Gwinnett Extension News
FA L L 2 0 1 0
PUMPKIN FACTS
Hope that each of you had a
great summer. Hopefully
some cooler weather is just
around the corner and the
memories of all the 100
degree days will pass in
conversation.
The newsletter this quarter
has great articles for you to
enjoy.
Stop by the office if you
have questions about your
lawn, plants, or just for a
visit.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Brannen,
Extension Coordinator
Gwinnett County Extension
With the fall season approaching, here are some interesting facts about pumpkins. See how
amazed you are with some of the facts.
Total production of pumpkins by major pumpkin-producing states: 1.1 billion pounds.
Pumpkins are grown primarily for processing with a small percentage grown for ornamental
sales through you-pick farms, farmers' market and retail sales.
Around 90 to 95% of the processed pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois.
Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
Pumpkin flowers are edible.
Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
The largest pumpkin pie ever made was over five feet in
diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds
of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and
took six hours to bake.
Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.
Pumpkins originated in Central America.
Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites.
Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
Pumpkins are fruit.
Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October.
In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin in an open fire.
Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.
Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
Article taken from University of Illinois Extension
“A garden is a
friend you
can visit anytime.”
N
SOIL TESTING FOR FALL
ow would be the recommended time for soil testing for your garden and landscaping. If
your area needs lime, this will give it sufficient time to work into the soil for the best results for
your spring garden and landscape.
For each sample bring in 2 cups of dry soil in a zip-lock bag that has been taken from
various places in the area. Mix all together. The cost for each sample is $8.00 (cash or check)
and your results should be back in approximately 10 days from The University of Georgia.
Newsletter design by:
Sharon Cassidy
Gwinnett Extension
If you would like more detailed instructions, please visit our website at
www.ugaextension.com/gwinnett or give Timothy Daly or Marlene Gillman a
call at 678-377- 4010.
Using Plants for Creating Privacy Screens
In recent years, many of the new homes have been built close together on small lots.
As a result, people want to know what kind of plants will grow rapidly to provide adequate privacy from their neighbor‟s home or from undesirable views.
Several plants can be used for screening. The American, Foster, and Savannah hollies
and three hybrid hollies, „Nellie R. Stevens‟, „Mary Nell‟ and „Emily Bruner,‟ are among
the best varieties to use for these situations. They have rapid growth and dense foliage.
Wax myrtles grow well in our climate and can create privacy in a relatively short period
of time. Some dense low growing pine trees, such as the Virginia pine, also create
effective screens. The fragrant tea olive and the Canadian hemlock love shady areas and
make excellent evergreen barriers as long as they have adequate drainage.
Some plants should be avoided altogether. Years ago one of the most popular plants used for this purpose
was red tip Photinias. Then a leaf spot disease decimated them. They are seldom used now. The popular
Leyland Cypress has been overused and they have many problems. With the potential to grow over 100 feet
tall and nearly 50 feet wide, they are often planted too close together. Serious problems with poor air
circulation and increased disease incidence are often the result. Arborvitaes, particularly the cultivars „Green
Giant‟ and „Emerald Green,‟ as well as Japanese Cryptomerias are excellent substitutes for the Leyland
Cypress. They are all coniferous evergreens with a similar growth pattern and appearance of the Leyland
Cypress but perform better in the landscape.
Dwarf southern magnolia cultivars, such as „Little Gem‟ and „D.D. Blanchard,‟ are small trees covered
with dense foliage. Although they are often planted as specimen trees, a row of dwarf magnolias can create an
effective screen or help to establish a boundary between adjoining properties.
Many plants are available for use as screens and can be successfully used for this purpose if installed and
maintained properly. The privacy they provide is invaluable and worth the investment.
Timothy Daly, MS - Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension Agent
Leaf Identification Book Donated
Forestry Field Day is a competitive judging contest where 4-H‟ers
learn about one of Georgia‟s most valuable resources. Participants learn to
identify trees, insects and tree diseases. The activities provide an
opportunity for youth to gain a better appreciation for our local forest
resources and how they contribute to our economy and quality of life.
Gwinnett County Master Gardener, Jackie Kujawa, who has
completed an Urban Tree ID class, donated her leaf identification book as a
training tool for youth to identify trees. The donated leaf identification
book will be a training tool for future projects to utilize.
Barbara Larson, 4-H Program Assistant, is the leader for this
program. This event teaches teamwork, decision making, critical thinking and communication skills. Our
4-H‟ers learn how to compete and build self confidence and self worth through the knowledge and skills
obtained.
