Garden Pests

Tents of Caterpillars

I am noticing tents of caterpillars in fruit trees and other trees now. The adult moth lays eggs in a crotch of trees and the little caterpillars start spinning a web around the congregation. As they grow the tent becomes larger. As the caterpillars start to feed, they come back to their nest for protection. When it is cold or wet, they stay in their nest to keep warm.

For large trees will recover, smaller trees do not respond well to this threat. Remove the tent with your hand or stick in the early morning. If this method is to “gross”, fill a sprayer with soapy water or insecticide and with the nozzle poke a hole into it and spray.

Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth

A way to prevent this pest is to keep your bird feeders filled, the caterpillars are a delicacy to the birds.

Garden Pests

Bedstraw

A square stem weed is popping up (seemly overnight) in gardens and flowerbeds and shady areas around the yard. It is called bedstraw or catchweed. When you touch the weed, it feels sticky. This is because of the little Velcro-like hairs covering the plant. It clings to clothing and pets especially the seeds bringing them into the house.

Most “weeds” have a history of use which is forgotten in modern times. Early settlers used this weed to fill mattress pads thus the name bedstraw. Native Americans used this weed as a poultice for relieving insect bites and poison ivy. Apparently, horses, geese, and cattle love the stuff. Maybe that is why you do not find this weed in pastures.

One plant produces up to 400 seeds and remains viable for up to 4 years. Bedstraw can be easily pulled or even raked. 2,4-D easily kills it.

Lawns

3 Basic Steps to Improving your Lawn

What will you do if you are thinking my lawn is not as nice as the lawn down the street? Many people over-think this, however, there are 3 basic steps to improving your lawn.

The first thing is to fertilize your lawn properly. By adding fertilizer now when the grass is actively growing (May) helps prepare the lawn through the summer. Then adding another dose of fertilizer in late August when the temperatures cool and the grass starts to grow and get ready for winter dormancy. The third fertilizing time would be in late fall. This fertilizer usually comes under a “winter fertilizer” which is slow-release so it is present when the roots start to regrow in early spring.

Next is to water properly. On established turf, water less for longer periods so the soil becomes saturated. Water early in the morning so the grass dries in the afternoon to prevent fungus diseases. Early morning watering has less evaporation because of less wind and heat.

Mowing is also important. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass length. In the summer, leaving 3 inches is beneficial because the grass shades the ground preventing soil moisture evaporation. Also, if your grass shows brown tip a day after mowing, you need to sharpen or replace the blade.

Lastly, if you have a good strong lawn, it will reduce the weed population. You will still get weeds here and there and around the edges. If you let the weeds grow, they will take water and nutrients from the soil. For perennial weeds like dandelions or creeping jenny spray in late fall (October) to kill the weed. You can control the spread and the flowers now by spraying usually with a 2,4-D spray. Wait till early morning or evening when the wind goes down to prevent drift.