Garden Minute - Soil Solarization

Feb. 4, 2019 

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

Soil Solarization is a process that uses clear plastic mulch that is effective in controlling soil-born pathogens and insects without the use of chemicals or herbicides prior to planting. The plastic sheets allow the sun's radiant energy to be trapped in the soil, heating the upper levels that kill many disease-causing organisms such as insects, nematodes, and weed seeds. 

To use solarization gardeners should us clear plastic sheeting of 1.5 mils or greater. The plastic sheet should be placed over a moist area with the edges weighted by soil or rocks during late spring or when outside temperatures reach 75 degrees or greater. Leave the plastic for about four weeks. 

The heating effects of soil solarization is the greatest at the surface of the soil and decreases with depth. The maximum temperature of soil solarized is usually from 108° to 131°F at a depth of 2 inches and from 90° to 99°F at 18 inches. Control of soil pests is usually best in the upper 4 to 12 inches.

Most beneficial insects such as earthworm will travel deeper or move out of the area. This technique can also be used on firewood and compost piles to the kill unwanted pests. It is more applicable on small gardens but can be used in between rows on furrow applications.

For more information about soil solarization please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.

(Adapted from UC Davis Publication 21377 – Soil Solorization)

Garden Minute - Pocket Gopher Control

Pocket Gopher Control - January 22, 2019

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

Pocket gophers are common here in Quay County and are damaging to crops and vegetable gardens. They can chew up underground electric lines, water lines, and make unsightly mounds in lawns and gardens.

Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents, named because they have fur-lined cheek pouches on either side of their mouth in which they carry food. Their diet consists of forbs, grasses, shrubs, and even small trees.

Pocket gophers can be identified by the soil mounds they leave on the surface of the ground. The mounds are usually fan-shaped, and the tunnel entrances are plugged, keeping intruders out of their burrows. These gophers are often confused with other rodents like ground squirrels and prairie dogs. 

Pocket gophers are not protected in New Mexico by federal or state law. Controlling Pocket gophers can be problematic because of their vast tunneling systems. Trapping is a good way to control gophers on small areas. Toxicants and fumigants can also be used but must be placed in their tunnel systems. Many are restricted use and the user should read and follow the directions carefully. 

Pocket gophers can also be beneficial in certain areas and can increased soil fertility, increased soil aeration, and decreased soil compaction. So control should be considered on a case by case basis. 

For more information about pocket gopher control please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.

(Adapted from NMSU Guild L-109- Controlling Pocket Gophers in New Mexico)

Quay County AI School

NMSU Quay County Extension will be hosting a AI School for beef producers February 26th and 27th, 2019 at the Tucumcari Convention Center. Space is limited so RSVP to the office at 575-461-0562. Cost is $75. This is a Non-Certified course.

Garden Minute 12-14-18

Garden Minute - Caring for Your Christmas Tree

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

It’s that time of year again to get a Christmas tree. Christmas trees can be a fun and decorative addition to the holiday season but they can also dry out and become potential fire hazards if not properly cared for.

When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water. With proper care, you can maintain the quality of your tree. The most effective way to display your tree is in a traditional reservoir type stand which will maintain its freshness and minimizing needle loss problems. 

Use a stand that fits your tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.

Make a fresh cut to remove about a 1/2-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. The tree should be mounted within 8 hours of the cut.

Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. Keep trees away from major sources of heat and do not overload electrical circuits and Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.

If you are interested in learning more about Christmas tree care please contact us at the Cooperative Extension Office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where are programs are open to everyone.

Garden Minute - Mistletoe 12-12-2017

December 12, 2017

This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.

So you found some real mistletoe for the holidays. Did you know that true mistletoe is poisonous and is a parasite? Mistletoe is easy to see this time of year because it is the only thing green on deciduous trees. Its berries are poisonous and should not be eaten.  

Several types of mistletoe are found here in New Mexico with the most common one being leafy mistletoe. Mistletoe sinks its roots called haustria, under the bark of the tree and is impossible to get rid of. It is able to photosynthesize to make its own food, but it depends on the host tree for water and nutrients.

You can pick mistletoe off the tree to reduce the infestation by reducing the seed source which will prevent the spread of mistletoe.  However the roots will remain active and produce more mistletoe next year.

Pruning the mistletoe out of the tree is the only real cure. To prune the mistletoe, cut at least one foot below the mistletoe or where the bark swells. The branch will need to be disposed of properly. If the mistletoe grows from the trunk of the tree, the whole tree may need to be removed.

If you would like more information about mistletoe please contact the Extension office at 461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County Ag. Extension Agent. Where our programs are open to everyone and Happy holidays from all of us at the Quay County Extension office.