July 30, 2019 Issue, Page 5 of 12

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Agriculture Tuesday, July 30, 2019 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Keeping snakes away from your home and yard OSU Agriculture and consumer specialist. on the prowl for food, it is grassy areas, as well as un- ten are large enough for a across one, if left alone, With the record-breaking “For a lot of people, the important to keep your yard der rocks or other items that snake to slither through. it’s likely to move along rainfall this spring, it is not thought of a snake in their free of snake snacks. Ro- may be laying in your yard. Make sure you have a door on its own,” said Dwayne surprising some wildlife has yard or inside their home can dents, such as mice, are a For example, a pile of lum- sweep on doors that lead to Elmore, OSU Cooperative been displaced from their be quite unsettling,” Peek mainstay in a snake’s diet, ber leftover from a past con- the exterior of your home. Extension wildlife special- said. “Fortunately, snakes, regular habitat. While an er- as with most other creatures, so it is helpful to minimize struction project or rotten Peek said during hot ist and Bollenbach Chair in rant rabbit passing through the mice population in and tree stumps provide a great weather, snakes can be at- OSU's Department of Natu- don’t want anything to do your yard may not be a big with the human population. around your home. Store habitat for lots of pests. tracted to cool and/or damp ral Resource Ecology and deal, some people are seeing They're likely invading pet food in a metal trashcan “These kinds of areas places, such as beneath stor- Management. “Snake bites an increase in snakes in their your space because they’re with a lid or a sealed plas- also provide a great habitat age sheds or basements/ typically occur when an in- yard and around their house. looking for food and shelter” tic container to keep out for the snakes themselves,” storm cellars. Keep out a experienced person tries to Unless you intentionally Most snakes found in mice. Plug all small cracks Peek said. “By eliminating watchful eye when going pick up, pest, move or kill have a pet snake in a ter- dense cover, you're also North America are harm- and other openings around into the cellar or if you need the snake. This is especially rarium in your home, it is likely you do not want these less. Although you may your foundation, doors and taking away snake habitats.” to crawl underneath your dangerous when dealing slithering creatures _call- not want them on or around windows with steel wool When snakes seek ref- home or a storage building. with venomous snakes. It’s ing your property home, your property, the best ap- or expanding foam sealant. uge, they look for gaps or “Granted, most people best to call a profession- said Gina Peek, Oklahoma proach is to remain calm Something else to keep in openings in your home. prefer to not have snakes al pest or wildlife person State University Coop- and use nonharmful tactics. mind is snakes like to for- Gaps beneath garage doors on their property at all. to remove any poisonous erative Extension housing Because snakes might be age for their food in tall, or in the foundation of- However, if you do run snakes on your property.” Succulents are becoming a big gardening trend OSU Agriculture thrive in these conditions, Hillock said succulents sary. Get creative with the wound roots, which indicate clude watering until the soil Although they have been which makes them a great are a fun way to experiment containers. Not only will the plant is root-bound.” is damp, then allowing the around for many years, suc- addition to a garden, espe- with plants because they can the plants themselves add Once you get the succu- soil to dry out before water- culents are becoming a big cially for novice gardeners.” grow in so many versatile variety and texture to your lents home, choose a spot in ing again. There’s a big dif- gardening trend. One thing While easy to grow, succu- places. You can put them landscape, your choice of the landscape that receives a ference between soil drying that makes them popular is lents do require care to sur- right in your regular flower containers will, as well.” lot of sun. Remember, not all out and drying up. Feel the they grow well in hot, dry vive and thrive. Knowing the bed or raised bed. They Although these plants all succulents are from the same soil and if it is dry to the environments where other basics of succulent care will are called succulents, keep in family and may require more also are great for creating plants may not do so well. help ensure you have healthy a container garden. Not all mind the proper care of these or less sun than other plants. touch, it is time to water. If David Hillock, Okla- plants for years to come. succulents are cold hardy plants is not necessarily one Should you choose to plant in the soil has shrunk from the homa State University Co- First, what exactly is a in Oklahoma so be sure to size fits all. If you shop for a container, add extra pum- sides of the pot and become operative Extension con- succulent and where do they check for hardiness and succulents at your local nurs- ice, sharp sand, grit or perlite hard, you have waited too sumer horticulturist, said come from? Oftentimes, bring tender plants indoors ery or plant store, read the to the potting soil. This will long. Simply rehydrate the succulentsarea