Boone County CES

Title:

Improving Home Lawns, Landscapes, Flowers, Home Gardens, and Orchards

MAP:

Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness

Agents Involved:

David Koester

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Local Food Systems

Situation:

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, flower gardens, and want to grow their own fresh fruit, vegetables and culinary herbs at home. Extension. 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,home vegetable production, organic gardening, home fruit production and pruning, culinary herbs, and the beautification in the home landscape.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*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.

* 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.

* 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.

* A cleaner, safer, healthier environment will be the result of "going green", and less dependence on hazardous chemicals and their improper use on food crops. Less pollution of the air, water and soils will occur.

* 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.

* Less of the family food budget will be spent on purchased food, as more fresh produce is grown at home.

* Social and family interaction will involve more discussion and shared time relating to gardening activities.

* The health and general well-being of families and individuals will improve.

*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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*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.

Homeowners will use soil sample information to improve their gardens.

Practices:

* More families and individuals will start raising their own fresh produce and will think of gardening as (a) a hobby or a fun outdoor activity; (b) a means of staying healthy and getting some exercise, sunshine and fresh air; and (c) a source for much of their fresh produce for meals.

* Home gardeners will learn to safely apply and not over-apply all pesticides and fertilizers that are used, in order to protect themselves and their environment.

* No lime will be applied unless a soil test recommends it.

* Backyard gardeners will begin using more organic options for pest control.

* Gardeners will plant disease-resistant varieties which will require less pesticide application for quality crop production.

*Phosphorous will not be recommended if not required.  34-0-8 fertilizers

Initial Outcomes:

*Class participants will learn new tree planting and pruning skills.

*Backyard gardeners will learn the benefits of not catching grass clippings, 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.

KOSA:

* Backyard gardeners will learn the importance of pesticide safety, and will learn how to properly measure and apply pesticides.

* People will seek out organic spray options for pest control.

* Gardeners will learn that some diseases and insect pests are preventable simply by planting resistant varieties, or by properly managing the water, fertilizer, mulch, and other cultural growing conditions.

* Home fruit growers will learn the skills of properly pruning their fruit trees, bushes and vines to reduce disease and increase harvest.

* Class attendees will properly plant, fertilize, water and mulch their fruit, vegetable and herb crops for an abundant harvest.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will learn basic horticulture knowledge to apply into their own landscape. 

Indicator: Participants will begin to apply knowledge basic horticulture skills into their landscape. 

Method:  Post survey

Timeline: As programs occur

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:  Participants continue applying horticulture skills to their landscapes and lawns.

Method: Post survey 

Timeline: As programs occur

Long-term Outcome: 

Indicator:   Participants continue applying horticulture skills to their landscapes and began saving money.

Method: Post survey 

Timeline: As programs occur

Impact Indicators and outcome: Changes in home fruit pruning & pest control methods, leading to healthier fruit trees and vines, improved quality and quantity at harvest, and a safer environment.

Indicator: Healthier trees, less pesticide needed, more organic pest control methods used, & more abundant harvest of high-quality fruits.

Method: Follow-up written surveys after fruit care and pruning classes, asking questions about if and how they changed their pruning style, and what results were noted.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community members, home gardeners, hobby gardeners, Master Gardeners and Farmers Market growers interested in growing fruits and vegetables.

Project or Activity: Growing Fruit and Vegetable Programs 

Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn how to grow fruits and vegetables in Kentucky and the best selection of varieties. 

Inputs: Horticulture Agent and Horticulture Technicians, using researched-based information for the University of  Kentucky. 

Date: August  September2022  February 2023

Audience: Community members, home gardeners, hobby gardeners, Master Gardeners and Farmers Market growers interested in growing fruits and vegetables.

Project or Activity: Growing and Pruning of Tree Fruits and Small Fruits at Home 

Content or Curriculum: How to select resistant varieties, correctly plant, water fertilizer. prune and control pests and diseases to safely produce a high-quality produce at a reasonable cost, while protecting and conserving the environment. 

Inputs:Horticulture Agent and Horticulture Technicians, using researched-based information for the University of  Kentucky. 

