When they stop feeding in late summer, the larvae (grubs) become a problem in lawns, where they damage grass by eating roots. Plan to hand pick often, by knocking the beetles into a bowl of soapy water.
Geraniums are easily damaged by frost. Many of the showiest varieties are propagated from rooted stem cuttings rather than seeds. Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Any fertile soil with excellent drainage.
Where winters are mild and the soil does not freeze, established plants may survive one winter. Transplant carefully, without disturbing the roots. Perennial forms are available, but not in the color range of seed-sown annual scabiosa.
Bedding plants are widely available at garden centers in spring, and some improved cultivars are grown from rooted cuttings, and can only be started from purchased plants. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid fertilizer to prolong bloom time.
Troubleshooting Wait until spring to prune back lavender plants, because the dead stems help shelter the base of the plants from harsh winter weather. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Where Japanese beetles are a common pest, cover plants with row cover until they come into bloom. Spacing Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 11" (30cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow large lavatera seeds where you...
Depending on species and plant, aphids may be beige, green, yellow or almost black. Preventing Problems: Check plants often for early outbreaks. Follow up with two applications of insecticidal soap, one week apart.
Feeding Not generally needed. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Harvesting Do not harvest in the first year. Frost tolerant Garlic chives are hardy perennials that survive winter even...
Feeding Encourage fast growth by mixing a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil before planting. Small agastache plants grow slowly at first, and gain size and bloom in late summer.
A few lantana varieties will persist as perennials where winters are mild, but most are killed by hard freezes. Most gardeners buy lantanas as bedding plants, which are sold in late spring and early summer as warm-weather bedding plants.
Sowing, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, deadheading, composting, pest control… and the rest! But as summer moves swiftly along it's absolutely essential to stop, sit down and drink it all in.
Troubleshooting In humid climates, powdery mildew often appears on tired plants in late summer. It is an excellent flower to naturalize along fences, or you can include it in a wildflower meadow.
Spacing Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 7" (20cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow impatiens seeds indoors in moist seed starting mix, and provide very bright light.
Semi-dwarf and standard pears make excellent landscape trees in large yards. Healthy pear trees will bear for decades. Harvesting Harvest pears before they fully ripen, and ripen under cool indoor temperatures.
Semi-dwarf and standard pears make excellent landscape trees in large yards. Healthy pear trees will bear for decades. Harvesting Harvest pears before they fully ripen, and ripen under cool indoor temperatures.
Control by swirling a broom head in the nest, then use a stick to scrape the tent off and stomp on it. Companions Marigold, Garlic, Onion, Onions, Tansy and Nasturtium. You will need two trees for good fruit set with sweet cherries.
Control by swirling a broom head in the nest, then use a stick to scrape the tent off and stomp on it. Companions Marigold, Garlic, Onion, Onions, Tansy and Nasturtium. You will need two trees for good fruit set with sweet cherries.
Established plants in a sheltered location can sometimes survive winter in mild climates. The seedlings need bright light to grow well. Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Any fertile soil with excellent drainage.
Spacing Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 7" (20cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow tiny dusty miller seeds atop moist seed starting mix and gently press them into the surface.
Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer in midsummer to support strong re-blooming. Cut dahlias for arrangements as soon as the blossoms open, preferably in early morning. Spread out the tubers and plant them 3 inches (8 cm) deep.
Persistent wet conditions can cause strawflowers to rot. Strawflowers close at night and in rainy weather, so they are at their best in sunny beds seen during the day. Position Full sun.
Troubleshooting A root rot that causes mature vinca plants to collapse and die suddenly has become common in warm climates in the US. These heat-tolerant bloomers make good bed partners for taller marigolds and zinnias.
Also monitor slug activity by digging narrow holes 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) deep, covered with a small board. Slugs get zapped with a mild electric shock when they cross a copper barrier, causing them to turn back.
It grows best in climates with cool nights. Showy salpiglossis blossoms look even better when the plants are framed with fine-textured flowers like frothy white sweet alyssum or dainty blue lobelia.
Lobelia can take cool weather but is easily damaged by frost. You also can use lobelia to edge beds because of its small size. Notes Lobelia is a great cool-season flower for adding vivid blue to the garden.
Spacing Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 11" (30cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow seeds in warm, moist seed starting mix, or start with purchased plants.
Most gardeners buy begonias as inexpensive bedding plants, set out in spring as soon as any danger of frost has passed. When growing begonias in containers, use a rich potting soil that holds moisture well.
