January would normally be a slow month for the Agriculture Extension office. Even though one would think that January is a slow month for homeowners, a number of calls are beginning to trickle into the office. Below are a few questions I have received over the past few weeks.
Q: Is now the time to prune fruit trees? Since the weather is warm, will it hurt the trees? I have a peach tree that needs to be pruned.
A: Larger fruit trees such as apple and pear can be pruned now. However, since the weather is quite unseasonable, I would wait until late February or March to prune. Peaches, nectarines and plums are borne on new growth, so heavy pruning is needed each year. Avoid pruning early on these trees now, as early pruning stimulates growth and early bloom.
Late spring frosts will find these trees first.
Q: Can I prune grapes now?
A: Both muscadine and bunch grapes can be pruned in the dormant season. Like fruit trees, waiting until February and early March would be my preference.
Q: I have a plant in my house with something that looks much like white moss. What is it and how do I get rid of it?
A: The problem sounds like either mealy bug or scales. Both are difficult to eliminate. Indoor houseplant sprays may be your only hope. If you can live without the plant, it would be best to find it a new home.
Q: Can I control chickweed and other weeds in my lawn now?
A: Yes, chickweed is growing quickly and a post emergence can be applied if the plant is not blooming or too large. Post emergence herbicides containing 2, 4-D and dicamba does a fair job. It’s best to control this weed early when the plant is small. Multiple applications may be necessary.
Q: My pansies look pretty bad right now. What can I do to them now to make them look better?
A: Pansies need to be deadheaded and fertilized now, but not when temperatures are warm, above or near 60 degrees. Fertilize them in cool weather with liquid bloom booster fertilizers. Applications during warm weather like we’re experiencing now promotes aggressive growth and the plants usually stretch and become weak and spindly.
Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. Contact him at 704-216-8981.