Yardening continuation May 2014

Speedie, if the babies are venturing out of the nest they will 'freeze' in the tall grass when danger (you or mower) approaches. Try to approach from several angles and herd them back toward nest or they will just scatter further. Good luck.

While I was planting today, I dug up a fair number of grubs...not Japanese beetle grubs, but no grub is a good grub unless you're a bird! I'm ordering beneficial nematodes. I was concerned they would kill earthworms, but apparently they don't.

After tomorrow I have to refocus on the veggie garden again, I'm falling behind.
Our chickens love when we find grubs, none go to waste. LOL

Judy, thank you! =) No bunnies were harmed in the mowing of this lawn yesterday, but the area around in front of the burro is the goofiest looking "from every angle imaginable" mess I've ever seen, LOL. I didn't end up cutting the rest with scissors 'cause I figured they'd had enough disturbance for one morning. :)

Ooooh evil grubs!! Thankfully I haven't found any in any of my beds this year, but I'd be surprised if they're not in the lawn soil. (and I use the term "lawn" loosely) =/

I had to cut through lawn turf several times to get my new serviceberry planted, and each time I found grubs under the turf! (First selected spot had thick roots from the neighbor's tree under the turf, second had a ton of stones--I think it must have been a gravel driveway at some point--third location was the charm.)

So, besides Japanese beetles, what do grubs grow into??

Bird food. =) heeheeheee, no, seriously... all sorts of beetles in general, depending on where you live. June bugs, dung beetles.. and a few others I can't remember.

So, what tools did you end up using for the turf-cutting and digging? < =D YAY You for finding that "third spot is a charm"! =) Pic, please?

well, I guess I am going to have quite a lot of bugs come June! :-o

Speedie, I used my regular pointy-ended shovel to cut initial holes in the turf. Then I used the same shovel to pry it up a little. Then I found I could tear the turf up with my hands. I found the flat shovel difficult to work with--hands were easiest. :-o I'm sure there's a trick to using it that I haven't discovered.

The location I ended up with is much closer to the back of the house than I had originally anticipated, but that's where the soil was workable. I just went outside and took two photos:

1) From back of the tree looking out towards the neighbor's yard
2) From the yard looking towards the tree.

Maybe this location is better because it will help cover up the ugly back of the house, including the AC unit. I hope it is far enough from the house?

That's a really great looking tree Cat... just make sure the crown isn't too overly-covered in soil - don't want crown rot! < =0 ... Now, having a terribly Polish Moment.. what kind of tree is that again!? Aaack and shame on me!

You know, I've never actually tasted a serviceberry.

Catmint, I'm going to have to ask for a few berries when your tree starts producing fruit!

All of my caladiums are finally planted. Yay! Soil temps are finally at 65, which I think is the bare minimum required for caladiums. I really should have waited another week but I needed to get them out of the way.

A tall plant holder fell yesterday and I lost several established succulents and pots. :( Ugh.

Oh no! Did the plant holder break? (please say no!) Are you sure the plants themselves are lost? Maybe they could still be saved if they're re-potted pretty soonly. < =/

I didn't even know that serviceberry berries are edible... shows ya what I know, huh?

LOL Speedie it is a Serviceberry 'Glenn Form aka Rainbow Pillar' Amelanchier canadensis. I'll check the crown when I do my roll call in a few minutes.

Absolutely on the berries, SSG! There are already small green ones forming, so I'm hoping for a good crop to share! :-) I've never tasted a serviceberry either but have read that they are edible. I was enticed to get it because the Loudon Wildlife Conservancy handbook describes it as: "Top choice for the bird garden. Juicy sweet berries are relished by small mammals and song birds such as cedar waxwings, orioles, scarlet tanagers, and wild turkeys. Provides browse for deer. Host plant for red-spotted purple butterfly." In addition, according to NPIN, it supports conservation biological control and has special value to native bees. Sounds like my kind of tree!! I'll let you know how many wild turkeys I see! ;-) Fortunately no need to worry about deer in my urbanish neighborhood.

SSG, yay on the caladium bulbs! And so sorry to hear about the plant holder! :-( Are any of the plants salvageable?

No, only the pots broke. Some of the succulents were broken at the base. :(

Cat, If your yard isn't to large consider using BT, (milky spore) for the grubs. It's safe to use anywhere, and treat your beds too. It will also greatly reduce the number of beetles emerging near your plants and seeking their first meal. One of my lest favorite grubs is an iris grub, it doesan't kill just cripples the host. There are also Asian beetles and I believe it is effective on Cicadas.

Sorry to hear SSG.



This message was edited May 11, 2014 8:45 AM

thanks, Ric. Is Milky spore safe for the bees and beneficial insects? I think a lot of bees nest in the ground.

Yes Cat (sorry Ric, don't mean to step on your toes here), Milky Spore is definitely safe for all other critters, bee they flying or walking or hopping... Milky Spore is a living organism that will live in soil; the ONLY thing it kills is grubs. That's it. Totally safe!! (unless you stick your head in the back and SNIFFFFFF it all up!) < =P

thanks! So I definitely do need to stop at Seasons today while dd is at vball practice and get some Milky Spore! And nothing else!! (can you hear me laughing??)

