Garden almanac

This Week in the Garden

Tent caterpillars are showing up this week in the garden. The eggs hatch and the little caterpillars spin a group web on the end of a branch. As they grow the tent becomes bigger. They do this for their protection from predators and weather. The caterpillars become larger brown-reddish moths later in the season. They like fruit trees along with others like poplars and willows. You can break the web with a stick to open it up to the birds or spray insecticidal soap into the web.

A lot of people are having trouble with bitter cucumbers. All cucumbers have a substance called cucurbitacin which makes them bitter detouring insects. Some varieties vary in the amount of this substance having a lot of this bred out. Also, hot and dry temperatures increase the cucurbitacin. This is why wild cucumbers are so bitter.

The time to spray weeds in the lawn is coming up in late September and October. Fall is a better time than spring because the food in the leaves is being sent down to the roots for the winter.

It used to be that it was recommended to cut grass shorter in the fall. Now the thinking is to keep the height the same as the summer. This allows the longer grass blade to produce more food to be sent down to the roots for better winter health.

Check your local nursery for fall-blooming plants like mums and asters. Slip these into a container of plants that are tired or just given up. Also, it is time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

If you are looking for native fruit to grow in the area, try chokecherry, buffaloberry, honeyberries, elderberry (make sure you cook the berries and not eat raw), Juneberry, or Aronia (serviceberry). There are others but SDSU has had success in growing these native fruits. Other favorites are gooseberry, raspberry, blackberry, mulberry, and Saskatoon berry.  Just make sure the berries are ripe before picking and add some for the birds.

June berry
Buffalo berry
June berry
Garden almanac

In the Garden this Week

Sunscald on a tomato

If you had a low fruit yield in the garden this week, this was probably due to the high temperatures. Pollen in many varieties becomes sterile when the temperature is above 90 degrees. Keep a list of the varieties that did good and poorly for next year’s buying. Hot weather also causes discoloration in tomatoes where you get yellow blotches with red along with sun scald and a large white core.

Sand bur plant

The weed of the week is sandburs. There is nothing you can do now, however, in the spring use crabgrass preemergence in May and again in another 6 weeks in those areas prone to sandburs.

Do not cut asparagus down, let them turn yellow to feed the roots for next year. You can cut them off after they dried up. Male varieties like Millenium Hybrid are more productive.

Dig onions after the tops have fallen and 2/3 of them are yellowing. Dig potatoes 1 to 2 weeks after the tops have died.

This is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, such as pines, spruces, and container-grown plants, because the plants will have time to develop their roots before the winter conditions. Plus, the weather is cooler which helps.

Also, it is time if you wish to divide and move iris and daylilies. Wait till September to divide or move peonies.

Real Estate (Residential)

Prepare to Purchase: How Future Homeowners Can Build a Stronger Credit Score by Katie Conroy

Look at how future homeowners can build a stronger credit score for purchasing a home. Raising your credit score is a pivotal step toward securing a mortgage and buying your dream home. It’s not just about having a good number; it’s about demonstrating financial responsibility and trustworthiness to lenders. By understanding the key factors that influence your credit score and implementing strategic changes, you can significantly enhance your creditworthiness. Let’s explore practical and effective ways to boost your credit score, paving the way for a smoother home-buying journey.

Pay Your Bills on Time

The foundation of a strong credit score is punctuality in bill payments. Each on-time payment signals to lenders that you’re a responsible borrower, which can positively influence your credit score. Consider setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders to ensure you never miss a due date. Even payments that seem insignificant, like utility bills or a small credit card purchase, contribute to a pattern of reliability that lenders favor.

Manage Your Debt with a Budget

Establish a meticulous budget to master your debt management efficiently. Tap into the myriad of free online templates to forge a precise monthly household budget. Select from a variety of template designs that align perfectly with your unique financial situation, allowing for necessary adjustments to optimize your spending and savings. Give this a view and see how a well-crafted budget serves as the cornerstone to reducing your debt and elevating your credit score.

Consult Financial Experts

Navigating the complexities of credit repair often benefits from expert guidance. Engage a financial advisor or credit repair agency to receive customized strategies that enhance your credit score effectively. These experts are adept at pinpointing critical areas needing improvement and can steer you through intricate challenges such as credit disputes and identity theft. Their support ensures you don’t face these hurdles solo, providing a clearer path to restoring your financial health.

Reduce Your Credit Utilization Ratio

Your credit utilization ratio — how much credit you use compared to your limits — is crucial. Aim to keep this ratio under 30% to show lenders you aren’t overly reliant on credit. If possible, pay down balances to lower your utilization, or ask for higher credit limits without increasing your spending. This adjustment can significantly improve your credit score, demonstrating your ability to manage credit wisely.

Pay Down Debt Strategically

Another vital strategy is aggressively paying down outstanding debts, especially those with high interest rates. Focus on debt with the highest rates first, often credit card debt, as reducing these balances can lead to noticeable improvements in your credit score. Consolidation loans might also be an option, combining multiple debts into a single payment with a lower interest rate, making it easier to manage and pay down faster.

Dispute Credit Report Errors

Regularly examine your credit reports to identify any potential inaccuracies or outdated information. Should you find errors, promptly challenge them by filing a dispute with the corresponding credit bureau. Rectifying these errors can significantly boost your credit score once resolved. Continuously track the status of your disputes to confirm that all erroneous entries are completely removed from your credit history.

Utilize Different Types of Credit

Broadening the range of credit types you manage can significantly elevate your credit profile. Should your financial portfolio be predominantly composed of credit card debt, acquiring an installment loan — perhaps an auto or personal loan — might be advantageous. Such a mix demonstrates to credit scoring systems your adeptness at managing varied financial responsibilities. This varied credit experience can lead to an improvement in your overall credit score.

Elevating your credit score is a strategic process that demands attention to detail and disciplined financial practices. By implementing these strategies, you not only improve your credit rating but also enhance your overall financial health, making your dream of homeownership more attainable. Remember, each step you take to improve your credit is a move closer to securing the best terms for your future home mortgage. Start today, and watch how each positive change builds a stronger financial foundation for tomorrow.

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