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Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds
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Japanese beetles have plagued Eastern U. S. gardens for decades. Meanwhile, dimly aware of the insect's destructive potential, Minnesota gardeners battled lesser pests. Sadly, the age of innocence is ending here, especially in the Twin Cities area.
The beetles have been present in Minnesota for several years but populations have been local and numbers relatively low. This year many Twin Cities area gardeners encountered them for the first time and numbers exploded in some places. More of the same is likely to come.
The bronze and green beetles are known to feed on 300-400 kinds of plants. Rose, linden and grape are among their favored hosts. The beetles are gregarious, often gathering in clusters on chosen plants with remarkably destructive effects. Beetle activity peaks mid-July through mid-August.
Continue reading "Prepare to Battle Japanese Beetles" »
When will it end? That's what many Washington County residents are asking about the indoor presence of boxelder bugs.
Although bugs are present every year, they reproduced in such abundance last summer that people who had never seen them before reported masses of bright red nymphs in their yards and gardens by July. In autumn when the hordes of nymphs matured, many swarmed to the south walls of homes, entered through cracks, especially around doors and windows, and retreated to winter hiding places. Although mostly inactive in winter, bugs rouse frequently and show up in living areas.
Continue reading "Boxelder Bugs: House Guests for all Seasons" »
2010 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) "Frequently Asked Questions & Answers"
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Do you have a shelf full of outdated or partially used garden chemicals in your home? Most gardeners do and because some of the products can be hazardous to people, pets and the environment, risk as well as nuisance accompany their storage.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to spray, dust, spread or broadcast pesticides to manage most garden insects and diseases. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a research-based approach that can reduce insect and disease damage to acceptable levels in most gardens with minimum or no pesticide use.
Continue reading "About Those Garden Chemicals" »
If there were moles in the Garden of Eden they must have changed their habits since then. Nothing piques a gardener's ire more than evidence of these inveterate diggers: damaged turf, uprooted plants, undermined patios and random piles of dirt.
However, other pests cause similar damage so it's important to study the suspect's modus operandi:
1. Small round holes in the ground, surface or slightly subsurface runways, teeth marks on vegetables or berries (or produce disappearing), chocolate brown scuttling critters, no raised turf--vole
Continue reading "Moles Raise Turf and Ire" »
Luckily I planted daffodils and not tulips! Deer love sweet tender tulips in the spring but do not touch my daffodils. I learned the hard way, so now the tulips are in the fenced-in area of the yard and the daffodils and alliums are outside the fence.
Continue reading "Ah, the Thrill of Seeing Wildlife in Your Yard" »
You could...
Dig them by hand, Make yourself a nice salad, or How about getting the kids to pick the flowers so you can make dandelion wine?
But, the best way to discourage lawn weeds is to keep your grass healthy and growing. The Washington County Home Lawn Care Calendar explains the practices and timing that work best in Washington County to maintain a healthy lawn.
Going Beyond the Traditional: More Veggies for Less Work
Many of us think we know how to take care of our trees just by observing how our cities, shopping malls, neighbors, etc. take care of theirs. We assume that a city or large commercial enterprise would know the proper methods of pruning, mulching, watering, and other plant maintenance. But think about it, how many times have you noticed an irrigation system spewing forth water while it is raining? One of the most noticeable tree care mistakes seen in our area is mounding mulch up around the tree trunk.
Continue reading "Trees are an Investment that Require Proper Care" »
Proper pruning is no more work than poor pruning and a little knowledge can go a long way to making you feel good about doing it right. There are several reasons to prune trees and shrubs including improving health and appearance, shaping young plants, renewing older shrubs, and fixing safety issues.
When to Prune
As a general rule the best time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs is in late winter or early spring when they are dormant. Pruning at this time allows you to see the shape and interior of the tree so you can see what you are doing and there is less chance of disease or insect problems. Dead branches can be removed at anytime.
There are some exceptions.
Continue reading "Pruning Trees & Shrubs - Knowing When & How" »
Tree Owner's Manual for the Northeastern & Midwwestern United States
Building a rain garden in your yard is an easy and inexpensive way for you to reduce storm water pollution. Rain gardens can absorb as much as 30-40% more storm water run-off than a standard lawn. "Run-off��? is excess water that washes the grass clippings, leaves, fertilizer and other pollutants from hard surfaces and carries it into our water system.
Continue reading "Why Should I Build a Rain Garden?" »
There are many communities in Washington County where ponds have been established in neighborhoods for the purpose of handling the storm run-off. They are a wonderful asset to the environment, enhance the beauty of individual home landscapes and increase property values.
To keep pond water free of algae and harmful chemicals and bacteria, the best solution is pondscaping. It starts with planting a 25 foot buffer strip -- a natural, unmowed area between the water's edge and a lawn or a hard surface. Plant roots in the buffer strip catch chemicals and fertilizer run-off, and prevent algae and chemicals from forming in the pond.
Continue reading "Pondscaping in Washington County" »
Common buckthorn has become a threat to Minnesota's woodlands, prairies, abandoned fields and roadsides because it is capable of growing in full sun and dense shade and it is adaptable to adverse habitats. Buckthorn will rapidly form dense thickets and push out native species if left untreated. Its primary means of spreading, by seeds that are eaten by birds during the winter months, makes it all the more difficult to control. Although three buckthorn species can be found growing in Minnesota, common or European buckthorn (Rhammus cathartica) is the most problematic.
Continue reading "Buckthorn Busting" »
Information pieces on noxious weeds face stiff competition for the public's attention from the many catalogs and nurseries featuring brightly colored annuals and tempting perennials. While some noxious weeds are actually attractive, they just don't have the appeal of a lovely begonia or unusual hosta.
Here in Washington County, with many acres devoted to homes on large lots, it's important for residents to know that Minnesota prohibits 11 noxious weeds that by law must be controlled on all public and private lands. Hobby or larger acreage farmers may already be aware that noxious weeds are poisonous and can injure animals and people.
Continue reading "Noxious Weeds are Harmful and Must be Controlled" »