Garden Pests, Lawns

Crabgrass

I keep telling people that crabgrass should be our state weed. I do not know when this weed has been so prevalent. With the hot, dry days the lawns are going dormant but this is the weather that crabgrass thrives in.

Crabgrass is showing up now in lawns, gardens, and flowerbeds. This is a flat growing grass and is very hard to pull. It will be a lighter green color with wider leaves than the rest of the lawn. As crabgrass grows, it will send stolons out between 1 and 2 feet and take the area over.

There are post-emergent herbicides that will control crabgrass as long as the plant is under 2 inches in diameter. The same goes for flowerbeds, but be sure to read the instructions.

The best way to control crabgrass in gardens and flowerbeds is to physically remove the plant. Cut below the soil line and remove the plant because it will root back into the soil. Do not let the plant seed, a mature plant can produce thousands of seeds.

The best way to control crabgrass in lawns is to kill the plants when they sprout by applying a pre-emergent herbicide early next spring. For now, try to keep your lawn healthy reducing competition with crabgrass.

Vegetables

Tomato Leaves Curling

I have received many questions about tomato leaves curling. The most common reason for this during this time of the year is environmental. It even has its own name: physiological leaf roll. The plant is growing rapidly and the roots are not keeping up with the top, the leaves’ natural response is to curl to reduce its transpiration. This common when it is excessively hot or windy. The good news is the plants will gradually outgrow this.

To help the roots out, try a layer of organic mulch like straw or rotting alfalfa hay. This keeps the roots cooler allowing for quicker growth preventing drying out especially if they were root-bound before planting.

A quick note: tomatoes and peppers like a smaller dose of fertilizer than a high dose.

Landscaping decor

Have an Unattractive Stump in the Yard?

If you have an unattractive stump in the yard, try making it into a planter. The easiest way is to hollow out the center and drill some holes in the side to allow the excess to drain away. They will preserve the stump longer. Fill with potting soil and plant some annuals in it. Also, dig around the stump and plant more annuals. Now you want to draw attention to the stump instead of away from it.


Another way to provide a focal point with your stump is to place a birdbath onto the top. Chisel out some of the center of the stump and place a layer of cement in it to the outside. Then place the birdbath on it. You can place a sculpture or statute instead of a birdbath.


Add a tabletop on the stump with chairs and place patio stones around. You have a patio area.
If you do not want to chisel and drill, use the stump to set a flowering container on it. This provides elevation to your creation instead of looking at the container from the top.