As we get outside more to enjoy the nice weather, it is important to remember about those little blood suckers hiding in the grass. Even well manacured lawns can be home to ticks. Know the risks, use repellents, and always do tick checks.

It's finally here! The time for planting is now! Memorial Day weekend is commonly looked to as our official frost free date and when soil temperatures are in 60's. So if you're dreaming of sweet corn roasting on an open fire later this year, it's time to get out and get it planted.

Rhododendrons and azaleas are some of the most beautiful plants in our spring landscape. They are tough and the deer don't prize their foliage. However, they do have problems. Most often the issues are caused by poor growing conditions which invite disease to take hold. We go over some of the big ones today. Images and more details can be found here: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/azaleas-and-rhododendrons-identify-and-manage-problems/

Turf grass takes effort. If you want a healthy lawn, there are some steps you can't ignore. Sharpening your mower blades is just one of them. Please check out our website: https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/lawn for more information after the show.

Storm damage can be rough. A tree failure in a storm can be devastating. There are several things you can do to help your trees weather storms better, but you may be thinking of the wrong ones and making the risk greater.

Guest Erika Lyon from OSU Extension joins us to discuss the news surrounding highly pathogenic avian influenza including symptoms and biosecurity steps. We also give some quick tips for consumers.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock

https://u.osu.edu/poultry/files/2022/04/Avian-Influenza-Trifold.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/inhumans.htm

https://u.osu.edu/poultry/2023/02/23/understanding-the-current-avian-influenza-outbreak-and-its-impact/

Quickly remove all flood debris, including poisonous plants, from fields. Vaccinate all livestock, including horses, exposed to flooded areas during or immediately after the flood. Check with your veterinarian about which clostridial and tetanus vaccines to use for your animals and if you will need boosters. Closely inspect all livestock that were exposed to flooded areas for injuries. Open wounds need a tetanus antitoxin. Always follow label directions.

Learn more at your local extension office, or online at https://extension.wvu.edu/community-business-safety/disaster-preparedness/flooding/forage-livestock-management-after-flooding

Flooded hay and baleage can cause illness or death to livestock. Discard dry hay that has been soaked by flood water, do not use for feed. Inline wrapped baleage that was not fully sealed on both ends should not be fed to livestock. Individual baleage rolls wrapped in undamaged plastic may be useable if certain conditions are met. Contact your local extension agent for details.

If in doubt, don’t risk it, throw it out. Document all lost forage.

For more information contact your local extension office or visit: "http://ext.wvu.edu/disasters/flooding/forage-and-livestock-management-post-flooding":http://ext.wvu.edu/disasters/flooding/forage-and-livestock-management-post-flooding