Friday, June 29, 2012

In Times of Drought

Dry summers are not that unusual in the Midwest, but this year's dry spell - and now drought in many areas - has come considerably earlier than usual. Summer is just now officially getting started!

Gardeners have a battle on their hands to keep plants healthy when extremely high temperatures are accompanied by lack of rain. During prolonged drought conditions, water restrictions or just limited ability to water to a huge number of plants, you may have to limit watering and prioritize which plants will be rescued - a bit of garden triage, so to speak.  <Read More>

In Times of Drought - Video

This video is a companion piece to the above article and features Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, covering some basics of helping your vegetable and landscape cope with the drought. 

Indiana Pesticide Clean Sweep Project

Again this year, the Office of the Indiana State Chemist's Pestcide Clean Sweep Project is offering pick-up locations around the state.  The project is designed to collect and dispose of suspended, canceled, banned, usuable, opened, unopened, or unwanted pestcide products.  These include weed killers, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, miticides, etc.  The pick-ups are intended for public and private schools, golf courses, nurseries, farmers, agricultural retailers, and municipalities.   

Locally, the pick-up location will be held August 9, 2012 at the Dubois County Fairgrounds just north of Bretzville, IN on SR 162, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EDT.

Participants are asked to complete and submit a planning form no later than Monday, July 30 in order to participate.  Pick-up locations may be canceled if there is not enough demand, so it is important to submit the planning form prior to attending. 

For more information, please see the flyer and planning form located on the OISC website or call (765) 494-1492.