Yes, that sounds like movie title from back in the late 1990's. But in reality, it actually is the Spring of 2012 here in our area.
Now granted, the snow and cold the last 2 days may change a bit of what's happening, but this spring has so far been incredible for the arrival of garden pests Basically, many pest insects to our landscape plants are also showing up 4 weeks or so early. Aphids on a Japanese Maple back on April 6, Boxwood Leaf Minor in the larvae (caterillar) stage in the foliage on April 13, Juniper Scale in the 'Crawling Stage' (and that is one I've only seen once before in April), and multiple sightings of the dreaded Red Lily leaf beetle, which takes your fantastic Oriental Lily and renders it to look like a grass clipping after mowing.
Reports of Black Flies were heard a week or so ago and then it got cold again. Even though the temperatures dropped, don't think for a moment that insects and their eggs died. Nope! Most just went into a prolonged sleep (sorta like taking a long nap under a heavy afghan blanket in February).
With the mild winter (did it really happen?) we can expect an elevated insect pest situation on our landscape plants. The best way to prevent issues is to simply monitor your plants and as soon as you see something, bring a sample in to your nearest garden center for a positive identification. Spraying any insecticide just to spray is not a prudent decision and can actually prove to be environmentally destructive.
Not sure what that 'thing' is on your plant? Ge it identified and then the correct treatment can be done. This author is always happy to help.
Bring me your bugs!
24 April 2012
23 April 2012
"Not Just a finishing touch"
Why are we seeing so many people walking around with black, brown or red hands, and they aren't even wearing gloves?!! It's probably because Mulch Madness has arrived.
Now that Spring is here, we're all excited about refreshing our landscapes. Although most consider mulch to be the finishing touch, that's not its only benefit.
Mulch also acts as a weed barrier and provides moisture retention around plants. So no matter what color you choose(and its always a personal preference) Don't forget to dress up your landscape with the finishing touch!
Posted By Jodi Avery
Now that Spring is here, we're all excited about refreshing our landscapes. Although most consider mulch to be the finishing touch, that's not its only benefit.
Mulch also acts as a weed barrier and provides moisture retention around plants. So no matter what color you choose(and its always a personal preference) Don't forget to dress up your landscape with the finishing touch!
Posted By Jodi Avery
03 April 2012
Raindrops & Sunshine & Frost! OH MY!
Well, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...or the Rochester area we know either. Wow, what a roller coaster of weather. Warmer then normal February. A bit cool at beginning of March. Then extreme warmth for the rest of March and now to frosty evenings as we enter April. Many of our plants are basically 4 weeks ahead of schedule.
Are you confused? Think how your plants feel! We were set up for one of the most spectacular blooming seasons for Magnolias and then....BANG!....a 20-25 degree F night and all the flowers didn't just have black spots, they basically completely 'melted' into a yucky brown color. And the touch texture? Like a Hosta in November...Nasty!
But ornamental landscape plants are fairly resilient. Some lilacs were already in a tender stage as well as viburnums, forsythias, flowering pears, and flowering plums. There is burn on the foliage, but the plants will throw more new growth and rebound from the stunting...at least that is what has been the norm in late spring frosts.
But Fruit Farmers are in a bigger plight. Peaches, cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and even plums are well advanced in bloom stage and development. When many flowers are damaged by frost, its not always noticeable as in the case of the Magnolia. In the case of Fruiting Cherries and Peaches, the inner parts (the Pistol and Stamen) of a flower's reproductive system are damaged. If flowers are damaged in their pollination parts, they can't develop fruit. A Fruit Farmer depends on the FRUIT, not the looks of a tree. Bad buds or no flowers = no fruit = no product for sale = no income. Mother nature has a bad side....
So...what does it mean for your plants? I had the chance today to talk to the wife of a man who was essentially my first boss when I was a teen. It was a fruit farm. Great caring family that was grounded and I owe her, her husband, and their sons a great debt of gratitude for their nurturing as I started working with plants 30 years ago. She related to me a response her father-in-law would share, and one she believed in, when someone would ask "So how is your crop this year?". Her father-in-law would respond "I'll let you know when I get paid for it".
Translation - We don't always know the damage that mother nature can cause with extreme temperatures until the season finishes out.
For landscape trees and shrubs, I'm optimistic tho. I still believe a lot of the damage is cosmetic and the plants will recover throughout the season. For the Fruit Farmers....I hope damage is minimal also. We will know as the next couple of months progress.
Are you confused? Think how your plants feel! We were set up for one of the most spectacular blooming seasons for Magnolias and then....BANG!....a 20-25 degree F night and all the flowers didn't just have black spots, they basically completely 'melted' into a yucky brown color. And the touch texture? Like a Hosta in November...Nasty!
But ornamental landscape plants are fairly resilient. Some lilacs were already in a tender stage as well as viburnums, forsythias, flowering pears, and flowering plums. There is burn on the foliage, but the plants will throw more new growth and rebound from the stunting...at least that is what has been the norm in late spring frosts.
But Fruit Farmers are in a bigger plight. Peaches, cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and even plums are well advanced in bloom stage and development. When many flowers are damaged by frost, its not always noticeable as in the case of the Magnolia. In the case of Fruiting Cherries and Peaches, the inner parts (the Pistol and Stamen) of a flower's reproductive system are damaged. If flowers are damaged in their pollination parts, they can't develop fruit. A Fruit Farmer depends on the FRUIT, not the looks of a tree. Bad buds or no flowers = no fruit = no product for sale = no income. Mother nature has a bad side....
So...what does it mean for your plants? I had the chance today to talk to the wife of a man who was essentially my first boss when I was a teen. It was a fruit farm. Great caring family that was grounded and I owe her, her husband, and their sons a great debt of gratitude for their nurturing as I started working with plants 30 years ago. She related to me a response her father-in-law would share, and one she believed in, when someone would ask "So how is your crop this year?". Her father-in-law would respond "I'll let you know when I get paid for it".
Translation - We don't always know the damage that mother nature can cause with extreme temperatures until the season finishes out.
For landscape trees and shrubs, I'm optimistic tho. I still believe a lot of the damage is cosmetic and the plants will recover throughout the season. For the Fruit Farmers....I hope damage is minimal also. We will know as the next couple of months progress.
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