Garden almanac, Garden Pests

In the Garden this Week

In the garden this week some vine crops, especially cucumbers have been forming brown to black spots on the leaves. This is a fungus disease called anthracnose. Usually, the disease shows up after the plants have mainly produced their season’s crop. The best remedy is to rotate the crop each year and not overhead water which spreads the fungus. If you want to control this, a copper-based fungicide works well.

Anthracnose on cucumber leaves

The next problem coming up is sunburning of tomatoes. This will appear as a discolor of the tomato skin at the shoulder or side. It is different from blossom end rot which appears on the bottom of the fruit. This is the main reason not to prune tomato plants. Also, I have noticed the beginning of blight on the lower leaves of the plants which I have been picking off and discarding to prevent the spread of the disease.

Galls on a linden leaf

People have noticed bumps on the undersides of Linden and some maple leaves. These are galls caused by a tiny fly or wasp laying an egg on the leaf as the tree was leafing out. The leaves grow around the eggs which hatches into the tiny adult. They will not harm the tree.

Summer patch fungus on a bluegrass lawn

If your lawn is patchy with irregular light brown patches with wilted turf, you may have a fungus called summer patch. This is a fungus that attacks the roots of the grass spreading outward. It is particularly bad in all Bluegrass lawns that are drought stressed. To control, water deep but infrequently and fertilize regularly. There are turf grasses that are resistant to the fungus. This damage looks similar to grub damage but pull back the turf and you will see the grubs underneath. Also, grub damage shows up later in the summer.

Black swallowtail caterpillar

I was going to give some dill away but noticed I have swallowtail caterpillars on them. Think I will let the caterpillars have the dill so I will get the swallowtail butterflies. Thinking back to pollinators plants bringing in butterflies and hummingbirds, I need to plant more butterfly weeds (orange-flowered milkweed called Asclepias), Echinacea (coneflower), Phlox, Flowering Onions, and Trumpet Vines for the wildlife.

Landscaping decor

Lighting your Landscape

Lighting your landscape areas gives you an interesting look at your back or front yards at night. It provides interest, security, and color. The easiest way to do this is to use solar lights. They do not cost anything to run, are easy to install, and can be moved around. Solar lights come in many different styles and colors of light.

The main ones are pathway lights which will give you a lighted walkway, especially steps. Low-level lighting can be flushed to the outside of the walkway.

Accent lights can be used in the landscape to focus on certain planting areas. That can be placed around the perimeter to create textures of light and dark. Place stringed solar lights (fairy lights) along a fence or for climbing plants. Christmas rope lights along the edging work great giving a warm colored glow.

Add a little whimsy to the area by using lighted butterflies, garden globes, or lanterns. Flickering tiki torches not only add light but motion to an entrance area.

Use a string of light bulbs or solar pendants to illuminate your patio areas.

Do not forget the dark areas of the backyard. There are motion sensor floodlights that will provide you with extra security.

Shrubs

Smoke Bushes

There are several types of smoke bushes (Cotinus coggygria) I grow. The green original variety is a large shrub going to 15 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Mine grows as a shrub but can be pruned into a small growing tree.

Smoke bush (original green variety)

Most of the varieties grown have purple leaves (Royal Purple, Winecraft Black (PV), or Velvet Cloak) growing slightly smaller at 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. I find the purple varieties get more winterkill than the green varieties. There is a yellow-leaf variety called Ancot.

Smoke bush variety of Royal Purple

All varieties get their name from the smoke-like plumes of flowers blooming around July looking like puffs of smoke.

Two blooming smoke bushes varieties.

Once established, they are drought-tolerant and pest resistant. Plant smoke bushes in full sun for they do not shade. They do well in sandy or clay soils making it a good choice for South Dakota.