June 24, 2014 Kim’s Weekly Garden Newsletter

http://www.examiner.com/gardening-in-detroit/kimberley-willis

http://www.examiner.com/country-living-in-detroit/kimberley-willis

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.

Evening Primrose, Oenothera missouriensis 

Hi Gardeners

I am so pleased that we got rain today.  Most of the rain last week passed us by.  As of 2 pm I had 8/10 of an inch which is good.  My pond is shrinking; some rain will do it and the garden good.

I noticed a few Eastern caterpillar tents this week, which seems a bit late.  I have not seen many tents this year so it must be an off year for them.  Rose chafer beetles and June beetles have also been light.  I have yet to see a Japanese beetle- I hope they all died last winter.  One thing I am having trouble with is potato beetles, they are stripping my plants, despite me picking them off.

I have only seen a few butterflies this year, and no Monarchs. I haven’t seen any Viceroy’s or Swallowtails either. I have seen some huge dragonflies however.  Baby toads and frogs are starting to come out of the pond.

My perennials are having a lull right now, except for the shrub roses I have little in bloom, although the daylilies are beginning to open.  Thank goodness for annuals which keep up the color show.  My yellow Evening Primroses are in bloom though and having a pretty year and since they are on my mind I added an article below on them.

I will have some sweet corn knee high by the fourth of July but I am disappointed by the germination rate this year.  I have some good sized tomatoes but they won’t be ripe as early as last year.

My raspberries are blooming and I hope I get more of them than I got strawberries or cherries this year.  The few cherries on the tree were gobbled by birds.  The chickens got most of the strawberries.  We have no pears this year but at least one apple tree has plenty of fruit. 

 Here are two more rose articles, these are on roses you might find growing wild.

Multiflora rose- Rosa multiflora

Like many other plants that are now nuisances the multiflora rose was once promoted by soil conservation districts as a good plant for living hedges, erosion control and for encouraging wildlife.  Unfortunately in many areas of the country it is now seen as a noxious invader, taking over acres of land if allowed.  If you have ever tried to walk through a patch of multiflora rose you’ll know its prickly stems can cause a lot of pain.

Multiflora rose

The multiflora rose is native to Asia and was first brought to this country as a rootstock to graft less hardy roses unto and for some limited ornamental use in the early 1800’s.  It was in the 1950’s to early 60’s that its widespread promotion as a conservation plant caused its proliferation across the country.  While it still has some good attributes its ability to spread by seed and by runners makes it a headache for many landowners.

Multiflora roses form an upright bush 6-10 feet all with arching branches  when growing in an open area.  It will also scramble up trees and buildings sometimes 16-20 feet in the air.  When the rose is blooming in June a tree covered in multiflora rose can be a pretty sight, but the vigorous vine can take a toll on tree health.

Multiflora roses send out suckers which grow into new plants and canes will also root if they arch over enough to touch the ground.  Soon one plant becomes an impenetrable thicket if it isn’t controlled.  The canes are covered with small, stiff thorns and one needs thick gloves to deal with the plants.  Trying to walk through a multiflora thicket is painful.   Goats will eat the canes but most cattle and horses avoid them.

Multiflora rose has typical rose compound leaves of small oval blades with serrated edges.  A distinguishing characteristic of the multiflora rose is a group of small whitish hairs called stipules which grow at the base of each leaf stem, just before its conjunction with the plant stem.

In June multiflora rose is covered with clusters of small white 5 petal flowers with gold stamens in the center.  The roses have a moderately strong rose scent.  Each flower turns into a tiny red rose hip that will persist all winter on the plant if the birds don’t eat them.  Birds do like the hips, which is a one reason this rose spreads so rapidly.  Deer will also pick the hips off the plant as high as they can reach.

Multiflora rose isn’t fussy about soil although it won’t grow in water logged swampy areas.  It likes full sun but can be seen growing in partly shaded locations.  It may die to the ground in a hard winter but will almost always return from the roots as it is extremely hardy. 

You can invite the multiflora rose into the garden if you religiously cut out suckers.  It is quite pretty in June when it blooms and the pleasant scent drifts a long ways.  After blooming trim it back hard to a pleasing shape.  It even be trimmed into that hedge it was once promoted to be.  If the rose does get out of hand frequent mowing or trimming of unwanted canes will cause the canes to die.  Some fertilizer in early spring will make slightly larger and more prolific flowers.

Do keep multiflora rose out of trees, especially those ornamental trees you favor.  It can ruin the looks of the tree and cause the tree stress from competition for light and water.  To keep multiflora rose out of pastures and other un wanted places frequent mowing or trimming off the canes is recommended. (Or get some goats.) Herbicides will also work, but cause more damage to the surrounding environment and creatures that might frequent the rose.

