With all the recent rains we have received it is a good time to evaluate your garden and landscape. First of all, no vegetables that we grow in South Mississippi thrive in wet soggy growing conditions. It is important that you be capable of removing any standing water that may remain on growing areas as soon as possible. This may mean redoing your gardening areas. This can be accomplished through transforming your low lying areas into raised beds. It does not have to be very high, just high enough to keep water from saturating the root system and causing immediate or future problems to occur. However if you are going to raise them it is always nice if you can raise them up high enough to sit down on the ledge while you do work.
If this seems like too much work you may consider making ditches to redirect the flow of water out of your garden. Like I have said many times before when the ground is saturated and water is standing, try to limit the amount of foot and vehicle traffic in these areas as this will only compound future problems by compacting the soil which among other things reduces the future ability to absorb water.
Q. When is a good time to plant spring bulbs?
A. This is a question I received a few months ago but figured now would be a good time to address it. I know spring is far away and winter and fall are still stuffed in the middle, but if you want to get a lead on your spring planting fall is the time to do it. Before long, garden centers will begin displaying bags of spring bulbs out for sale. Now, if you want to get a jump start on the neighbors, there are some varieties that are earlier blooming than others. Some varieties that bloom early include; Early Bride, February Gold, Golden Harvest, and Foresight. These are all trumpet daffodils that have a long center trumpet that is longer than the pedals and makes a good impression as spring begins to fight its way through winter. Remember, start in the fall. If you wait and put your bulbs down in the spring you will not have the results you expect or desire.
Q. Where does all the backyard wildlife go during these wet soggy days?
A. Animals are not absent minded. They are probably trying to stay dry like me and you. For those of you that enjoy seeing birds and nondestructive wildlife in your backyard, now is the time to make it happen. Over the next few weeks hummingbirds we be in their fall migration. If you enjoy seeing these birds, you may want to put a feeder near you windows to create an inviting atmosphere for the little fliers.
I have received a few calls recently about removing varmints like armadillos, raccoons, or other aggravating pests from your yard. The options for controlling wildlife damage usually breaks down into one of the following areas — habitat modification, repellents, toxicants, fumigants, trapping, or shooting. There are not any registered fumigants, toxicants, or repellents for raccoons or armadillos that have long term effect. I would not recommend shooting to the average person. Trapping is certainly the easiest and most effective way of removing these creatures. Traps can be purchased at local co-op and some garden centers.
For all you deer hunters getting ready for the season, on Tuesday September, 23 at 6:30 at the Adams County Extension office we will have a free seminar on aging both live and harvested deer using jaw bones and other physical patterns. We will also have a section on deer management using infra-red technology. It is a free class, so please call to reserve a spot at 601-445-8201.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extensions Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201. First of all, no vegetables that we grow in South Mississippi thrive in wet soggy growing conditions. It is important that you be capable of removing any standing water that may remain on growing areas as soon as possible. This may mean redoing your gardening areas. This can be accomplished through transforming your low lying areas into raised beds. It does not have to be very high, just high enough to keep water from saturating the root system and causing immediate or future problems to occur. However if you are going to raise them it is always nice if you can raise them up high enough to sit down on the ledge while you do work.

If this seems like too much work you may consider making ditches to redirect the flow of water out of your garden. Like I have said many times before when the ground is saturated and water is standing, try to limit the amount of foot and vehicle traffic in these areas as this will only compound future problems by compacting the soil which among other things reduces the future ability to absorb water.

Q. When is a good time to plant spring bulbs?

A. This is a question I received a few months ago but figured now would be a good time to address it. I know spring is far away and winter and fall are still stuffed in the middle, but if you want to get a lead on your spring planting fall is the time to do it. Before long, garden centers will begin displaying bags of spring bulbs out for sale. Now, if you want to get a jump start on the neighbors, there are some varieties that are earlier blooming than others. Some varieties that bloom early include; Early Bride, February Gold, Golden Harvest, and Foresight. These are all trumpet daffodils that have a long center trumpet that is longer than the pedals and makes a good impression as spring begins to fight its way through winter. Remember, start in the fall. If you wait and put your bulbs down in the spring you will not have the results you expect or desire.

Q. Where does all the backyard wildlife go during these wet soggy days?

A. Animals are not absent minded. They are probably trying to stay dry like me and you. For those of you that enjoy seeing birds and nondestructive wildlife in your backyard, now is the time to make it happen. Over the next few weeks hummingbirds we be in their fall migration. If you enjoy seeing these birds, you may want to put a feeder near you windows to create an inviting atmosphere for the little fliers.

I have received a few calls recently about removing varmints like armadillos, raccoons, or other aggravating pests from your yard. The options for controlling wildlife damage usually breaks down into one of the following areas — habitat modification, repellents, toxicants, fumigants, trapping, or shooting. There are not any registered fumigants, toxicants, or repellents for raccoons or armadillos that have long term effect. I would not recommend shooting to the average person. Trapping is certainly the easiest and most effective way of removing these creatures. Traps can be purchased at local co-op and some garden centers.

For all you deer hunters getting ready for the season, on Tuesday September, 23 at 6:30 at the Adams County Extension office we will have a free seminar on aging both live and harvested deer using jaw bones and other physical patterns. We will also have a section on deer management using infra-red technology. It is a free class, so please call to reserve a spot at 601-445-8201.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extensions Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201.