Officially Autumn- fall garden chores

Terp, LOL, you just use moles... hang on, I'll send you some of mine, you can use those too. < =D

Happy, anything that can save my poor old aching back, I'm all for it! =) I realy like the GA Q&A article, THANK YOU!!!
I've already put down 2 applications of the stuff, this past summer and just a few weeks ago, so I'm guessing that I'll just hold onto the rest of the bag to share with someone later. VERY happy to know I won't have to be putting it down again, (and again, and again) I have such a hard time remembering what I've gotta do... you should see my calendar... so full ya can't even see what day it is!! < =o heeheeheee

Not just voles and moles but we have a Skunk that comes in every night and digs them up. You should see the mess it is making of the yard.

Speedie: I'd just be sure (and I don't mean to be cynical, but....) that the brand you are using is ok. You might google it. It was weird that the guarantee would only apply if you buy and apply their product 6 times. That smells fishy to me.

It smells fishy to me too----
Were these directions on thea actual "Milky Spore" product?
There are other, similar products.....probably not as good....

Nothing like telling people they need to apply it 5 times to drive sales----that would be dishonest--
while other places say that once is enough for 10 years.

I thought of that too, but it's truly "St. Gabriel" Milky Spore. I'm thinking that the difference is, it's one of the 'old fashioned' bags of product, not the newly packaged and newly-labeled stuff. Let me see if I can find pics online to compare. Also, what I shared above is part of what's written on my bag. I'm guessing that there are new formulations or something, which is why now there are new application guidelines. For my product specifically, this is what the packaging says.

Hmmmmm, I have no buttons to click to upload images, so the pics will have to wait for another time. =( (I have text that reads 'Upload images to your reply", and " You may upload up to 5 images...." but there are no buttons to click to allow me to do so. Phewey!).

Aaaaah, ok, I "refreshed" the page and now there's my "choose a file" button! Let's see... the first image is JUST like the bag that I have. Second and third are of what other product options are. (box and "mix", respectively).

There is so much information, much of it conflicting, as well as misinformation about milky spore out there. I just read the following: "Then there's Milky Spore Disease. Milky Spore is a disease that only affects white grubs. It won't hurt earthworms or even a bird that eats a grub that has the disease. Milky spore needs to be applied two or three times a year for three years to reach “epidemic” proportions in the soil. Milky Spore can be applied any time during the season but it's best to apply it and water it in right before dark. Milky Spore can be killed by sunlight so, you'll want to have it watered in with an inch of water before sunrise." See http://www.hewitts.com/Hewitts_Home/Grub_Control.html. I have no idea if this is true -- I haven't seen it before.

@ HollyAnn- lawn aeration, lol

ROFLOL,

I just got wood chip mulch delivered from College Park, and I'm really impressed with the quality and price (around $60 for 3 cubic yards, delivery included).

It's actually black and partially composted, and looks nothing like the cheap shredded hardwood mulch that comes in bags. In fact, the CP mulch is exactly the texture of "compost" that I pick up from Takoma Park. This is going to be *great* for my clay. :)

Terp said he was impressed with their compost, also. I'm done buying bagged mulch!

Speedie and Happy, I didn't realize I had to water in the milky spores after application. :- It wasn't until a couple of days later when I came across another article that I realized my mistake. I'm probably going to do another application in the spring.

Re: Milky Spore confusion

It is my understanding that milky spore comes in two forms, powder and granules. The powder is applied once, about a teaspoon full in a 4 x 4 grid pattern The granules are applied two to three times per year for 2-3 years, and are sprinkled evenly across the area. Both are watered in for at least 15 minutes after application to get the spores into the soil where the grubs are feeding on roots and may ingest them. Both work better if grubs are actively feeding and thus more likely to ingest the spores and become infected and die (releasing more spores) before reaching adulthood in May/June. Grubs feed most actively in the Fall while soil is still warm (60 degrees) As the soil temps cool, the grubs go deeper down for the Winter until they emerge as adults in the Spring.

I think we will be going with Grubex only this year. We have 2 acres of lawn to deal with. The 4 x 4 piles and the price seem a little over the top right now. All this information helped me to come to a single conclusion, finally. Thanks, All.

