April 8, 2014 Kim’s
Weekly Garden Newsletter
These weekly garden notes are written by Kim Willis,
unless another author is noted, and the opinions expressed in these notes are
her opinions and do not represent any other individual, group or organizations
opinions.
Hi Gardeners
I’ll open today by
saying that for those of you who didn’t read carefully last week, that edition
was an April Fool’s edition. Sorry,
there are no miracle pink potatoes, which seemed to spark the most interest, or
purple daffodils or people eating plants.
This week’s edition is back to true research findings and of course some
opinions by the author.
It’s amazing what a few mild days can do, the spring peepers
are calling, the snow is mostly gone and I even have one stunted looking crocus
in bloom today. A quick walk through the
yard this morning revealed some tiny red leaf buds on some of the shrub roses
and lots of bulbs poking through the soil.
I have lots and lots of garden cleanup to do. I spent Saturday and Sunday getting tree
limbs off the fence in the back yard and getting the hot wire working
again.
So far I haven’t found much rabbit damage but my cats do
love rabbit for dinner and they killed several this winter. There is a lot of winter dieback on the roses
and shrubs though. Darn squirrels are
running around eating the buds off things when there are literally hundreds of
black walnuts laying all over the front yard.
The cats do catch them from time to time but they are smarter than
rabbits I guess.
 |
| Spring peeper |
I noticed lots of mole tunnels in the yard. There were a lot of them where the huge pile
of snow that was plowed off the driveway sat.
I think the ground must have been protected under the pile and a bit
warmer. There were open topped tunnels
there too from the voles. I bet the garden help lines are swamped with
phone calls from people wanting to know how to kill the moles.
What to do about
those moles
Absolutely nothing.
After the grass starts growing and you’ve ran the mower over the tunnels
a few times they won’t be so noticeable.
As it warms up the moles will
also tunnel deeper in the soil and the surface will be less disturbed. Many people assume they have a grub problem
when they see mole tunnels, thinking the moles are there to feast on the
grubs. You could have a grub problem but
that’s not why you have moles. A moles
diet is about 75% earthworms and there could be no grubs under your lawn and
you would still have moles.
The more I read about lawn insecticides to kill grubs and
other lawn insects, the less I like them.
They are terrible for the environment and a recent study showed that
even fungicides applied to soil kills earthworms or causes them great distress
as they spend all their energy repairing their immune systems that are damaged
by pesticides. There’s an article at the
bottom of the newsletter from MSU on alternative lawn products for grub control
you can read.
Forget about the moles and their tunnels for a while. If the looks of your yard with a few mole
mounds still bothers you at the end of May try a few mole traps. Good mousing cats and dogs can help too. My own cats often follow along a mole tunnel
where they sense a mole moving and will either dig down to get it or get it as
it pops up above ground. If you don’t
spread poison on your yard your pets can safely hunt there. If you think you have grubs then encourage
the starlings to visit your property instead of scaring them off or killing
them. They are extremely good at killing
grubs and other lawn insects. A
starlings diet is about 90% insects in the spring and summer. Other birds should also be encouraged on your
property.
Rolling your lawn with one of those heavy rolling devices
that are made of cement or that you fill with water is also bad for your
soil. It compacts the soil and makes
grass roots struggle to grow and that makes the grass plants less healthy and
less able to withstand insects, disease and weed competition. You can stomp the mounds down with your feet
and let the mower settle them but the best course is to ignore the mounds and
be thankful that critters can still survive in your soil. I have no great love for moles but I can
tolerate them for the sake of healthy soil and a healthy environment for birds
and everything else.
April almanac
Aprils full moon, April 15th is known as the Pink moon, egg moon or grass
moon. There are two good celestial happenings
in April, a full eclipse of the moon on the 15th, nice because the
moon is full, that if the weather is clear everyone should be able to see. It will begin at 12:52 am and end at 6:39
am. Mars will also be putting on a good
show this month because it is closer to earth than it has been in 6 years. Go out just after dusk from April 12-14 and
look to the southeast. It will be a
large orange glimmering star-like object.
