Teton County UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO EXTENSION UPDATE

Garden prep and planning in the Tetons

March 2018

235 S. 5th E., Driggs, ID. 83422

208-354-2961 teton@uidaho.edu

INSIDE THIS ISSUE . . . Garden Prep and Planning in the Tetons …………………..1-2

Your Small Farm Webinar …..3

Beekeeper of Teton Valley ….4

4-H family, members and lead-er information, deadlines & an-nouncement …………..5-7

With our short-season, high alti-

tude climate, adequate planning

and getting an early start can

help with having a successful Te-

ton garden. First, consider map-

ping out your garden site and

nearby resources. You don’t need

to be an expert artist; instead

draw existing nearby structures,

water resources, vegetation like

shrubs and trees, etc. Consider

sunlight, shade, wind, drainage,

slope, weeds, and traffic patterns

around your garden site. Most

garden plants typically need 6-

12 hours of daily sun, so a south

or southwest facing site is opti-

mal. If you are planting in an al-

ready existing garden, rotate

your annuals in different spaces

every 2-3 years based on plant

families to ensure that you don’t

deplete nutrients or invite dis-

eases or pests. On the most basic

level, you can divide the plants

into legumes, roots, fruits, and

leaf crops.

Before adding any soil amend-

ments such as fertilizer, I recom-

mend having your soil profes-

sionally tested to get a baseline

assessment of your soil pH, soil

texture, and nutrient levels. This

will help you save money and

effort in the long-run. Soil tests

done through an Extension office

range from $25-$50. If you test

the soil every few years, you can

compare nutrient levels and your

management practices. Regard-

less of your soil type, applying

finished compost annually will

help improve microorganism ac-

Extension save-the-date

• Your Small Farm (2018 Webinar Series) To view full schedule and register visit-www.cultivatingsuccess.org/2018webinarseries

• High Altitude Victory Gar-dening Classes Tuesday & Thursday, March 6-22, 2018 from 12-1:30pm at Extension office

• Food and Farm Coalition March 21 @ Teton Extension office 12-1pm

• Beekeepers of Teton Valley March 19th @ Teton Extension office 6-7pm.

The University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational organization. We offer our programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gen-der, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

By Jennifer Werlin, Extension Educator in

Community Food Systems

University of Idaho, Teton County Extension

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tivity, soil structure and texture,

and return nutrients to the soil.

While a lot of supplies and equip-

ment are not a prerequisite to

starting a simple home garden, it

is helpful to at least have some

basic supplies to get started such

as a trowel and shovel and other

irrigation equipment such as a

lawn hose and spray nozzle or

wand. You can often find garden-

ing supplies at the thrift store or

garage sales to save money.

In terms of choosing garden

plants, assess what you like and

what can realistically grow in our

climate. Teton Valley is located in

the plant hardiness zones be-

tween 3 and 4, although there are

microclimates throughout our

area (you can even create some

microclimates!). Our typical frost-

free period is 49-65 days. For an

annual vegetable garden, planting

cool-season/hardy vegetable

crops are a gratifying way to get

started (e.g., kale, leafy greens,

radishes, etc.). I recommend em-

ploying some basic season exten-

sion techniques to avoid common

frustrations that a lot of new Te-

ton gardeners often face. The

wide temperature swings be-

tween day and night, even in the

middle of summer, slow down

the growth of even the hardiest of

plants. Using a floating row cover

(often called “reemay”) can help

keep the soil temperature more

constant and warm (remove cov-

er when it’s over 85 degrees F).

Consider using other techniques

such as raised beds, container

gardening, cold frames, and/or

greenhouses/hoop houses for

further frost protection and sea-

son extension. Starting seeds in-

doors before planting or buying

plant starts from a nursery or lo-

cal farm also help tremendously,

especially for slower maturing

plants.

Before planting, take some time

to weed, till, and apply soil

amendments. Using a mulch

(plastic, wood, or weed control

fabric) around your plants can

help reduce the spread of weeds,

warms the soil, and improves soil

moisture retention. Before tilling

and planting, make sure that your

soil is dry enough for planting. If

it breaks up and crumbles easily,

it is usually okay. Avoid planting

when it is too wet. Most seed

packets will give you the estimat-

ed planting dates depending on

the crop and the ideal soil tem-

perature for planting. You can

test the soil temperature with a

simple kitchen thermometer.

