COOPERATIVE EXTENSIONUniversiiy of Arizona and U.S.Departmentof Agricufture cooperadr^.

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Rot}ert E. Call

"^Bdension Agent.Horticulture

the Cochlse County Master Gardener

NEWSLEYYER

VOL. 5, NO. 5 MAY1»4

TOMATOES

Barbara KishbaughStaff Writer

Upon learning of my intention to write an article on tomatoes,friends and neighbors offered information on their growing experiences.

Rob Call, Horticulture Agent, said ifyou pinch out the new growthwhich grows in the crotch of two stems (auxili^ growth), it willencourage an earlier crop with larger fruit. Ifquantity is desir^, don'tpinch the new growth. The varieties Rob recommended are Celebrity,Early Girl, BetterBoy, and for cherry tomatoes. Sweet 100. LaRoma wasselected for the pear-shaped tomatoes. It is my preference for its meatyquality.

TommiMartinrecommended theyellowpear varietysincethe plantshe grew spread to a great size and pr^uced more fruit than was everanticii^ited.

Betty Biederman, who has a bountiful garden each year, said shepracticed a theory found to have good results. When transplanting thetomato plant, remove the lower linibs and place the tomato plant deeperinto the soil than it had been previously growing. Then, as the plantdevelops, mound up more earth around the stalk much as you would apotato plant. Thisprocedureproducesan anchoredplant with strongerandfuller growth. Jim Brownreiteratedthe benefitsof this systemof growingtomatoes. Less of the root is near the top of the soil and subject to ourdrying winds.

Purchased plants have probably been grown undei* artificial lightsand if they are in blossom, the same conditions need to be present forfurther developmrat. These plante should be harden^ off. That is,subjected to ourgrowing conditions byplacing them out of doorseach dayuntil they adapt. Tomato plants are not going to continue growing oncethey are transplanted untildiere is sufficient warmthand light availabletoproduce blossoms and fruit. (C<»itinued on next page)

450 Haskell • WillCOX, AZ • 384-35941140 N. Colombo • sierra vista, AZ • 458-1104

When transplanting the tomatoplants, be sure and place them ina prepared bed. A monitoredwatering system is recommendedfor a balanced moisture level.

This will alleviate the crackingand blossom end rot which

sometimes (xx;urs. Put somekind of a collar around the new

transplant. Newspaper in layersworks well and keeps the cutworms from lopping off the newtransplants. The best system is acombination of support and protection. Supporting the plants ona wire cage Will keep them off ofthe ground and the fruit will beclean and also insect free. If

you place black roofing materialaround the base of the wire

frame, about one inch under thesoil and thiee inches above, itwill stop the cut worms. It willalso create a microclimate foreach individual plant, protectingit from the wind while also re

taining the warmth of the sunand the moisture in the soil.

Mulching around the tomatoesfurther conserves moisture and

keeps the fhiit from touching thesoil.

If you follow these recommend^ procedures which othergardeners have implementedsuccessfully, it will probablygive you a cleaner, earlier, moreabundant yield.

Staff: Carolyn Gruaihag^Barbara KishbailghT.J. Martin

Elizabeth Riordon

Virginia Westphal

DRIED TOMATOES

Elizabeth Riordon

Staff Writer

Ifour g^dens are as successfulas we hope them to be, we willsoon have a bountiful crop oftomatoes. There are often toomany of them to use when theyare reatfy to be harvested. Theextra ones can be saved. Canning is the most common way ofpreserving tomatoes. Detailedinformation on how to do so isavailable from the libraiy or theCounty Homemaker Extensionservice.

Other methods of preservingare by drying. Tomato fhiitleather can be prepared in thesame way that other fruit leatheris prepared. The addition of saltand sugar and other fhiits is dependent upon the palette of thecook Try several experimentalrecipes until you find the one youlike best. Very ripe fhiit mayneed no additives.

The tomatoes can also besliced and dried. Removing 80to 90% of the moisture in foodwill enable it to be stored forlong periods of time. If the foodis first sulfured or blanched, vitamins and flavor will also be preserved. Sulfuring involvesunpleasant and dangerous fiimes,so most of us will probably notchoose to use this technique.Blanching is a brief heat treatment in steam, boiling water, orin a microwave oven Tomatoesshould be dipped in boiling waterfor one minute or steamed forthree minutes. They should bemicrowaved for a long enoughtime for the skin to be easilypeeled. The fruit should still befinn enough to be sliced after being blanched and peeled. Thesliced tomatoes can be dried in acommercial dryer, in a homemade dryer, in your oven, or ontrays indoors or outside. Theaim is to have a flow of warm.

dry air over the fruit to dry it asrapidly as possible. Tomatoeswill probably take 10 to 18 hoursbefore they are as they shouldbe,brittle, crisp, and light in weight.Optimum ^ng temperaturesare between 95 and 145 degrees,with 140 the best. Sunlightspeeds drying but also destroyssome \dtamins. Outdoors, dustand automobile and truck fumescan be a problem Outdoors, aswell as indoors, a protective covering of cheesecloth will help tokeep insects off the fruit.

