2008

Issue 8b, you ask? Yes, I labeled last week's email as Issue 8, when it should have been Issue 7. Only one person noticed that I had jumped ahead (Thank you Mrs.N!), so we decided to label this week's as "8b". So there you have it!

Last day of April - unbelievable! Where did it go? But again, I will say, as far as I'm concerned, it was a "normal" April for us, which we haven't had for some time. And for those of you who were moaning and groaning about the chance of frost the last couple nights, please let me remind you that this is very, very normal. I mean, hey, May 15-18 is our "frost free date", and that means our chances of frost are 50% or less. So until late May, keep those frost protectors ready to go!

Now, we usually do not use this newsletter as a means of direct advertising for Natorp's Garden Stores, but I really want to remind you about this Saturday's special. It's our "Early Bird Sale"! Shop either garden store between 6 and 9am this Saturday (5/3/08), and you'll get 20% OFF everything in stock! (Sorry, excludes gift cards, design / delivery / consultation / coaching / planting fees)

[I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.]

Whether It's The Weather

weather

Can't help but remind everyone about our frost free dates, and the fact that those are still almost 3 weeks away. So keep your frost protectors out for those cold tender plants that have been planted early. Don't forget it's not just the frost that be a bad deal for cold tender plants, but having cold wet feet can be just as bad if not worse on those plants. That can be a major problem when planting early in the ground (tender annuals), especially for tomatoes, peppers, etc. But, believe it or not, right now, the soils are dry, and we actually could use a little rain! So if you're planting trees and shrubs, perennials and roses, and yes, annuals, make sure you keep them watered as needed. It's actually a little dry right now.

[An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.]

What's Bugging You?

bug

Finally starting to see Eastern tent caterpillars showing up in ornamental trees (white silky nest / bag). If you see them in your trees, do not panic! Knock the nest out with a stick or strong stream of water, and stomp what hits the ground. Birds will help you out with a few, and many are like a bunch of guys - can't find there way back to the tree, won't ask for directions, lost forever. The same is true of pine sawflies on Mugho and other pines. Blow them off the plant with water and stomp on them. No sprays needed! There is still time to pick off over wintering bagworms and smash those before they start to hatch later in May. Now's the time to apply systemic insecticides to roses for protection against rose slugs, rose midge, and other rose bugs. And yes, I am now getting multiple phone calls and emails concerning little finger-like mud chimneys appearing in lawns, landscape beds, etc. The culprit - Cicada nymphs! They're cleaning out their tunnels getting ready to emerge in a few weeks! This is Brood XIV, and early reports are making me think we may see more of them than we have anticipated! WOO-HOO! Love eating those cicada nymphs! :)

This week, Buggy Joe Boggs (OSU Extension) is reporting that its too late to treat pines for white pine weevil (using merit), as the adults have been laying eggs for a couple weeks. So, now it becomes removal of infested tree tops and burning them to destroy the larvae under the bark. Also too late to treat for boxwood psyllid (using merit) which causes cupping of the leaves. Treat next fall or early March for proper control. BJB is also reporting continued increase in carpenter bee activity (remember the males just scare you - they have no stinger), ground bee sightings on an increase, and ant activity in the lawn and landscape on the rise. Clover mites are showing up on the sunny sides of house walls, and early reports of termites swarming! Remember, termite swarmers have black bodies (ants have a waist, termites don't), same sized paddle shaped wings (ants have 2 sets of wings of different sizes), and straight antennae (ants are elbowed). As far as wing drop, many new termite adults are unsuccessful at flight, so they drop their wings around the area where they emerged. Ants will also drop their wings, but do that after they have found a new place to nest. Bottom line, if you have termites, DO NOT attempt to control them yourself! It may be hard to admit you have termites, but call in the professionals to find and control them. BJB is also reporting tent caterpillars, inch worms, cankerworms, aphids and sawflies, which means that Buggy Joe Boggs is now in his glory as bugs and diseases are starting to get back into full swing!

-Catch the Buggy Joe Boggs Report Saturdays at 8:42am on 55KRC The Talk Station.

[What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.]