These are just a few simple tips to

get started. If you think you don’t

know where to start or would

like to learn even more about

gardening in our area, I will be

offering a “High Altitude Victory

Garden Class” at the UI Teton

County Extension Office in Driggs,

Tuesdays and Thursdays March 6

-22nd from 12:00-1:30 PM; $40

per person. Learn more and reg-

ister at our office (235 S. 5th St. E.

in Driggs, 208-354-2961, te-

ton@uidaho.edu). I will also offer

additional gardening workshops

this spring and fall, with some

classes in the evenings and/or

weekends. Please contact us to be

notified.

___________________________________

Jennifer Werlin is an Extension

Educator in Community Food Systems for the University of Ida-

ho in Teton County. University of Idaho Cooperative Extension of-

fers research-based educational programs and publications in the areas of agriculture, community

development and family and con-sumer science. Learn more at

www.uidaho.edu or call 208-354-2961. The University of Idaho

does not discriminate in educa-

tion or employment on the basis

of human differences, as required by state and federal laws. Any-one attending our program(s)

that requires auxiliary aids or services should contact te-

ton@uidaho.edu or 208-354-2961 prior to the event.

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Page 4

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If you need to purchase a

helmet to ride horses in 4

-H this summer please

contact the office before

April 30th. We will place

a order so you will have it before your

first riding meeting. Thanks.

4-H Horse Camp Alpine 4-H horse camp scholarship paperwork is

due April 7th by midnight to be evaluated April

10th. Alpine 4-H horse camp paperwork is in the

office for you to pick up.

Beekeepers of Teton Valley This fun, informal group of folks will meet to share resources and experiences about the joys of beekeeping. All interested persons are

encouraged to attend for a hour of networking. If you are interested in beekeeping you may want to become involved in our 4-H Bee-

keeping and Gardening Club. As a leader you would assist in taking care of the hives, learning through doing. This hands on learning is a

great model for kids and ADULTS! What a great way to great started in this exciting field.

Thursday, March 19th 6:00-7:00 pm @ UI Extension, Teton County Office

Facts about Honeybees • Honey collection and beekeeping are depicted in Stone Age cave paintings.

• Honeybees are not native to the United States. They came from Europe with the early

settlers.

• During the summer, a worker honeybee lives about 6 weeks and gathers enough nectar

in that time for 1⁄12 of a teaspoon of honey. She may live 4 to 6 months in the winter.

• queen bee can live for 3 to 5

years. She mates only once (with

several drone bees) but remains fertile for life, laying up to 2,000 eggs per day.

• In the winter, 20,000 to 30,000 bees live in a hive; in the summer that

number jumps to between 60,000 and 80,000.

• Honeybees have an amazing sense of smell. They communicate, find their

way home (each hive has a specific odor), and locate food using their 170

odorant receptors.

Reference: www.keepingbackyardbees.com/facts-honeybees/

“Photo credit: Farmers Almanac, 2018.”

Market Beef 2018

Market beef club is one club that takes early planning and dedication. Lead-ing around a 1,200 pound animal at fair doesn’t just happen. This 4-H year has seen the registration of 9 market beef participants. These 4-H partici-pants purchased their calves around the first part of October. They have spent ountless cold mornings and eve-nings doing chores, hauling feed and bedding animals and training.

Teton Livestock Club is a Market Beef Club led by Katie Murdock. This year they have had several meetings to net-work and check in about how their animals are doing. They spend time

recording and talking about feeding and weight gains. Just around the corner is……. March 10th the big day for INITIAL WEIGH-IN.

On this day they must be able to load their steer and lead it into the weigh house onto the scale. For some this will not be easy.

Everyone uses different strategy on how to halter break a steer. One way is tying the weanling to a good solid post for about a week. In this method the animal gets untied and led to feed

and water. The idea here is the animal learns that it is a good thing to be led by a halter. Leading equals food and water. It also helps if halter time also equals lots of rubs and scratches!

Members have also been known to tie the animal to a truck, tractor or a four wheeler. This method will eventually teach the steer that it is easier and OK just to follow.

So much to learn…

The next several months will be full of

many lessons for the beef participants.

April will bring a visit to the club

from Dr. Betts who will discuss spring

health issues and vaccinations. Later

in the summer there will be clinics on

fitting and showmanship. Then we

will all see the fruits of their labor!

Way to go Beef 4-Hers.

Teton 4-H Happenings

Page 5

RULE BOOK

The Teton County Rule Book is out. Make sure you

are aware of new rules and

changes to weight minimums,

drug testing and consequences

of violations. Each family will

be asked to sign the back sheet

and return it to the extension

office prior to entry to the fair.