I just want to comment on the use of Beetle Traps, which I NEVER use--but used to....
Being inexperienced at the use of this product--years ago--I fell for the ads and bought some.
Oh, they were full of beetles and I had to empty them every other day. Then the "thrill" wore off.

People buy these traps with the lures and put them right by their rose beds and near other
plants the beetles seem to munch on thinking--"I'll get them where they congregate!"

Not all people read the directions for use---like have these traps 30 feet away and downwind from
your beds. Putting them near your roses or beds just attracts more beetles to them.
The traps are just "doing their job" . Right?
I have had very few beetles in the last years. Oh--I find some grubs here and there in my beds
as i dig--and dispense them with a firm squish.

Years ago, too many to remember, my then neighbor applied the Milky Spore to her lawn.
I like to think it is still working---somewhat.
It may also be that in these older neighborhoods and developments--like ours here--
the beetles just run out of plants to forage on.
The trees are all old--the shrubs are too mature and tough--no one, but me, actually has a garden
here......sort of, not the most inviting, munchable place any more.

Taking advantage of the WONDERFUL weather and doing some digging. Took out a couple bushes that limited the sight lines as we back out of our driveway. Taking out a small tree which has seemed half dead for a couple years (verticillium?) Little does Mark know I already have things needing to be planted IN those spots. Starting to rake leaves. Collected pine straw from neighbor to use as mulch.
Oh yeah- had to clean up the prickly pear cactus patch. It was hit last night by a sudden attack of rare disease-
Learners-illium permit-tii- the sixteen year old driver in training had cut the corner on backing out , before the corner arrived ROFL! Eh, it really was due to be cut back, before it started grabbing people.

It is suppose to be nice here beginning tomorrow for about 8 days,forecast 70's if it is, we get to finish cleaning ,mulching general fall chores. One final week of nice weather before BLAP!!! fall to winter comes to stay.? Until spring anyway.? We didn't get a spring this year, about 8 or 9 days it was like it was as I recall

I too raked my leaves today. Two big piles. Sucked them all up with the shredder and
bagged 2 bags-full for future compost.
Not all of them are down yet--but 90%. I wanted to rake them up--as my lawn needs mowing--
and that would have been a waste of the leaves getting all mowed up.
Besides--everything was way too wet from the serious 2 or 3 downpours we had yesterday
evening and night. Wet....wet...wet.......

Such a glorious day! Love this weather! Tomorrow the same--a blessing for the Susan Komen racers
here in Baltimore.

Most of my annuals are now pulled up, except a few Zinnias and Marigolds.
Bracing for tackling the Brugs. That Dr. Seuss is HUGE!!!! And--full of buds and blooms--again.
Will take a "Swan Song"picture when the time comes.
I have NO idea how i will be able to crawl under it to dig up the pot it is in and sever all the roots
that have grown out of the holes. This Brug is like a huge, low canopy!

Should I go out and take another picture?????? Why not?
1--Side shot of the Dr.
2--Straight on shot of the Dr. S. Brug. This bed is 12' long. The Dr. is gobbling up my Hydrangea bush...
all the pretty ferns behind it....and everything growing underneath it--long gone.
3--My 3 Mums on the steps--now in full color
4--The last Rose of Summer-- My "Tropicana"-- in my "YUK" bed. This Rose is really old.
It has one stem and is completely intertwined with big, fat tree toots underground.
5--My little buddy, Hamsah (the lion) next door. I see him seldom--the fence, you know.

I had to laugh heartily... "Learnersillium Permitii". HAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAAHAAA!!!!!!!!!!! Thankfully none of mine ever got attacked by that. Now they've been double-inoculated with "Grownupium" and "Movedoutii". =)

Gita, Fan-Shmabulous Mums!! YUMMY!!!

Forgot to point out---just behind the Mums, the green shrub, is my Bob Hope camellia--full of bloom buds.

All done re-growing, has had a year of NO blooming, and now is ready to carry on as usual.
I am just hoping that the leaf fungus problems will not show up again.
That is why I cut it down a couple of years ago.

picture from 2005.

