This week in the garden, there is a hard lesson to learn when buying transplants: to remove the flowers or any fruit from the plant. This puts energy into the root and leaf growth for a stronger plant down the road. Also, depending on the plant, pinch it back to encourage a healthier plant.
The weed of the week is pennycress or skunkweed. I left one growing on the south side of my house. I counted 8 seeds in one pod, and 50 pods made around 400 seeds. This weed is called a winter annual, meaning it starts growing in the fall and then finishes with flowers and seeds the following spring. Being an annual, it is easy to pull out; just do not let it go to seed.
In planting new apple trees, look for trees that are resistant to scab, rust, and powdery mildew or a combination of these diseases. It will state this on the label. Remember to plant two varieties for a good apple crop.
There are some dead tops in maples and birches this year, caused by drought, winter kill. If you can remove them safely, do it.
I had a question about a male Silver Maple having seeds. On checking this, sometimes Silver Maples will change sex depending on environmental factors. Plants are amazing.