Skill Builders

Don’t miss this month’s Skill Builder

Opportunity!

Youth Yoga / Mindfulness

Wednesday, March 21

3:30 –5:30 PM

$5 per participant Certified Yoga Instructor, Jen Werlin

will led a group introducing basic Yo-

ga skills and Mindful Meditation.

Open to ages 8—18. A FREE intro-

duction to see if YOGA is for you!

Sign up at 208-354-2961

teton@uidaho.edu

Horseless Horse Club This could be the best partnership since peanut butter and jelly! Every year Teton County 4-H receives interest from youth that want to learn about horses and have the opportunity to be around horses AND Hapi Trails Horse Rescue and Adoption has horses that need attention! If this sounds interesting you may want to learn about the newest club to 4-H.

Hapi Trails administration has committed to sign up at least one leader to facilitate the Horseless Horse Club. This club will be open to registered 4-H members that do NOT have their own horse. This will be a non-riding club. Participants will learn skills on safely controlling horses from the ground, what it takes to care for horses, and how to have

successful interactions with horses.

This will also be a great education-al opportunity to learn about building trust for humans and horses. We can’t wait to see what great things will come out of this partnership. The club sign-up will be available on-line when all the leaders paperwork and back-ground checks are complete!

CALENDAR

March

March 5th, 6-7 pm Feeding Clinic Fairgrounds

March 10th, 9-10am Beef Weigh-In fairgrounds

March 21st, 3:30—5:00pm Skillbuilder Yoga/Wellness

March 23 ATTN: SENIORS 4-H Scholarship Due in Exten-sion Office by 4pm

April

April 16th Scholarship inter-views with applicants

April 30th, 4-6 pm Swine Weigh-In at fairgrounds

May

May 10th Horse ID., Breed-ing livestock, Dog, Poultry and Rabbit paperwork due 5 pm at Extension Office

May 14th, 6 pm 4-H Schol-arship Fundraiser Dinner Fair-grounds

May 29th, 4-6 pm Sheep/Goat weigh-in at fairgrounds

June 13-15th Alpine 4-H Camp, Alpine WY.

July 7th 4-H Horse Rally Teton County Fairgrounds

July 11-14th Alpine Horse Camp Alpine, Wyoming

Aug. 4-11 Teton Valley Fair

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Each year a Scholarship fundraiser is held to support our schol-

arship fund. High school seniors that have been in 4-H during

their high school years are eligible to receive a 3 year scholar-

ship for their higher education. All 4-H members are required to

help with this fundraiser by selling tickets, attending, and/or

helping with silent auction items.

EACH CLUB is asked to bring a silent auction item for the dinner.

Leaders will organize this with the members. Last year they

clubs were so creative with the “baskets” they put together. The

dinner last year raised over $3,000 to our scholarship fund.

This is a great family night that supports TETON COUNTY 4-H!

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO EXTENSION UPDATE

Teton County

4-H Shooting Sports! Fast becoming one of the most popular clubs.

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2017 FAIR PHOTO OF THE MONTH

GRANT NEWS

Teton County 4-H was awarded the Teton Valley

Community Foundation Philanthropy Grant

judged by high school seniors. This grant will fund

the purchase of a swine market animal to be do-

nated the Resource Center. The grant also en-

compasses efforts to promote community dona-

tions through the “Grow a Row” campaign.

Teton County 4-H was awarded a grant by the

Idaho Horse Board that will fund the construction

of upgraded trail course obstacles. Construction

of the obstacles will begin in the spring.

Silverstar Communications just announced the

results of their grant recipients! Teton County 4-

H was selected for funding! This grant was

written for the implementation of three clinics

that enrich their 4-H experience. These clinics

include Casper College Livestock Judging held

March 2nd, 4-H Horse Rally to be held July 7th

and a District Archery Shoot on a date to be de-

termined.

Congratulations TETON COUNTY 4-H!

Advisory Board Meeting

Your Teton County 4-H Advisory

Board is meeting on Monday, March

12th at 5:45 at the Extension Office.

If you have anything you would like

discussed please contact a board

member: Regina Beard, Hailey Beard,

Katie Murdock, Missy Matkin or

Shawnia Tonks.

Teen Leaders is open to any high school 4-H participant.

This group has traditionally had great ideas to enhance

4-H. The motivated teens will be setting goals for the

upcoming season. Currently they are working on hold-

ing a skill-a-thon for younger 4-H members. This is a

great opportunity to develop leadership and planning

skills. The next meeting is:

Tuesday, March 20th @ 7 pm