Beautiful, Gita. I bought a tiny Camellia shrub this year. It's in a pot near where your Brazilian Plume Flower was (now in house blooming). My little Camellia has buds on it also!

Gita, My Brugs are inside, one is in the house blooming it's little heart out the other in the GH begging for a larger pot.
We have had some really beautiful weather but I haven't been outside much. Ric has had his hands full getting the new GH heater piped in and a pad for the tank to sit on. After so discussion we changed where we would sit the heater and then Ric came up with a great spot for the tank. Jamie said he would do the pipe work but couldn't fit it in before the tank delivery, (They are at BoyScout Camp every weekend in Oct.) So he did it all himself, He says he is getting too old for pipefitting. I have the cannas to dig and water plants to put to bed for the winter. Not to mention the plants that go into the new shade bed. Hope the weather holds a couple more weeks.

Great weather for working outside this weekend. After doing hardly anything in the gardens all summer, I am trying to catch up this fall. We've spent the last two weekends around back by the conservatory. Mike brought in some extra fill dirt, and finally got around to finishing the back fill. Then we outlined the area around the heat pump units with granite cobbles and filled in with white landscaping stone. We went to the stone yard yesterday and got 5 more of the Pennsylvania steppers to continue the stone steps now that the backfill is done. It feels so good to accomplish projects that have been an eyesore for a long time. He also brought in 5 yards each of topsoil, compost, and mulch to raise up another planting area next to the front steps. It was always so hard to get grass to grow there, so now I have a nice new place to put shade plants. I started with 5 different kinds of hellebores there, and some other misc things I picked up at fall plant sales. I'm inside for a little nap, some football, and then will head back outside in a couple of hours. Don't want to stay inside for long while we have this beautiful day!

Teri--Holly--and others......

HD is frantically trying to clearance out all trees, shrubs, perennials and Roses. All 50% off.

Tomorrow--I think they will be starting to erect the X-mas tree racking. Then------trees, of course!
That's all we need! Fresh trees before Halloween! By Christmas--they will be all half dry.

The weather this following week is supposed to be close to an Indian Summer.....Enjoy!

I could dig my 2 smaller Brugs now--and trim them up--but the Dr. Seuss scares me! I is HUGE!

Again--I say--IF any of you want to have any stem cuttings to root of the Dr. Seuss--let me know now.
Will send it to you for postage.
I may root--maybe 6??--no more. Paul and Ruby have already put in for a few.

Gita

Gita: I'd love a couple -- happy to send postage.

Thanks for the heads up on the HD sale, Gita. I'll try to get there as soon as the 2 GSs that I'm baby sitting here in South Jersey can go back to school during the day. If you have any Brug cuttings left, I would gladly try to root one. Teri (I won't be home until Monday, so please don't send it right away if you do have any)

Roses, I went to 2 HD's yesterday, and they were already packing up their remaining trees and shrubs. :-/

It looks like I missed out on a major sale. I hope you have better luck in PA!

Got a bit more done yesterday. All the pots with cannas and other plants that need pulled are done. Next job is water garden plants and then digging the cannas & dahlias out of the ground. Might be in for some rain today but it looks like it is going to be a really nice week. They came yesterday and brought the propane tank for the GH.

I'm here in South Jersey right now. Hoping to check out the HD here soon. I'll be doing some of the same stuff when I get home on Monday, Holly.

Roses---

Since I only work one full day at my HD--I was not aware, earlier, of the 50% off sale. Sorry.

I have not yet dug up and cut back my Brugs. This week will be like summer--again prolonging this chore.
I added you, Roses, to my list. If you are not in the Address exchange--please D-mail me your address.

Paul--I guess i will see you at Sally's on Nov. 2nd????? If not--I need your address as well.
Even if I have not dug up my Brugs--I will cut off one of the main branches and cut it up for you.

My pink one and the small "Maya" are done blooming. Will not have any cuttings from the "Maya"--she is still small
enough to bring in as is. The pink NOID one--there will be a few cuttings available.

I think there is some cold weather coming our way this coming weekend. I might as well do the "butchering"
soon......BUT...the Dr. S. is now in full bloom.....He/She won't miss one of the branches--if I have to amputate it.

