Yarrow Achillea millefolium
By Robin Harbold, CCEDC MGV
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Article Photos by Robin Harbold | |
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Could there be a more simplistically pleasing bloom?
Whether a backdrop to the diva of the moment, or taking the limelight itself, yarrow never disappoints. Reliable, effortless, long lasting. Reaching as much as three feet tall, yarrow has been cultivated from the original white flowers to a multitude of color choices including pink, yellow, golden, red and more.
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An excellent pollinator plant, it is likely you will share your splendor of this native with the bees and butterflies that make this plant their playground. As a cluster of tiny flowers working together to provide a flat surface, yarrow provides a nice support for beneficial insects. You will see this plant bustling with butterflies, bumblebees, hoverflies, predatory wasps and more.
Origin – From the Aster family (Asteraceae), genus Achillea was named for the great Greek warrior Achilles, who used plant extracts to treat soldiers’ wounds in the Battle of Troy. The Latin name millefolium means “a thousand leaves.” Yarrow’s blooms are like a cluster of mini daisies, and its foliage is attractive and fernlike.
Care – Yarrow grows from rhizomes and needs very little care. It is drought tolerant, and poor to average soil meets its undemanding needs just fine. Deer, rabbits, and other pests seem fully uninterested (oh, I’m always afraid to make such a statement . . just when you think it’s safe . . .)
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Yarrow is incredibly self-sufficient. If you’re like me and you prefer a plant that multiplies and spreads, you’ll enjoy yarrow. I divided mine for the first time this past fall, to break up the heavy clumps (each of which originated with a single plant), and I relocated them around my garden. I have been thrilled with the outcome this year. They have adapted nicely, and have been blooming consistently. Division every three to five years will prevent overcrowding, and the propagation provides the opportunity to plant in new locations or share with your neighbors and garden friends.
Yarrow can be started from seed, rhizome, or transplant. Nurseries will often carry in packs of four to six, as well as larger plants in a single pot. As is the case with all our plant selections, “Right Plant, Right Place” is the guiding factor. Yarrow prefers full sun. Placement in shade will cause the plant to become leggy as it stretches to find that sunshine. Fertilizer will not benefit yarrow and instead will only cause the plant to flop. Hybrids will not spread as quickly, and thus are more controllable.
Uses – Yarrow has a history of uses including healing of burns and wounds; it slows blood loss. Yarrow is consumed as a tea, and even used to make beer. The plant contains flavonoids thought to increase saliva and stomach acid to aid digestion. Both flower and foliage are edible. (Consumption or medical use of this or any other plant is not recommended without a thorough understanding and guidance of a medical professional).
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Yarrow is an excellent addition in perennial gardens, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, borders, and containers. It is mowable if added to a lawn, though use caution as it may spread beyond its desired location. If pursuing a xeriscape (dry) landscape, yarrow is an excellent drought tolerant plant that will provide quick results. Yarrow is a vigorous plant and will produce flowers from early in the summer, well into autumn. In addition, it makes an impressive statement in fresh floral arrangements, and is lovely as a dried flower.
Other yarrow – More than eighty species of yarrow exist worldwide, though Achillea millefolium (Common yarrow and White Yarrow) and Achillea filipendulina (Fernleaf Yarrow) are those found most frequently in the gardens of our region. Others you may spot locally are Achillea tomentosa (Wooly Yarrow), which is less hardy, but does do well in zone 5 and as a low grower, making a nice edging, and Achillea ptamica (Sneezewort) which thrives in wet soil.
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Yarrow has been hybridized to produce a multitude of new cultivars designed for various colors and characteristics. Over a season, bloom colors will typically alter, starting out vibrant, and then soften and fade. After the strong first flush of blooms, a strong cut back (though not required) may be desirable to promote new growth, a rebirth of color, and taller, fuller plants the subsequent year. Height is typically eighteen inches to three feet, though some cultivars will reach four feet.
As with all your garden plants, take time to leisurely meander through, sit back, take in the view, and ENJOY.
