Two vines that often fly under the radar are the Silver Lace Vine and the Sweet Autumn Clematis. Both are quick-growing plants, reaching heights of up to 20 feet. Later, they will reward you with a flush of white blooms in the fall. While the Silver Lace Vine is valued for its profusion of blossoms. The Sweet Autumn Clematis adds another layer of charm with its delightful, jasmine-like fragrance.
We’re starting to see the Goldenrod Soldier Beetle showing up in the garden this week. Don’t worry—these little yellow-and-black bugs are actually helpful! They feed on flower pollen, and their larvae eat grasshopper eggs. So, no need to kill them.
Now, one insect you might want to deal with is the armyworm. Their eggs are hatching, and if you notice a heavy population in your lawn, it’s a good idea to treat it with a lawn insecticide before they cause too much damage.
This is also the right time to spray for perennial weeds and winter annual weeds. A 3-way spray containing 2,4-D plus Dicamba works well since it kills the roots. Just be careful if you’re spraying around trees.
If you’re seeing new growth on your trees or shrubs, resist the urge to prune it off. Just keep watering until they go dormant, and hold off on fertilizer—no woody plants should be fertilized this late in the season.
I’ve also had a couple of calls about mushrooms growing out of tree trunks. Unfortunately, that’s usually a sign of internal rot, which weakens the tree. If the tree is close to a house, shed, or other structure, it may be worth removing it before it comes down on its own.
And finally, some folks are noticing raspberries and blackberries are not setting berries this year. I’m seeing the same thing. The culprit? Our hot, dry summer limited pollination, so that is what is happening in the garden this week.
In the garden this week, we’re seeing more chlorosis showing up on trees and shrubs. That’s when the leaves turn yellow between the bright green veins. The stress comes from higher heat, lower moisture, and even smoke in the air. Since we’re so late in the season and plants are headed toward dormancy, there’s really nothing to do for it now.
Another thing people have noticed is pine trees dropping needles. Don’t worry! As long as it’s the inner, older needles that are falling, that’s perfectly natural this time of year.
If you’ve got a flower or vegetable you’d love to save seed from, give it a try! Just make sure it’s not a hybrid—stick with open-pollinated or heirloom varieties. For example, heirloom tomatoes are self-pollinating and a great place to start. Personally, I like saving seeds from datura, cleome, four o’clock, castor bean, and Mexican sunflower. The trick is simple: spread the seeds out on a cookie sheet to dry, then store them in plastic bags or pill bottles. Don’t forget to label them!
Around the house, now’s a good time to spray your foundation with an insect barrier (something like permethrin works well), then repeat in about three weeks. Also, check for any little gaps where plumbing or wiring comes up from the crawlspace or foundation. Stuff those openings with coarse steel wool and seal with silicone to keep critters out.
Lawns can run into rust problems this time of year too. With cooler temps and moisture lingering, the fungus gets a chance to spread. You can help by mowing a little shorter, avoiding nighttime watering, and bagging your clippings instead of mulching them. Rust spores also move on the wind, so keeping clippings out of the lawn can make a big difference. So that is whats in the garden this week.