Gita

Paul---Lookie here.....and it is almost November! Just took these pictures....

1--Dr. seuss--doing her thing....
2--Pink NOID--all bare
3--Little Maya--still has buds on it.

Wow, lots of chores being done by so many. I just walk out, look at the mess of the yarden, and hang my head in shame and walk back inside the house. hahaha Robin, the "weed" you were asking for id for has taken up residence in my front bed also. As Holly or someone else mentioned, it must come in bird seed because the place it is growing mainly in my bed is directly underneath where our bird feeder sits.

I was telling someone earlier that I am pretty much dismayed over the condition of our place after neither of us doing much garden wise the whole summer. There has been talk of fall chore plans, but haven't yet seen much being done. I am almost beyond caring though it seems. With all the talk here of a nice weathered two weeks coming up, maybe something can be addressed then. Most of my energies of late has been on getting house plants inside and I haven't given too much thought to garden chores. I also spend a lot of time outdoors hunting and destroying stink bugs. Being down for a couple of weeks with pneumonia didn't help any as far as garden chores were concerned either.

It is my great hope that much of the front bed which went basically unattended this past year will be dug up, potted up and lots of the plants distributed at plant swaps next year. If a person were to visit, they would see several spots of potted plants numbering up in the hundreds. How the heck that happened I don't know. Here is wishing everyone good success on getting things done and put away for the winter, only to wait patiently for next spring when we can go at it once again with must zest.

Ruby

Ruby -- you said you were down a "couple of weeks with pneumonia." It takes a long time to get your full strength back -- don't be hard on yourself! The garden can wait, and the nice thing about gardening is that the garden doesn't judge you -- and neither do we!

Ric and I cleared out the new Shade Garden today. Well Ric did most of the clearing out. The mixed evergreen area that provides privacy from the road has been in need of some work. A few years ago we had to remove a large Austrian Pine it left a huge whole in the group. So we replaced that with a Mahonia, a Rhodie, 2 Azaleas, a couple of Hydrangea, and a Blue Star Juniper. That area is growing in nicely. A few weeks ago we had to remove the blue spruce. We haven't replaced it yet, maybe a Concolor Fir or a Cryptomeria. So while we are working on this area there is the lower area that also needed some work. The White Pine was too close to the road and we had to limb up the lower area of the tree and there were some other branches from the Black Pine and Hemlock that also needed removed. It left us with a nice area for larger shade loving plants and shrubs. So today Ric cleaned out the myrtle and I planted the new azalea I got from UMD_Terp, the Endless Hydrangeas from Gita and a much desired Gold Dust Acuba. I am very excited to see how this new area will take shape.

Holly many more in the spring. It will be a kaleidescope of a backyard.

Thanks, It is the lower front yard. So it will put on a nice display for the neighbors driving by.

Holly and Ric nice work! Remind me in time for Spring Swap at Jan's that I have a few candidates that might go well in that area.

Wanted to let everyone know that I'm starting a thread called "Sandy's Coming"so we can keep our own eyes on this huge storm heading our way. I for one will be battening down some hatches and loose garden stuff rather than raking leaves or catching stink bugs!

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1285729/

Holly, the shade area is looking good. Isn't it the Concolor Firs that smell like citrus?

Holly, I am in real awe of the things that you and Ric seem to accomplish. Over the years it has been a real treat to hear about your ideas and then see them to fruition. All of your hard work has been worth the effort in terms of the beauty and tranquility of your place. That you two are such great human beings is icing on the cake. Continued success in all your endeavors.

Ruby

Thanks Ruby, I am very pleased with how this area is progressing. Really it is a bit like taking lemons and making lemonade with them. The loss of the two large trees and the need to remove some other branches. All seemed like such a loss and now seem like a new start for that bed. Took me a few years to get over the loss and then I could take a good look at that area and see other possibilities.

I'm sure there are other things to do today in preparation for the storm. I had to dig all the caladiums something told me that my markers may disappear with all this rain. Oh well I only sliced one or two and couldn't locate two. Guess it was overdue...

Our own Sallyg has written an excellent Fall Garden check list!
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3969

Thanks for pulling all that together! and, yes, I did notice the "plant garlic" entry.