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The Lost Ladybug Project
By Heather Brenner, CCEDC Community Horticulture Program Coordinator
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Article Photos by Emma Kron and Linda DiGasper | |
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Coccinella novemnotata (the ninespotted ladybug or C9) used to be commonly found across the US. In 1985, the ninespotted ladybug was proposed by a fourth grade student to be the NYS insect. By 1989 when it became officially the NYS insect, the numbers were in severe decline and C9 had rarely been seen.
The ninespotted ladybug is most valued because of its ability to control pest insects.
The Lost Ladybug Project (LLP) was created several years ago, to find out more about why there has been a severe decline in C9 ladybugs, and to help reestablish them back to their native land. Along with the public's help, they have been tracing locations where they have been sighted and recording data for over 10 years. In 2011, a ninespotted ladybug was found on Long Island, NY during a Lost Ladybug event and at least 20 more have been found since.
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Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Master Gardeners and 4H Educators teamed up together back in July, for SPIN monthly. The educational activities were on the native ninespotted ladybug (C9). This year we were one of several groups across New York State to receive the ninespotted ladybug as a part of the Lost Ladybug Project's restoration program. | |
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The kids began the evening by learning all about the native ninespotted lady bug from Master Gardener Volunteer, Linda DiGasper and 4H Educator, Emma Kron. They enjoyed some indoor activities like Ladybug bingo and making wildflower seed balls, that they brought home to create a pollinator garden of their own.
Since the weather was still cooperating and the rain held off, after learning how to identify C9 and other ladybugs, they all went outside for more activities.
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Photo: Seed ball activity
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SEED BALLS
Materials
1 cup compost OR potting soil & compost mixture
1/2 cup of flour
1 tsp of seeds (or 1/2 tsp for very small seeds)
Instructions
1) First mix the compost and the flour together thoroughly.
2) Then add seeds and gently mix together
3) Add water one tablespoon at a time so that the mixture bonds together like a good dough. (Add more compost if mixture is too wet).
4) Once the mixture has the right consistency, divide mixture into small pieces and roll into a ball (small marble). A smaller seed ball is much more likely to have better contact with the soil and as the small ball crumbles it provides the start for the root system, but is still heavy enough to anchor the emerging seeds to the ground.
5) Let dry overnight or for 24 hours.
6) It’s best to lob, not throw overhand or place in a bare, neglected area where you want the seeds to grow right before rain is expected.
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Several educational gardens surround the Farm and Home Center and are maintained by the Master Gardener Volunteers. One of the first outdoor activities of the night was a walk through those gardens looking for ladybugs. The kids pared up with an adult and examined all the plants and flowers. They each took with them an identification guide from the learning resources on the LLP website. If they were lucky enough to find a C9 or another native ladybug, then they could take photos for submission online to the LLP.
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Photos: (Above) The participants and educators looking for native ladybugs like the two-spotted (Adalia bipunctata) or the ninespotted (Coccinella novemnotata) ladybug. (Below) Releasing C9 Ladybugs received from Cornell into the gardens. | |
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Cornell University's Entomology Dept. and the Lost Ladybug Team, sent us C9 ladybugs/larvae and participants released them into our gardens during our final activity of the night.
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You can help in restoring the ninespotted ladybug to its native home by purchasing C9 larvae and releasing in a garden near you or plan to join us next year at our annual release. Look for details on our website in spring 2024. | |
Everyone enjoyed themselves during the evenings activities and being a part of the Lost Ladybug Project, especially releasing the ninespotted ladybugs (C9) into the gardens. | |
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Fast Maturing Cool-Weather Vegetable Crops Ready in Under 60 Days
By Liselotte Vince, Master Gardener Intern Class of 2022
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As the sun's intensity mellows and a gentle crispness fills the air, it's time to shift our gardening focus from summer's heat-loving plants to the world of cool-weather vegetable crops. In our area, we have about six more weeks until we can expect our first frost—though it's worth noting that this date is just a ballpark range to be used as a guide. A frost can come through earlier or later. Regardless, fall is still an excellent time to get your hands dirty, so if you aren't ready to hang up your garden shovel, then grab yourself some seeds and start sowing! | |
1. Lettuce Varieties
Lettuce is a quintessential cool weather crop, providing a refreshing burst of flavors and textures. From butterhead to romaine, there's a lettuce variety for every palate. Consider mixing different types for a vibrant and visually appealing salad patch. Sow the seeds directly in well-draining soil and enjoy a continuous harvest of tender greens.
