Ohio State - Athens County Extension

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

Vericomposting OverviewCurious about composting but not sure where ...

05/28/2026

Both h**p dogbane and milkweed are easy to find this time of year. While they're good for pollinators, they are poisonous to livestock. Toxicities can occur from fresh or dried leaves, stems and roots.

Ohio State University Extension-Noble County's Christine Gelley explains how to tell them apart, why they are dangerous in hay systems and the most effective mowing and herbicide strategies to keep your pastures safe and productive.

Read the full story at the link in the comments 🌱🔗⬇️

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Summer is here and the United Titanium Bug Zoo is ready. Join us for a summer full of open houses and fun events. See you soon!

05/26/2026

🫙 Got food preservation questions? We’ve got answers!
From canning to freezing, our Ohio State Extension experts are here to help you do it safely and confidently. 💡
✅ Find your local county office: extension.osu.edu/lao
✅ Explore trusted tips & fact sheets: Ohioline.osu.edu (search “food preservation”)
Don’t guess—preserve with confidence!
🔁 Share this with a friend who loves garden-fresh food all year long!

05/26/2026

🫙 Is your pressure canner ready for the season? Don’t skip this step!
A dial gauge that’s even a little off can put your home-canned food at risk.
✔️ The USDA recommends testing it every year—quick, easy, and worth it for peace of mind!
✅ Find your local Ohio State Extension office: extension.osu.edu/lao
✅ Or request a test here: go.osu.edu/pressurecannertesting
Stay safe. Can with confidence. 💪
🔁 Share to remind a fellow home canner!

05/26/2026

Our Biocontrol of the Month for May is the Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (otherwise known as Hb) nematode! Nematodes, also called roundworms, are microscopic animals that often feed on other microorganisms or insect larvae. Hb nematodes are a beneficial species that can be used to attack the grubs of harmful beetles in a gardener's soil. As with last month's biocontrol, milky spore disease, Hb nematodes are often used to manage Japanese beetle populations! Different strains are commercially available to interested gardeners who would prefer a biocontrol over a pesticide. To learn more about how Hb nematodes function, follow the link: https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/heterorhabditis-bacteriophora-beneficial-hb-nematode

05/26/2026

Our Pest of the Month is the asparagus beetle! This insect is a particular pain to any gardeners trying to grow a spring crop of asparagus. The beetles feed on the asparagus spears, causing browning and a bent, hook-like shape. An aggressive population of these insects can wipe out a garden's worth of the vegetable. There are two different species, the common asparagus beetle and the spotted asparagus beetle (pictured below); both can be huge pests! To learn more about these pesky insects, follow the link: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/asparagus-beetles