Gardening Tips - Summer

Surviving Summer

One never knows what to expect during the summer. Will we have record-breaking heat or record setting moisture? Neither? Well, there's nothing wrong with the middle path, but all three scenarios offer up their own challenges when it come to caring for your yard and gardens.

· EEK! A Bug!
Be on the lookout for web worms in the trees. You know the type; a bunch of them get together and encase a branch in webbing and eat all the leaves in it. Before long, there isn't a leaf left on the tree. They love nut trees, but can be found on almost anything. If they are found early enough, just trim them out of the tree. If this would be too much of a chore, there are a number of sprays that will take care of the problem. Today, we'll recommend Fertilome Bug Blaster. This product has the broadest label covering a number of pests and useable on most plants. When spraying web worm, you must penetrate the web. The web acts like an umbrella. Spraying the outside allows the spray to bead up and run off. While you're out there, have a look at your evergreens. Those hanging ornaments are bagworms and this is also spidermite weather.

You can guess you have spidermites if your plant looks like it's losing its color. You might see a little webbing. To be sure, go out to a branch with a sheet of white paper. Shake the branch violently over the paper. If you see little red spots that might be moving and smear when you run your thumb over them, you have spidermites. Bug Blaster lists spidermites (and those bagworms mentioned earlier). When spraying an insecticide, spray in the evening or morning whilst the temperature is below 85. Above that temperature, bagworms lock themselves inside their waterproof shells to wait out the heat and besides that, you could burn the plant with the chemical.

Another problem to be on the lookout for is tree borers. If your tree is recently planted or has been under stress, borers are a threat. If you see sap running down the trunk of the tree, or you see sap balled up in a branch union, you have a borer. You'll need to apply Fertilome Borer Killer. You have to scrape off the dried sap away from the wounds and then apply the product. Apply to the whole trunk and as far up as you can reach. Repeat treatments as needed.

Some of you have been calling in regards to green worms on your bedding plants. They like to eat the flower buds and tender growth. The use of a systemic insecticide will control the pest, but this product has to be absorbed by the plant first, then eaten by the pest. To control the problem today, you can use Fertilome Bug Blaster, or if you want a more natural control use American Thuricide.

The mention of a systemic insecticide reminds that pine tip moth is also in season. These pests like (but are not limited to) Pinyon and Mugho pine. The damaging stage of the moth is the larva stage. They will burrow into the soft growth of this year's candles and hollow them out. The end result of this feeding is the candle will turn brown and die. Since the larva is on the inside of the tree, not just any insecticide will do. You'll need to use a systemic insecticide such as Hi-Yield Acephate.

· The lawn and the short of it.
Unless you are seeding a warm season grass (such as Bermuda, Buffalo, etc.) there really isn't much you should be doing. To fertilize is to encourage growth, which isn't the best of ideas during extreme weather. Step three of the Fertilome lawn care program (Fertilome Lawn Food plus Iron) isn't due to be applied until the end of August or early September.

On another note, smut has been observed in area lawns. Not a surprise considering the warm weather and high humidity of late. If there's smut around, brown patch cannot be far behind. This year we are recommending the use of Safe-T Green Turf Fungicide/Nematicide. And remember: When you water your lawn, don't do it in the evening or in the middle of the night. This method will just encourage more fungus. Also, don't water in the middle of the day because it will just evaporate away. You should water in the mornings for best results.

· Is this a blast furnace?
No, it's just our normal summer wind and nothing can dry plants out faster than that hot south wind around here. Some plants could be sitting in water and still dry out because it will lose moisture through its leaves faster than the roots can supply it. To give these plants a fighting chance, try using the anti-transpirant Wilt Pruf. When spayed on the foliage, Wilt Pruf will dry to form a clear film that will lock in moisture.