Question Mark & The Mysterians

mystery

"Can you suggest plants that will attract hummingbirds, that will also grow in the shade?" -I had to think about this for a while because as you will find, hummers like the sun, and hang out in the sunny spots of the garden, more so than the shady parts. And, for the most part, the flowers that attract hummers are typically sun loving plants. So the list for shade is limited and again, shade isn't the hummer's favorite. Nevertheless, shade plants hummers like would include: -Azaleas -Columbine (part shade) -Impatiens -Begonias -Abelia -Currants -Fuchsia

-Nicotiana (ps) -Hostas -Coral Bells (ps) -Astilbe -Lobelia (ps) -Ajuga -Chelone (ps)

-Tiarella -Bleeding Hearts -etc.

Here's the TV copy from our segment this week for Local 12 gardening segments. It's called the "Gardening Questions Lightning Round":

"Is it too late to apply a pre emergent herbicide to the lawn and landscape beds?" -No! Yes, some seeds have started germinating, but it's not too late to get your pre emergent in place and cover those future seeds from coming up. By the way, don't forget Greenview's Fairway Formula 'Spring Application' which is applied early to mid May, and has pre and post weed control, as well as a long lasting fertilizer!

"Is it too late to plant grass seed?" -No! Although fall is the best time to plant grass seed, if you need to spring seed, get it down right away. The goal is to get it up and growing as quickly as you can before the heat of summer gets here - and that won't be long.

"Should I fertilize new grass seedlings?" -Yes, apply a starter fertilizer when seeding for best results.

"I want to protect my Ash tree from the Emerald Ash Borer? Is it too late to treat?" -Getting there, but you still have time. Use Bonide or Bayer Tree and Shrub insect control as a soil drench, and get on it right away! Takes 30 days plus to move thru the tree, and the adult EAB's will start emerging mid to late May - so get on it now! For larger Ash trees (8-10 inch trunk diameter, I would call in the pros to treat the tree, which may include injection of the insecticides. Still time to have this taken care of.

"Can I still cut back my roses?" -Absolutely! If they need cutting back, get on it right away. They'll respond quickly and be blooming in no time. And remember, you can prune roses all summer long if needed. Just delays flowering for a few days, but deadheading and or pruning is done all summer long. as needed.

"And last, are we really getting cicadas back again this spring? I thought that was every 17 years?" -Yes, yes we are - it's brood fourteen - another brood of the 17 year cicadas - should be mostly east of I-71, but we are getting reports of cicada mud tunnels on the west side as well. Several states will be experiencing these cicadas, not just us! Look for Brood XIV coming soon to a neighborhood near you - and maybe yours!

[Know what a fish says when it swims into a concrete wall? "Dam!"]

Success Tip of the Week

tip

STOP TREE TOPPING! Tree topping, the indiscriminate cutting back of tree branches to stubs, hurts both trees and the environment!
-Topping starves and shocks trees by removing much of the tree's protective crown of leaves and branches. (no food produced and no shading)
-Topping leaves trees vulnerable to insects and disease that can enter the bark thru the large branch-end cuts. (disease resistance is lowered)
-Topping weakens trees as the new branches that sprout from a severed limb are weaker and break off easily in winds and storms.
-Topping is expensive. Initial costs are incurred, then comes increased liability, reduced property value, extensive future maintenance that will be needed, and in the long run, the tree may actually die.
-Topping leaves trees ugly, as they are now disfigured and mutilated. Once topped, it's nearly impossible for a tree to return to its natural shape.
-Topping will shorten the life span of all trees!
(Facts from ISA, DOF, ODNR)

Use a certified arborist when having your larger trees cared for. Certified arborists won't top your trees.

www.isa-arbor.com/findarborist
Dave Stang's Certified Tree Care
Tim Back / Back Tree Service
Ron Rothhass / The Arbor Doctor
Tony Moore / Cardinal Landscape

[Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were cold, so they lit a fire in the craft. It sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.]

From the Garden to the Kitchen

Rita

Yardboy, thanks for teaching our annual class at Jungle Jims: "From the Garden to the Kitchen". Both classes were sold out - always a fun time - thank you! That said, here's a favorite potato recipe from that class. We planted our potatoes about 3 weeks ago, so we have a way to go before they're even bite size. But that won't stop me from going to the grocery to pick up a sack of fingerlings!

