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MUSHROOM GROWTH
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My family and I moved into our brand new house a little over three years ago. Last year I noticed numerous mushrooms growing in the lawn and now they are back this year. What can I spray to get rid of these? |
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Well, unfortunately there is really nothing that you can spray to get rid of the mushrooms. They are essentially the breakdown of organic matter down in the soil. Many times when new housing developments are built construction debris such as pieces of wood or tree roots are buried and then covered with topsoil and grass planted. Later, the homeowner starts seeing mushrooms or other fungal growths in the lawn. Eventually they will go away, but the organic matter underground has to break down first. For now, knock the tops off the mushrooms with your mower. An application of lime may help to reduce the fungal growth also. |
PLANNING A VEGETABLE GARDENER
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I would like to put in a vegetable garden this year and need some help planning. What are some things I should consider? – John in Dickson |
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Your first consideration should always be the likes and dislikes of your family members! If they won’t eat it, don’t grow it! For a garden that is easy to care for and protect, select a relatively level site close to the house and close to a water supply. The site should receive at least six hours of full sunlight for best vegetable and fruit production. Soils in Tennessee benefit from the addition of organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure or humus which will add to the soil structure and create a happy place for roots to grow. For a new site or if it has been over five years, conduct a soil test and follow the recommendations.
Many plants can be easily started from seed over indoors under lights. Seeds can be sown in ribbed or flat trays using a lightweight, seed-starter-type potting soil. After the seeds have germinated, they can then be transplanted into cell packs, peat pots or other small containers. Water is necessary for germination. Water stress will severely impact growth, size and establishment of plants.
When starting seeds, you must provide an appropriate growing environment. An average temperature of 75 should be right to germinate most plants. Heat mats placed below flats will help maintain optimal temperatures during germination. Light is another crucial growth component. Fluorescent lamps are most commonly used in the home environment to provide light to plants. Fluorescent “grow-lamps” have a mixture of red and blue colors. Incandescent lamps are high in red and red-orange, but generally produce too much heat for use in supplementing plant growth.
High humidity is not necessary for germination; however, it does reduce the rate of evaporation, thus reducing the potential for water stress. Plastic coverings help to maintain moist conditions during germination.
Cold frames are handy for hardening off seedlings. You can make a simple cold frame by placing hay bales along the perimeter of a rectangle, and placing old windows or a glass storm door over the top.
Soon it will be time to seed and plant directly in the garden. Most cool-season vegetable seeds should be planted at a depth equal to three times the seed diameter. Small seeds such as lettuce and beets should be planted shallowly near the soil surface and kept moist if they are to germinate well.
Some general planting dates:
February –March: Cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions, snap peas, radish, spinach.
March – April: Beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, collards, English peas, Irish potatoes, Swiss chard, turnip greens, turnip roots.
For more specific information on
vegetable gardening go to www.utextension.utk.edu, click on publications and then select “Home, Garden, Lawn & Landscape; then peruse site for desired information. |
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