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Friday, August 1, 2008
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LAWN ORDER ASK A MASTER GARDENER
First you need to determine why your lawn isn't thriving. Evaluate your site. Perhaps over the years trees have grown up and now provide too much shade. In that case you may need to prune some tree limbs so more light and rain can reach the lawn. Or maybe the soil is compacted from construction or children's or pets' activities. Second, get your soil tested by calling the Crow Wing County Extension Office (824-1065) and requesting a soil test packet. Test results will tell you what nutrients your particular lawn needs. Third, if there are lots of weeds, you will need to get rid of them by hand pulling or spraying with a broadleaf weed killer. In the latter case, wait at least two weeks after spraying before seeding. Fourth, select a grass seed labeled for the use you need, e.g. shade, hot and dry, heavy activity. In Minnesota, mid- to late-August is the best time to seed. Fifth, aerate with a walk-behind aerator or vigorously rake the lawn. Then seed with a hand or rotary spreader. Finally, water daily until new growth appears then less frequently until the lawn is established. An application of lawn fertilizer in late October will give your lawn a good start next spring.
No. Keep both dog and cat droppings out of your garden and compost pile. While some composted animal manure makes valuable soil amendments, dog and cat feces carry parasites that can cause diseases in humans. Soil on hands or vegetables is often unwittingly transmitted to the mouth. Infection by just a few roundworms probably won't cause problems, but severe infections can cause fevers, bronchitis and asthma. Toxoplasmosis, a parasite that can infect humans, is carried in cat feces. It is of serious concern in pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. Others infected usually exhibit mild symptoms such as muscle aches, headaches, sore throats and swollen lymph nodes.
August gardening tips
- Do not prune oaks or elms until October. In fact, the safest time to prune oaks is November through March.
- Now is the time to prune out raspberry canes that produced fruit this year.
- Late August is a good time to add more perennials to your garden, whether divided from your own plants or those of friends, or from a garden center.
- Mid-August to September is a good time to over-seed and repair your lawn.
- Keep weeds in check by replenishing mulch to a depth of three inches.
- Seed heads should be removed from daylilies. They can be divided once they are done blooming.
- Try to consistently water your tomatoes. If your tomatoes have a rotted area on the blossom end of the tomato this is "blossom end rot," a common problem usually caused by uneven watering.
- Roses can be fertilized one last time in early August. Fertilizing and pruning too late in the growing season is not advised as it promotes new growth at a time when they should be slowing down before going dormant.
- Irises should be divided every three years, throwing out dried and insect-infested rhizomes. August is the ideal time to do this.
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Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria and Lythrum virgatum) is a European native that has no native enemies here to keep it in check. When conditions are right it can spread throughout a wetland in a single season. It will crowd out native vegetation necessary for food and habitat for native species of plants, animals and fish. According to Minnesota statute, the owner or occupant of private land is responsible for controlling or destroying noxious weeds to prevent their spread. Yes, purple loosestrife is pretty but, as grandma says, "Pretty is as pretty does."
It is a combination of several years of drought and an insect called the two-lined chestnut borer (Agrilus bilineatus). Oaks thrive best in heavy soils with plenty of moisture, especially in forests where undergrowth keeps moisture even and sunlight less harsh and drying. They struggle in lawns and along streets and highways in times of drought. When oaks are stressed or damaged they are especially vulnerable to infestation by the chestnut borer. The beetles seek out weakened trees and lay their eggs on the bark. When the larvae emerge, they feed on the nutrient-bearing inner bark of the trees. Oak tops begin to wither and brown and death occurs quickly, usually within weeks, sometimes even within days. There is no known effective chemical treatment. Preventive methods include doing no pruning from April through July, watering heavily throughout the summer and avoiding fertilizers and herbicides within 50 feet of oaks. Local DNR personnel feel that at least 90 percent of current oak tree deaths are caused by the chestnut borer.
Like the red oaks mentioned above, red or Norway pines are suffering from drought. Pine bark beetles enter stressed trees, beginning at the upper crown. Several large branches near the top with brown needles and no new growth are a symptom of the beetles' presence. Like the two-lined chestnut borer on red oaks, the pine bark beetles feed on the inner bark between the outer bark and the center wood, destroying the nutrient transportation system and thereby killing the tree. Dead trees should be cut down and promptly debarked and chipped or burned. Downed trees should not be left lying on the ground for more than three weeks because the beetles will move on and destroy other pines. There is no effective treatment and the only preventive measure is to water, water and water.
Your symptoms sound like aster yellows, a common plant disease that is spread by leafhoppers. Flowers that are susceptible to aster yellows are asters, purple coneflower, coreopsis, chrysanthemums, dianthus, gladiola, cosmos, marigolds, zinnias and petunias. You will notice the loss of green color in the leaf veins first. Other symptoms may include yellowing of new leaves, stunted growth and flowers that are green, small and/or distorted. There is no cure for this disease so it is necessary to remove and discard the infected plants to reduce the chance of spreading the disease.
Straggly looking annuals, such as petunias, can be pruned back 6-8 inches and shaped. Continue watering, fertilizing and dead-heading all your container plants.
It sounds like you are describing the black swallowtail caterpillar, also known as the parsley worm. It feeds on parsley, fennel, dill, carrots and celery. Black swallowtail caterpillars do not do significant damage, so if you can live with them they will turn into very lovely butterflies. If you cannot live with them, then try to handpick them off the plants and destroy them. It is best to avoid using insecticides as much as possible because there are many beneficial insects that unfortunately would be killed too.
CROW WING COUNTY Master Gardeners are trained and certified volunteers for the University of Minnesota Extension Service. All information given in this column is based on research and provided by the university. To ask a question, call the Master Gardener Help Line at 824-1000, ext. 4040, and leave a recorded message. A master gardener will return your call.
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