The kids are out of school and can now finally help do all the gardening chores that still remain to be accomplished. Hmmm...wonder if that will happen.....

Anyway, the following is a short list of what you need to do this month to maintain the beauty of your landscape.

1. Apply your post-emergent herbicide and fertilizer to your lawn early this month if you haven't already done it.

2. Spray your second round of Acephate or Malathion for the bagworms early this month.

3. Prune or finish pruning everything that has already bloomed or will      be  finishing up shortly such as the Weigela, Lilacs, Viburnum, and Azaleas.

4. Also prune all the spirea a second time when they are finishing up this month. I realize many of you already pruned them once before they got leaves on them per this Newsletter but giving them a second good haircut will not only keep them nice and compact but you may also be rewarded with some new blooms.

5. The leaves of roses are starting to get eaten on so if you want to keep the future growth looking good it would be a good idea to give them a shot of insecticide. And remember....try not to use Seven dust as it not only doesn't last very long but is bad for the bee community.
Use something that has a "systemic" and will stay absorbed in the leaves. Acephate and Malathion are again good choices for this.



and....



don't forget









Father's Day!!!!!

 Hang on guys. My eyes are sharper than yours. Let me look!

Stay inside!!!!!

They're hundreds of them and they're everywhere!!!









 
Now everyone just hold on and don't panic.

If you kids will pay attention to an ol' timer here for just a few minutes I will tell you exactly what they are!




They are itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, (those words will put an old tune in your head now) smaller than a pin point, red critters






known as






Clover Mites!

You know, I think I photograph rather well don't you????...kissy, kissy...

....and this time of year they are all over the place.

Unlike you all, they were hatched from eggs that their mother laid last winter in cracks in foundations or houses, under siding and shingles or even the loose bark of trees. Anywhere that was protected and warm.

But don't panic my little ones. They will not bite you or our trusted masters. Even though they are somewhat of a nuisance they will not harm you or your food. They only feed on grass, clover, dandelions, strawberries and some plants such as iris.
But, be very careful not to step on them since if you crush them they will look like you smeared blood on the ground. Then you know what will happen if your master sees that.
Yep....a trip to the vet's office and you know what that's like.
So, watch where you walk little guys.

Now as far as getting rid of them. Well, if they are in the house they can be sucked up with a vacuum cleaner as long as the bag is disposed of. Otherwise they will sneak right back out since they are so tiny. Outdoors a general purpose insecticide will normally work but if you want to get real technical on me you can look for insecticides such as Duration, Dursban, Tenure, Optem, Pyrethrum and and Baygon to name a few.

And don't fret too much because chances are you'll be seeing them again in the late fall when a new batch try to find a nice cozy, warm place to again lay their eggs for spring.


So....


Sleep well this winter....


you never know what might be crawling around....




Boooooooooooooooo!!!



 

Installed 3 Karen Azaleas in front ( North )

Old unused sun dial relocated from front yard.

Also re-used and relocated a few of the sedum found within the original beds. Added one rose.

Much cleaner and uncluttered look with nice natural limestone edging.





See ya next month!!
I Hope!!