Agriculture

We have a beautiful prickly pear cactus in bloom right now that is flaunting yellow and orange blooms like a peacock does feathers. It is tucked in a garden on the south side of the house so it thrives. In fact, this cactus is native to Kentucky even if most people only associate it with the desert Southwest.
When it comes to prickly plants most of us automatically think of cacti in the desert; there are others with a more subtle prick to consider for the mixed border. Look into adding some texture with Acanthus, Echinops and Eryngium.  

Have you ever considered the nematode? I appreciate the beneficial insects that help keep the garden in balance but there are good things at work that go unseen. I recently released who knows how many in and around my vegetable garden in hopes that they will finally take care of my most annoying vegetable pest: the flea beetle. I do not use chemical pesticides in my vegetable garden so these beneficial nematodes are my last hope; and once the colony is established they should stick around and grow in population to do more good as the season progresses (and in years to come.)

DANIELLE HUTCHINS

County Extension Agent

for 4-H/ Youth Development

4-H Camp has been a summer tradition in Nelson County for decades. Each year a second or third generation registers for this fun-filled week at Lake Cumberland. This year we expect to take more than 200 youth, 25 teens and 25 adults.