Agriculture

When cutting grass, working in the yard or just milling around outside when a heat wave hits, most people can just step inside to cool off in the air conditioning. But what about Shelby's equine friends? There are not a lot of barns with AC pumping in.

In preparation for the heat wave settling on Shelby County this week, horse trainers and owners can take certain precautions for extra care of their horses during the dog days of summer.

Trainer and horse owner at RHC Riding Academy, Erin Reid said all of her horses have boxed stalls with their own fan.

If someone asked me what my favorite perennial was, I could only say that it changes with each passing year. This year the answer is the Hardy Geranium, known around these parts as the Cranesbill.

My fascination with Hardy Geraniums has grown steadily as I have discovered the countless varieties that exist. In European gardens they are as commonplace as phlox is in American perennial gardens.

This time last year, I had some healthy-looking tomato plants, which was a delight because in 2009 I had some disease issues.

Turned out that 2010 was a bust though because of all the crazy heat we had! This year the garden and the tomatoes look promising, but I am always on the lookout for emerging problems. So far the 2011 day-time and night-time summer weather, and temperature are absolutely perfect for tomatoes!

Who among us is guilty of not noticing it until it’s too late? Yes, all of a sudden there is nothing left of your blue spruce or arborvitae. Bagworms have been munching on the needles for weeks, and we wonder how it all happened.

Well, they are at work right now, so go outside and take inventory of your evergreens because that’s what the bagworm likes the most. Now is the time they do their damage unless we put a stop to it.