Prairie Rose

The Wild Rose or Prairie Rose, (Rosa setigera), is found blooming throughout Michigan in sunny but moist fields and along roadsides in late June and early July. It has a single layer of 5, rose-pink petals with golden centers and is quite an attractive plant. They have that delightful rose scent if you get up close but beware of the thorns.

Prairie Rose

Wild Rose bushes in good soil can grow up to 4 foot high and 4 foot across or they can scramble up fences or trees. When the rose flowers fade they leave behind small orange- red rose hips which are a favored food of birds and other wildlife. Wild rose hips are high in vitamin C and some people enjoy the tart taste of them as much as the birds do.

This rose is a native plant and is great to add to naturalized gardens.  It prefers to be moist but the soil should be well drained.  The rose leaves turn attractive shades of red and red-purple in the fall and the hips also add winter color.  The rose is hardy in zones 4-8.

Mowing and Ragweed

Detroit has hundreds of acres of vacant land.  It rejected the use of goats to clean up the weeds, another foolish move by their government, and they can’t afford to mow the vacant lots very often, sometimes once every two years. Detroit turned out to be the perfect location for a study on ragweed and its pollen done by the University of Michigan.

Ragweed

Researchers found that if you can’t keep an area mowed regularly, like at least once a month, then it’s better to not mow at all if you want to limit the growth of ragweed and the awful nuisance its pollen causes.  Ragweed grows best in disturbed areas without competition from trees and shrubs.  It will grow rapidly and dispense pollen in abundance in the first 2-3 years after property is abandoned but once trees and shrubs take over the ragweed fades.

This has implications for those outside the city who mow their land once a year to keep down the growth of trees and shrubs.  If you are also grazing animals on that property little increase in ragweed growth and subsequent pollen shedding will happen.  But if you aren’t grazing animals then you are making conditions ripe for a ragweed takeover.  Regular mowing, keeping the grass- or weeds- short, also limits ragweed.  Those who suffer greatly from ragweed pollen will need to make a choice between mowing and allowing their property to become wooded.

Nano particles- a threat to your health and the environment

Forget GMO modified food- there’s something happening to our food supply that’s scarier and probably more dangerous.  Nanoparticles are the new concern.  Nanoparticles are infinitesimally small pieces of elements or compounds, so small that ordinary microscopes can’t detect them.  They do occur naturally to a small extent- when something caramelizes in cooking nanoparticles form for instance.  But it’s the engineered nanoparticles that are of great concern.  Many nanoparticles are made from metals such as iron, zinc, silver and gold but some are from things like clay.

When they were first developed nanoparticles were used in things like electronics, sporting equipment, and fuel additives.  Then it was discovered that some nanoparticles like nano silver had antibiotic properties and they were used in food packaging, personal care items and cosmetics.  Nano technology and the number of things that nanoparticles were added to has proliferated greatly over the last few years.

Of great concern to some people is the food industries use of nanoparticles in common foods.  The FDA does not require disclosure of nanoparticles in food if the nano particles are from a product generally considered safe.  But here’s the problem with that.  Nanoparticles act differently than ordinary sized particles of the same element.  That’s why they were developed.  They have the ability to cross cell membranes and pass into organs and the blood.  Nanoparticles from cosmetics can be absorbed through the skin.  Some nanoparticles have antimicrobial action, or they disperse into mixtures and water more easily, or they form hard coatings, are a different color than the element they are made from, conduct electricity better and so on.

The fact is we just don’t know what nanoparticles that are ingested or absorbed through the skin might do to our bodies.  Little research has been done although money is now being directed into such research and some preliminary studies have been done.  Those studies indicate that there may be reason for concern, both for human health and the environment.   Nanoparticles that pass through our bodies and end up in waste treatment facilities can pass through ordinary filtration systems and end up in the ground and surface water.

A recent study published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering found that nanoparticles in common “health” drinks penetrated the intestinal mucosa and changed the way the intestinal villa worked, leading to less efficient digestion and possibly diarrhea.  They found some of the particles also passed through the digestive tract and went into the environment.  Research needs to be done on how the “escaped” nanoparticles affect wildlife.

Earlier studies found that nanoparticles of zinc oxide, common in things like sunblock creams, damaged lung cells.  Silver nanoparticles, used in many products, damaged liver and brain cells in animals.  Silver nanoparticles are now listed as a pesticide.  Yet they remain common in food packaging.

