Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Home Lawns, Landscapes & Flowers
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
David Koester, Gina Ligon, Rex McBride
Home & Consumer Horticulture
About 150-200 new home owners move into Boone County every month. Surveys have shown that most of these people are interested in establishing or improving their lawn, landscape and flower gardens. Master Gardeners and other people attending Extension workshops have indicated a keen interest in ornamental horticulture classes. The Boone County Horticulture Advisory Committee has suggested numerous classes and workshops on annuals, perennials, landscape trees, shrubs, lawn and landscape pest control with reduced pesticides, landscape design, and lawn establishment and care.
*Environmental conditions (soil, air and water) will improve as homeowners and hobby gardeners implement best management practices, stop applying excessive fertilizers, lime and pesticides, and put into practice more environmental conservation practices.
* The environment will become cleaner, safer and healthier as homeowners are educated regarding proper pesticide selection and use on lawns and landscapes to prevent pesticide drift, soil and water contamination, and the over-use of pesticides in general.
* Communities and environment will improve as individuals adopt environmental conservation practices to conserve soil, clean air and water, such as mulching, composting, recycling, soil testing, rain gardens, rain barrels, using cover crops, organic pesticides (when effective), etc.
* Property values and real estate values will increase as residential landscapes and communities are beautified and enhanced by new plantings of superior, colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees, and as lawns are improved as well. Property values will increase in response to proper tree pruning, correct lawn and landscape fertilizing, mowing, pest and disease control, mulching and planting techniques, resulting in healthier, faster-growing, longer-lived trees, shrubs and ornamental flowers in home and commercial landscapes.
*Extension horticulture class participants and backyard gardeners will realize significant financial saving or gain, increased profits or a higher standard of living resulting from implementing Extension horticulture recommendations, as they learn how to be more efficient, acquire specific job skills or even a better job, lower their energy consumption, conserve and become better managers of their resources. Those doing their own home landscaping, lawn care and gardening will save money by learning to better manage their plants and thereby reduce the need for some of the costly pesticides, and by not applying un-needed lime and fertilizers, based on soil test results.
*Participants' personal and professional lives, and the community at large will be enhanced as individuals gain decision-making skills, life skills, problem-solving skills, improved communication and leadership skills as they grow in knowledge and confidence, and as they take a more active role in addressing significant community issues and as they offer more volunteer service to the community.
*Communities will become healthier and safer as individuals realize personal health benefits (i.e., stress relief, locally growing and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, personal weight loss when needed, better overall health, more personal satisfaction in life, etc.) due to working with plants, gardening, observing nature, enhancing and beautifying the environment, finding a fulfilling job they enjoy, and implementing safer practices relating to the use of equipment and pesticides. More people will receive health benefits such as weight loss and stress relief as they get more outdoor exercise, fresh air and sunshine from working in their own lawn, landscape and flower beds as a pleasant pastime or hobby.
*Backyard gardeners will stop over-applying pesticides, lime and fertilizer in relation to protecting the environment (soil, air and water).
*Clientele will plant better, varieties of landscape trees, shrubs, flowers and turfgrass which are more resistant to clay soil, drought, insects and diseases. These outstanding plants will create a more beautiful landscape, which will enhance property values.
*Class attendees will practice proper cultural care of plants in their home landscape (proper planting, pruning, mulching, watering and mowing) to decrease the need for chemical sprays of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, thus saving them money and improving the environment.
*Gardeners will change how they plant, prune, mulch, water and control pests on their trees and shrubs, resulting in healthier, showier plants. More organic controls will be used.
*Home owners will stop catching grass clippings, and will thereby realize the need for less lawn fertilizer, which will save them money.
*Class participants will learn new tree planting and pruning skills.
*Backyard gardeners will learn the benefits of not catching grass clippings, not using "tree paint" or "wound dressing", not planting too deep, not mulching too deep, not over-watering, not applying excess fertilizer or pesticides, and planting the right plant in the right place.
*Students will learn how to properly seed, mow and fertilize a lawn, how to select the best plant varieties, and what month is the best time to do certain plant care practices such as planting, mulching, fertilizing, pruning, and deadheading of flowers.
(One indicator for each of the desired outcomes below will be the input from the Horticulture Advisory Council, who, after attending these classes, is able to provide input as to their effectiveness in educating the public.)
Outcome #1: Home gardeners will stop applying lime, phosphorus and potassium unless a soil test reveals the need for these to be applied to the soil. More people will also begin applying their own fertilizers and sprays rather than paying someone else to do it.
