Ohio Farm Bureau hosts statewide CAUV update webinar
The Statewide CAUV Update Webinar explained more about the recent changes in CAUV and what could be next for the program. Watch the recording.
Read MoreIn real estate — and home gardening — one thing to remember is location, location, location.
The ideal garden spot offers all-day full sun, well-draining but moisture-retentive soil and easy access to the hose for the inevitable dry spells.
Just as important are following some basic practices to ensure good soil health and creative thinking to transform less-than-perfect places into productive locations.
Once you find that sweet spot for tomatoes and other favorites, it seems reasonable to grow them there again and again. It is possible to reap repeated success, but most likely, the sweet spot will sour and produce wimpier plants, while pesky bugs and plant diseases increase.
“You have to rotate things,” said Robin Gorrell, an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Seneca County. Pest populations can build up in soil over time. This is especially true of tomatoes, among the most popular plants.
Crop rotation, a principle widely practiced by generations of farmers, renews the soil to keep it productive. Plus, by keeping the host plant out of the area for several seasons, pest and disease problems tend to die out.
“In some places they can grow corn after corn,” said Kris Swartz, a Wood County Farm Bureau member and past president of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. That’s not the case with his farm. He relies on clover, wheat and soybeans as part of the rotation schedule with corn. Swartz was recently recognized with the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award by the National Association of Conservation Districts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Swartz is a Wood County Soil and Water Conservation District supervisor.
For Bob Rothwell, an OSU Master Gardener Volunteer in Washington County, the wait between tomato plantings is four years. The same wait period applies to tomato’s nightshade family cousins: potatoes, peppers and eggplant, which can attract some of the same problems.
Rothwell keeps records on what’s been grown in his 20 cultivated beds. He uses members of major plant families to fill the beds between tomato (nightshade) plantings. For instance, one season it’s members of the mustard family, such as cabbage and turnips; then legumes, including peas and beans; and others such as lettuce, spinach, chard, onions and garlic. Legumes add some nitrogen to the soil, replacing this essential element needed for plant growth, said Gorrell.
While infrequent, soil-borne pests can affect some flowers, said Pamela J. Bennett, the Ohio State Master Gardener Program director. “Rotation is always a good idea.”
A few years ago downy mildew showed up as a fatal problem for impatiens, popular summer annuals for shaded places. The soil-borne problem can persist for years, Gorrell said. She has found impatiens available again and tried them with success in her woodland landscape. Those who had impatiens affected by the mildew can use New Guinea type impatiens or wax begonias as replacements.
Master Gardener Volunteers and other seasoned growers have several suggestions for greater success with vegetables.
The Statewide CAUV Update Webinar explained more about the recent changes in CAUV and what could be next for the program. Watch the recording.
Read MoreThe guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of state and federal regulations and exemptions, CDL qualifications and more.
Read More
Scholarships are available to students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields or that support the agriculture industry.
Read MoreHundreds of Ohio businesses and sole proprietors are raving about Ohio Farm Bureau’s Health Benefits plan with lower, predictable costs and easy enrollment and administration options.
Read MoreAgriPOWER Class XIV spent a few days in March in Medina and Wayne counties learning more about northern Ohio agriculture from leaders in Ohio Farm Bureau.
Read MoreLeading Ohio Farm Bureau’s 2024 YAP State Committee are Luke and Kayla Durbin of Coshocton County, Tim and Sarah Terrill of Montgomery County and Carly Fitz of Perry County.
Read MoreFarming is a very rewarding occupation, but it can come with hazardous territory if there are not proper training protocols in place.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau’s farmer leaders plus members of the media and select Farm Bureau staff are at the nation’s capital March. 12-14, 2024 for the annual County Presidents Trip to Washington, D.C.
Read MoreThe SEC voted on its final climate disclosure rule and removed the Scope 3 reporting requirement, which would have required public companies to report the greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain.
Read MoreThis position is created for an active Young Ag Professional member who has a passion for fundraising and is interested in further developing their leadership skills. Apply by May 3.
Read More