After it is dried, the fruitshould have a final treatment tofully finish the drying and to killany insecteggs that maybe in theslices. Spread the pieces on atray and bake them for 10 to 15minutes in an oven heated to 175degrees. Cool the fruit and put itin open, enamel, glass, or ceramic containers for about fivedays, stirring it twice a day. If itseems moist, redry the batch.

Ifthe tomatoes are to be storedfor a long period of time, sterilized glass jars or plastic bagsshould be used Metal containersmay be used if they are lined.The fiuit should not touch themetal. Perfect canning seals arenot necessary, but the lids shouldbe tight and secure. The fruitshould be stored in a cool, darkplace. The freezer is a goodplace to store dried fruits. If unfrozen containers of tomatoesshow any condensation duringstorage, dry the food again.

Rehydration can be accomplished in about two hours bypouring boiling water (114 cupsof water for each cup of fiuit)over the diy food or the dry tomatoes can be added to sauces,stews, or soups. Some of myfriends tell me that they eat thedry tomatoes plain. Just like anyother sliced, dried fiuit.

SCORPIONS IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA

pMs by TJ. Martin

COMMON NAME: The three most commonly observed scorpions in Arizona are:a) Desert or Giant Hairy Scorpion (Hadrums ariwnensis)b) Striped or Devil Sa)ipion (Vaejovisspinigerus)c) Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

DESCRIPTION: The adults look very much like tiny versions of their cousins, the lobsters, but withthe addition of a very wicked-looking stinger at the tip of the long slender "tail." They have four setsof walking l^s and a pair of very efficient pincers or claws that are used in defense or for holding onto prey. The young look like miniature ^ults.

LIFE CYCLE: Adult scorpions live solitarylives, gettingtogetheronly when it is time to mate and thenseparating again. The young are bom alive and are commonly carried on die back of the female forprotectionuntil at least their first molt. They then leave to establishtheir own huntinggrounds. In idealconditions scorpions may live for several years.

PREY: Scorpions are actually quite handy when it comes to taking care of insect pests in the garden.They use their claws to capturejust aboutany soft-bodied insector spider they see. One referencestatesthat they may also feed upon small reptiles and young rodents. A large victim may need a sting tosubdue it, smaller ones are just torn apart by the scorpion's strong pincers and eat^.

TIME OF YEAR: Like most cold-bloodedcreatures, scorpionsdo not get around much in cold weather.They become most active when the temperatures reach the seventies. They will also become morenoticeable, often in relatively "safe" areas, when the summer rains flood the usually dry stream bedsand washes where they may live and hunt. This is also when they may come inside homes.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Bark Scorpions, like their name suggests, are usually found in conjunctionwith woodor woodproducts. Theydearlylove wood piles, bark, rottenlogs, and tanglesof fallen treesand limbs. If you like to camp near tree-lined streams or in the forested areas, this is the critter youare likely to find in your boots or sleq)ing bag. This animalis rather small (2- 2¥i inches) and slenderlooking and is pale (straw-like) in color. THIS ANIMAL IS ALSO THE MOST POISONOUS ANDDANGEROUS SCORPION IN OUR AREA!!!

The Giant Hairy Scorpion is partial to rocky terrain in the central and southern portion of the state.This is a relatively robust creature that can exceed 4 inches in length and looks as diough he may havespenta fair amount of time working out at the local gym. "Hairy" (who isn't really) is also darker incolor and although he may scaie you to death with his appearance, has the LEAST dangerous venomof the three.

The Striped Scorpion can be found most anywhere in a variety of habitats. He is "medium" all theway around. He can grow to about 2-3 inches in length and is usually a medium tan/brown in color.

All scorpions are nocturnal. They hide in burrows or crevices until the sun goes down and thencome out to hunt. A good way to hunt for scorpions (strictly as a precaution, of course) is to go outafter dark with a ultraviolet fluorescent (black light) lamp. Scorpions glow quite brightly in this typeof light and can often be seen firom several yards away.