Re milky spore, see http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/pastpest/200120b.html and http://www.stgl.us/gstore/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=4006

It isn't cheap, but you only have to use it once every 10 years. And it is easy to apply: 1 teaspoonful every 4', in a checkerboard pattern. Doesn't matter what time of year. And it really works. And it doesn't harm other wildlife.

I wish there were a milky spore for weeds.

What is Seasons?

thanks for the info, Happy--looks like a winner to me!! I'll look for some today.

Seasons is in Gaithersburg near where my dd has her volleyball practice.
http://seasonsnurseryinc.com/about/ I like the variety of plants they have there, including many natives. I've ended up going there a lot because it gives me something to do while my daughter is at practice.

OOOH, and just 10 minutes away from the MVA where I need to make my daughter in a week....

Once volleyball is over I'll need to visit Behnke's! :-)

Can't wait till we plant the new tree. One of the best things is that the Pagoda Dogwood blooms a bit later and it is full of buds that haven't bloomed yet.

Need a little help with an ID again. First picture is the plant in question. I ordered 3 Gaillardia Burgundy from Santa Rosa, two of them look likethe second picture. but one is not the same. What is it?
Fourth picture is my mystery plant from a couple weeks ago, last picture is it now. Any more guesses? I do know that I did plant it. but have no notes about it.

I bet the pagoda dogwood will be pretty Holly! Look forward to seeing photos of it!

Wow can't believe Santa Rosa sent you the wrong plant Catbird! Hope it turns out to be something you like! :-)

Ric, is it hard cleaning up after your chickens? always wanted chickens... I doubt our township allows it though

Wind, Quite a lot of places allow chickens, even cities do. It is quite often limited to a small number of chickens and no rosters. You should check it out. They are pretty easy to keep.

Holly, I realize you probably mentioned this somewhere previously, but what kind of Pagoda dogwood did you get, how big is it and where did you buy it? I have a spot all picked out for one. I know of a native plant store that sells them, but recall that I've seen them at other garden centers as well.

Cornus alternifolia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus_alternifolia
Got a big one a bit over 8ft.
I was looking at 'Cherokee Princess' known for it's heavy blooms and it blooms a bit earlier than the Pagoda. But everything I found in the size I wanted was $160 or so
then I saw this Pagoda same size for $80. I hope I made the right choice.

thanks, Muddy--that is good advice! I'll check tomorrow--although I don't relish the thought of moving it!! :-o Still, if it needs to be done, then it's better to do it sooner rather than later...

Holly, I love the Pagoda--the flowers are so fluffy and delicate looking and such bright blue berries. The pollinators and birds will love it! :-)

It is getting planted in the Evergreen grouping. I lost 2 evergreens from that area. I have been making some changes to that area. Limbed up the White Pine and made some space for shade loving shrubs, a couple Azaleas, Aucuba, a few Hydrangea and an Oak Leaf Hydrangea, a couple of hosta and a Rhodie. Planted 3 different Japanese Maples, there are a couple of Red Buds, a Mahonia. I think this Pagoda Dogwood should fit in there nicely.

ooh, sounds lovely, Holly! Looking forward to seeing the photos! :-)

Catbird, the first thing that popped into my head with Pic #3 is 4'O:Clocks... no? maybe?
#4 - Monarda? (I'm probably waayyy off here, but,... worth a shot, right?)

Happy, is Catmint gonna have to loan you her chains and duct tape for your visit to Seasons?? < =P heeheeheee

I was thinking maybe monarda too for #4!

Unfortunately, the chains and duct tape didn't work. ;-) Left Seasons yesterday with the milky spore, a new spicebush, and a few other small things!

I am having a ball reading about duct tape and chains and new 'pretties'. It has been VERY difficult not getting any new babies this year, but I have been diligent in not even visiting plant centers, etc because I KNOW how some things just like to jump into my cart. I just know that if I succumbed to their siren song they would only suffer since I won't be here to baby them. Trade offs. Also, it has been fun seeing the beds fill in from last year. Keep up the good work!!!

On Saturday I went to MD Flower & Foliage (Gita's 'secret' greenhouse ;) right before they closed in the afternoon. The place was packed with people. Oh it's such a good thing that I didn't bring much cash in there with me... I would have spent it all.

They have such great stuff, not run-of-the-mill, but always ridiculously cheap. I got several things but I'm most excited about how I got Royal Hawaiian Black Coral EEs and Blue Hawaii EEs for $3 a piece. Yes, friends, $3 a piece. I'm going back this week to get a few more because I just "need" more.

Thanks, Gita, for showing me that place and Richardson's Farm Market. I'm hooked on both!

I don't think pic 4 & 5 are monarda but an easy way to check is to touch the leaves and then smell your hand. If it smells minty then it's monarda.

Very nice Amalanchier specimen Catmint!

SSG: why can't your DH just get in a schedule to cut the grass? Like every weekend instead of you having to ask him each time?

WOW

Holly: I know, right?!

Wow, 3 bucks! :O What a deal! At that price, I wouldn't even have to overwinter my EEs. :)

Seq, I think DH would rather sell the house and move into a condo than mow the lawn every week! LOL About once a month is the most he'll do, but it's more like every 5-6 weeks.