The best time for planting above ground crops in April has passed
(if you plant by the moon) but you can plant underground crops on April 16, 17,
and 24, 25. If you garden by the moon
April 15-24 is a good time for pruning, weeding and mowing.
Easter occurs April 20th this year but other
holidays are Golfers day the 10th , National Pecan Day 14th
, National Garlic Day 19th , Earth Day 22nd , Executive Administrative day and Zucchini
bread day the 23rd , Arbor
day 25th , International Astronomy Day the 28th .
April is National Lawn and Garden Month as well as Keep
America Beautiful month. It’s also National Humor month, National Pecan
month and National Poetry month. April’s
birthstone is the diamond and the birth flower is the sweet pea. In the language of flowers the sweet pea
means goodbye or blissful love.
Not an Aprils Fool
Joke- this special rice may make people lose weight
While maybe not as appealing as the pink potato I wrote
about last week as a joke there is a new food being developed that may help
people lose weight. Researchers in
Okinawa, Japan have developed a strain of rice that has starch the body does
not digest. The rice strain called Nanshoka-Mai,
was only about half as productive as regular rice so researchers are crossing
it with more productive strains to make a crop farmers will want to grow.
When starch is not digested in the body it doesn’t turn into
glucose, which causes weight gain and raises blood sugar. Researchers at University of the Ryukyus,
Osaka Prefectural University, and Ishikawa Prefectural University are
conducting medical studies and working with food processors to develop rice
flour to be used in a wide variety of foods.
Breast cancer cured
by peaches?
This is also not a joke.
Research being done on stone fruits such as peaches and plums reveals
they are high in polyphenolic compounds-- chlorogenic and neochlorogenic- that
inhibit growth of cancer cells but do not harm normal cells. Research has focused on breast cancer cells
but the compounds will probably be useful in other cancers as well. The research is being done at Texas AgriLife
Research center and was recently published in the Journal of Agriculture and
Food Chemistry.
 |
| Plums |
"Rich Lady" peach and the "Black
Splendor" plum were the two varieties used for research but experts say
most varieties of stone fruit could be useful and other varieties are being
tested. Other fruits also have the
polyphenol compounds but not in the concentration that stone fruits have. Researchers treated mice with a very aggressive
strain of breast cancer with peach extract and found it very effectively halted
metastasis of cancer cells. Based on the
amount used in mice, researchers estimate that the human equivalent would be
equal to eating 2-3 peaches a day.
Researchers are very excited over this new study and will
soon be beginning human research trials.
In the meantime it certainly couldn’t hurt to add peaches and plums to
your diet if you are diagnosed with any kind of cancer.
The most painful
place to get stung by a bee
You have to wonder just where our tax dollars are spent on
research. A Cornell researcher spent 38
days and who knows how much money letting himself be stung by bees five times a
day on various parts of his body. He rated the pain of each body part sting and
determined that being stung on the nostrils was the most painful, followed by
the upper lip and the penis. Why this
information is useful I don’t know and a researcher who lets himself be stung
on the penis and other sensitive body parts has got to be a bit nuts.
Growing Gaura-
whirling butterfly plant or Bee Blossom
Gaura seems to be this year’s popular plant, being featured
in some prominent garden speakers seminars this spring. Gaura is native to Northern Mexico, Texas
and Louisiana and thrives on heat and humidity.
And although in some areas ranchers and farmers may consider Gaura to be
an unwanted invader, many gardeners will want to invite this graceful, dainty
plant into their gardens. Gaura,
sometimes called Bee Blossom, is tough and virtually pest and disease
free. The airy delicate flowers of this
North American native lend grace to any sunny garden.
Gaura is excellent perennial for naturalized gardens and butterfly
gardens. It looks great tucked among
ornamental grasses in sunny borders.
Gaura looks best in clumps of several plants in mixed borders. The
varieties with colorful foliage are excellent for color in the border even
after the flowers fade. Gaura also makes an airy filler in large containers.