Try:
- Mesclun Mix and Arugula (40 days)
- Red Romaine (50 days)
- Buttercrunch (53 days)
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2. Kale
Kale is a nutritional powerhouse that really does well in cooler temperatures. Its sturdy leaves withstand light frost and even improve in taste after exposure to chilly weather. Whether you opt for curly kale or the more tender Lacinato variety, this leafy green offers endless possibilities for soups, salads, and smoothies.
Try:
- Russian Red (40 days)
- Dwarf Blue Curled Vates (55 days)
- Nero di Toscana (55 days)
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3. Radishes
If you're looking for one of the quickest vegetables to mature, radishes are your go-to option. These root vegetables thrive in cool weather and mature rapidly, often within a month of planting. Their spicy crunch adds a zing to salads and sandwiches, making them a delightful addition to your fall garden.
Try:
- Cherry Belle (22 days)
- Comet (25 days)
- Champion (28 days)
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4. Spinach
Spinach is another star player in the world of cool weather crops. Packed with vitamins and minerals, it's a versatile green that can be used in everything from sautés to quiches. Plant spinach seeds in well-amended soil and watch as they flourish under the fall sun.
Try:
- America (45 days)
- Bloomsdale Long-Standing (45 days)
- Winter Bloomsdale (45 days)
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5. Carrots
Carrots thrive in the cooler temperatures of autumn, resulting in sweeter and crisper roots. Ensure your soil is loose and rock-free to encourage straight and uniform growth.
Try:
- Baby Finger (50 days)
- Lady Finger (60 days)
- Tendersweet (60 days)
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6. Peas/Sugar Snaps/Snow Peas
Peas are the epitome of early autumn goodness. Their tender pods and sweet peas make for delightful snacks right from the vine. Sow pea seeds in well-draining soil and provide them with some support as they climb.
Try:
- Little Snowpea Purple (55 days)
- Sugar Sprint Pea (58 days)
- Early Frosty Pea (60 days)
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7. Beans
Beans offer a delightful addition to your cool-weather garden, bringing both taste and texture. Some bean varieties, like bush beans, can thrive in the cooler temperatures of early fall and mature in under 60 days.
Try:
- Contender Bush Bean (50 days)
- Cherokee Wax Bean Bush (55 days)
- Harvester (55 days)
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8. Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli and cauliflower, both members of the brassica family, thrive in cooler temperatures. These vegetables develop their best flavors as the days get shorter. While they require a bit more patience and care, the result is well worth it.
Try:
- Snowcrown Cauliflower (53 days)
- Early Snowball Cauliflower (55 days)
- Aspabroc Broccoli (50 days)
- Calabrese Broccoli (55 days)
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Bonus:
8. Sunflowers
Amidst the array of vegetable crops, don't forget to include sunflowers to your growing list. As summer flowers begin to wane, sunflowers step in to fill the gap with their cheerful colors.
Try:
- Sunfill series (50-55 days)
- Procut series (50-60 days
- Procut white series (50-60 days)
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The crops highlighted in this list represent a portion of options that can be sown now with maturity dates in about 60 days. These suggestions are merely a starting point. And don’t forget, gardening success lies in the details. Always take a moment to read the back of your seed packets for specific sowing instructions and maturity dates. | |
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Remaining 2023 Schedule
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October 6: Jumping worms | Roof gutter pests
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November 3: Winter garden prep | Tick check reminder
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December 1: Houseplant IPM | Firewood pests
Click to Register
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Natural Dye Workshop with Nicole Campanale
Saturday, September 2, 2023 1 - 4 pm
Beatrix Farrand Garden Association
at Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield, 4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY
Join us for a hands-on workshop with Nicole Campanale, a talented textile artist and gardener who specializes in using natural dyes. In this workshop, you will learn how to create beautiful, unique colors using only natural materials. She will teach us about different kinds of natural fibers and how to prepare them for dyeing, as well as how to identify several dye plants that are easy to grow or collect in the wild.