One of the most common nanoparticles added to food and cosmetics is Titanium dioxide.  It gives many products that very white color.  Its effects on the human body haven’t been studied in depth and it’s found in a number of common products.  Iron, zinc, and silver nanoparticles are also found in foods and other nanoparticles are being added each year.

What food products have nanoparticles in them?

M&M candies, Hersey’s Bliss Chocolate, some flavors of Kool Aid,  non-dairy coffee creamers, any soy or rice milks,  powdered sugar toppings ( found on Dunkin doughnuts and Hostess Doughnettes), cheese “foods” such as Kraft American singles, Trident gum ( and other gums), and many “nutritional” drinks such as those for toddlers and seniors.  These are products that were tested and found to contain nanoparticles; probably many products go undisclosed because it doesn’t have to be listed on the label.  Unfortunately nanoparticles have been in many foods for over a decade.

Hundreds of food products have packaging with silver and other nanoparticles.  Cooking utensils are coated with nanoparticles. Beer bottles are lined with them.  No studies have been done by non-profit or government agencies to determine whether those particle can leach into food.  And these products do not have to be labeled with the fact they have nanoparticles.

Other products with nanoparticles

Many cosmetics, sunblocking creams, hand creams and lotions, bath scrubs, toothpastes, soaps, shampoos, first aid creams, deodorants, and shaving creams have nanoparticles.  Some countries are now banning the use of nanoparticles or “balls” made of nanoparticles in personal care products because a lot of the nanoparticles end up in the environment – particularly the water.  They may be damaging plants and wildlife and since some of them aren’t filtered out by normal water processing, humans may be consuming them in drinking water.

It may be hard to remove nanoparticles from your diet and we don’t know for a certainty whether there is any great harm done by them. It would be wise to avoid those food items we know have them.  We do know that engineered nanoparticles have the potential for harm and that we have not been guarding our food supply wisely in this case.  We need to step up testing of nanoparticles effects both on health and the environment.  It would be great if companies were required to list nanoparticles used in their products on the label, but don’t hold your breath.

Evening Primrose

There are several species of evening primroses, (Oenothera), that are native to North America and they are often listed in wildflower books.  But in Michigan the evening primrose tribe is most likely to be found in gardens  and so it will be listed here as a garden plant.  Most gardeners can grow the evening primroses; they are hardy to at least zone 4.  Domesticated evening primroses bloom over a long period and are very easy to grow.  They are often used as filler in perennial beds.

Showy Evening Primrose, Oenothera speciosa.

The name evening primrose is confusing, as common names can be, because Oenothera are not related to the true primrose family and many species stay open in the daytime as well.  Oenothera missouriensis is commonly called Sundrops or Missouri primrose.  It is a compact plant with 5 inch yellow flowers that stay open during the day.  The other evening primrose commonly found in Michigan gardens is the Showy evening primrose or Oenothera speciosa, which gets about 30 inches tall with pretty light pink flowers.

Two other varieties of evening primrose may turn up in gardens. The common evening primrose, Oenothera biennis, which is a rangy plant that can get up to 5 feet high in good conditions, has small yellow flowers that do open in the evening. The prairie evening primrose, Oenothera albicaulis, has white flowers.

The cutleaf evening primrose, ( Oenothera laciniata), is a weed of nursery pots and sometimes in fields.  It forms a rosette of lobed, deeply cut leaves with a prominent white vein.  It blooms close to the ground with yellow or reddish small flowers and is not a suitable garden subject.

Description of garden varieties

The leaves of most evening primrose are narrow ovals with a toothed edge.  Stems are reddish, with small hairs. Plants may branch near the top. Plants grow higher through the summer, putting out new clusters of flowers.

Evening primrose flowers open in clusters at the top of the plant.  Each flower has 4 petals and a slightly glossy look.  The showy evening primrose has darker pink veins on the light pink flowers. Flowers are lightly fragrant. The flower size ranges from 1-5 inches wide.

Care of evening primroses

Primroses thrive in dry sunny, places but will also grow in partial shade. They will grow even in poor soil, but it must be well drained.  Gardeners will generally buy plants but evening primroses can be started from seed. Seed actually germinates quite well outside, sow it in midsummer and it will bloom the second year. They are bi-annual or short lived perennials but will spread generously for you by seed.  Many gardeners get their evening primrose plants from other gardeners who need to thin them out after a few years.

Evening primroses are easy garden plants; they don’t require fertilization in all but the poorest soils and have few pests and diseases.  Taken alone they don’t make much of a statement in the border; they should be planted in generous groups.  Showy evening primrose in particular makes quite a show when planted in large drifts. If they are in a spot they like evening primroses will bloom for much of the summer. 

