Archive for July 2007
Starflower — July 31, 2007
Once starflower starts to bloom, nothing stops it until frost. Like many butterfly plants, this one prefers, in fact needs, heat to bloom its best. So there’s no point setting it out into your garden until all danger of frost is past.
Quackgrass — July 31, 2007
This rough-looking perennial grass grows 1 to 3 feet tall in clumps or mats. Quackgrass, or “couch-grass,” emerges from hairy roots into slender stems that are separated into little joints every few inches.
Raccoons — July 24, 2007
Nothing irks a bird-lover more than having the seed in carefully erected bird feeders raided by raccoons! Mounting baffles on the supporting posts is a good way to thwart these unwanted visitors, and you can make as many as you need for around $10 each.
Tobacco hornworm — July 24, 2007
These 3- to 5-inch-long giants of the caterpillar world have a large harmless spike, or horn, on their tails. Their green color blends into the foliage of tomato and tobacco plants, some of their favorite foods.
Video: Watering hanging plants — July 17, 2007
If you live where it’s hot and dry, you’re probably spending lots of time watering, especially if you have containers. Here are some tips and a tool to help make that task easier and more enjoyable.
Pepperweed — July 17, 2007
If you crush or bite into a pepperweed seed pod, you’ll know where it gets its name. It has a definite pungent scent and taste. A biennial, pepperweed sprouts in the fall and spends the winter as a small rosette of leaves.
Planting anemones with sharp drainage — July 10, 2007
Providing sharp drainage under the roots and around the crown of your anemones will keep them healthier, without the root and crown rot problems they’re prone to.
Spider mites — July 10, 2007
Plants stressed from too little water can be in double jeopardy. First, lack of water weakens plants. Second, once they’re not healthy, they’re more susceptible to other problems.
Hosta ‘June’ — July 3, 2007
You’ll never get bored with this beautiful hosta. Leaf centers are chartreuse in spring then change to a creamy yellow by summer. The color varies depending on the amount of light available — you’ll get the best color by growing ‘June’ in morning sun and afternoon shade.
Powdery mildew — July 3, 2007
In mid- to late summer, you may notice a gray-white film on a plant, and the plant may begin to lose leaves. The culprit is powdery mildew. You’re most likely to see this problem on roses, phlox, zinnias, bee balm and lilacs.