Gwinnett 4-H would like to thank Mrs. Kujawa for this donation to our program.
Pam Schingoethe, 4-H Agent
STRENGTHENING FAMILY TIME
It is important to have a family environment where children and adults believe they are loved and accepted
just as they are, and feel safe enough to let their guard down. A place where they can be themselves helps
strengthen them to tackle the challenges they face in their daily lives.
Here are few suggestions to strengthen your family:
First, make those first minutes easier when you get home from work or children
from school. Parents might encourage very young children to rest with the parent
for 10 to 15 minutes, just enough time to relax. If the children are older,
explain that the parent needs some time to look at the mail or change clothes
just to get adjusted to the different atmosphere of home and the evening activities.
“Stay in the car for an extra 10 minutes, to adjust, if that helps.”
Second, try to solve some of the issues by planning ahead. Knowing what you will fix for dinner gives
parents a break. Preparing the meal ahead by doing something such as cooking double batches will
make it easier to get a meal on the table during the rush of the workweek. Share meal planning and
shopping with other family members. That is also a good way to have time to talk as parents teach
meal-preparation skills.
Finally, schedule a family time. When everyone gets home they are anxious to talk about both the good
and the rough times of their day. Even if they are bursting to tell, it might be better to know they will
have an audience. Perhaps families can set a time with each child and for the parents with each other.
Keeping communication open is the real goal.
Come up with a family tradition or routine to help relieve stress when first arriving home. Dedicate time
spent together playing games, taking walks or bike rides, creating a family memory book, planning family
events or reading a book together bonds and a sense of belonging.
The rough time at the beginning of the evening can become a smooth transition period if the family is
willing to support one another. Anything that helps ease that time makes the family stronger.
Article submitted by: Ines Beltran - FACS Agent and Radon Educator
What could be a better way to start off the school year than get involved in
the Gwinnett 4-H program?
There are activities for grades 5 thru 12. Some of the activities our 4-H
program offer : Field Trips to various canoeing, tubing, and educational
venues; District Project Achievement (DPA) - 4-H‟ers learn to do public speaking, create visuals such as
posters, and learn time management. Each age level has more activities than the one before.
Our older 4-H youth work on Portfolio‟s that are cumulative materials and compiled of 4-H work for a year.
They compete on district and state level for reward trips to State 4-H Congress. Youth can also create lasting
friendship bonds with kids from all across the state of Georgia.
There are also various camps which active 4-H‟ers can participate in and yearly 2 day weekend rallies. Most
of the 4-H rallies are held at Rock Eagle, which is located in Eatonton, Ga.
Gwinnett 4-H youth participate in community activities, work with younger 4-H youth, participate in our
monthly council meetings, and much more.
Take a look at the 4-H website: www.ugaextension.com/gwinnett to learn more about the program
and be sure to check out the 4-H calendar to write down dates of the council meetings. If you have
any questions, please give Pam Schingoethe, 4-H Agent, a call at 678-377-4010.
GWINNETT COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFICE
Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service has served Gwinnett County Citizens since 1919. We offer
programs in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources
and 4-H and Youth.
We are proud to be a part of Gwinnett County to assist with landscaping, soil testing, natural
resources, promoting youth programs, teaching educational classes, and assisting consumers with unbiased,
researched, informative information from The University of Georgia.
Listed below are staff members at our office. Please phone us if we can assist you.
Visit our website at www.ugaextension.com/gwinnett
Robert Brannen - Extension Director
Kitty Shepard - Office Manager
Sharon Cassidy - Receptionist
4-H and Youth Programs
Pam Schingoethe - 4-H Agent
Janice Rogers - 5th Grade Programs
Barbara Larson - 6th - 7th Grade Programs
Ag/ Horticulture/ Natural Resource Department
Timothy Daly - County Extension Agent
Kathy Parent - Ag Program Assistant
Marlene Gillman - Horticulture Program Asst.
Family & Consumer Science Department
Ines Beltran - County Agent/Radon Specialist
Tricia Smith - Secretary
EFNEP Program
Alma Rhoden - Program Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.ugaextension.com/gwinnett
Gwinnett Extension
750 South Perry Street, Suite 400
Lawrenceville, GA 30046-4804
The University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension
GWINNETT COUNTY
750 South Perry Street, Suite 400
Lawrenceville, GA 30046-4804
Phone: 678-377-4010
Fax: 678-377-4030