Gifted Gardener J U N E
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Hydrangeas
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Tips To Reduce Potential Mosquito Breeding Sites In 8 Ornamental Pools & Landscape Fish Ponds Prevent Rose Diseases Water and Nutrition Fruit & Vegetable Mobile Processing Unit Training
Calendar of Events
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SUMMER INSECTS TAKE A TOLL
Harvesting Blueberries 4 & Blackberries When Thatch is a Problem
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Some of the most notorious insects are quietly going about their business of devouring your investment of outdoor beautification. I say quietly because they are in their lifecycle of being small but still very hungry. Bagworms are very tiny currently, only about a half inch long and well camouflaged. They typically begin feeding on evergreens of all kinds, but in particular on Arborvitae. Scouting now will save your tree and you grief later. Bt products are really good when they are small but something else will need to be used as they become larger. Scale insects are masters of camo and engage the plant flat against the stem or leaf and live most of their life under the protection of a armored shell. Scales of many different types attack many types of plants. Arborvitae are currently 1
being affected by Fletcher Scale. Spider mites are a normal summer time insect of many plants. Spider mites numbers explode when the weather turns dry and warm. A good hard spray of water from the hose can do a lot to control mite populations. Doing this weekly to susceptible plants is simple and affective. By the way Arborvitae are especially loved by spider mites. As we expected Japanese beetles are having a good year, many insecticides are affective on these pests but persistence from you will have to prevail to keep the damage to a minimum. I will caution you to also be certain what the insect is that you are seeing. You may not believe me but there are some really good insects. Insects that prey upon other insects are good for our efforts. Proper identification should be a priority before spraying haphazardously. Examples: Mud Daubers love spiders, Lace wing devour aphids, and Lady Bugs eat many things.