Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

January 2, 2004

     January is one of the busiest months for Cooperative Extension to both conduct and plan educational meetings for the upcoming year.  Below is a brief list events and activities that may be of interest to both commercial and home gardeners.

January 5-7-North Carolina Turfgrass Conference and Show, Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, NC.  This show features a tradeshow and educational sessions for those that work as turf grass producers and commercial maintenance. For more information, contact the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina at 910-695-1333.

January 8— Pesticide Safety Class-3:00 p.m. at John Deere Days, Piedmont Farm and Yard Equipment on Klumac Road in Salisbury. Information on personal protective equipment and pesticide storage is the featured topics with one-hour re-certification credit for commercial producers.

January 9-Rowan Master Gardener Information Meeting for the Class of 2004, 10:00 a.m., Agriculture Center Old Concord Road in Salisbury.  This is an informational meeting to provide information for those that are considering the program for 2004.

January 14-Junior Master Gardener Information Meeting for Class of 2004, 4:00 p.m., Agriculture Center on Old Concord Road in Salisbury.  This is an informational meeting to provide information for students that are considering the program for 2004.

January 14-17-Green & Grown Show-Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, NC. The show features trade show and educational opportunities for those in the landscape and floral industry.   For more information, contact the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen at 919-816-9119.

January 21—Rowan County Master Gardener Class of 2004 begins, 9:00 a.m., Agriculture Center in Salisbury.

February 3—Brambles and Blueberries for the Small or Part Time Commercial Producers. Dr. Gina Fernandez and Dr. Bill Cine Extension Specialists from N.C. State University will present information to those considering growing brambles (blackberries and raspberries) and blueberries commercially. This is part of the Specialty Crops Program, which is cosponsored with Davidson County.  Tentatively scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. with a $5.00 fee to cover materials and refreshments.

February 18-19-Mountain area Vegetable Conference and Trade Show-sponsored by the NC Tomato Growers Association. Vital educational information for commercial vegetable producers. 

February 18--Muscadine Workshop, Lexington, NC.  Workshop is designed for those interested in commercial muscadine grapes production. Dr. Barclay Poling, Extension Specialist from NC State University, is the featured speaker. This is part of the Specialty Crops Program, which is cosponsored with Davidson County. Time and costs are still pending.

March 11—Controlling Pest in Turf-9:00 a.m. Agriculture Center in Salisbury.  Workshop or commercial lawns care applicators on controlling weeds and diseases in turf.

March 13—Turf Care for the Spring, 10:00 a.m. at the Agriculture Center in Salisbury. This workshop is designed for urban homeowners on the proper management techniques for cool season turf. 

March 16—Land Use Planning for Forest Landowners.  This meeting will be held in Lexington, NC 6:30 p.m., at the Davidson County Agricultural Center. This meeting is important for forest landowners that are interested in utilizing their forests lands.