Ramsey County

October 15, 2007

Howdy!!!
It is really time for the sun to start shining.  If it wants to stay cloudy and damp it could at least rain for part of the county.  There are areas that do not need any rain but some parts could use some.  I am waiting for a hard freeze; however, and would be good to get that out of our system.  Usually a good hard frost will clear up the weather and let our farmers get into the swing of harvest again.  It is also a fun time of year with all the sports in the Lake Region area.  Volleyball and football take precedence but are others as well and it is very hard to imagine that football playoffs start next week.  Where did the year go??????

I try hard to include some farming and landscaping in my weekly article but this week will deal with Roses.  I have been getting many phone calls not only from urban landscapers but also producer landscapers about winter protection for Roses.

Faller HRSW soon available for county producers!!!!
We will soon be advertising our Ramsey County Crop Improvement increase seed HRSW, Faller.  There has been tremendous interest in all seed this fall as producers are thinking there might be a seed shortage.  With commodity prices high producers have been actively selling commodities hoping to buy that new seed.  We will officially  advertise some time in the next month, to allow producers to apply for the new wheat and also give them the flexibility of a tax incentive, if needed.  This allotment will be opened to other counties come February 1 if there is any bushels remaining.  Stop by our office for an application.  Any application needs a $1.00/bu deposit to be considered for an allotment.

WINTER PROTECTION FOR ROSES
    Protection is very important for all tender roses in this area. Tender roses include the popular hybrid teas, floribundas, and grandiflora types. One of the most important considerations in preparing roses for winter is moisture. Be sure that your roses are soaked down well before the ground freezes. Roses must have protection from the severe winter temperatures as well as extreme fluctuation in air temperature.

    During late October or early November shorten the stems to 12-18 inches. Roses can either be covered using cones or with a mulch such as dry leaves, wood shavings, vermiculite or sand. If rose cones are used, soil must be placed around the base of the cone to hold it in place during our long windy winters. I have used cones to protect my roses, but have had only limited success. As added insurance fill the inside of the cone with dry leaves.

     When using an organic mulch, mound the rose plants 10-12 inches high using whatever method available to keep the mulch in place. Branches or chicken wire may be used. You may want to top the mound with prairie hay or branches to help hold snow. Another method of mounding I've used is to collect bags of dry leaves and pack them around and over the cut back rose plants to provide winter protection. Leave the mound intact until mid-April when you may take it off in stages. When the root protection is finally removed in the spring, finish pruning the rose, by removing all dead wood (dark and discolored) as well as injured or small weak stems.

Calendar!!!
            November 15               Farmers’s Night Out, Memorial building
            November 28               Rancher’s Night Out, Lake Region Livestock
            November 28               Tax Preparer workshop
            December  6                District Crop Improvement meeting, Lakota
            January    8-9               Lake Region Extension Roundup

524 4th Ave NE #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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