
August 31 – September 1	(SEGreen Conf.) Georgia Certified Landscape Professional (Written & Hands-On Exams)Details & Registration	The Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture Offers Achievement, Advancement, & Credibility through Professional Certification.	LOCATION: Athens Classic Center 300 N Thomas St, Athens, GA 30601 TIME: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm COST: $165 For details, visit gcpp.info

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