University of Nebraska Extension - Holt/Boyd News Column for the Week of January 21, 2024

LaDonna Werth, Extension Educator Phone: 402-336-2760 E-mail: LWerth2@unl.edu

Vinegar…What Is It?

VINEGAR!!!

Vinegar…What is it? Where does it come from? When is it used? Why would I want more than one variety in my home? These are just a few questions that have been asked about vinegar.

Vinegar seems to be very popular right now.

Vinegar is defined as sour wine. It dates back to 5000 B.C.E. in Babylon and is used not only as a cooking ingredient but also as a household cleaner, medicine, preservative, and as a drink. It is a combination of acetic acid and water that through a two-step fermentation process becomes vinegar. First, it goes through alcohol fermentation then acetic acid fermentation. Some are fermented up to 25 years! The USDA requires vinegar to contain at least 4% acetic acid. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its flavor and odor. Flavors can be anywhere from sour to savory to sweet.

The nutrition depends on the type and can contain 2 to 15 calories per tablespoon. Distilled vinegar has no nutrient value, other varieties contain trace amounts of nutrients. Most are sodium and sugar free so are great for those on restricted diets. Be sure and read the nutrition facts label to make sure some do have added sugars.

Vinegar can brighten the flavor of food and add balance, it is found in salad dressings, marinades, sauces, mayonnaise, and ketchup. The texture of food can change because vinegar will break down the proteins to help tenderize meat. Vinegar can be used to pickle foods by soaking food in a brine solution of vinegar, water, salt, and sugar.

There are several types of vinegar, some have added herbs or fruit juices. Each type begins with the fermentation process described above. The fermentation time depends on many factors including the method of fermentation and the starting alcohol level.

The most common types of vinegar are:

White Distilled starts with corn and is used for pickling, cleaning, and pest control.

Balsamic starts with grapes and is used in salad dressings, marinades, and can be reduced to a syrup.

Rice starts with rice and is used in Asian cuisine.

Wine starts with red or white wine and is used in salad dressings, marinades, and cooking meats.

Apple cider starts with apples and is used in salad dressings, for drinking, and marinades.

Malt starts with beer without hops and is used in sauces and dips.

Flavored usually starts with wine vinegar then is infused with herbs or fruit purees.

Check out the types of vinegar available in your local grocery or specialty shops and expand your culinary experiences.

For more information on ways to use vinegar, contact your local Nebraska Extension Office or on the web at: food.unl.edu Nebraska Extension In Our Grit, Our Glory.

Source: Nancy Frecks – UNL Extension Educator (UNL For Families – January 15, 2024)

How to Clean and Disinfect Plant Containers

Reusing plastic, clay, and other containers is a great way to save money and reduce the amount of plastic waste that goes into landfills.  Plastic containers cannot be recycled in traditional single-stream home recycling programs and, unfortunately, programs to collect and recycle plastic pots are not common.

It is important to clean and disinfect old pots each time you use them whether the pot is plastic, clay, or some other material. Disease-causing fungi and other organisms including insects can remain in old containers and the debris that accumulates in them, infecting the new plants potted in them. 

Mineral salts can be both unsightly and damaging to plants. The salts leach through clay pots forming a white film on the outside of the pot creating an unsightly container by some gardener's standards. Salts can also accumulate around the rims of both clay and plastic containers. Salt deposits on container rims can dehydrate plant stems resting there.

Proper cleaning and disinfecting of pots requires just a minimum amount of effort, yet can mean the difference between the success or failure of containerized plants. Plus it allows you to reuse containers and reduce plastic waste.

Follow the steps below to clean and disinfect used containers.

How to Clean and Disinfect Plant Pots

Both plastic and glazed ceramic pots are non-porous making them relatively easy to clean. Terracotta and clay pots are porous but still possible to clean.

To disinfect the pots, start by using a brush or rag to remove all the loose soil particles. Then wash pots in soapy water (dish detergent works great) and rinse clean. Soak the container in a solution containing one part household bleach to nine parts water for a minimum of 10 minutes and rinse. Prepare the solution by adding bleach to water (not water to bleach to avoid splashing) and protect skin and clothing from the bleach solution. Use the bleach solution within two hours of preparing it.

How to Remove Mineral Deposits from Plant Pots

Mineral deposits can frequently form around the upper inside rim of the pot near the soil line.   Remove this mineral deposit from plastic or glazed ceramic pots with a scouring pad. Tough-to-remove deposits can be scraped away with a knife. Smooth any rough edges with steel wool. Rinse the pot and it is ready for reuse.

Both terracotta and clay pots are porous and often mineral deposits are located all over the container.  To clean clay pots use steel wool or a wire-bristle brush to remove mineral deposits and other debris. If mineral deposits remain, use a knife to scrape them off. Rinse pots thoroughly and soak them in a bucket of clean water until you are ready to use them. Dry clay pots can wick moisture away from the potting medium dehydrating newly potted plants.