NEW POTATES WITH DILL AND SOUR CREAM

1 pound new potatoes - 2/3 cup sour cream - Chopped fresh dill leaves: about 1/4 cup - go to taste - Salt and pepper to taste

Use any new potatoes you like, fingerlings are wonderful, but so are baby reds. Leave skins on, and cut into 1" pieces. Cover with room temperature water that has been salted. Cover potatoes by an inch of water. Bring to a boil and cook just until tender. Don't overcook or they will be mushy. Drain and add sour cream, dill, salt and pepper. Serve hot or warm.

Rita Nader Heikenfeld, CCP / Macy's Regional Culinary Professional / Herbalist / Author / Local TV and Radio Cooking Expert / Adjunct Professor U.C. Clermont College / Community Press Papers / PT Witchdoctor -Maker of Strange Potions / www.abouteating.com

[Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other, "Does this taste funny to you?"]

Yardboy's "Plant to Ponder"

plant

Looking for a wonderful ornamental "specimen" tree? Then look no further than the wonderful selections of Japanese maples! One of the most common, would be Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' with it's deep reddish purple leaf, and fairly consistent color retention. Not a fast grower, this selection can reach heights of 15 -20 feet. In addition to the seasonal leaf show, the fall colors of Bloodgood intensify into a more solid red color. Tough, durable, and great leaf color makes this one the most popular sold in the trade.

In addition to 'Bloodgood', you will find many, many, many other selections of Japanese maples ranging in all shapes and sizes (heights and widths), barks ranging from green to brown to reddish maroons, and leaves ranging from reddish to variegated to lime green, as well as lobed, cut and lace-leafed (dissected) selections. One of my favorites would be the green cutleaf (dissected) selections of Japanese maples, usually referred to as 'Virdis'. I just love that look!

[My wife works over-thyme in her herb garden before she decides it is time to cummin.]

A Little Bit of This,
A Little Bit of That

Get Those Kids Gardening! The closest most kids get to gardening is being 'rooted' to the floor watching TV or playing video games! And when they get older and have a home of their own, are they going to know what to do with their garden, lawn or landscape? Probably not, unless we can get these kids involved in something green, like plants! To get kids involved in gardening, remember the 3 golden rules of kid's gardening:

1.) Make it easy.

2.) Make it fast.

3.) Make it fun.

Here are a few suggestions for kid's gardening.

Growing a vegetable garden can help teach young minds valuable lessons about how the natural world works. It also gives them first hand experience at gardening, and a great excuse to get dirty. If you have a spot in your yard for growing a garden, keep these tips in mind:

-Select a sunny spot, and let the adults do all the hard work (tilling, raking and initial weed pulling)

- Let the kids do the planting. The adults should show them how far apart and how deep to plant seeds and plants.

- Use can't fail veggies from seed like beans, radishes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce and spinach, as well as zinnias and sunflowers. From plants, peppers, tomatoes, marigolds, petunias, snapdragons, and of course, herbs!

- Find plants with funny names like balloon flowers, strawflowers, spiderwort, money plant, and catnip.

-Who said plant in straight rows? You can, but if you want to make it a little more fun, try planting in circles or patterns. Maybe plant their initials. And label plants with painted rocks or wood or labels purchased at the garden store. And sign it, as in who this garden belongs to!

Container gardening: Don't have room for an in-ground garden? No problem; try container gardening! As a matter of fact this may be the best way to grow. Give the kids their own containers and let them grow their own plants. Try an upside down tomato, taters in a basket, herb gardens, salad bowl add-ons, or an entire mini garden in a large tub. Be creative, 'cause if it grows in the ground, chances are the kids can grow it in a pot, and even better! (Check out our tip sheets on container gardening)

[Grass always grows up.]

OBKB! That's it for this week. Don't forget our Early Bird Sale this Saturday. It really is a good reason to get up early - and save 20%! Now, do yourself a favor. Go out and have the best weekend of your life. See ya. RW, the Yardboy.