TIMELY GARDEN TIPS FROM OVER THE GARDEN FENCE

July 10, 2004

Comfortable temperatures, timely rainfall, and lots of inspiration from surrounding flower beds all contributed to a near perfect week to enjoy our gardens, lawn, and landscape. We were able to cultivate our vegetable garden and hill up five rows of potatoes on the 4th. Most of our vegetable plants are showing excellent growth, due in part because of the plentiful rainfall. We will be able to enjoy new potatoes in a week or so.

Hollyhocks haven¹t looked this spectacular in years; taller stronger stalks, and brighter colors ­ thanks to the Plant Tone and composted cow manure applied last October and April. Star Gazer, Enchantment, and Sunray hybrid lilies, coneflowers, daylilies, hydrangeas, blue larkspur, lavender and white hosta blooms, yellow calendula, California poppies, heliopsis, cosmos, coreopsis, drifts of baby¹s breath, and pink drifts of Filipendula Meadowsweet are all gracing the July garden. Gardening sure is rewarding!

Last week I shared my difficulty in ridding my garden of Colorado potato beetles. Left unchecked, they will quickly destroy potato plants. After several successful years using Pyrethrin, it was no longer effective. I then tried insecticidal soap spray, then Malathion with little success. Next, I tried spraying Spinosad. Spinosad, an all-natural product, was 100% effective. One spray of Spinosad eliminated every Colorado potato beetle. Gardening continues to be an interesting challenge.

Following are some other insects and diseases that continue to challenge gardens and landscapes.

Black vine weevil and strawberry root weevil adults are now out. Watch for semi-circular notches on the edge of leaves, where the weevils have fed. Plants most often damaged by root weevils are rhododendron, strawberry, euonymus, and arborvitae. They are active at night, so you can also check with a flashlight after sunset. The most effective treatment for black vine weevil is two foliar sprays of Orthene, ten days apart.

Japanese beetles have begun their annual feast on many garden and landscape plants. Peak adult activity and feeding damage will be between July 15 and August 15. Favorite trees and vines include linden, crabapples, grape vines, raspberry plants, mountain ash, purple leaf plum, roses, red-leafed and variegated cultivars of Norway maples, canna lilies, and Amelanchier (serviceberry). These plants can be protected from skeletonizing damage with insecticide sprays. Early treatment before feeding damage becomes severe will greatly improve control because beetles are attracted to trees by the volatiles released from injured leaves. Unfortunately, in outbreak areas, nothing seems to provide protection for more than four to seven days. Homeowners can use Sevin, Orthene, or Pyrethrin sprays. Traps reduce Japanese beetle populations when set several yards away from valuable plants. Apply Grubex to all lawn areas where the beetles deposit their eggs. Grubex will not only protect turf from the root destroying beetle grubs but also reduce the number of adult beetles next summer.

Continue to scatter Sluggo bait to control slugs. I found out last week that slugs enjoy the foliage of coleus and salvia plants just as much as hostas and dahlias. One application of Sluggo pellets did the job.

The needed rainfall will create some problems that will be easier to prevent than cure. Lawn diseases thrive in humid, hot weather. Prevent brown, dead patches in turf with applications of Scotts Lawn Disease Control.

Returning to the vegetable garden: some of the pests to watch for right now are cucumber beetles and flea beetles. They continue to damage squash, cucumber, pumpkin, and melon vines. Control cucumber beetles with 10% Sevin dust or Pyrethrin.

Tomato diseases should be controlled with Daconil. Use Pyrethrin to control cabbage worms. Malathion should be used to control white fly. Eggplants and beets are often pestered by the flea beetle; Pyrethrin will take care of flea beetles and also corn borers. Sevin can be used for Mexican been beetles.

Now is the time to give our vegetable plants a booster of fertilizer. Use the proper fertilizer for each plant for best results. For example, tomatoes, beans, melons, cucumbers, peppers, and pumpkins would do very well with an application of Plant Tone. For sweet corn, a high nitrogen food, such as Urea or liquid professional grade Miracle Gro plant food is best.

This is a good time to plant more vegetables. Plant more beans, beets, carrots, radishes, spinach, and fall cabbage so that when your first crop is depleted, there will be another one coming on.

Homeowners that have ornamental cherry and plum trees in their landscape should be aware of peach tree borer activity. The adult moths are now depositing eggs on tree trunks and limbs. Protect ornamental cherry and plum trees now with 38% Permethrin.

July and August are when most Michiganders take vacations. Pre-vacation planning and care will assure that the needs of your prized plants will be met while you are away and will be ready to provide continued enjoyment upon your return home.

Move outdoor planters, hanging baskets, and houseplants to a single location near a water source. Choose a north or east location that provides afternoon and evening shade and is out of the wind. Grouping plants together will make it easier for your "plant sitter ".

Since you¹ll be gone, why not pinch back any plants that have the habit of becoming "leggy ", such as petunias, coleus, and dahlias. Nipping back top growth and buds will encourage more compact plants that will bloom better upon your return. Another important tip is to fertilize all container plants with Miracle Gro Bloom Booster soluble plant food just before leaving.

It¹s a fact that weeds in the vegetable garden will grow faster when you are away. So weed your vegetable garden thoroughly and apply Miracle Gro weed preventer just before leaving. Invite your "plant sitter " the privilege of picking all the green beans and tomatoes. This will promote more blooms and fruits for your return.

Water all container plants, lawn, and flower and vegetable gardens thoroughly before leaving. Add mulch, if needed, to garden beds to retain moisture. Ask your plant caregiver to irrigate the lawn twice a week with one-half inch of moisture each time.

Help your friends to help you by leaving written instructions for them. Group plants that need like care and label them appropriately with "water every third day " or "water only when soil is dry to the touch ". A word of caution; a willing caregiver is important, but even more important is the type and timeliness of care, so choose your volunteer carefully.

Now, "take off! " and have a great vacation! When you return home, I hope your garden, lawn, and landscape plants will look great.