UT & TSU Extension - Hamilton County

Day one of 4-H STEM Day Camp at Shepherd Community Center was a lot of fun! We learned how to program and drive drones and tried out a flight simulator. Thank you to our awesome teen leaders and to Dr. Broyles of Tennessee State University, who brought this program to Chattanooga!

Learn more about cukes:https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2023/11/D62.pdf

Crop Profile: Cucumbers
A Warm-Season Vine Crop
- Cultivar suggestions: Dasher II, Diva, Fanfare, and more!
- Soil requirements: well drained & preferred pH of ~6.5
- Pick fruit when seeds are still small and flesh is firm. The fruit should still be green as yellowing is an indication of being overripe. Best stored at 50-55 F with high humidity with about one week of storage life.

Learn more at:https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2023/11/D62.pdf

Food storage information to insure safety and quality-
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/shelf-stable-food?

Shelf-Stable Food Safety | Food Safety and Inspection Service The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The 101st Tennessee 4-H Roundup at UT- Martin has come to a close. Those attending had a great week!

Hamilton County 4-H is at the Curriculum Expo at Camp Jordan this weekend. Come by and see us!

Don't miss this FREE cut-flower program! Register here: https://forms.gle/VVhPDwvQSQ2qW4Rn6

Join us in August for a Cut Flower Walk & Talk in Knoxville or Jackson. Tour the trial plots, cool off indoors with an update on our USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, and network with other cut flower growers and enthusiasts! Join us for this FREE Event. Register Here https://forms.gle/VVhPDwvQSQ2qW4Rn6

Plan to go camping with your family before summer ends? Remember these food safety tips to keep you and your family safe on your next outdoor adventure️! ⛺️

Check out the latest issue of the Our Tennessee Magazine where our Master Gardeners of Hamilton County-TN were featured to learn more about our program!

How Does Your Garden Grow? — Our Tennessee Explore the growth of the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener program, fueled by an influx of new residents and a surge in home gardening post-pandemic.

Our summer intern has some great tips for keeping cool!

3 Plus Your Life- UT Extension Did you know eating pasta can help keep you hydrated? June and Jessie, with the UT Extension, offer some summer safety reminders.

Hamilton County canners are invited to enter a jar of homemade jam or jelly in the Tennessee State Fair. We'll even deliver it for you! Bring your jar to the Extension office by August 1! You may even win some cash.

Fire up your grill and make this tasty Grilled Sweet Potatoes recipe! 🍠🔥

We are glad to partner with ! Check out the FREE fitness opportunities including our next Tai Chi class for seniors.

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ The 2024 Small Farm Expo from TSU College of Agriculture is coming this September 5th, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m! We're talking engaging presentations, fruitful networking opportunities, expert speakers, and vendors showcasing the best of the Tennessee farming scene. Experience the wealth of TSUAg's small farm wisdom in action. 🌾👨🏿‍🌾 ‍🚜🌱

Ready to join us? Here are the links for registration:

👥 Attendee registration: https://bit.ly/4bpIJrW

📚 Exhibitor registration: https://bit.ly/4cBtBZw

👨‍🌾 Small Farmer of the Year nominations: https://bit.ly/3zcJ2IX

September seems far off, but our excitement is already brewing. Can't wait to welcome you all on campus! 🎉🍃

Watch June & Jessie on 3PlusYou today in the brand new set! Airing at 10:00 am!

Beat the heat with this tasty Watermelon Blueberry Salad! 🍉🫐 🥗

4-H Junior High camp this week has been a blast! Hamilton County campers handled flag lowering last night and then participated in the camp slime war! A first for 4-H camp, this really messy exercise was followed by a hosing off courtesy of the local fire department. Add that to the week’s other activities, which included attending a local baseball game, helping with service projects such as grave restoration at the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery or making earrings for cancer patients, visiting a classic car museum, Bright’s Zoo, or the Bristol Motor Speedway, and (of course) camp favorites like swimming, ga ga ball, soccer, pickle ball, and visits to the concession stand. It all adds up to a very fun week. Grades 6th-8th, plan to be here next year!

If you're dedicated to lawncare or wanting to learn more about management, make sure to check out our calendar below:https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2024/01/2024-Lawn-Calendar.pdf

Knowing what type of grass you have in your lawn is important so you can know the best practices and care for your specific grass type. If you need any assistance in identifying the grass in your lawn, contact your local county extension office!
https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2024/01/2024-Lawn-Calendar.pdf

July is National Ice Cream Month! Cool off with this recipe for Raspberry Basil Ice Cream! 😋

Choose plants that can handle this heat! 🔥🥵
https://utgardens.tennessee.edu/heat-loving-heliotrope-flourishes-in-hot-summers/

The Heat is ON, but our heat loving annuals are just starting to take off here in Tennessee. Check out a recent UT Garden's Plant of the Month article on a NEW heat loving heliotrope!

https://utgardens.tennessee.edu/heat-loving-heliotrope-flourishes-in-hot-summers/

Grill up these yummy Portobello Pizzas!

It's July! Make sure to check your necessary tasks off the list.

Take care of those blackberries!https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2023/11/PB1622.pdf

Sometimes all you need to control pests in your caneberries (Blackberries and Raspberries) is a good back and stout arm. Often, the reduction of wild brambles and/or pruning out diseased material goes a long way in pest management.

Learn more at: https://uthort.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/228/2023/11/PB1622.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2a9ltWQZ9xmAKiNmQvZkEQr9OIwDysJ9--W8Wfva-m8IXEijfrWnUx748_aem_NTrZ-O-_aTg5V3BQ3-83gg

Looking for a free, fun, family outdoors activity? Our partners at Outdoor Chattanooga have a day for you! Keep those bodies moving!

Enjoy an afternoon of activity at Greenway Farm City Park with the whole family for FREE! From 11-4pm, you can go on a 1 hour self-guided canoe adventure, shoot archery, take a nature hike, play in the field, or just bring a picnic and relax.

No need to register, just show up. More information can be found on our website from the calendar

Day one of 4-H Day Camp is in the books. Sessions included archery, tie dye, healthy hydration, plant people, recreation and more! We have a full day planned today.

Relax and enjoy this yummy Banana Coconut Smoothie today! 🥥 😋

Canning classes have been fun! We had 7 members (3 generations) from one family! The family that cans together stays together!
It's not too late to register for Freezing Foods classes at: https://tiny.utk.edu/2024FoodPres, scan the QR code or stop by the office.

The 4-H Gardening Club learned about bats and made bat kites at this week’s meeting. A big Thank You to Master Gardener Laurie Dworak, who talked with the group and shared a presentation about bats! We learned about the threat to bats caused by white nose syndrome and how to choose a good bat house for your own yard, if you have space to have these insect-munching animals! Next meeting is July 29 at 4:30 - grades 4-8 are welcome.

Looking for a way to celebrate?

Are you ready to celebrate Independence Week? 🇺🇸 We are 😁 Come celebrate with us!🇺🇸🤩🎳🚲🇺🇸

• Tie Dye at Chester Frost Park on July 1st, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/kSpSXg3CCXZgSqnY/
• Bike Parade at Chester Frost Park on July 2nd, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/bfLimzc19Z6pwaLs/
• Bike Parade at Tennessee Riverpark on July 3rd, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/VPzaHqCsshg7KDQr/
• Patriotic Dog Parade at Enterprise South Nature Park on July 5th, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/hEBqfhamEUNgru7U/

Chester Frost Park Tennessee Enterprise South Nature Park