Archive for June, 2010
Most Un-Wanted: Aphid
Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Wanted For: sucking the life out of innocent rose bushes with their needle-like mouth
Description: pinkish, greenish white; 1/16″ long & soft-bodied
Hangout: rose bushes; especially on stems, buds and young leaves
Kryptonite: Saf-t-Side Horticultural Oil, Bt & Lady Bugs
So Long, Suckers!
There are almost as many kinds of aphids as there are kinds of plants –rose aphid is just one example. Rose aphids prepare for next spring’s assault by laying hundreds of eggs on the branches of the rose bush. After the young aphids hatch, they spend their entire lives gorging on their victim’s life juices and producing more criminals. Too many on one bush can force some aphids to move and begin attacking another rose bush. Unless winters are mild, adults will die and only the eggs will survive until the next spring.
Not only should you learn about aphids, but you should also get to know the squadron of beneficial insects covering the area. Many hunt down aphids, restoring law and order.
However, aphids aren’t just sitting ducks-they have ants for bodyguards. Ants will tend aphids for their honeydew and protect them from aphid-eaters, so look for ways to deter ants, too.
Aphids reproduce quickly, actually giving birth to females that are already pregnant, so keep good records of changes in population size and tactics you used to control them.
CAUTION
aphids let diseases hitch a ride on their backs to new plants & then puncture plants for them so watch out for a fungus popping up at the same time as an aphid infestation
Planting for the future.
-By Maggie Oldfield Thayer Nursery
Eight Tips for a Lush, Thick, Healthy Lawn
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
If you love your lawn, top dressing with compost will make your lawn love you back.
New England turf lawns actively grow in the spring and in the fall; in summer they are dormant, so now is the time is for “Black Gold” to do its magic. It takes patience to adopt this organic approach, but with top dressing, your lawn will be green earlier and stronger throughout the summer.
Here’s how it works.
Cut your lawn extremely low; use the lowest setting on your mower as possible.
Aerate the lawn. Aeration is the process of using a mechanical or manual lawn aerator to make holes in the surface of your lawn. Making holes in the surface of your lawn allows deeper root growth and reduces soil compaction. When you aerate your lawn, you allow air, water, and nutrients direct access to the root system.
Spread (also called “broadcasting”) using a shovel, ¼ “layer of compost on the lawn.
Comb the compost into the lawn with a level rake.
Spread fertilizer, lime and seed.
Drag rake across the lawn to till in these items.
Sprinkle a bit more compost, adding peat moss to cover and retain moisture.
Water in and keep seed moist for 3 weeks; try to water twice a day.
This approach is very beneficial to your lawn, and when coupled with proper cultural process, i.e. mowing high in the summer heat, and watering deeply and infrequently, (watering in short intervals does not create a sustainable lawn) your lawn will love you!
If you have any questions, or want to learn more about top dressing, stop by the nursery at 270 Hillside Street Milton MA or give us a call at 617-698-2005.
5 Tips for an Outrageous Vegetable Garden
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
LOCATION
Choose the sunniest location in your yard. Most edible plants prefer 6 or more hours of sun. Placing a SUN STICK in your yard will help determine the best location.
SOIL PREPARATION
The key ingredient to a great veggie garden is soil. Put some extra effort into preparing your beds before planting and you will save time and effort in the future. Dig the bed up to break up compacted soil and add ORGANIGRO compost with VERMICULITE to improve drainage. Adding MAG-I-CAL with humates encourages microbial soil life and attracts and increases the population of earthworms. ACTINO-IRON is a biological soil additive that helps prevent early blight as well as contain iron to enhance root development and plant vitality.
CROP SELECTION
Base your selection on what your family likes to eat. For example, plant several varieties of tomatoes, one for munching (CHERRY), one for cooking (ROMA), one for slicing (BIG BOY) and one for conversation (ZEBRA). Don’t forget the some herbs (basil, oregano, cilantro & rosemary.)
WATER
Vegetables need a bit of extra care when it comes to watering. Consistent watering will produce successful results. If you have a large garden, you may want to consider a soaker hose. This will ensure that your plants get an even watering without getting the leaves wet. All you have to do is remember to turn on the hose!
SUMMER CARE
Fertilizing consistently with NEPTUNE’S HARVEST every 2-3 weeks will give your garden the additional boost it needs to ensure a bountiful crop.
Notes:
Low soil moisture combined with high humidity levels at the plant surface favors disease growth. BI-CARB OLDFASHIONED FUNGICIDE is an organic contact fungicide that disrupts the potassium ion balance in the fungus cell, causing the cell walls to collapse.
Spraying with FOLI-CAL Calcium will help prevent and treat plant disorders associated with calcium deficiency & complement good soil fertility by supplying nutrients directly to the foliage and fruit of crops during critical growth stages (blossom end rot on tomatoes, peppers & melons.)
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