If you have ever seen emerging peach leaves that are puckered,
swollen, distorted and reddish-green color, you have seen peach leaf
curl. Uncontrolled, this disease can severely weaken trees due to
untimely leaf drop when leaves unfurl in the spring. Fortunately, peach
leaf curl is not that difficult to control if the spray is applied early
enough. However, by the time you see symptoms, it is much too late. As a
matter of fact, fungicides are ineffective if applied after buds begin
to swell. Don’t spray when temperatures are below 40 degrees or will
fall below freezing before the spray dries. Usually we can wait until
March to spray but an extended warm period in February that encourages
early bud swell may require spraying in late February.
Though peach leaf curl can be controlled by a single fungicide
application either in the fall after leaf drop, it is more commonly
controlled in the spring. There are several fungicides labeled for this
disease including Bordeaux, liquid lime sulfur, and chlorothalonil
(Ortho Garden Disease Control, Fertilome Broad Spectrum Fungicide,
GardenTech Fungicide Disease Control, Gordon’s Multipurpose Fungicide,
and Daconil). Thoroughly cover the entire tree during application. Note
that it is much easier to achieve good spray coverage if the tree is
pruned before spraying. (Ward Upham)
Approaching Time for Peach Leaf Curl Control
Leona, Naomi and Ellington apartments to be demolished
Wichita City Council approves the demolition of three apartment buildings in a 5-1 vote.
The controversial move is aimed at revitalizing the area but comes with the cost of losing 3 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Leona, Naomi and Ellington apartments where constructed in the 1920’s and have been considered a vital part of Wichita’s Architectural history.
photo credit: Flickr: takomabibelot
Establish healthy traditions to make winter fun, prevent cold-weather blues
Story contact: Emily Martin, MU News Bureau; Sources: University of Missouri Extension specialists
Frigid weather may seem like a good excuse to avoid workouts, stay inside and overindulge in comfort foods. However, health experts from the University of Missouri Extension have found that these tendencies leave most people feeling less content during the winter months. MU researchers say people should establish new traditions to increase happiness and avoid wintertime woes.
Incorporate activities and habits that promote health and can be shared with spouses, friends and family members each year. The experts suggest trying a variety of ideas.
“When thinking about New Year’s changes, a good first step is creating a vision for the future by picturing yourself happy and healthy,” said Karen Sherbondy, MU Extension special projects coordinator for Family Nutrition Education Programs. “Identify positive and negative aspects of your health and the health of others, including friends, family members, spouses and children. This provides a starting point for establishing new behaviors, avoiding negative habits and seeking help from others.”
“Regarding exercise and physical activity in the winter, some is better than none, more is better than some and too much is difficult to get,” said Steve Ball, state fitness specialist and associate professor in the College of Human Environmental Sciences. “Establish traditions to accommodate cold weather. Try new things… Think of things that are enjoyable – spending time with kids, crafts and watching movies – and incorporate physical activity to enhance them,” Ball said…
For more great ideas on ways to increase physical activity, improve mood, develop healthier eating habits and encourage better overall health for you and your family this winter, read the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/
Paying to borrow your own money is a bad deal
Story source: Brenda Procter, M.S., State Specialist & Instructor, Personal Financial Planning, University of Missouri Extension
The ball at Times Square had barely touched bottom before the ads for tax-refund loans began broadcasting across the country. But getting tax refund money just a few days earlier can cost you.
A refund anticipation loan (RAL) is a short-term consumer loan secured by the borrower’s expected tax refund. Some tax preparers may advertise RALs as “instant refunds.” This is both misleading and illegal, said Brenda Procter, personal financial planning specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Consumers are not getting their tax refund, she said. They’re taking out a high-interest loan.
While you may be tempted to pay the lending fees to get your refund right away, Procter says a little patience can save you a lot of money.
“A lot of taxpayers don’t realize that if they file their income tax electronically and arrange to have their refund deposited directly into a checking account, they will likely have their refund in a week to 10 days anyway,” she says.
Borrowing your own money comes at a steep price…
To learn more about the interest, fees and other charges from RALs and to find out where you can go for FREE tax preparation services, see the full version of this article (along with the accompanying video) at http://missourifamilies.org/
Storing canned foods
Christeena Haynes, MS, RD, LD, former Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Dallas County, University of Missouri Extension
Many people have questions about the storage of canned goods and since February is Canned Food Month, now is a good time to address some of the most common questions.
You want to start with a good quality product. If you are purchasing canned goods, choose those that are not rusted, dented, scratched or bulging. Home-canned foods should only be made using research-tested procedures, equipment and recipes from sources such as USDA or University of Missouri Extension.
Store canned goods in a cool, dark, dry area away from furnaces, pipes and other places where temperature changes occur. Store metal cans off of the floor because moisture may lead to rust.
Be sure to label the can with the purchase date or the date it was made. It is recommended that unopened home-canned foods be used within one year. Commercially-canned low-acid foods, like meat and vegetables, should be consumed within 2 to 5 years. High-acid foods, such as tomatoes and fruit, have a shorter shelf life of 12 to 18 months.
Always use the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method when it comes to using foods from storage so that you are sure to use your oldest cans first…
For more information on the nutritional value of canned goods and the best way to select and store them, see the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.