During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to experiment with different dyeing techniques and create your own samples to take home.
No prior experience is necessary, all materials will be provided, and this event is all ages.
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Lunchtime Learning: Beginner’s Ikebana with Meei-Huey Lin
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Beatrix Farrand Garden Association
at Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield, 4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY
This beginner's lecture will provide an overview of the basic principles of the art of Japanese flower arranging, taking inspiration from the fall blooms at the Beatrix Farrand Garden. Ikebana, which emphasizes lines and curves, focuses on the careful placement of branches and a few flowers. The results of the arrangement look quiet, simple, and elegant. Arranging flowers has always been meditative and a great way to manage stress.
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Harvest Hunt Family Program: A Day in the Life at Locust Grove
Saturdays & Sundays, September 23 - October 29
10 AM - 3 PM
Locust Grove Estate, 2683 South Rd (Route 9), Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Join us for "A Day in the Life of Locust Grove!" an educational and entertaining scavenger hunt for 25 decorated pumpkins that celebrate the people who lived &
worked at the historic estate in the years 1895 - 1905.
Don your costumes and enjoy this original story walk scavenger hunt.
$10/Person, Children under 4 are FREE
Click here for tickets!
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Rhinebeck Garden Club
Invites Cecily Frazier to talk about ‘Adapting your Garden to Climate Change’
September 27, 10am, Rhinebeck Village Hall, 80 East Market Street
Refreshments will be served and visitors are welcomed.
Every year the Rhinebeck Garden Club puts together a series of meetings,
field trips and events which are mostly open to the public.
For information, call 914-263-5298
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SUBMIT UPCOMING EVENTS
Would you like information on an upcoming gardening event to be shared in this newsletter?
Please include the date, time, location, a short description, cost and contact information for more details.
Send an email to: Francheska Kuilan at fk232@cornell.edu by the 20th of each month to be included in the next month’s newsletter.
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Harvest New York releases manual for NYS hemp growers | Cornell Chronicle
By Mellisa Jo Hill Cornell Cooperative Extension
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A new manual will provide guidelines for New York state growers of hemp - a crop with the potential to revitalize economies while revolutionizing industries from fiber to pharmaceuticals.
“My goal with this manual was that if someone wanted to start growing tomorrow, they could read this and find all the information they would need to be successful,” Vergara said.
To that end, the manual includes production guidelines for selecting and growing hemp both in the field and indoors, along with considerations for grain and fiber processing, as well as relevant legal and regulatory information for New York state.
“As a land-grant university, it’s our mission and charge to make research-based information available to anyone who needs it,” said Judson Reid, Harvest New York team leader. “For years, CCE has been putting out crop guides, but this particular manual takes everything to a new level.”
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Discover New York State Apples - to find apple orchards, cideries, farm markets, recipes and to learn about NYS apple varieties.
Floating an energy idea: Scientists study solar panel-topped ponds - Modern society demands food and sustainable energy, so science has an idea: To preserve agricultural land for crops and conservation lands for wildlife, place floating photovoltaic panels on lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
In the Hill’s Natural Dye Garden, A Rainbow of Color Is in Bloom Cultivated by Human Ecology, the small-but-vivid plot helps students and faculty explore plant-based pigments.
Someone Called the Police on a Girl Catching Lanternflies. Then Yale Honored Her. Bobbi Wilson, 9, was hunting for spotted lanternflies, an invasive species, in New Jersey. A neighbor called the police, but her effort has since earned recognition “from far and wide,” her mother said.