Indicator: (a) the percentage of lawn and landscape soil test results with a soil pH over the desirable limit of pH 6.7 will go below the present level of 67%, as fewer people over-apply lime to soils that don't need it; (b) at least 25 percent of class participants will change how they plant, water, fertilize, mulch, prune, or control pests and diseases due to information learned in Extension classes; and (c) at least 25 percent of attendees will select and plant varieties recommended in the classes.
(d) Indicators of biological health in local streams will improve, resulting in a higher grade on the annual "Boone County Stream-water Quality Report Card", prepared by the Gunpowder Creek Watershed Initiative and the Kentucky Division of Water.
Method: Written evaluations: one as they leave the class; another several weeks later to note practice changes. Also, a mail-in survey after they do a soil test, to see what changes were made in response to soil test results.
Timeline: one as they leave the class; another several weeks later to note practice changes.
Outcome #2: Home gardeners will select and plant University of Kentucky Extension recommended varieties of lawn grasses, landscape trees, shrubs and flowers which are resistant to disease, insects, drought, clay soils, and weather extremes encountered in northern Kentucky.
Indicator: (a) Healthier, plants that live longer and perform well where planted;(b) class participants will be asked if they have made these changes in selecting and caring for their plants. Master Gardeners will be tested to determine their level of understanding; and (c)Indicators of biological health will improve in local streams, resulting in a higher grade on the annual "Boone County Stream-water Quality Report Card", prepared by the Gunpowder Creek Watershed Initiative and the Kentucky Division of Water.
Method: Written evaluations. Also, analyze the annual "Report Card" for local streams put out by the KY. Division of Water.
Timeline: One evaluation at the end of the class; another several weeks later to note practice changes implemented.
Outcome #3: Home gardeners will change how they plant, prune, water, mulch, and fertilize their landscape and ornamental plants, and they will change how and when they sow their grass seed for lawns. They will maintain plants in accordance with U.K. Extension guidelines.
Indicator: (a) Healthier, showier plants that live longer and perform well where planted;(b) class participants will be asked if they have made these changes in selecting and caring for their plants. Master Gardeners will be tested to determine their level of understanding; and (c)Indicators of biological health will improve in local streams, resulting in a higher grade on the annual "Boone County Stream-water Quality Report Card", prepared by the Gunpowder Creek Watershed Initiative and the Kentucky Division of Water.
Method: Written evaluations. Also, analyze the annual "Report Card" for local streams put out by the KY. Division of Water.
Timeline: One evaluation at the end of the class; another several weeks later to note practice changes implemented.
Outcome #4: Home gardeners will change how they control insects, diseases and weeds in their home lawns, flower gardens and landscapes. They will follow university guidelines for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and they will utilize sustainable, environmentally-friendly methods of pest control. Gardeners will begin composting, using low-input spray programs or organic gardening options for pest control, will use rain barrels and other conservation and preservation techniques, and will maintain plants in accordance with U.K. Extension guidelines.
Indicator: (a) Healthier, plants that live longer and perform well where planted;(b) class participants will be asked if they have made these changes in selecting and caring for their plants. Master Gardeners will be tested to determine their level of understanding; and (c)Indicators of biological health will improve in local streams, resulting in a higher grade on the annual "Boone County Stream-water Quality Report Card", prepared by the Gunpowder Creek Watershed Initiative and the Kentucky Division of Water.
Method: Written evaluations. Also, analyze the annual "Report Card" for local streams put out by the KY. Division of Water.
Timeline: One evaluation at the end of the class; another several weeks later to note practice changes implemented.
Audience for these learning opportunities:
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience:
*Backyard gardeners and plant hobbyists.
*Facebook users visiting the BooneHortNews
*Current and future Master Gardeners.
*"Friends of Boone Co. Arboretum" members.
*Native plant enthusiasts.
*Homemakers.
*Apartment dwellers looking for container planting options.
*The retired community.
*New residents and those moving into new homes.
*Those in residential neighborhoods and subdivisions.
*Youth in elementary schools (not just those in 4-H).
* Minority residents as well as transient
Education:
Audience: Garden club members, retired individuals, housewives, Master Gardeners, lawn enthusiasts, tree and flower enthusiasts, "Green Industry" reps, and "Friends of Boone Co. Arboretum", plus users of BooneHortNews Facebook site.