CULTURAL CONTROLS: Clean up the area! Scorpions need places to hide in and likewise do mostof their prey. Clearing away of any stacks of wood or brush and removing piles of rocks or buildingdebris will go a long way toward reducing scorpion habitat. Seal cracks or any other entrances into yourhome, 2

PRECAUTIONS: Weargloves when working in the yardor garden. (Don't forget to check the glovesfor "occupants" BEFORE putting them on!) Don'tput your hands (orany other partof your anatomy!)where youreyes have not been first. Usea stick or your foot to roll over logs or large stones beforepicking tiiem up. Storage sheds and utility closets arefavorite haunts. Move items carefully, inspectingall sides before picking them up. Shake out mats, blankets, drop cloths, etc... When camping orpicnicking, avoid piles of wood or rocks and check your intended resting area carefully. Always shakeout shoes and clothing before putting diem on and totally unroll and shake out sleeping bags beforecrawling into the sack.

MECHANICAL CONTROLS: If youmust eliminate scorpions thatareposing a safety hazard, the trialand true method is to smash them. You will have to be quick and NEVER grab for one with a barehand or foot to prevent its escape! Use a long-handled tool or a rock it you have one.

NATURAL CONTROLS: Scorpions are a natural food source for some birds (especially owls), severalrodents, and larger reptiles.

PROBLEMS AND DAMAGE: When left alone in their natural habitat or even when allowed to coexistin yards and gardens, scorpions are a beneficial natural predator of many pest species. Theproblemscome about when humans come upon them unexpectedly or try to mess with them. Like any otheranimal, scorpions will defend themselves and unfortunately forus, thevenom from theirsting cancauseserious illness or even death.

FIRST AID: When a scorpion attacks, it may grab hold of the skin with its pincers and then use itsstinger repeatedly. It is very important to dislodge the animal by knocking or scraping it off as it willinject more poison with each sting. Normal reactions to the sting will include pain, numbness, ortingling. Thiscan be treated withapplications of a cold compress (10 minutes on, 10 off) and the useof your normal pain reliever. In case of other symptoms such as muscle spasms, twitching, or blurredvision, it is suggested that you have someone drive you to the nearest medical facility. DO NOT TRYTO DRIVE YOURSELF. In the case of a small child or anyone else who is weak or infirm, seekIMMEDIATE emergency care at die closest medical facility. IN ALL CASES you should contact theArizona Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-362-0101 or your local emergency room for up-to-date medicaladvice.

CHEMICAL CONTROLS: Please consult the Agricultural Extension Agent or a Master GardenerVolunteer for current recommendations. Phone 458-1104, Ext. 141 in Sierra Vista or 384-3594 inWillcox. Whatever you use, FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS EXACTLY and take the necessaryprecautions to protect yourself, other humans, non-target animals, and the environment.

SCUIPTURED CENTRUROIDESCentrHraides ((ufpfwratus6-7 cm (2.4 2.8")ArtzmtH; poisoneui

Issued in furtherance ofCooperative Extension work, acts ofMay 8 and June 30, 1914^ in cooperation with theUnited States Department of Agriculture,James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona and Arizona Counties cooperating. TheUniversity of Arizona College of Agriculture is an equal opportunity enqrloyer authorized to provide research, educational information andotherservicesonly toindividuals and institutions that function without regard tosex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, Vietnam Era Veteran's status, ordisabilityThe information given herein issupplied with theunderstanding that nodiscrimination isintended and noendorsement byCooperative Extension isimplied.Any products, services, ororganizations that arementioned, shown, orindirectly implied inthis publication donot imply endorsement bythe Universityof Arizona.

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THE AGENT'S CORN^

Robert E. CallHorticulture Agent

QUESTION; I have elm treesthat have beetles that becomequite a pest. They eat theleaves. How can I get rid ofthem?

ANSWER: A sure way to getrid of elm leaf beetles is to cutdown your tree(s) and those ofyour neighbor's! The larva ofthe beetles are eating the leavesso you must get rid of them.You can spray Bacillus thur-ingiensis or B.T., the San Diego

•strain. This product is soldunder several trade names and isan prg^ic insecticide that killsinsect larva only and is not harmful to other in^ts or animals.B.T. is a natural occurring soilbacteria that must be sprayed onthe leaves and the treated leaveseaten by the larva. B.T. iswashed off by rain and must bereapplied. Another solution is tospray a 2 foot band of Sevininsecticide around the tree trunk6 to 8 feet above the ground.The elm leaf beetle larva ttaveldown the tree trunk to pupate onthe lower trunk or near ^e soilline. Crossing the Sevin stripwill kill the larva and over timereduce the insect population.This was discovered by University of California entomologistsand reported in the March/April1991 issue of California Agriculture.