Growing Garlic in NY
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
General tips on identifying plant diseases
Diseases and management practices affecting specific crops
Managing Tomato Diseases Successfully
Spotted Lanternfly
Have you seen Spotted Lanternfly?? Report it here
Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide
NYSIPM Interactive Spotted Lanternfly Map
SLF in other states:
West Virginia Agriculture Division urges homeowners to eliminate common tree to halt invasive insect spread
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MASTER GARDENERS SPEAKERS BUREAU
Master Gardener Volunteers offer lectures on a wide array of subjects for gardeners.
Favorite topics include: Vegetable Gardening; Pollinator Gardens; Home Composting; Sustainable Gardening Best Practices; Gardening in Small Spaces; Deer Defense; Bulbs for All Seasons; Spotted Lanternfly; Jumping Worms, Putting the Garden to Bed in Fall; and Nature in Winter. Additional topics can be prepared to meet a particular group’s needs or interests.
The talks are 45 minutes in duration, followed by 10-15 minutes for questions from the group. A fee of $75 per lecture (or 3 for $200) helps support our numerous community projects.
To arrange for a speaker and get more details on offerings, contact Francheska Kuilan at fk232@cornell.edu
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UPCOMING LIBRARY & GARDEN CLUB TALKS:
Note: We have a brand new presentation on 'Spongy Moths'. Let your local library know you are interested in hearing it and find out what you can do at home to help minimize the damage next year.
September
9/7 at 6:30 pm “Putting Your Garden to Bed” by CCEDC MGV Philomena Kiernan
Adriance Library, 93 Market St., Poughkeepsie NY 12601
9/9 at 10:00 am “Wreaths” by CCEDC MGV Donna Croshier
Millbrook Library, 3 Friendly Lane, Millbrook NY 12545
For more information go to: MillbrookLibrary.org
9/14 at 6:00 pm "Good Bugs, Bad Bugs" by CCEDC MGV Johanna Tomik
Tivoli Library, 86 Broadway, Tivoli NY 12583
9/16 at 2:00 pm "Bulbs For All Seasons" by CCEDC MGV Linda Di Gasper
Pine Plains Garden Club
9/20 at 6:30 pm "Protecting our Trees from a Spongy Moth Invasion!"
by CCEDC MGV's Janice Novet and Mary Ellen Durkin
Adriance Library, 93 Market St., Poughkeepsie NY 12601
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ASK A MASTER GARDENER
Did you know ??? Where to look for our booth this month...
Sept 9 & 10th Pleasant Valley Community Weekend
| DC Fair 'Ask a MGV' Booth 2023 | |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Need Soil pH Testing? Need Lawn or Plant Diagnosis?
Have any gardening questions?
The Horticulture Hotline, (845) 677-5067 is open April through October, each Wednesday from 9am to noon. Diagnostics questions can also be submitted to our website or you can use this quick link Submit Questions Here. If a photograph is included, please ensure it is focused and as close up as possible.
Our office is open to the public with staff occasionally working from home. Please call before bringing soil or diagnostic samples to the office at 845-677-8223 or email fk232@cornell.edu to arrange sample drop-off.
For more information, including required forms and a listing of our current service fees:
Cornell University Diagnostic Services:
Gardening Information:
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Visit the Cornell Garden Based Learning Website to learn more about vegetables, fruits, lawns, trees, shrubs, houseplants, soil, composting and pests.
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New York State Integrated Pest Management for Communities for structural and garden pests.
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Websites for Gardeners - many topics, including bees, nuisance wildlife, mushrooms, invasive plants, certified arborists and weed ID.
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These were recently spotted on the Dutchess County Rail Trail, near Overocker Rd. What are they?
Answer: Spotted Lanternfly Late nymph
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This "golf ball" like thing is growing in my yard. Anyone know what it is? | |
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Websites mentioned in Dutchess Dirt are provided as a courtesy to our readers. Mention of these websites does not imply endorsement by Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension or by the author.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.
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