Winter Garden Pruning
One of the common activities during winter in Northeast Texas gardens is pruning. When referring to pruning, Dr. Welsh, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulturist indicated: Proper pruning enhances the beauty of almost any landscape tree and shrub, while improper pruning can ruin or greatly reduce its landscape potential. In most cases, it is better not to prune than to do it incorrectly.
In nature, plants go years with little or no pruning, but man can ruin what nature has created. By using improper pruning methods healthy plants are often weakened or deformed. In nature, every plant eventually is pruned in some manner. It may be a simple matter of low branches being shaded by higher ones resulting in the formation of a collar around the base of the branch restricting the flow of moisture and nutrients. Eventually the leaves wither and die and the branch then drops off in a high wind or storm. Often, tender new branches of small plants are broken off by wild animals in their quest for food. In the long run, a plant growing naturally assumes the shape that allows it to make the best use of light in a given location and climate. All one needs to do to appreciate a plant’s ability to adapt itself to a location is to walk into a wilderness and see the beauty of natural growing plants.
Pruning, like any other skill, requires knowing what you are doing to achieve success. The old idea that anyone with a chain saw or a pruning saw can be a landscape pruner is far from the truth. More trees are killed or ruined each year from improper pruning than by pests. Remember that pruning is the removal or reduction of certain plant parts that are not required, that are no longer effective, or that are of no use to the plant. It is done to supply additional energy for the development of flowers, fruits, and limbs that remain on the plant.
Pruning, which has several definitions, essentially involves removing plant parts to improve the health, landscape effect, or value of the plant. Once the objectives are determined and a few basic principles understood, pruning primarily is a matter of common sense. Pruning can actually be done at any time of the year; however, recommended times vary with different plants. Contrary to popular belief, pruning at the wrong time of the year does not kill plants, but continual improper pruning results in damaged or weakened plants. Do not prune at the convenience of the pruner, but rather when it results in the least damage to the plant. There is little chance of damaging the plant if this rule is followed.
In general, the best time to prune most plants is during late winter or early spring before growth begins. There are exceptions to this rule. The least desirable time is immediately after new growth develops in the spring. A great amount of food stored in roots and stems is used in developing new growth. This food should be replaced by new foliage before it is removed; if not, considerable dwarfing of the plant may occur. This is a common problem encountered in pruning. It also is advisable to limit the amount of pruning done late in summer as new growth may be encouraged on some plants. This growth may not have sufficient time to harden off before cold weather arrives resulting in cold damage or winter kill. Prune plants damaged by storms or vandalism or ones with dead limbs as soon as possible to avoid additional insect and disease problems that may develop.
In another note: pruning can be an intense activity once starts. Make sure you plan how much and how to dispose of the plant material so you can enjoy as you work.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
New APRN Joins Dr. Graves in Trinity Orthopedic Clinic
December 21, 2018 – Miss Jennifer Flowers graduated in 2016 with her Masters degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She had worked in a Pediatrics clinic while completing her degree through Nebraska’s Creighton University, and then gained experience in Orthopedics in a clinic there. She applied to Christus Mother Frances hospital to be nearer her Texas family, and was hired back in the summer. Since then, she has found her niche in the busy Trinity Orthopedic Clinic as an APRN in Dr. Richard Graves office.
Seeing patients from pediatrics to geriatrics, she assists those who have acute injuries and fractures to bones and joints. “We treat babies and children with injuries, youth involved in sports, adults with work injuries and the elderly who are troubled with joint pain. With fractures, first Dr. Graves sees the patient to determine if surgery is needed and if the patient is a good surgery candidate, or if the patient possibly needs referral to a specialist. If the injury needs to be cast, they come to me. I do most of the casting and also examine patients and do follow-ups. I like the fact that I get to follow them through their journey from injury to healing and a return to wellness”.
“We find that many older patients who are having knee, ankle and hip joint pain are also overweight. Actually, for every 5 pounds of extra weight we carry, that’s equivalent to 22 pounds of pressure on those lower joints. For some patients, we can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve the pain of joint movement , and for others, we administer injections to help settle the pain. Replacement surgery may also be an option. With any of these remedies, we also promote weight loss for a better quality of recovery and of life. We also treat patients with hand, wrist, shoulder and any kind of bone and joint injury or disorder”. Visit Trinity Orthopedic Clinic at 105 Medical Plaza, christushealth.org or phone 903-885-5439.
Miss Flowers grew up in Lubbock, Texas and Durango, Colorado, and has family there She is enjoying her new home in Sulphur Springs and especially likes the atmosphere of the downtown district, saying that it reminds her of the tourist towns and villages so prevalent in Colorado”.
