Ramsey County

Howdy!!!!
Here we are, finally a little taste of summer.  I really got burnt on Saturday, seemed cloudy but suffered later.  It was really great to see some warm weather now if could just get by anymore rain for a little while.  My new grass is growing like gangbusters and so are the weeds.  Which makes for a friendly reminder don’t be spraying the weeds in your new grass seeding until the new grass is at least 8-9 weeks old.  If the weeds are getting out of hand you can mow that grass at 4 weeks of age but mow it 3 inches plus.  We are now getting out of the normal grass planting period and should probably wait now for new grass planting the early part of September.  The problem with planting grass in the heat of the summer is; it is very hard to keep the new seedlings moist.  We can water and water our new grass but the ground becomes baked, from the sun beating on it, and makes for poor emergence.  I planted my grass and have been very lucky with the cool, wet weather we have had the past couple of weeks.  It is coming up very nicely and has already been mowed.

I was in Brocket this morning for a coffee meeting at the Brocket elevator and was surprised by some of the moisture reports from around the area.  Some folks are having problems getting their crop in the ground and others northwest of Brocket have had 2.25 inches all through the spring planting season.  Don’t get me wrong 2.25 inches is very good but differs a lot from what I have been hearing.  The crops are looking very good in the Brocket area and most cool season’s crops will be sprayed by the weekend.

I would also like to commend the folks that were in charge of the Relay for Life and also the Devils Run this past weekend.  “Great Job everyone”.

Ash Anthracnose???????
Green ash trees are losing their leaves. The seemingly healthy leaflets just drop off the trees. This leaf drop condition is caused by a fungus disease, ash anthracnose, sometimes in combination with feeding by sucking insects. The cool, showery weather of the past several weeks favors infection by the anthracnose fungus. The cool temperatures also slow the development of the ash leaves, giving the fungus a longer time to infect. Once leaves start to fall, it is too late for any fungicide sprays to be effective because infection has already taken place.

If you see this happening to your tree, the first thing to remember is DON'T PANIC! While unsightly and worrisome, a single defoliation by anthracnose will not permanently damage the tree. When warmer weather comes, the tree will make new leaves to replace those lost. What to do about the problem. As mentioned, a single year of anthracnose, even if it causes severe leaf drop, will likely not permanently harm a tree. For the current season, rake up and destroy (burn, bury or compost) leaves to reduce the disease carryover. Prune-out cankered branches and remove twiggy growth to promote air movement within the crown. Fertilize trees in spring to promote vigorous growth.

If your tree(s) see repeated anthracnose damage in successive years, a preventive fungicide treatment may help. These need to be carefully timed to the bud break of the tree to be effective. A fungicide containing the active ingredient chlorothalonil can be used. For more information call extension office at 701-662-7027

Calendar Dates!!!!!!

June 7, 8, 9   Tractor Safety School

June 11   Ramsey County T.U.F.F. horse show

June 25   4-H Achievement Day Horse Show

June 28 &29   4-H Achievement Days

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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