Gaura begins each spring as a rosette of basal foliage,
leaves can be green, burgundy, or variegated with cream and gold. The leaves on the basal clump are long and
narrow. This clump is not very high, 18
inches at the most.
 |
| Gaura |
Gaura sends up a profusion of wiry wands, or flower spikes
beginning in early summer. The leaves
on these spikes are smaller and narrower than on the basal clump, the top of
the spike is leafless. The flowering
spikes of Gaura can reach up to four feet high in a good location. Near the top of the wand long narrow buds
will open to reveal small, four petal flowers.
Gaura flowers dangle and dance in the slightest breeze
resembling butterflies hovering over the plants. The flowers are small, an inch or two long,
and come in white or shades of pink ranging from deep, hot pink to pale shell
pink. The stamens stick well out of the
flowers, resembling butterfly legs beneath petal wings to some. Gaura flowers are loved by bees and butterflies,
the reason for the common name, Bee Blossom.
The Gaura plant grows from a rhizome that is not shy about
spreading through the garden. Gaura also
spreads by seeds. Gardeners should take
care to see that Gaura is confined to spots where it is wanted.
Some varieties
‘Blushing Butterfly’ has soft pink flowers over a compact
plant. ‘Pink Cloud’ has an extra long and heavy flowering habit, with bright
pink flowers. ‘Siskiyou Pink’ has deep
pink flowers and red stems. ‘Whirling
Butterflies’ is white with red stems.
‘Sunny Butterflies’ has medium pink flowers edged in white. ’Crimson
Butterflies’ has hot pink flowers over red foliage and red stems. ‘Passionate
Rainbow’ has interesting variegated foliage of burgundy, pink, cream and gold
and bright pink flowers.
Growing Gaura
Gaura is a short-lived perennial, which means you will
probably have to replace it every three years or so if you have not let it
spread in the garden. Gardeners in zone
5 can grow it in a protected spot with heavy winter mulch. Above zone 5 it is
reliably hardy.
Gardeners will probably start with potted plants. Plant the Gaura in a sunny spot. After it is established it is drought
tolerant and thrives in dry areas. Gaura
is not fussy about soil type or ph. A
little slow release fertilizer in the spring as growth begins will increase
flowering.
Gaura flowers for a long period of time. Gardeners can increase the number of flowers
and lengthen the flowering cycle by trimming off each flower spike down to the
base as soon as it finishes blooming.
Keeping the flower spikes trimmed off also keeps the plants looking
tidy. A midsummer application of slow
release fertilizer and watering when it is very dry will also increase bloom.
Gaura has few disease or insect problems and even deer don’t
like to eat it. In zone 6 and higher
winter preparation will simply be cutting off old flower spikes. In zone 5 a heavy mulch should be applied over the basal
rosette after the ground is frozen. Gaura
is easily divided by lifting clumps in the early spring and pulling apart clumps
of rhizomes.
Put on that garden hat and get busy.
Kim Willis
“He who has a garden and
a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero
More Information
What are the
alternatives to grub control insecticides?
A
garden center owner asks about alternatives to standard grub control
insecticides. Here’s a review of products and best practices.
Posted on April 1, 2014 by Dave
Smitley, Michigan State
University Extension, Department of Entomology
I received this email question about alternative grub
control insecticides. I thought others may have the same question. You can find
my answer below.
Dear David Smitley,
We have had questions from our customers at our garden
center here in Petoskey about the Milky Spore granular product by St. Gabriel
Laboratories and I am having a hard time getting the facts. Have there been any
studies done on its effectiveness? Is the grub population here in northern
Michigan likely to be other than from the Japanese beetle?
Our customers are looking for alternatives to the chemical
options (especially with the publicity concerning honeybees) and I am hoping to
help them find some.
Thanks,
Michael Willson
Willson’s Garden Center
Petoskey, MI 49770
—————————————
Dear Michael,
Unfortunately, the Milky Spore product you asked about did
not provide any grub control in the first year of a test we are conducting at
Old Channel Trail Golf Course near Ludington, Mich. We plan to continue this
test for two more years. Our results so far agree with the results of a test
conducted a number of years ago in Kentucky by C.T. Redmond and D.A. Potter.