Game Day: Wildcats in Houston for Showcase; Lady Cats at Hugo, OK
Wildcats Basketball Playing in Houston Showcase
The Wildcats’ basketball team is involved in another high school basketball showcase on this game day Friday (December 21), this one far from home. The Wildcats are in Houston at the Delmar Fieldhouse in the Christmas Crossover playing Houston Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology, the #12 ranked team in Class 6A. The Tigers are 13-3 this season. The game got underway at noon. The Wildcats, ranked #8 in Class 5A, have a record of 11-6 after a Tuesday night win in Tyler over Class 6A team Tyler Lee. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said Sam Houston is an athletic team that will press you all over the court. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats need to play under control, protect the ball, limit the Tigers second chance points and make it hard for them to score. He said if the Wildcats do all of those things, they will have a chance to win. The Wildcats have two wins this season over top 25 ranked teams in Class 6A.
Lady Cats Play at Hugo, Oklahoma on Game Day Friday
The Lady Cats’ basketball team is playing Hugo, Oklahoma on the road on this game day Friday (December 21). It’s the Lady Cats last game before the Christmas break. We understand to game times have changed from the original schedule. A JV contest began at noon and the varsity game is scheduled to follow at around 1:15 p.m. in Hugo. According to Max Preps the Lady Buffaloes come into the game with a 5-1 season record. They squeezed by Paris, 41-39 on Tuesday in Paris. The Lady Cats are 14-3 for the season after they downed North Lamar, 50-27 Tuesday night. Last year the Lady Cats defeated Hugo in Sulphur Springs Gym, 37-28. Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said the Hugo, Oklahoma Lady Buffaloes are always athletic but he added athleticism does not always translate into being good at basketball.
Man Arrested for Manufacture Delivery in DFZ Following a Controlled Buy of Methamphetamine
Derrick Matthew ‘BIGD’ Garcia
Criminal Investigator Wade Sheets received information regarding a controlled buy of an illegal substance. Deputies set up at a location in the 300 block of East Shannon Road to await the arrival of Derrick Matthew Garcia, 31, of Mt Vernon. Garcia was arrested at the location where he claimed to be manager of the establishment.
As the officer began a pat down of Garcia, the man told the officer that he had contraband in his pockets. The deputy located a clear baggie with a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine and a clear glass pipe commonly used to smoke meth. The deputy also searched Garcia’s vehicle and located a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.
Garcia is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams in a Drug Free Zone, Possession of Marijuana more than 2oz in a Drug Free Zone, and Ride Not Secured by Safety Belt Passenger.
His wife was also arrested on a misdemeanor charge and is in Hopkins County Jail.
Local Man Arrested on Parole Violation; and Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon
When Hopkins County Deputies arrested Stephen Lance Boughton, 40, of Sulphur Springs, for Parole Violation, Boughton had in his possession a bolt action 22 rifle that he claimed was a BB gun.
When Boughton claimed the weapon was a BB gun, an examination of the weapon and the serial number on the weapon proved otherwise. Boughton admitted to knowing the weapon was in the room.
Boughton is in Hopkins County Jail held with no bond on the Parole Violation. He is also charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, a Felony 3.
SWAT Team Executes Warrant Search; Two Arrested
A narcotics search warrant executed at an apartment on Calvert Street by Hopkins County Investigators and the Sulphur Springs/Hopkins Count SWAT Team resulted in the arrest of Robert Jason Doucette, 43, and Angela Kay Doucette, 48. Both were charged with Possession Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3, less than 28-grams in a Drug Free Zone.
Approximately 2.4-grams of methamphetamine was located and a bag of pills identified as Codeine Hydrochloride.
Hearts of Life Support Food Drive; Adoptable Pets Available
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue will be at Fix and Feed of Sulphur Springs Saturday December 22nd to help support the Food Drive. The Food Drive will benefit The Senior Center in Sulphur Springs.
The public is invited bring any non perishable food item(s) between 10am-2pm. Hearts of Life will have a few adoptable fur babies on site that are still searching for their forever homes as well.
Winter weeds- Burweed By Mario Villarino
Recently, phone calls reached the Hopkins County Extension Office related to lawns infestations with burweed. According to Dr. Shackelford, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Austin, nothing designates spring’s arrival like walking barefoot on a lawn of lush, green grass. This pleasant experience can often turn into a painful, sticky situation with the presence of lawn burweed.
Other names for this weed are spurweed and stinging grass. Lawn burweed (Soliva sessilis) is a winter annual that germinates throughout thin turf in the fall months as temperatures cool. It remains small and inconspicuous during the cold winter months.