Date:March 2023

Audience:Community members, home gardeners, hobby gardeners, Master Gardeners and Farmers Market growers interested in growing fruits and vegetables.

Project or Activity: Fruit grafting programs 

Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn how to successfully graft apple. peach and pear trees. 

Inputs:Horticulture Agent and Horticulture Technicians, using researched-based information for the University of  Kentucky. 

Date: February March 2023

Audience:Community members, home gardeners, hobby gardeners, Master Gardeners and Farmers Market growers interested in growing fruits and vegetables.

Project or Activity: Horticulture Demonstration Garden Programs 

Content or Curriculum: Tour the gardens, learn the varieties planted for the growing season, and explain the equipment used to help maintain the gardens. 

Inputs:Horticulture Agent and Horticulture Technicians, using researched-based information for the University of  Kentucky. 

Date: July, August September 2022  2023

Audience:Community members, home gardeners, hobby gardeners, Master Gardeners and Farmers Market growers interested in growing fruits and vegetables.

Project or Activity: Cut Flower Demonstrations 

Content or Curriculum: Using the Demonstration Gardens and teaching people how to grow their own cutting gardens  and design a simple bouquet. 

Inputs:Horticulture Agent and Horticulture Technicians, using researched-based information for the University of  Kentucky. 

Date: July, August, September, October 2022, 2023

Audience:

* Social media users visiting the BooneHortNews Facebook.

* Current and future Master Gardeners.

* Apartment dwellers interested in container gardening options.

* Retired individuals interested in gardening as a hobby.

* Organic and health-conscious individuals interested in food safety, benefits of fresh, home-grown produce, and conserving the environment.

 

Initial Outcome: Class participants will begin to consider changing what fruit and vegetable varieties they choose to plant, and will consider using correct methods of planting, fertilizing, fertilizing, mulching, watering, pruning and pest control in their home fruit and vegetable crops.

Indicator: Class follow-up surveys and home visits.

Method: Classes on "Introduction to Home Vegetable Gardening" and "Introduction to Home Fruit Production".

Timeline: January and February 2023

 

Intermediate Outcome: Class participants begin implementing practices learned in introductory classes.

Indicator: Follow-up surveys show that class participants have begun changing what fruit and vegetable varieties they choose to plant, and are beginning to start actually practicing correct methods of planting, fertilizing, fertilizing, mulching, watering, pruning and pest control in their home fruit and vegetable crops.

Indicator: Class follow-up surveys and home visits.

Method: Lectures and hands-on demonstration classes on proper pruning, mulching and pest control in fruit and vegetable crops.

Timeline: March, April 2023

 

Long-term Outcome: Class participants routinely practice recommended horticultural plant care methods, using recommended varieties and best management practices. Clientele share with others correct UK approved methods of plant care.

Indicator: Follow-up surveys and home visits. Knowledge of callers and walk-in clientele will increase.

Method: Fruit and vegetable classes, workshops and demos such as those listed below...

Timeline: October 2022 & May 2023

 

Audience: Home gardeners, hobby gardeners, Master Gardeners and Farmer's Market growers interested in extending their length of fall vegetable harvests.

Content or Curriculum: Participants will learn how to utilize, build and maintain low tunnels and raised beds to extend vegetable harvests into Nov/Dec.

Inputs: Horticulture Technicians with input and resources from U.K. Extension specialists.

Date: September 2022 2023

 

Activity: "Growing & Pruning Tree Fruits & Small Fruits at Home" class.

Content or Curriculum: How to select resistant varieties, correctly plant, water, fertilize, prune and control pests and diseases to safely produce high-quality produce at a reasonable cost, while all the while protecting and conserving the environment. Instructor: Horticulture Agent and Hort Technician, using research-based info from the Univ. of KY.

Date: March, 2023

 

Activity: "Home Vegetable Gardening and Organic Options" class.

Content or Curriculum: Class attendees will be taught the importance of selecting resistant varieties of vegetables, crop rotation, organic control methods, and the use of good cultural control and problem prevention by proper plant spacing, mulching, fertilizing, and control of weeds, insects and diseases. Instructor: Horticulture Agent and Hort Technician, using research-based info from the Univ. of KY.

Date: February 2023 

 

 

 

Success Stories