According to Cornell University, the milky spore organism, Paenibacillus
popilliae, was the focus of a huge Japanese beetle biocontrol program 60 to 70
years ago, with over 100 tons of spore powder distributed throughout
Pennsylvania, Ohio and surrounding states where Japanese beetle occurred at the
time. It was considered to be a successful effort because populations of
Japanese beetle decreased 10-fold or more at most sites within five years of
when the spore powder was distributed.
However, that is ancient history now, and there are three
reasons why the Milky Spore product which can be purchased at garden centers
may not be appropriate for a home lawn treatment:
The bacterium in this product will only infect Japanese
beetles and not any other species of grubs, while the most damaging grub to
Michigan lawns is the European chafer.
The milky spore pathogen may not be as virulent to Japanese
grubs now as it was in the 1940s during the USDA biocontrol program.
There are no scientific studies conducted at any university
that I know of where the Milky Spore product that is now available provided
adequate grub control.
Although Japanese beetles have been found near you in
Petoskey, it is more likely that people in your area will have June beetle
grubs or European chafer grubs. However, Japanese beetles could become common
in Petoskey over the next 10 years.
Before discussing alternative management strategies for
grubs, it is important to understand that if grubs and turf damage are
discovered in April, the only insecticides that will be effective in April are
carbaryl (Sevin) and trichlorfon (Dylox). These products do not work as well
(maybe 50 percent control) as standard products applied in spring or summer to
prevent grub damage the next fall and spring. For more detailed information, on
this go to the Michigan State University Turf website and see the grub control
bulletin posted there.
Alternative strategies
The standard, and highly effective, grub control
insecticides are products that contain imidacloprid, clothianidin or
thiomethoxam. There is one insecticide product in a different chemical class
that will give a similar level of grub control: chlorantraniliprole
(Acelepryn). Apply chlorantraniliprole early (in April or May) for summer and
fall grub control. Chlorantraniliprole
applied in April will not work on spring grubs that are already present when it
is applied.
Unfortunately, there are not any biological control products
that you can purchase at the garden center that will give the same level of
control as the standard insecticide products. Some people may want to consider
a one-time treatment with a nematode that infects grubs: Heterorhabditis
bacteriophora. If you order or purchase a live nematode product for grubs, make
sure you buy a Heterorhabditis nematode and not a Steinernema or another type
of nematode. Look on the Internet for ‘Heteromask,’ ‘Nemasys G’ or Buglogical
Control Systems. The first two are Heterorhabditis nematode products and the
third a business that sells Heterorhabditis nematodes.
It is best to apply the nematodes when grubs are present and
when the soil temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure they are
alive when you when get them. You can do this by putting a pinch of nematodes
in a glass of water at room temperature for 10 minutes and check to see if they
are wiggling. Also, irrigate your lawn immediately before and after applying
the nematodes so as many as possible will make it into the soil. The nematodes
may not kill as many grubs as the standard insecticide products, but they
persist a long time and may even infect grubs for several years after they are
applied.
Best strategy is to improve your turf’s health
The best alternative strategy to avoid grub damage is to
improve your turf management practices to establish a dense root system in your
lawn. Lawns with a large, dense root system are much less likely to be damaged
by grubs, and it is much more difficult for skunks and raccoons to dig and
turn-over turf with a healthy root system. You can do this by following
Michigan State University Extension’s recommendations of setting your lawn
mower at the highest clipping height (3-4 inches); applying at least 2.5 pounds
of actual N per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year using a slow-release
fertilizer several times each year; watering during dry periods; and returning
grass clippings and chopped leaves to the lawn instead of collecting and
removing them. Visit the Gardening in Michigan website to find a series of
Smart Gardening bulletins that include one on fertilizer basics and mowing high
for grub and weed control.
If customers ask about the safety of standard neonicotinoid
grub control products (imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiomethoxam) for honey
bees and pollinators, you can tell them that if the lawn is mowed before the
insecticide is applied that it will be safe for honey bees because no open
flowers (flowering weeds) will be present when the lawn is treated.