However, as temperatures warm in the early spring, lawn burweed initiates a period of rapid growth and begins to form spine-tipped burs in the leaf axils. The seed is contained within the hooked bur. Lawn burweed is a low-growing, freely branched winter annual. It has opposite, sparsely hairy leaves that are twice divided into narrow segments or lobes.
Maintain a healthy, dense lawn by fertilizing and liming according to soil test results and mowing at the proper height and frequency for your specific turfgrass. Healthy lawn grasses can out compete burweed for light, water and nutrients and reduce the level of infestation.
The key factor to effectively controlling lawn burweed is to apply a post-emergence herbicide during the winter months of December, January and February. The weed is smaller and easier to control during this time of year and has not yet developed the spine-tipped burs.
Control is not impossible in March, April, and May, but the spines have already formed by this time and will remain after the weed dies. Because lawn burweed is a winter annual, it will begin to die in late spring as air temperatures reach 90 °F. Once the weed has reached a more mature state, multiple herbicide applications may be necessary which increases the potential for turfgrass injury. Dead or alive, lawn burweed poses a painful problem. The only solution to this is early identification and control.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Merry Christmas from the Extension Staff By Johanna Hicks
Christmas is a joyous time for reflecting on the birth and life of Jesus, and how we are impacted by the ultimate gift He gave us. One of my favorite family traditions is that of pulling out a collection of Christmas books, mostly children’s books. I remember growing up in Cleburne, TX, sitting on my daddy’s lap as a child, listening as he read story books to my family.
My family has kept up that tradition. When our kids were young, we would read a different Christmas book every day during the month of December, leading up to Christmas Day. On Christmas morning, we would read Luke, Chapter 2 from the Bible.
Times have changed. Our children are all grown and gone – and some have children of their own, now. However, I still pull out the Christmas books and I even read one to a group of adults at a Christmas party we hosted in our home. I wanted to share a list of some of my favorite Christmas Books with you:
- The Candy Makers’ Gift, by David Heidle
- The Crippled Lamb, by Max Lucado
- The Legend of the Candy Cane, by Lori Walburg
- Itsy Bitsy Christmas, by Max Lucado
- Too Many Tamales, by Gary Soto
- A Precious Moments Christmas, by Thomas Nelson
And of course, The Night Before Christmas is a classic! We have the book and a puzzle (after many years, a few pieces are missing.) When our kids and their families are all home for Christmas this year, we’ll pull out a book or two and read it as a family.
Another family tradition that my grandmother started, was baking goodies and delivering them to neighbors and friends. I remember helping my mom and grandmother in the kitchen, measuring, mixing, pouring, baking, cooling, and wrapping the goodies for delivery. When my husband and I started our family, we continued this with our kids for a while. We wanted to teach them that giving is a blessing!
For those who struggle during the Christmas holidays due to death of a family member, or being away from family, or perhaps not having the means to provide for your family in a way you would desire, focus on the blessings, the quiet reflections of your heart, and perhaps even reach out to others who are in the same situation. A new year is just around the corner, which means new opportunities for a fresh start, renewed spirit, and healthy living. From our Extension staff and my family to you, Merry Christmas!
Upcoming Opportunities
With 2019 quickly approaching, I want to announce some upcoming opportunities.
- Tuesday, January 22: Training for new Master Wellness Volunteers, Extension Office, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Get more information and register on-line at: http://agrilife.org/mwv
- Saturday, January 26: 4-H Sewing Fun Day, Extension Office, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – call the Extension Office for more details.
- Saturday, February 9: Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop, Extension Office, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. No charge for the workshop, but we do request that interested couples call to reserve seats so adequate meal preparations can be made.
- February 21-23: Junior Market Show, Civic Center
Closing Thought
Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind – Mary Ellen Chase
Recipe of the Week
This recipe comes from “The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas.” It makes 9 Latkes (small pancake-type dish). Enjoy!
Latkes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups peeled, coarsely grated potatoes
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
- Olive or peanut oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup applesauce
Directions:
- Squeeze as much water as possible out of the potatoes.
- In a bowl, mix with the remaining ingredients.
- Place a bit of the mixture spread out to 3 inches in a skillet containing a little olive or peanut oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Continue with remaining mixture.
- Serve the pancakes with sour cream and applesauce.
SSISD Tax Office Closed for Christmas Break
According to Sandra Gibby, Tax Assessor-Collector for Sulphur Springs ISD, the school tax office, located in the school district administration building, will be closed the following days for Christmas Break:
Friday, Dec., 21st through Wed., Dec. 26th, 2018And Tuesday, January 1st, 2019