Using Alcohol or TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) Cleaners

Sometimes a soak in 10% bleach for ten minutes is not practical or efficient, such as when you are trying to disinfect just one container.  Rubbing alcohol can be used as an alternative disinfectant to 10% bleach.  Clean the containers in the same way as described above but instead of soaking them in bleach solution, wipe all surfaces of the container (inside and out) with a cloth soaked in undiluted 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Alternatively, the container can be sprayed with rubbing alcohol, provided adequate coverage can be obtained.

TSP cleaners (often sold as deck or siding cleaners) are occasionally used as disinfectants for pruners and other garden equipment but are not practical, economical, and/or safe to use on containers.  For this reason, it is not recommended to disinfect plant containers with TSP cleaners.

Using Household Cleaners as Disinfectants

Household disinfectants like surface wipes, cleaners, and sprays (i.e. Lysol, Pin-Sol, Clorox wipes, Microban, etc) are a potential alternative to a 10% bleach solution to sanitize containers. These products are generally easier and safer to use than bleach.  They are very effective at killing bacteria and other pathogens on surfaces and equipment in hospitals and schools, but their effectiveness at killing plant pathogens on containers and garden equipment has not been well evaluated. It is likely that these products could be effective at disinfecting containers, but a 10% bleach solution is preferred over these products because the formulations and active ingredients of household cleaners can vary by product and their efficacy on containers is not well known.

Source: Aaron Steil – Iowa State University Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist (Yard and Garden – August 2023)

Winter Garden Tasks

While winter is often considered a slow time in the garden, there are still several things that can be done from December through February to prepare for spring and keep yourself active in the garden even when there is snow on the ground!

General Winter Tasks

Clean & Repair Tools and Equipment

Proper care of garden tools and equipment prolongs their lifetime, prevents costly repairs, and improves their performance. Remove caked-on soil from shovels, spades, hoes, and rakes with a wire brush or stiff putty knife.  Wash the tools with a strong stream of water, then dry. Sharpen the blades of hoes, shovels, and spades.  Wipe the metal surfaces with an oily rag or spray with WD-40. Sand rough wooden handles, then wipe with linseed oil to prevent drying and cracking.

Hang or store the tools in a dry location.

Be sure to drain water from garden hoses and bring them inside to prevent damage from freezing. To prevent kinking, store hoses on reels or coil them and place them on a flat surface.

Wheelbarrows, carts, and wagons may also need some attention before spring arrives. Clean them thoroughly and touch up paint chips with spray paint to prevent exposed steel from rusting. Grease wheels to prevent squeaking.

Sprayers used for insect, disease, and weed control should be thoroughly washed and rinsed. Most pesticides recommend triple rinsing. This includes all parts of the sprayer from the holding tank to the nozzles. Tip the sprayer upside down or hang it upside down when not in use so that it can drain and dry thoroughly. Fertilizer spreaders should be washed thoroughly as well.  Store any pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals in areas that stay above 40°F to prevent freezing which can cause containers to break and leak.

Disinfect Tools and Containers

Winter is a great time to clean and disinfect plant containers. Late winter and early spring is when many new seedlings are started and potted up so being ready with clean containers is beneficial. Reusing plastic, clay, and other containers is a great way to save money and reduce the amount of plastic waste.  Cleaning and disinfecting pots each time you use them is important since disease-causing fungi and other organisms, including insects, can remain in and on old containers, infecting the new plants potted in them.

Proper cleaning and sanitization of pruners, loppers, saws, and other garden tools is important to prevent the spread of diseases. If you haven't been cleaning them throughout the growing season, winter is a great time to sanitize so you can start the growing season healthy. There are several methods that can be used.

Feed the Birds

Providing food for birds over the winter is a nice way to add life to the winter landscape. Food is especially important during periods of harsh winter weather. Additionally, make sure the birds have access to water. Bird feeders, birdseed, suet, bird bath heaters, heated bird baths, and other supplies are available at many garden centers, farm stores, and other retailers.

Visit An Indoor Garden

A vacation in Florida, Arizona, or other warm-weather location is a great way to beat the winter blues. If a vacation isn't possible, don't despair. It's still possible to enjoy a tropical reprieve by visiting an indoor garden.  Nebraska boasts several beautiful public gardens that can be enjoyed any day of the year, even in winter.

Plan for the Upcoming Gardening Season

Winter is a great time to dream and plan for the next growing season. Leaf through seed catalogs and browse mail-order nursery websites to find the must-have plants for this spring. Survey the garden throughout the winter months to see what has been damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced. With this information, you can plan what and when you can start hardscape projects or new garden beds.

If a new landscape is in the future, winter is a wonderful time to start planning.  Functional and beautiful landscapes start with thorough planning.

Source: Aaron Steil – Iowa State University Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist (Yard and Garden – January 2024)