References
Redmond, C.T. and D.A. Potter. 1995. Lack of efficacy of
in-vivo and putatively in-vitro produced Paenibacillus popilliae against field
populations of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) grubs in Kentucky. J.
Econ. Entomol. 88: 846-854.
This article was published by Michigan State University
Extension.
Events, classes and
other offerings
Please let me know if there is any event or class that
you would like to share with other gardeners.
These events are primarily in Michigan but if you are a reader from
outside of Michigan and want to post an event I’ll be glad to do it.
Master Gardeners if you belong to an association that
approves your hours please check with that association before assuming a class
or work day will count as credit.
Do you have plants or seeds you would like to swap or
share? Post them here by emailing me at kimwillis151@gmail.com
New- Seven Ponds Nature Fest and Native plant sale,
Saturday, May 3, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Seven
Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road Dryden, MI (810) 796-3200
Landscaping for Birds
-11:00 am
Do you love birds and want to attract more to your yard?
This program will be a great introduction into all the different elements
needed for birds to feel at home. You will not only create a sanctuary for the
birds, but also for yourself.
Native plants in an
Urban Landscape- 1:00 pm
Do you live in a town or village, and would you like to
start incorporating native plants into your landscape? Not sure where to begin?
This program is for you. Ruth Vrbensky of Oakland Wildflower Farms, will teach
you which plants will work and which ones won’t, which like sun or shade, which
like wet or dry, and how easy it is to garden with nature.
There will be other activities for all ages, take a walk to
look at frogs, learn about pond critters, do spring crafts and build
birdhouses. There is a wide variety of
native plants for sale and a bake sale too.
There may be fees for some activities.
It’s All About
Plants, May 3, 2014, 8 am – 4:15 pm.
Plant and Soil Science Building, 1066 Bogue Street, MSU, East Lansing,
MI
MSU Horticulture Gardens presnts this day long garden event
with four top garden speakers/experts, Art Cameron, Hardy Perennials and
Graceful Grasses, George Papadelis, New and Underused Annuals, Tim wood, The
Hunt for New and Improved Flowering Shrubs and Steve Keto, Growing Native plants.
Approved for 5 MG credits.
Your registration fee includes lunch and parking plus hand
outs. $79.00 until April 21, $89 after
April 21. Email www.hrt.msu.edu/sp-register or call Jennifer Sweet 1-517-355-5191 ext.
1339
MSU Horticulture
Gardens Public Plant Sale May 17th , 7 am-2 pm. MSU Horticulture Garden, East Lansing, MI.
Your chance to get some of the newest and oddest plants as
well as old favorites. This sale is very
popular, arrive early.
Growing Beautiful
Hydrangeas, April 10, 7 pm – Kulick Community Center, 1201 Livernois Street,
Ferndale, MI.
Learn about hydrangeas from Cheryl English. Presented by the Ferndale Garden Club. Call 248-541-6427 for more information.
Peppers: Selecting,
Growing, & Cooking, April 24, 12am
6:30pm, At Telly's Troy.
Learn how to grow many of the varieties that are available
while enjoying recipes & samples. $5. www.tellys.com. Register:
248-689-8735.
Landscape Design
Fri, April 25,1-3 pm and Sat April 26, noon- 2pm, 2014, Auburn Oaks, 3820 W Auburn Rd, Rochester
Hills, MI.
Landscape designer Paula Smith helps you learn about
designing a garden. Call 248-852-2310
for fees and registration.
International Herb
Day Sat, April 26, 10am-3pm, At Hidden Lake Gardens 6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI,
Herb Day is an international celebration of herbs and herbal
products. This one-day event is aimed at educating and sharing ideas about the
many ways herbs bring joy and well-being into our daily lives. We celebrate
herbs’ use in food, beverages, medicine, beauty products, and crafts, along
with the art of growing and gardening with herbs. There will be cooking
demonstrations, gardening tips, educational seminars, activities, and a wide
array of plants and products for sale.
$5 per person
www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu, 517-431-2060.
