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Show Page 12 Jane 16, Plant fertility Mot Hardeners know jut enough about plant nutri- tion to be dangerous. They feed the plants and dutifully fertilizer throughout the landscape each spring According to Loralie Cox, Utah State University Extension horticulturist, plants actually do a pretty good job taking care of themselves. They create food (sug- ar, starch and protein) ing nutrients as well. Once thee elements become part of the soil solution (water and nutrients m the soil environment), nutnents are available for plants to Sounds simple," said Cox. But there are a few more factors that affect the ability of plants to nutrients Two of the most ab-or- b. ab-o- rb common problems with nutri- ent absorption in Utah soils are pH. which affects iron availability, and nitrogen availability when organic to amend materials are through the photosynthesis process. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are plant nutrients needed in large quantigarden soil." ties and supplied through air Though gardeners may add organic matter to the soil, and water, she said. Other elements or nu- the nitrogen derived from trients needed for optimal organic matter may not be growth are available from the available for the plant to ue soil, Cox said. Soil contains immediately. Microorganiminerals, microorganisms sms that break down organic and organic materials that matter into forms that plants u-- cd come together to supply es- sential plant nutrition. The elements added as fertilizer are just one small part of the overall picture. Basically, nutrients are chemical elements. Ele- ments in the soil are generally found in organic matter and soil minerals, she explained. Microorganisms digest organic material and release nutrients. Rain, wind, freezing, thawing and sun break down minerals releas rtos (Tltf iTimrs- - 2001 can use are also using nitrogen as a food source. If too much woody organic material is added to the soil, microbes use the available nitrogen for fuel, and plants go without. Cox noted. Many gardeners w ho use sawdust, wood chips or straw-havyellow (chlorotic) plants due to a lack of nitrogen, she said. This is a case when too much of a good thing isnt good. Allow woody material to decompose before adding USDA Rural Development, (Formerly Farmers Home Administration) is celebrating National Home Ownership the month of June 2006, We serve Juab, Millard, and Sanpete Counties and, would like residents to be aware of programs available through the Manti USDA Service Center. If you are a first time homebuyer, or have previously owned a home, but do not presently own one, we may be able to assist you in financing the American Dream. Rural Development has home improvement and repair loans available at one percent interest for senior citizens or families and individuals with very low Income who qualify. Funding is also available for removing safety and health hazards, A new program is being initiating soon in Sanpete County called Mutual Self Help, Nine families will be building their own homes with the assistance of a construction supervisor. If interested in this program, call our office ASAP. Please contact Donna, or Amy at (435) Ext. 4 for more information. USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer, Complaints of discrimination should be sent to, USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-941- TSJ 635-411- it to the soli. Apply one inch of organic material at a time, except in the fall w hen larger quantities will decompose over the w inter. Organic matter should be tilled into the soil as deeply as possible." The other nutrient problem is iron availability, Cox said. Iron is part of the photosynthesis process, and also helps create chlorophy 11. Although our soils contain plenty of iron (plants need very little), it is chemically bound to other elements because of the alkaline soils. Plants indigenous to areas w here soils are acidic will show iron deficiencies in Utah soils, she said. Plants commonly developing iron problems include silver maple, red maple, pin oak, catalpa, peach, quaking apen, grapes and birches. The mo.--t effective option is to avoid plants that consistently have problems." There are options for treating plants currently in the landscape or for preparing before planting, Cox said. First, water properly. Water deeply and infrequently. Improper watering aggravates the problem. Make sure water doesnt puddle around plants. When creating new garden beds, increase drainage by making raised beds or mounds for susceptible plants. As a last resort, treat plants with an iron product. The best products for Utah soils are chelated iron, specifically products that contain the compound EDDHA, which is sold as Iron Sequestrene 138 and Millers Ferriplus. However, these products are not always available and are expensive, she said. The best solution is to watch plants, Cox noted. If they begin to exhibit unusual symptoms, its time to investigate. However, before heading to the garden store for fertilizer, be sure a deficiency actually exists. Inspection of a plant sample or a soil test will reveal if a nutrient deficiency is the cause of problems. Gardeners who would like their soil tested can take a soil sample (at least 2 cups) to their local Extension office, fill out a form and have the sample sent to the Soil Test ing Lab on the USU campus aid Cox. Result from the test are sent in about two weeks both to the individual and to the local Extension office, and questions can be directed to the local Extension agent. Utah Safety Council designates June as National Safety Month The Utah Safety Council designates June 2001 as National Safety Month, an annual observance aimed a promoting preparedness and helping Americans prevent injuries on the roads and in homes, communities and workplaces. The Utah Safety Council plans to lead a ide effort to address the leading cause of injury death in America motor vehicle crashes. The theme of this years National Safety Month will be Crash-FreJune, a month-loninitiative to change driver behavior that causes crashes. In 2002, there were 6.3 million motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. reported to law enforcement authorities, resulting in 2.3 million disabling injuries and 44,000 deaths. The National Safety Council estimates the total cost to society of these crashes to be $242.7 billion representing a cost of more than $800 per year for every American. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death in America and of injury death at work. Motor vehicle crashes are the eighth leading cause of death overall (behind heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, and Alzheimers disease). na-tion- e g DUTCH OVEN DELIGHTS Juab High School class eating Dutih oien peaih cobbler that was taught by Laurie Bates from Family Nutrition Program in Nephi that teaches families the skills to improie their knowledge on budgeting, planning menus, learning to prepare tasty, thrifty meals, making healthy snack ideas and many more lessons to choose from. Our Nutrition Assistant has personally experienced the difficulty of raising a family on a limited income. Ifyou would like to take these free classes call Laurie at (435) 623-345- June, the Utah Safety and lost productivity. The Utah Safety Council encourages employers to designate and other driver behaviors and issues that result in crashes. The ultimate goal of Crash-FreJune is to eliminate motor vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths. Employers know that motor vehicle crashes involving their employees or dependents cost their organizations staggering amounts Crash-Fre- June in their e organizations and adopt education and training programs for their employees and families. We encourage families to discuss driver behavior and skills issues, particularly with young and novice e F FAMILY IS WHY YOU DO IT ALL. YL LIYL IILRF YOU L1YL. Wc all fed the same commitment to care for our families As your good neighbor agent I can help you meet vour insurance and financial needs C all me todav Roy Ward, Agent Driver behavior contrib- utes to 90 of all motor vehicle crashes. Crashes that were solely caused by vehicle or external factors account for the other 10 of crashes. Several specific driver behaviors and errors account for a significant portion of these crashes. During Crash-Fre- in medical care, absenteeism Coun- cil will provide information, education and focus on these 61 N Main Street Nephi. 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