Project or Activity: Home Lawn Care class
Content or Curriculum: How to select the best lawn grass varieties, properly seed, over-seed, fertilize, water, mow, and prevent lawn diseases, grubs, moles, etc.
Inputs: Instructor: Horticulture Agent; Resources: Extension literature on the topic, input from U.K. Extension Specialists, and local research and experience base.
Date: Aug/Sept of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020
Audience: as above, plus home gardeners and woodland owners interested in learning to identify the trees and shrubs on their property or those they may wish to plant.
Project or Activity: Fall Woods & Wildflowers Walk, through the woods of the Extension Nature Center. (RM)
Content or Curriculum: Leaders will teach ways to remember the names of various trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers.
Inputs: Instructor: Extension Horticulture Technician, NRCS rep, and Arboretum Director; Resources: Extension literature on the topic, input from U.K. Extension Specialists, and local research and experience base, including arboretum trials.
Date: September, October 2017 and repeat each year in early fall
Audience: as above, plus home gardeners interested in fall/winter care for their trees, shrubs and perennial flowers.
Project or Activity: Class on "Putting Your Landscape to Bed for Winter"
Content or Curriculum: Focus on preparing plants for winter.
Inputs: Instructor: Extension Horticulture Technician(s); Resources: Extension literature on the topic, input from U.K. Extension Specialists, and local research and experience base, including arboretum trials.
Date: October, November 2017 and October of alternate future years.
Audience: 1st-6th grade school children and their teachers
Activity: "Youth Field Trips to the Arboretum".
Content or Curriculum: Outdoor nature walks designed to help children (1st through 6th grades) gain an appreciation for nature and trees in their natural environment. Tour guides: Hort technician, Arboretum Director and four arboretum volunteers/Master Gardeners.
Date: July/August, 2017, plus April-June, 2018, and subsequent years as requested by schools
AUDIENCE FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING CLASSES WILL BE "HOME GARDENERS AND APARTMENT DWELLERS INTERESTED IN LANDSCAPING WITH TREES, SHRUBS AND FLOWERS"...
Activity: "Arboretum Fall Plant Sale".
Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn which trees, shrubs and flowers will work well in specific sites, such as shade, slopes, wet areas or heavy clay soil. Plants will be on hand for teaching purposed, and participants may also buy the plants for their own home landscape plantings.
Instructors: Hort Agent, Arboretum Staff, Arboretum Friends volunteers and Master Gardeners.
Date: September, 2017 and each fall thereafter
Activity: "Learning Your Trees & Shrubs" and "Children's Center" during "Arbor Day" activities.
Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn to recognize, identify, appreciate and care a wide collection of colorful trees and shrubs for home or commercial landscapes. Introduce children to trees and shrubs
Instructor: Hort Agent., Extension Staff
Date: Arbor Day, April, 2018 and subsequent years on or around Arbor Day
Activity: "Wednesday Walks" Tree & Shrub Identification Walks at the Boone County Arboretum.
Content or Curriculum: Help participants learn to identify and care for various native and non-native trees and shrubs. Geared toward adults.
Instructor: Hort Tech, Arboretum Director and staff.
Dates: July, August, September, and October, 2017, plus monthly walks in May/June, 2018. Plan to continue in future years.
Activity: "Trees, Shrubs, Annuals & Perennials"
Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn how to identify, select and care for various showy plants for their home landscapes.
Instructors: Hort Agent, and an extension hort technician.
Dates: March, April and May, 2018
Activity: "Caring for Trees & Shrubs in the Landscape"
Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn how to identify and correctly plant, mulch, stake, fertilize, water, prune and control insects and diseases on various landscape trees and shrubs to enhance property values and aesthetics.
Instructors: Hort Agent, and an extension hort technician.
Date: April, May, 2018
Activity: "Growing & Using Herbs" class.
Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn how to select, plant, harvest, dry and utilize herbs in their flower beds, in containers, and in their cooking.
Instructor: Hort Tech
Date: Spring/Summer, 2018
Activity: "Horticulture Kids Camp" series
Content or Curriculum: Children ages 7-11 will learn hands-on all about trees, shrubs, flowers and insects, plus how plants work.
Instructor: Gina Ligon, Hort Tech.
Date: July 2017
Activity: "Arboretum Autumn Affair" educational fund-raiser event and opportunity to buy rare plants.
Content: educational fund-raiser event and opportunity to buy rare plants.
Instructor: Hort Agent, Hort Tech, Arboretum "Friends" volunteers, and arboretum staff
Date: October, 2017
