There are reports of increased stink bug activity in our area and in many areas throughout the country. They have been seen in 33 states this spring. Every state east of the Mississippi has reported occurrences of stink bug activity. This invader is a native of Asia and made its first appearance here in the U.S. in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the late 1990s. Not long after that it began appearing in orchards in the mid-Atlantic region and the population has continued to explode.

 

Since forewarned is forearmed we thought you should have some information about how to handle this pest when it appears in your home or landscape.

 

Stink bugs are so named because of the very unpleasant odor they emit when crushed or even threatened and it is an odor that can be long-lasting. More serious than the odor is the fact that these insects can greatly harm or destroy food crops and ornamentals. It uses a needle-like mouth to pierce the skin of the fruit and leaves of the host plant.

 

Besides being destructive in the garden, orchard or landscape they are greatly annoying inside the home. They can be found nearly everywhere; behind curtains, in corners of rooms, around windows, under various appliance covers etc. They don't eat or destroy wood but their mere presence make life quite unpleasant.

 

What can you do to help reduce the number of problems associated with stink bugs? Steps to take around the house are: seal up any cracks that offer an entrance to your home; use screen to cover vents and any other openings; if they are found indoors, use a vacuum cleaner to collect them and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately. The bugs invade houses whenever they are present but in the greatest numbers in the fall, looking for a warm home as winter approaches.

 

To control them outdoors, spray with Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable spray or, if you have ornamentals only, you can use Bayer 3 in 1 Insect, Disease and Mite Control. Keep weeds in your garden and landscape in control and clean up the garden at the end of the growing season. Plan on a periodic application of the insecticide; one application per season won't be enough to stop these pests.

 

Stink bugs could take their place next to Japanese beetles on gardeners' "Most Unwanted List" but now you have some ideas about what they are and how to control them. If you have any questions, remember, we at Wedel's are always here to help.

   

"Pluck not the wayside flower;
It is the traveler's dower."
~William Allingham   

 

2. California's Frank Epperson invented the Popsicle in 1905 when he was 11 years old.

4. Sliced bread was introduced under the Wonder Bread label in 1930.

 

George Wedel

I can't remember a spring with so few days we could work in our fields, lawns and gardens. Rain, cold, wind, wet soil and frost all put many garden and landscape projects "on hold." Now that we are experiencing some "normal" weather we Green Thumbers need to keep it in high gear and try to catch up.

 

Vegetable gardens that were rototilled early but never planted are most likely weeded over and will need to be rototilled again. Using Plant Tone and Osmocote fertilizer in and around vegetable plants will be more important than ever because of the late start.

 

Don't forget to apply Miracle Gro Weed Preventer to help keep weeds from coming back in cultivated gardens. First weed then sprinkle on the ground and, presto, 3 to 4 months without weeds!

 

Due to the abnormal spring season to date many plant sources have overgrown annual flowers and vegetable plants. At Wedel's our selection is top-notch for June planting. Wedel's nursery plants are mostly locally grown on our own farm to assure your purchase is hardy and has a more than adequate root system to ensure a fast start and healthy plants.

 

Be sure to ask one of Wedel's ten Michigan Certified Nursery Specialists for help in selecting the right plant for your location. It's always best to ask before planting than to replace later.

 

Have you seen silvery green patches of grass in your lawn that seem to form seed heads within a day or so of mowing? That is poa annua or annual bluegrass which can be prevented from ruining the appearance of your yard by applying Halts crabgrass preventer in August. That application will prevent the seed from sprouting next spring. To keep turf looking its best, mow with a sharp blade, see that one-half inch of water is applied every four to five days and mow every four days. Apply the second feeding of the year to encourage growth.

 

Young crabgrass plants will soon be making their presence known in some lawns. As soon as young crabgrass is visible, spray with Fertilome Crabgrass Control. Be sure to keep mower cutting height set high, at three to four inches, to help discourage broadleaf weeds and crabgrass.  

 

If you see something suspicious affecting your landscape plants, vegetable garden or lawn, bring a sample into Wedel's for a diagnosis and prescription for a remedy from one of our plant doctors. Would you like to improve your lawn? Bring in a 6 inch x 6 inch sample of sod and one of our Scotts Lawn Pros will let you know everything you need to do to have the best lawn in the neighborhood. Do you have questions about caring for or pruning your valuable trees or shrubs? Our staff of Certified Nursery Specialists will be happy to answer your questions. Wedel's is your one-stop shop for all of your landscaping and gardening needs.

 

Happy June Gardening!

George

Joe Pye Weed

Since interest in native plants has been on the upswing in recent years we would like to feature some information this month on Joe Pye Weed, eupatorium, just one of the over 50 examples of native plants carried at Wedel's.