CCD-CP-27: Cool-season Forage Grasses: Tall Fescue, Orchardgrass, Bluegrass, and Timothy

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 5, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Tall fescue, orchardgrass, bluegrass, and timothy are the dominant forage grasses in Kentucky. They have potential for the cash hay market and for intensive grazing. Significant price premiums may be possible for high-quality hay. Timothy hay, either alone or in mixtures with alfalfa, is much desired by horse owners. Historically, timothy has been an important seed crop in Kentucky; however, at present only a small acreage of timothy is grown for seed.

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CCD-CP-31: Grain Sorghum

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 1, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), commonly called "milo," is used primarily as a feed grain for livestock. Sorghum stubble makes excellent roughage following harvest and can be used for pasture. Grain sorghum can also be made into silage, although sorghum/sudangrass hybrids are more commonly used for this purpose.

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PPFS-VG-15: Tomato Wilt Problems

Kenny Seebold | May. 1, 2014 (New)

Fusarium and Verticillium wilts are two fungal diseases that cause similar wilts in tomato. Fusarium wilt tends to be more common during warm weather, while Verticillium wilt is found more often when temperatures are cool. Both diseases share similar symptoms and can be hard to tell apart visually; laboratory tests are often needed for an accurate diagnosis.

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PPFS-OR-W-19: Transplant Shock: Disease or Cultural Problem?

Cheryl Kaiser, Mike Klahr, Nicole Gauthier | May. 1, 2014 (New)

When trees and shrubs are moved from one growing site to another (e.g. from nursery to landscape), they endure stress. If care is taken to minimize stress through proper transplanting techniques and maintenance, plants are likely to recover rapidly and become well-established in their new sites. Unfortunately, the opposite usually occurs.

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CCD-CP-64: Poinsettias

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 1, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are subtropical plants which originated in Mexico and Guatemala. In their native climate, poinsettias are small woody shrubs that may reach a height of over 10 feet. In the U.S. poinsettias are grown as indoor potted plants popular at Christmas time. While the showy bracts are suggestive of flower petals, they are really modified leaves. The actual poinsettia flowers are less conspicuous by comparison, forming a yellow to red cluster in the center of the bracts.

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ID-21: Disease and Insect Control Program for Home Grown Fruit in Kentucky

Ric Bessin, Rick Durham, John Strang, Nicole Gauthier | Apr. 29, 2014 (Reprinted)

Many homeowners in Kentucky grow a variety of fruits in their garden and are rewarded for their effort. One distinct advantage homeowners have over commercial orchardists is the diverse ecosystem of the home landscape (vegetable gardens, flower and fruit plantings intermixed with turf and landscape plants). Diversity often reduces the spread of insect and disease organisms and tends to keep their populations at lower, more manageable levels.

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CCD-CP-72: Ornamental Corn

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 24, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Ornamental corn (Zea mays) production currently represents a new crop for Kentucky, in terms of limited University of Kentucky research. There are many kinds of ornamental corn, varying in ear size, kernel color, husk, and stalk color. Some cultivars have red or purple stalks and leaves that are sold for decorative purposes.

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CCD-SP-10: Organic Certification Process

Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 14, 2014 (Minor Revision)

Growers who plan to market their agricultural products as "organic" or "certified organic" must first be certified by a USDA accredited certifier. Certification, required by federal regulation, provides third party verification that the grower is complying with production standards regulated by the National Organic Program (NOP). Annual inspections and detailed record keeping are required for continuing certification. These strict regulations are meant to protect consumers by ensuring that all organic producers are adhering to the same set of uniform standards.

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CCD-CP-61: High Tunnel Strawberries

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 4, 2014 (Minor Revision)

High tunnels are relatively simple polyethylene-covered unheated structures placed over irrigated ground beds. Also known as hoop houses, high tunnels can be used to extend the production season of a wide variety of crops in Kentucky, including strawberries. A plasticulture system with drip irrigation is recommended when using high tunnels for strawberry production.

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CCD-CP-36: Millet

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Mar. 7, 2014 (Minor Revision)

"Millet" is a name that has been applied to several different annual summer grasses used for hay, pasture, silage, and grain. The millets most commonly cultivated in Kentucky, pearl millet and foxtail millet, are grown primarily as a forage for temporary pasture. If properly managed, these millets can provide high yields of good quality forage in a short period, without the risk of prussic acid poisoning.