Occasionally the prolific evening primroses will be found where they have escaped the garden, usually in dry, sunny meadows.  In Michigan wild primroses are generally the yellow common evening primrose.  They are sometimes included in wildflower seed mixes.

Herbal use

Native American women chewed the seeds of common evening primrose for menstrual pain, PMS symptoms and other “woman” problems, including breast pain. The seeds are sometimes ground for herbal remedies.  In recent years the extracted oil of evening primrose seeds is being studied for a whole slew of reasons, pain relief and heart health are a few, and it is used in cosmetics for its supposed anti-aging properties.

Be careful using evening primrose oil as it can cause stomach upset and diarrhea and some people have serious allergic reactions to it.

It’s time to play in the rain, get out there and think young!

Kim Willis

 “He who has a garden and a library wants for nothing” ― Cicero

More Information

Identifying critter damage in the garden and landscape

Whether it’s your vegetable garden, flowers or woody ornamentals, when foliage, flowers or entire plants are missing, the big question is “Who did this?”

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension

  

If a gardener isn’t sure what pest is causing foliage, flowers or entire plants to go missing, time and effort can go into the wrong solution and the plant material keeps disappearing. The two divisions of pests for this article are vertebrates, such as deer, rabbits, woodchucks and chipmunks, and some kind of insect. It is important to realize that animal repellants will not repel insects. Insecticides almost never repel animals. Using the correct product is important. Try to figure out who your target is. Having a ten-power hand lens or magnifying glass can help you see more of what is really going on.

When looking at plant damage, think of the size of the animal. It is impossible for an animal to eat small holes in leaves or to just strip tissue away. An insect cannot consume entire leaves, veins and midrib included, but they can feed on plants at all heights. Animal damage above 3 feet high is often deer, but woodchucks can climb to eat leaves or fruit. Damage low to the ground can be any animal, and damage from insects and animals can occur overnight or during the day. These are the kinds of answers that Michigan State University Extension horticulture educators and Master Gardener hotline staffs give every day. Here is a quick look at some common problems.

Leaves

·         Small holes in the middle of leaves or edges chewed, and edges of hole are leaf-colored: Insects

·         Upper and lower leaf tissue removed, leaving just veins: Insects

·         Tan leaf with top and bottom intact, but no tissue in between top and bottom: Insect

·         Missing entire leaves with or without petiole, or connecting stem: Animal

·         Petiole of tree leaf cut or damaged and found on the ground, yet leaf is healthy: Insect

·         Missing parts of leaves, nothing left like leaf mid-vein: Animal

·         Hosta leaves removed to their stems: Usually deer

Needles

·         Tips of spruce new growth is cut off and on the ground in the spring: Squirrels

·         Ends of branches have needles partially removed or shoot is cut and on the ground: Deer

Entire plant

·         Small transplants or seedling cut off at almost ground level: Cutworms

·         Small, tender plants clipped off at ground level and missing: Animal

·         Newly planted bulbs dug up and pushed aside: Raccoon or skunk

Flowers

·         Missing entire flower and possibly stem: Animal

·         Flower bud and stem gone: Animal

·         Small, round, brown or black spots that look thin and dried out on mints and chrysanthemums: Insect

·         Small, ragged or rounded holes in petals: Insect

Garden vegetables

·         Tomatoes close to the ground have holes poked into them: Birds

·         Vegetables or fruit touching the ground are chewed into on bottom side: Slugs

·         Young green bean plants appear to be mowed down: Woodchucks

·         Squash and pumpkin leaves with gray, wilted areas and holes late in summer: Squash bugs

Animal damage can be handled two ways: a fence or netting can be put up to keep the animal or bird out, or a repellant can be used to discourage animal feeding, but repellants do not work on birds. There are many more repellants created for ornamental plants than food plants. Be sure to read the label.

For insect problems, insecticidal soap will work on soft-bodied insects like aphids, spider mites and caterpillars, but not on hard-shelled beetles. Call the MSU Extension Garden Hotline at 888-678-3464 for help with your insect or animal problems.

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- The Decline of the Monarch Butterfly - Is this Species in Peril?, June 25, 2014 - 6 - 8 p.m. Northwestern Michigan College Scholars Hall 109 (Auditorium), Traverse City, MI

In recent years the population of the Monarch butterfly has decreased to a historically low level.  This program will cover all aspects of the Monarch, including its basic biology, life history, migrations, population trends, threats and possible actions for supporting the survival of the species.

The speaker will be Dr. Duke Elsner from Michigan State University Extension.

The program is free, but a $5 donation is suggested to help cover costs.

