Alfalfa Summer Seeding

The time for late-summer seeding (not fall seeding!) of perennial legumes in the northern quarter of Illinois is here. Let's review management suggestions for seeding.

Since alfalfa needs 6 to 8 weeks of growth, or be six to eight inches tall, prior to a killing frost, August 10-15 are the preferred seeding dates. For the central half of Illinois, the suggested dates are August 30 to September 4, and for the southern quarter September 5 to 10. Cool-season perennial grasses can be seeded one to two weeks later. Warm-season perennial grasses should not be seeded until the spring.

Planning ahead is critical for alfalfa and grass seedings. Be sure there is no residue carryover potential from previously applied herbicides. Have perennial weed problems been controlled? Soil tests should have been taken and any corrective limestone already applied. Fertilizer can be applied during seedbed preparation.

If there is not adequate soil moisture to establish the stand, seed should not be planted. It is very risky planting seeds into dry soil.

A firm seedbed is needed to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Follow the "footprint guide"- soil should be firm enough for a footprint to sink no deeper than one-half inch. A general rule of thumb is that seeds should not be planted deeper than five times their diameter. For most forage crops, the seeding depth should not exceed one-half inch on medium and heavy textured soils, and one-inch on sandy soils.

Tilling the seedbed may not be necessary, as no-till forage seedings can be successful. For example, seeding into small grain stubble once the straw is removed.

Do not seed alfalfa following an older established stand. Autotoxic compounds are released by the older alfalfa that inhibits the growth, development, and production of new alfalfa seedlings. If the alfalfa is more than one year of age, it is best to rotate to another crop before going back to alfalfa. If less than a year, alfalfa can be replanted.

Be sure to use high quality seed of adapted, tested varieties and use fresh inoculum of the proper Rhizobium bacteria for the legume seed. Seeding rates are the same as spring seeding, but a companion crop is not recommended. Since weeds are slow to germinate in the late-summer, a preplant herbicide is typically not required. A postemergence herbicide can be used if weed problems develop and become competitive.

Finally, late-summer seeded alfalfa and cool-season grass fields should not be harvested in the fall of the establishment year.

Source: Jim Morrison, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Crop Systems

Plan For Spring Color Now

Tired of hearing about the bad economy or trying to figure out which candidate will really do what he says he is going to do? Perhaps you need to take a break and do a little Spring time planning and planting in your garden with bulbs.

To maintain 4 to 6 weeks of color from tulips in the landscape next spring select several cultivated varieties (cultivars) with various flowering times. According to Sandra Mason, U of I Extension Horticulture Educator, here are a few to consider for a spring full of color:

Very early types - late March to early April

• Water lily tulips are 4-12 inches tall with pointed petals that open wide. 'Stresa' is golden yellow and red.
• Tulipa greigii has lovely green leaves with maroon markings at 6-20 inches tall. The most popular is the brilliant red 'Red Riding Hood'.
• Emperor tulips are12-15 inches tall. 'Red Emperor' is a fiery red.

Early tulips - mid April to early May

• Single early are fragrant, but you will have to bend over to reach the 10 – 18 inch tall plants. 'Couleur Cardinal' is a dark cardinal red.
• Double early tulips resemble a peony at 10-12 inches tall. 'All Gold' is a deep golden yellow.
• Tulipa praestans is 8-12 inches tall with multiple flowers per stem. 'Fusilier' is orange scarlet.

Mid season - late April to mid May

• Triumphs have sturdy stems at 18-24 inches tall in many colors including bicolors.
• Darwin hybrids have large flowers on 24 inches tall plants. Flowers come in shades of mostly red.
• Tulipa tarda has star-like yellow flowers with white edges at a mere 4-6 inches tall.

Late - mid to late May

• Darwin tulips are very popular large flowers on 24-30 inches tall plants. They come in all colors and are sturdy, resisting damage from wind and rain.
• Cottage tulips have egg-shaped mostly pastel colored flowers on 22-30 inches tall plants.
• Double late tulips are peony flowered on 8-24 inches tall, very sturdy stems. 'Angelique' is a lovely pink.
• Rembrandt tulips have streaked petals on 2 feet tall plants.
• Lily flowered have slender urn-shaped buds with long, curving petals that turn outward at the tips. The flowers are long lasting and come in varied colors.
• Parrot tulips have large fringed, ruffled petals in vibrant colors.

With some tulips successive flower shows fail to rival the first season's bloom. Public gardens often treat tulips as annuals and replace them every year. Reportedly the longer lived types include single early, species types, Darwin, Lily flowered, Fosterana and Gregii cultivars. For long-lived tulips look for ones labeled "good for naturalizing".

Tulips and all the spring flowering bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and grape hyacinths should be planted in October. For best growth plant tulips 8 inches deep in masses in sunny areas with well-drained soil. Dry soil in summer will help tulip bulbs to live longer.

Tulips can be planted in ground covers such as English ivy or vinca. Plant tulips near perennials such as daylilies, hostas, asters, peonies, and fall anemones. To keep rabbits at bay, plant tulips surrounded by daffodils, grape hyacinths, or lily-of-the-valley. Since tulips rise and shine early in the season they can be planted in the back of a flower border.

For more information: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bulbs/

Source: Sandra Mason, University of Illinois Unit Educator, Horticulture & Environment

Ewing Field Day Set

The Fall Agronomy Tour at the University of Illinois Ewing Demonstration Center is set for Thursday, September 10, at 9 a.m.

Vince Davis, U of I Extension soybean specialist, will be the featured speaker discussing the topic of soybean high yield management. A complimentary lunch will follow the field tour.

This year marks the centennial observance for Ewing Field. The University of Illinois started research and demonstration work at Ewing in March of 1909. The center's new multi-purpose storage/educational building will be showcased, along with recognition of donors who contributed to the construction of the building.

Watch the SI Agriculture website, http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag, for more details.

Source: Dennis Epplin, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Crop Systems

Free Seminar for Caregivers Caring for Others

When you provide special care for another adult, the physical and emotional demands can take a toll on your own health, especially if it's a long-term situation. And, there are so many things to think about in finding services and planning ahead.

Information, experiences and ideas will be shared at the Caring for Others seminar slated for Wednesday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at John A. Logan College.

Whether you have been a caregiver for a while or are just starting to care for an adult family member, friend or neighbor, this seminar offers practical ideas and support.

Topics include Community Based Seminars by Margie Kemp, Community Service Unit Director from Shawnee Alliance for Seniors; Legal Aspects of Caregiving by John Erbes, Clinical Associate Professor from SIU, School of Law; Caregiving: A Labor of Growth by Karen Henderson from Hospice of Southern Illinois; and Caregiving Joys and Challenges by a caregiver panel.

The program is provided free of charge and includes lunch. Advance registration is required by September 17. To register, contact U of I Extension in Carbondale, 618-453-5563, ore register online at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/carbondalecenter.

This seminar is partially funded by the Older Americans Act through the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging, and is conducted by University of Illinois Extension and The H Group.

Source: Milly Kaiser, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Family Life