great addition people envision the tall, before freezing weather. tags attached to the plants. help ensure good drainage. soil by soaking the pot in a to any garden and landscape. prickly cactus in the desert. “Once you get started Hillock also —sug- Something else to keep in sink or tray with an inch or “We know successful gar- However, succulent is the working with succulents, gests searching for mind is that although these two of water for a few hours dening requires more than term used for any plant that you'll start to see all dif- plants that look healthy. new additions to the garden until the soil rehydrates. a green thumb. Gardeners has a swollen part that can ferent ways in which these “This includes healthy are drought-tolerant, they “Succulents are beauti- work hard to keep their land- hold excess water. The water plants can be used,” he said. looking leaves with no tears, still need a drink every now ful, colorful and can add so scapes looking nice,” Hill- can be stored in the leaves, “Tf you have an old birdbath spots or discoloration. Check and then. While they can much texture and visual in- ock said, “However, typical stem or roots. Succulent re- that no longer holds water, for pests on the leaves and in tolerate longer periods of Oklahoma summers can be ally describes the character- fill it with soil and plant a the soil,” he said. “Carefully drought, with regular water- terest to your landscape,” hot and dry, and these con- istics of a plant, rather than a variety of succulents in it; pull the plant out of the pot ing and proper conditions, Hillock said. “Whether ditions aren’t always condu- specific type of plant, which however, make sure they and inspect the soil and check succulents can be low main- you’re a novice or a sea- cive for a productive garden. can be found on every con- have excellent drainage and for signs of pests or disease. tenance and last for years. soned gardener, succu- However, succulents tend to tinent except Antarctica. add drainage holes if neces- In addition, look for tightly Watering cycles should in- lents are a great choice.” Soy growers appreciate efforts to offset ongoing tariff damages Washington, D.C. July gregate for 2019, not to ex- ers caught in the middle of 25, 2019. The United States ceed total 2018 plantings. the trade war with China. Department of Agriculture Davie Stephens, president Soybean growers were also (USDA) released details of the American Soybean pleased with the Agricultur- this morning of the 2019 Association (ASA) and al Trade Promotion (ATP) Market Facilitation Program soybean grower from Clin- funding announced _ by (MFP) payments announced ton, Kentucky, said, “The USDA last Friday, as those by the Administration in county rate for farmers in funds granted to the soybean May. MPF will provide up areas with a higher percent- industry will support new to $14.5 billion to produc- age of crops suffering from ers, including soybean farm- negative trade impacts will market development. Yet, FRIDAY xAUGUST 2ND 6PM-9PM ers, in up to three tranches receive a higher offset for ASA continues to ask for a FastBreadvay &Maity> starting with a first round the damages we have seen quick and positive resolution of payments this August. because of the tariffs. We to the current tariff on U.S. Payment rates vary by appreciate the Administra- beans going to China that county from $15 to $150 tion’s effort to determine has disrupted the market. COME HANG OUT BEHIND DOWNTOWN FIRST NATIONAL BANK Sign-up for farmers with per acre based on USDA’s how the payments will calculated damages from work and hope our soybean eligible crops begins Mon- FEATURING tariffs in each individual growers—no matter where county affected — most in their farms are and what is day, July 29, with those who are first to sign up expected Hunter the $50 to $75 range per planted there—feel some to receive an initial pay- acre, according to USDA. relief from this assistance.” ment equal to 50% of what That single-county rate will ASA is glad that the Ad- they are eligible for in mid be multiplied by a farm’s ministration continues to late August. Second and total planted acreage for all to recognize the ongoing third payments, each equal MPP-eligible crops in ag- struggle of soybean farm- to 25% of the total qualify- LIVE MUSIC ing payment, are slated for November 2019 and Janu- STARTS @ 7:00 ary 2020 contingent upon market conditions and trade opportunities. Produe- ers can continue to sign up FOOD TRUCKS @ 6:00 NOW HIRING! through December 6, 2019. Farmers who earn 75% FREE WEEKEND +SHOPS OPEN TILL 8:0 Class A CDL drivers with tanker endorsement in Arnett, Leedey, or more of their income from agriculture will be eli- gible for up to the $250,000 INFLATABLES +POP UP VENDORS+ COMMUNITY ART Packsaddle and Thomas. MFP payment limit and retroactively eligible for up Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance AS GAGE First National Bank to the $125,000 payment Tt of iy REAT P|LAINS ? Paid Vacation limit for the 2018 program. Sheet REGIONAL MEDICAL: Matching 401k MEP payments are limited Competitive Pay to a combined $250,000 2D (Great Pisin Banke (580) 938-0177 for non-specialty crops per person or legal entity (FU COOPERATIVE Arnett, Leedey, Packsaddle and a combined $250,000 HEALTHY Visit FACEBOOK (580) 661-1242 for hog or dairy farmers per person or legal entity; LIVING Thomas lockpartyelkcity No applicant can receive more than $500,000 total.