QUESTION: I am confusedabout fertilizers. What do thenumbers on the bag mean?What is the difference betweenorganic, and chemiqal fertilizers?ANSWER: By law 3 numbersare required on a fertilizer bag.

These are the percentage byweight of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) or NP-K in that order. Therefore, abag of ammonium phosphate ismarked 16-20-0 or 16% N20% P, and 0% K. The N isactual total N no matter what theform. The P is really the percentage of P2O5 and K is reallypercentage of KjO. A smallside-note to get the actualamount of P you must multiplythe number on the bag by 43%and by 83% to get the actualamount of K. These percentagesare derived by taking the atomicweight of the element in questionand dividing by the atomicweight of the molecule that theelement is in. There have been

efforts to revise the current labeling of fertilizers so that onlythe percentage,of P and K appear, but these efforts thus farhave ended in failure. Our soilsneed N for nonnal plant growthbecause it leaches from the rootzone. Most of die N is absorbedas the NH4''' ammonium andNOj" nitrate. liiese are bothinorganic molecules. Genei^lyplants use nitrate form over theammonium form. Ammonium isconverted toNH4in the soil byaerobic bacteria and some fimgi,therefore coql wet soils have lessactive bacteria and will yield lessnitrate nitrogen. Nitrate formsof nitrogen are taken up byplants directly and is better usedin cool moist soils. Many nitrogen based fertilizers are made bya process which uses atmospheric nitrogen (the air we breathe is

about 78% nitrogen) and naturalgas or methane qoinbined underhigh pressure and heat. Organicforms of nitrogen must be mineralized, that is converted intoinorganic nitrogen by soil microorganisms for plant use. Alsothe carbonaceous material of the

organic matter is broken downinto humus by soil organismsand use N as an energy source.Organic sources of nitrogeninclude blood meal which is

usually around 15% nitrogen.Our desert soils are also low in

native phosphorus and it shouldbe add^atplanting time. Phosphorus binds with the soil anddoes not leach or can not be

"melted" into the soil with water

like nitrogen. There are severalforms of phosphorus, manybeing produced by treating phosphate rock with an acid likephosphoric acid. This yieldstriple super phosphate or 0-45-0on die fertilizer bag £md can beneutralized with ammonia tomake ammonium phosphate andliquid fertilizers. Organic formsof phosphorus are available withbonem^, 0-12-0 being the mostcommon. Potassium is not need

ed usually in our desert soils.There are many fertilizers on diemarket which have other hutri-

ents for plant growth. Higherpriced fertilizers haVe some ofthese nutrients added and in-

create the cost. Organic basedfertilizers like manures and com

posts have lower plant nutrientlevels but add organic matter toour soils and are more beneficialin this regard than chemicallybased fertilizers. However, thecost and high amounts need^oforganic fertilizers for normalplant growth are very high whencompared to bagg^ chemicalfertilizers.

COOPERATIVS EXTENSIONU. & DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONATUCSON ARIZONA aS721

VFICMl BUSINCSSFtNAlTV FOA PAIWTf USE 1300

Address correction requested

(T MayReminders

• Begin Deep Watering• Plant warm seasoncrops• Control Weeds

Controlling Weeds• Check Tree Ties• Control Pests

The pamphlet listed above isavailable from the CooperativeExtension offices as well asmany others that may be helpful

J

BULK RATE

POSTAGE A FEES PAIDUSOA

PERMIT No. 02M

hOK HKWUGHKiJU Defeat

From Dr. Dave Langston, Afncan Bees• Don't wear perfume or daik colors.• Don't smell like a bear.• Ifattacked, cover head and run for cover.

From Bill Free, ftrip Irrigation Design• Test your system with a 1 gal. milk carton and a 1gal/hour drip

emitter in a variety oflocationsin your yard or garden to see how thewater gets distributed.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS!

We love to have the wonderful little hummingbirds visit our gardens and drink from our feeders, butwe must keep the feeders clean or we could ^ve its visitors a deadly infection called candidiasis. Iteventually causes the bird's tongue to swell, making it impossible for the bird to eat. The disease ispassed from mother to offspring. To prevent this, wash the feeder with hot water every two to threedays, and replace the sugar water (1 part white sugar to 4 parts water). Hang the feeder where the birdsare safe from cats, and if ants are a problem, try petroleumjelly on the hook attachment.

—SunsetMagazine, May 1994