Sustainable Gardening
Practices Sat, April 26, 1-2 pm At Campbell's Greenhouse, 4077
East Burnside Road, North Branch, MI 48461,
Clay Johnson discusses maintaining healthy soil, crop
spacing/rotation, crop nutrition & companion plants for insect control. $5. Call
810-688-3587.
Hidden Lake Gardens
Plant Sale Sat, May 10,10am-2pm- 6214 W Monroe Rd, Tipton, MI
Lots of plants from natives to conifers for sale. www.HiddenLakeGardens.msu.edu
, 517-431-2060.
New- Come Hang with
Steve- April 12, 2014 10:30 am – noon. Heavenly Scent Herb Farm, 13730 White
Lake Road, Fenton, Michigan.
Learn all about hanging baskets, window boxes and cascading
containers in this class. It’s free, no
registration required.
New- Detroit Garden
Works Spring Fair – April 12- 9-5 pm, April 13 – noon to 4 pm. 1794 Pontiac Drive, Sylvan Lake, Michigan
Local growers will be offering plants, garden art and
supplies. Snacks and drinks provided,
free admission. Detroit Garden Works was
named in 2004 one of the top 25 garden stores in America by Garden Design
Magazine, we are equally as pleased to be included in The Garden 50: 50
favorite products, projects and places inspired by the world of gardening in
the March 2011 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. (248) 335-8089.
The Sensual Garden of
the Night -Wed, April 9, 12am –2:30 pm at Big Beaver United Methodist Church,
3753 John R Road, Troy.
Troy Garden club presents a session on planting a garden
that will be beautiful at night and appeal to the senses. $7 includes lunch.
Gardening in
Containers & Raised Beds Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m. All English Gardens
stores
Just about anything can be grown in a container. We’ll share
tips and information to make you successful when growing plants and vegetables
in containers and raised beds.
Free. Click here for a store near
you. http://www.englishgardens.com/shop-online/workshops.html
Botanical Easter
Eggs- Sunday, April 13, 2:00 pm- Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road
Dryden, MI (810) 796-3200
Sign up to learn this old-fashioned way of coloring Easter
eggs. Wrapped in flowers and leaves and soaked in a natural dye, these
beautiful eggs are sure to become a yearly tradition in your house. Pre-registration
is required. Ages 12 and up. Fee: $5.00 ($2.00 members).
“Gardening and All That Jazz!” Saturday, April 26, 2014, 7am to
4:15pm-Oakland Schools Conference Center, 2111 Pontiac Lake Rd., Waterford,
MI.
Speakers include Allan Armitage "Buying the Right
Plants", Stephanie Cohen "Native Plants", David Perry, Garden
Photo Magic" and Stacy Hirvela "Shrubs, Making your Dream Garden
Reality". Sponsored by the Master
Gardener Society of Oakland Co. Jazz concerts at morning check in and lunch.
$70 before March 15, $80 after March 15. Pricing includes continental breakfast,
lunch, snacks, and program materials.
Register at. http://www.mgsoc.org/registration.htm Direct conference registration questions to:
Registrar Phone: 248-770-0524 E-mail:
registrarmgsoc@gmail.com
Day-long gardening classes including a catered lunch, Goodie
bag and door prizes Also includes Free admission to Yard & Garden
Expo. $50 registration/person ($60 after
March 1) For details on this seminar you
need to request a flyer from Marie at 989-859-1294
Newsletter
information
If you would
like to pass along a notice about an educational event or a volunteer
opportunity please send me an email before Tuesday of each week and I will
print it. Also if you have a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send it to
me. Please state that you want to have the item published in my weekly notes.
You must give your full name and what you say must be polite and not attack any
individual. I am very open to ideas and opinions that don’t match mine but I do
reserve the right to publish what I want.
Once again the
opinions in this newsletter are mine and I do not represent any organization or
business. I do not make any income from this newsletter. I write this because I
love to share with other gardeners some of the things I come across in my research
each week. It keeps me engaged with local people and horticulture. It’s a
hobby, basically. I hope you enjoy it. If at any time you don’t wish to receive
these emails just let me know. If you know anyone who would like to receive
these emails have them send their email address to me. KimWillis151@gmail.com
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