2016 3rd Quarter Newsletter July ~ August ~ September

Dates to Remember July 14: Christmas in July event

September 13: 4-H Awards Celebration

October 5 thru 16: Mississippi State Fair

Office Closed: Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - September 5

ATTENTION: Foresters, Farmers, Wedding Planners & Business Owners!

4-H Awards Celebration! All 4-H Parents and Alumni Invited! Please join us on Tuesday, September 13th at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station starting at 4:00 p.m. for fun

games and 4-H project activities such as a Robotics Demonstration, Archery and Face Painting. This event is for the

entire family - especially YOU our 4-H Alumni and Advisory Members. We only ask each person to bring a canned

food item as your donation to this event to be given to a needy family in the month of November. Please order the

event T-shirt so we can all celebrate as a big 4-H family!

Mississippi State University Extension Service - Newton County Mailing Address: P.O. Box 188 Decatur, MS 39327 - Physical Address: 65 7th Street Decatur, MS 39327

Phone: 601-635-7011 ~ Fax: 601-635-2146 Email: newton@ext.msstate.edu ~ Facebook: Newton County Extension Service

Please contact us for assistance or more information on anything included in this newsletter. Katrina McCalphia – County Coordinator, Leanne McGee – County Extension Agent,

Susan Cosgrove – Area Extension Agent and Joey Ford – One Nutrition Educator

With all of the recent publicity about

problems with honeybees, many gar-

deners become concerned when they

notice that some of their squash have

failed to pollinate.

The two fruit in the foreground of this

photo (A and B) have definitely failed

to pollinate, but it is not because of a

lack of honeybees or native pollina-

tors. These fruit were not pollinated

because they were the first female

blooms to open in this planting of yel-

low squash and there were not yet any

male blooms to pollinate them.

Squash and other cucurbits produce

separate male and female blooms —

the female blooms are the ones that have a small fruit attached. The situation in this photo is a bit unusual because in

most cases cucurbits produce male blooms first, and beginning gardeners often become concerned when they see

these first male blooms wither and fall without producing fruit. This particular planting of yellow squash produced

female blooms first, a day or so before male blooms began to open.

Two days before this photo was taken, fruits A and B were the same size as they are here, and it was already evident

they had failed to pollinate. At this time fruit C was the size of fruit D, male blooms were beginning to open, and both

honeybees and native bees were active in the garden. There have been no problems with fruit set since those first

male blooms opened. Male blooms are less obvious in this particular photo, but portions of several are visible (M).

Protect Pollinators: Pollinators are important to successful gardening, but so

are insecticides. To protect bees and other pollinators in home vegetable gar-

dens apply insecticide sprays only when needed and spray as late in the day

as possible. The approximately 30 minute period between sunset and “too

dark to see” is the ideal time to apply pesticide sprays. Most bees have

stopped foraging by then, and it is cooler.

Blake Layton, Extension Entomology Specialist, Mississippi State University Extension Service. The information given here is for educational purposes only. Always read and follow current label directions. Specific commercial products are mentioned as examples only and refer-ence to specific products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimi-nation is intended to other products that may also be suitable and appropriately labeled.

Like our Facebook page:

newton county extension service

Look for our Extension Agent column in the

Newton County Appeal Newspaper.

Newton County 4-H Newsletter is on the Web.

Go to: http://msucares.com/ click on 4-H, click on county activities

and scroll down to Newton.

Follow us on Instagram: Newtoncountyext

Unpollinated Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

THURSDAYS

@ NOON

Programs of Mississippi State University Extension are open to all people, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orienta-tion, or group affiliation. If you have questions regarding MSU Extension’s non-discrimination policies, contact: Juli Rester, Human Resources Management, PO Box 9603, Missis-sippi State, MS 39762, 662-325-3713.

Quick Bites programs are offered through Mississippi State University Extension and

provide information on a wide variety of topics through interactive video. The programs

are held during lunch (noon to 1 p.m.) on Thursdays. Quick Bites are free. You are wel-

come to bring lunch and eat during the session. Call the MSU Extension Office of New-

ton County to let us know you’re coming - 601-635-7011. For future dates and descrip-

tions of each topic, see the Events Calendar in the Newton County Appeal or visit

MSUcares.com.

At least 30 million Americans rush out each summer to beat inflation with a garden

hoe and a jar lid. Many of these gardeners have produced some prize-winning blis-

ters and backaches. They have reached a low level of despair with jelly that didn’t

gel, pickles that didn’t pickle and preserves that didn’t preserve.

Other gardeners, though, have found they had a hidden talent for a “green thumb.”

They have showered friends and loved ones with fresh-from-the garden produce and

take-home presents. They have packed their pantries with home-preserved fruits and

vegetables.

Home canning gives a great feeling of pride and accomplishment. It brings family

members together in creative activity. It provides security in having food within an

arm’s reach. It offers a supply of food prepared according to family preferences and

special dietary needs.

For these reasons and others, the United States Department of Agriculture and the

Mississippi State University Extension Service have provided consumers with in-

structions and tips for best preserving the garden’s bounty. We have a publication for

anyone interested in home canning. In this publication you will find the latest infor-

mation on home canning techniques for fruits, vegetables, jelly, jam, preserves, pick-

les, and relishes.

Come by the office anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (sometimes we close for

lunch 12-noon to 1 p.m.) and get your copy. It is free! We also offer free pressure

canner calibrations. If any questions, call 601-635-7011.

The Home Canning Guide

It’s your choice. Pick an activity that’s easy to fit into your life. Do at least 10 minutes of physical

activity at a time. Choose aerobic activities that work for you. These make your heart beat faster

and can make your heart, lungs, and blood vessels stronger. Also, do strengthening activities which

make your muscles do more work than usual.

Why should I be physically active? Physical activity can make you feel stronger and more alive. It is a fun way to be with your family

or friends. It also helps you improve your health.

How many times a week should I be physically active? It is up to you, but it is better to spread your activity throughout the week and to be active at least 3

days a week.

How do I build up more physical activity? Do a little more each time. Once you feel comfortable, do it more often. Then you can trade activities at a moderate

level for vigorous ones that take more effort. You can do moderate and vigorous activities in the same week.

What kind and how much physical activity you need?

How do I do it?

Take Precautions While

Outdoors

The Centers for Disease Con-

trol and Prevention estimated

half of young adult Americans

get sunburned every year. Ex-

treme heat kills an average

658 Americans annually. Heat

stress claims thousands of vic-

tims annually. The sun’s heat

can cause illnesses, such as

heat stroke, heat cramps and

heat exhaustion, and are often

life threatening. The risk of

heat illness exists when the

heat index is 100 degrees or

more. Sunscreen with a sun

protection factor, or SPF, of

30 or greater protects an indi-

vidual from sunburn, but it

must be applied correctly and

frequently. Sunburns are pos-

sible even on cloudy days and

with everyday exposure.