Contact: Jackie Baase, 231-946-1510, baase@msu.edu

 

New- Genesee County Master Gardeners 2014 Bus Trip - Open to the Public!! Thursday, July 17, 2014-  Please Park in the U of M parking lot on the corner of Robert T. and Saginaw in Flint.  Entrance to parking lot is on Robert T. (we will be leaving no later 8 am exactly, no refunds)


The tour will be to Brenda’s Butterfly habitat and Barson’s greenhouse (in Westland) and Matthaei Botanical gardens and Nichols Arboretum (In Ann Arbor)



Cost $60.00
(includes Lunch, snacks, water and fees)

Make Check Payable to: MGAGCM
Send to: P.O. Box 34, Flushing, MI. 48433

Please register no later than Monday, June 30, 2014
Contact person: Sabrina VanDyke at 810-407-0808

Schedule

9:00 a.m. 
Arrive at Barson’s Greenhouse approximately 
Presentation at Barson’s Greenhouse
Explore Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat

12:00 p.m.
Leave Barson Greenhouse

12:30 p.m. 
Arrive at Matthaei Botanical gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Picnic Lunch/ Dinner 

5:30 p.m.
Depart for home

Send the below information with the check - Thanks!!
NAME (s) 
PHONE # (cell phone if possible)

Contact person: Sabrina VanDyke at 810-407-0808

New - Michigan Ag Expo 2014- July 22, 2014 - July 24, 2014 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Ag Expo is Michigan’s largest outdoor agricultural show. With more than 250 vendors, demonstrations, educational sessions, and ride and drive equipment available, there is something for everyone. Admission to the show is free!

Visit the Ag Expo 2014 website for more information. http://agexpo.msu.edu/

The Busy Gardener-  June 24, 2014 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Oakland County Executive Office Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford, MI

Tips for the gardener who wants to make the best use of precious time and money. Janet will present ideas and answer questions to help you get your garden, shrub and lawn work done in the spring in ways that will make summer more relaxing and beautiful.  Cost $20. Contact Linda Smith, 248-858-0887, smithlin@oakgov.com

What is Popping in the Ponds?, Sunday, June 29, 2:00 pm Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI  (810) 796-3200

Wetland plants will be blooming and birds will be singing on our walk to see what is popping.

Build a Hypertufa Leaf Birdbath, Saturday, July 5, 10:00 am Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Road, Dryden, MI  (810) 796-3200

A hypertufa birdbath nestled into a garden space will attract a myriad of bird species. In this class we will learn the process using a real leaf as a mold. Please bring a blanket to cradle your project on the way home and a bag lunch. Please call to preregister for this adult (12 and up) class. Fee $15.00 (members $12.00).

The Lapeer area Horticulture Society is looking for new members.  There are no education or experience requirements to join; only a love of gardening is needed.  The Horticulture Society meets the third Monday of each month for socializing, networking and a brief educational presentation.  Next meeting is at Swoish’s Greenhouse, North Branch, May 19^th 6:30 pm.  Everyone is invited to join.  Dues are only $15 a year.  For more information on joining or meeting locations contact Bev Kobylas at bkobylas@yahoo.com

The 3rd Annual Michigan Honey Festival- Saturday, July 12, 2014 10am - 5pm at  The Harvey Kern Pavilion in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Attend educational seminars and learn all you need to start beekeeping! Purchase all your beekeeping supplies from a variety of vendors.  Lots of Michigan honey for sale. Learn how to brew honey beer and mead and attend the many cooking with honey demonstrations.   There is a children’s craft area and a demonstration garden done by Master Gardeners.  Watch a bee beard demonstration.  There will be lots of interesting products to sample and buy made from honey or bee’s wax. 

This year’s festival is all indoors, so no weather worries.  Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under free.  More information ? http://www.michiganhoneyfestival.com/contact.html

Garden Day August 2, 2014, 8 am – 4:15 pm,  Michigan State University Department of Horticulture, East Lansing Mi.

MSU’s annual garden day is on Saturday this year.  The keynote speaker is Amy Stewart, author of Wicked Plants, Flower Confidential, and The Drunken Botanist and other books.  Ms Stewart is also the concluding speaker and you can also stay for a reception after the event where she will discuss the Drunken Botanist. You can choose from a number of excellent workshops/classes, 1 morning and 1 afternoon session. Classes include Herbal housekeeping, Best Herbaceous perennials, Creative Containers, Dividing Perennials, Herbs at Home, Pruning Basics, Gardening in the Shade, Unusual Trees and Shrubs, Creative Edge, and Going Native.

Cost of the event is $85 until July 22nd , $95 after.  Lunch and free parking included. Additional $39 for evening reception.  Go to hrt.msu.edu/garden-day-2014  for class descriptions and to register.

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