Connie Smith, Special to the Eagle-Gazette
Video: How to tap a maple tree to gather syrup
St. Joseph County Parks Department naturalist Hannah Branchick shows how to tap a maple tree to gather syrup.
Special to The Tribune
You can now place orders for the Fairfield Soil Water Conservation District annual tree sale. Cash/check order deadline is March 6 and online order deadline is March 19. Please call 740-653-8154 with questions. Check out the Fairfield SWCD website at https://fairfieldswcd.org/ for details. Lots of great native small trees and shrubs, large broadleaf native trees, plus white pines and dawn redwoods and wildflower seed packets. Cash or Check deadline is March 6, 2026. Pick up date is slated for April 10 at the Fairfield County Ag Center.
Have you checked your garden tools lately?
Keeping garden hand tools clean, sharp and protected from moisture prevents rust and extends the life of the tool. A well- maintained tool is a gardener’s best friend.
The first step in maintaining your garden tools is cleaning. Start by removing all dirt and sap after each use. This will prevent build-up. Use soapy water and a wire brush. When all dirt and sap is removed, let your tools dry completely. Wet tools become rusty tools. Rust is the enemy of our tools. One way to remove rust from a tool is to soak it in a vinegar and salt bath for a few hours or overnight. Scrub with steel wool or a steel brush to remove rust. After the rust is removed, apply a rust preventer, like 3-in-1 oil or linseed oil.
The sun is very hard on the wood and fiberglass handles of tools. Clean all dirt from the handles. Check for damage and smooth any rough edges. Then use the oil of your choice to protect and seal. If the fiberglass has cracked, there are good repair kits on the market.
After cleaning, it is time to sharpen. Use a small file for pruners and a larger file or sharpening stone glide for shovels. A sharp tool makes work easier. Sharp pruners promote the health of the plant. When sharpening the tool, go in one direction and maintain the original angle with the file. A bucket of clean play sand makes an excellent place to store tools between uses.
January 2026 Precipitation with CoCoRaHS Weather Observers
CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz) is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow) in their local communities. By using low-cost measurement tools, emphasizing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Website, we aim to provide the highest-quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications. The only requirements to join are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect our lives.
Master Gardener Keith Eichhorn is a CoCoRaHS weather observer and has reported a total of 1.95” of liquid equivalents precipitation, which is below the Fairfield County average of 2.32” to 2.78” for January 2026. We had a total of 11.25” of snow for the month, which is above the county average of 7.8”. We had a trace or more precipitation for 15 of the 31 days of the month.
Wednesday Wellness Series focuses on The Power of Connections
Join our OSU Extension Live Healthy Live Well Team in March of 2026 for a series of four Wellness Webinars that will focus on the Power of Connections in our work and personal lives. The webinars will be offered on March 4, 11, 18, 25 from Noon to 12:30 PM (EST) over Zoom. No cost to participate, but registration is required. Register at go.osu.edu/lhlwwebinars. All registered participants will receive a recording link and access to additional educational materials after each class.
Private Pesticide Recertification Class set
Your first opportunity for Pesticide Recertification in Fairfield County is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25, at the Fairfield County Ag Center.
Fertilizer Re-certification* (Cost: $10)Pesticide Re-certification* (Cost: $25)
Please bring your current card with you to the training. For more information or to register online go to: http://go.osu.edu/PestFert
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