NOT FOUND: plant lady1.jpgWe have been truly blessed with plenty of rain to help all of our little rooted friends blossom. The abundant sweet smell produced by the new petals and buds have proven again to attract the aphids, and other menacing garden enemies. The soil has also helped the freshly hatched snailings emerge to the surface eating their way through the roots to the top. It is so heart wrenching to witness the brutal attack of infestation on the defenseless new growth. To walk out and see the pretty little bud trying to survive while being eaten alive. During the winter, food was scarce and the aroma was faint. Now the new growth is in abundance and the aroma is at its strongest as blooms emerge. This draws all of the hungry insects into our garden. Treat them now. Even if they have not opened yet, because, as soon as they do, it may be too late. My poor roses were the first to bloom and first to be attacked. I treat my gardens with Systemic Bayer; however, I always find it necessary to apply a topical at the first of the season. If you used Systemic, I still encourage you to walk outside and keep a close eye. Many of the insects are tiny or even still larval without wings and such, so look under the foliage and at the plants base. Check the first inch or two of soil at the root zone.
Now that our soil has thawed, it has softened enough for the root systems to establish or expand underground, providing a food source for all of the baby snails, grubs, and other larvae. All new growth, whether it to be above or below the soil roots, bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, etc., produces aroma and moisture and as the sub surface enemies hatch, grow or emerge, they eat their way right to the top. Please apply snail bait and insecticide of choice into the top couple inches of soil around root zones. PLEASE!
My last area of great concern is topical mulch. Bark, especially, is famous for providing the perfect unseen refuge for insects and many varieties of fungus. Ewww. I know it’s a yucky word and it’s a yucky problem to have. Most of us who use bark, myself included, add to it each or every other season. You have to. In the past, I would just apply the new right over the old. However, I have learned the importance of, and have reaped the benefit of turning the old bark. The insects and fungi that are underneath must be dealt with before we apply the new bark. Keeping in mind the life of the soil under the bark, pull away the bark, check for health, and slightly work the soil if needed to ensure it is not compacted. Apply some granular insecticide, fungicide, redistribute bark and now you’re safe to apply the new bark. It seems like a lot of work, but it is nothing compared to all of the hard work, time and money already invested. That’s something you can do now. Do sections at a time if you have a large area. You may not need to do anything more than just checking out a couple of areas.
All gardens ready!!! Get that last preparation done by testing the soil for PH accuracy. May and June are the veggie planting months. Remember, if you are too acidic, apply dolomitic lime to neutralize and if you need to increase your soil acidity, apply sulfur. Good luck everyone.
I would now like to take this time to remind everyone who is still blessed enough to have their mother, please let her know how much you love her and if you already have, do it again. Let this Mother’s Day be a blessed one and may every mommy out there on earth or in Heaven feel the love.
Happy Mothers Day, Mommy.
Until next month y’all,
Your Plant Lady