Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Horticulture agents, headed by Andrea Stith and Amy Aldenderfer, started the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays as an alternative to in-person horticulture lessons.  The live webinars are Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. CT.  Utilizing a volunteer scheduling website, agents, specialists and other experts were recruited to present a 30 minute lesson to the general public, with time at the end for questions.  All the presentations are recorded, then posted to the Kentucky Hort News along with the slides, notes, a survey, and any other source materials that a viewer may need.  www.kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/

Advertising via social media and traditional media outlets by agents and specialists have garnered audiences in excess of 100 during the “shelter in place” order.  UK Ag Comminucations has also helped by providing an article, “Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays” bring spring into your home” (http://news.ca.uky.edu/article/%E2%80%9Chorticulture-webinar-wednesdays%E2%80%9D-bring-spring-your-home).

With thirteen session there have been 1,087 participants with between 80-140 attending each session.  The audience is composed of Master Gardeners achieving Continuing Education Credits, Extension personnel searching for in-service credit, Farmers fulfilling CAIP grant requirements, and others just learning something new for their own enjoyment.

At the time of this writing (June 2020) there have been thirteen (13) webinars, with more planned through September 2020.  The first 10 webinars attendees have been contacted to share their impressions and knowledge gained by participating in the webinars.  Their insights are as follows:

Backyard Black Raspberries with Shawn Wright, Horticulture Specialist at Robinson Station:

Participants: 124

Average duration of stay: 42.5 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 29

Things people learned: Varieties for Kentucky, how to care for plants, recommended fertility and pH levels, they are easy to grow, how to avoid pests and diseases.

60% of respondents have or are going to plant black raspberries. 

So, You Think You Want to be a Beekeeper with Lindie Huffman, Ag Agent, Pendleton County: 

Participants: 151

Average duration of stay: 44.5 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 39

Things people learned: more about bees, they are good pollinators, “I’m doing the right things with my hives”, different housing systems, how expensive and time comsuming it is to get started, “You need to order your bees in advance, between Dec- Feb. Have all your stuff ready so you can get them in the early spring when flowers and other plants start to bloom for them to gather pollen and nectar.”, “How pesticides might play a role in colony collapse disorder and how important it is to protect bees from exposure to pesticides in the garden.”, the importance of bees in our society.

10% of respondents have purchased equipment to begin beekeeping. 

Asparagus in the Home Garden with Sharon Flynt, Horticulture Agent, Scott County:

Participants: 319

Average duration of stay: 61.5 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 52

Things people learned: When and how to plant asparagus, there are male and female plants, when to harvest, use of foliage in flower arrangements, proper timing of fertilization, ease of care, 

27% of respondents have started growing asparagus.

78% stated they plan on growing asparagus next year.

Starting Composting at Home with Adam Leonberger, Horticulture Agent, Franklin County:

Participants: 264

Average duration of stay: 42.5 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 53

Things people learned: What is compost, how to create an active pile, different methods of composting, the keys to successful composting, and how easy it is to start.

81% stated they used their knowledge gain from the webinar to correct a problem with their own compost bin.

Your Lawn and Weed Management with Andy Rideout, Horticulture Agent, Henderson County:

Participants: 150

Average duration of stay: 54 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 42

Things people learned: the importance of mowing height, how to mow, proper fertilization timing and amount, adjusting turf expectations, weed identification, “I was doing the right things!”, proper seeding times, SOIL TESTING, timing of weed control, 

87% of respondents have raised their mowing height.

70% stated they plan on taking a soil test and following the recommendations.

Insects in the Garden with Sarah Stolz, Horticulture Agent, Campbell County:

Participants: 145

Average duration of stay: 59 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 55

Things people learned: The difference between good and bad insects, importance of crop rotation, use chemicals as a last resort, Extension will help with identifying insects, the best time to use insecticide, Not all insects are bad, keeping weeds out to reduce insects, the life cycle of an insect.

92% stated they can identify insects in their garden.

89% reported that they used an IPM Principle (Maintain garden hygiene, Rotate crops, Build soil health, Use pest- and disease-resistant varieties, Learn pest emergence times and habits, Use inter-planting and companion planting, Use biological controls, Use physical controls) in their garden.

Beginning Vegetable Gardening with Andrea Stith, Horticulture Agent, Barren County:

Participants: 179

Average duration of stay: 50 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 64

Things people learned: Crop rotation, plan your garden for ease of management, bigger is not always better, best weed control practices, easy-to-grow vegetables, what to direct seed vs. transplant, SOIL TEST, Finding ID-128: Home Vegetable Gardening, proper planting times, anyone can start a garden, crop rotation, keeping a record of planting locations, 

89% stated they have started a vegetable garden this year or revived a lagging one.

63% of respondents have watered their gardens when needed and at the right amount.

58% have controlled the weeds to reduce pests and diseases.

Perennials for Late Summer and Fall Color with Dennis Morgeson, Horticulture Agent, Washington County:

Participants: 150

Average duration of stay: 62 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 45

Things people learned: several plants that were unfamiliar, new varieties of old favorites, watering when transplanting perennials, deadheading to promote bloom, pruning to stagger blooms (extending bloom time), too many things to remember.

72% stated they have planted a perennial from the list of fall-blooming plants.

46% have planted a perennial for fall foliage.

Herb Gardening with Macy Fawn, Horticulture Agent, Mason County:

Participants: 122

Average duration of stay: 44.5 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 49

Things people learned: uses for the different herbs, herbs are an important part of the garden, herbs may help with insect control, how to preserve herbs, how easy they are to grow. 

74% of respondents stated they planted herbs in their garden this year.

45% have preserved their home-grown herbs for later use.

56% are using their herbs fresh.

Extending Vegetable Gardening into the Fall with Annette Heisdorfer, Horticulture Agent, Davies County:

Participants: 91

Average duration of stay: 42.6 minutes

Follow up survey participants: 49

Things people learned: there is a fall growing season, when to plant for fall harvest, what plants will grow in a fall garden, using season extenders, when to spray fungicides, there are some great fall crops, rotational planting, 

78% stated they are going to try planting a second crop to harvest in the fall.

97% of respondents are going to plant cool season crops to extend their gardening season.