Natural Aphids Insect Control

Stop aphids from sucking the life out of your plants with natural insect control.  Aphids are a garden insect that eat the sap from leaves and stems of plants. The best way to determine if your garden is infected with aphids is to examine the backside of  plant leaves for a very small (1/18 inch) pear shaped bug that may be green, black or red in color. 

Look closely at the leaves of your plants, and if you see white or light green dots, all over the backside of the leaf then this is an indication that these annoying little aphids are sucking the sap from your plant.  It is best to act fast in killing the aphids as they are very destructive.  

You can kill aphids with a  commercial insecticide or you can remove pests from your garden naturally with ladybugs. If you choose natural ladybugs for the removal of aphids then you can achieve this method of pest control by attracting the ladybug to your garden naturally or by buying ladybugs.  

 Ladybugs are small beetles. They are about the size of a pea and come in bright colors such as red and orange with black dots. This little beetle is a natural way to control various insects in your yard and garden. 

Purchase starter ladybugs at your garden supply center. For a medium size garden, you will need 1500 ladybugs. Release the ladybugs into your garden to control spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. Keep the ladybugs in your yard by planting nectar or pollen-producing flowers; marigold, sunflower, garden mint, fennel, dill, fern-leaf yarrow, coneflowers, bee balm and white daisies.   

Water your gardens daily so that your ladybug will have access to hydration from the droplets of water on the leaves. Also, add a water feature or a birdbath to your garden. Check the water in the birdbath or water feature daily.  Clean the water by removing debris; feathers, leaves and then fill the birdbath with fresh clean water. Keep the ladybug in your garden all year round by providing a comfortable winter area. Ladybugs winter under rocks, leaves, bark and hedges. 

Tips

• Ladybugs are a must for organic gardeners
• Some ladybugs are harmful to specific crops, such as beans, melons squash. They are The Mexican beetle This beetle has an elongated body and the colors are the same as the ladybug.

 

Grow Lobelia Cardinal Flower

Lobelia commonly called cardinal flower is an orchid-like red wildflower that is native to the woodland areas in North America.

I first discovered this woodland flower while hiking in the valley just bellow the ridge where our home resides. The flower was growing close to the banks of a stream and I noted that it attracted butterflies and the red throat hummingbirds.  I used a spoon to loosen the soil around the stem.  The roots were close to the soil surface and the plant was easy to dig up.  I quickly returned home so that I could transplant the Lobelia cardinal flower to my garden. I planted the cardinal flowers to the back border of my part sun to shade garden.  The following year I had many cardinal flowers blooming in my garden.  The one plant self seeded and I also planted additional seeds in spring.
 

Cardinal flower looks good growing in the back border of your garden as the stems can reach the height of 3 to 4 feet.  You can also grow it with assorted wildflowers in a woodland setting.  Flowers bloom in late summer and will continue to bloom well into autumn or until the end of season frost.

Cardinal flower growing along stream: Wikipedia commons

Where to Grow
Grow cardinal flower in zones 3 to 8.  Choose a garden site that has sun to part shade.  Also select an area where the soil is evenly moist but not wet. 
 
When to Plant
Plant the seeds outside in May or June when the ground warms to 74 degrees.

Planting
Get the garden site ready for planting. Remove the sod, weeds and all debris.  Loosen the soil to one foot.  Break up the clumps of soil so that soil is fine.

Planting Seed in Masses: 
Mix the seeds with compost or manure.  Place the compost in a wheelbarrow and add water.  The compost should be moist, not wet.  Mix the seeds into the compost.   Add other wildflower seeds to the compost if you are planting a prairie garden.

Scoop up the compost and place it on the soil.  Rake the compost into the fine soil. Cover the seeds with soil to the depth of a half inch.

Planting Seeds for Small Gardens:
Use the eraser end of a pencil to dig holes in the soil that are a half inch deep.  Space the seeds a foot apart.  Set the seed in the center of the hole and cover the hole with the soil.

Care for Lobelia Cardinal Flowers:
Apply a thin layer of grass clippings or mulch around the plant stems.  This organic mulch will aid in retaining moisture and will deter weed growth. Water the cardinal flower every morning with a dripline irrigation or with a soaker hose.

Tips

• Keep the soil evenly moist.  Water the cardinal flowers twice a day in the morning and late afternoon when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. Keeping the soil evenly moist will ensure that your flowers are healthy. 
• Do not allow the ground to dry out. 
• When seeds start to sprout, and are three to four inches in height you can transplant them by spacing eighteen inches apart, or leave them to grow in masses.
• Refrain from weeding during growing season, as you may remove new growth.
• Companion plants that I like grown with the cardinal flower: Blue Lobelia and Golden Ragwort.  I like the contrast of the colors blue, yellow and red. 

Introduction Image Credit by US Fish and Wildlife Services

Autumn Joy Sedum Growing Tips

Shrub-like appearance:  Autumn Joy Sedum

Autumn Joy Sedum is an upright shrub-like plant that produces large showy flowers from August to October.  The flowers will change in color from rose pink, to pink-bronze and then copper red.  Grow sedum in containers, or in the ground next to a sunny garden path or in a rock garden.  The autumn joy sedum is eye appealing all season.

Autumn joy grows well in a sunny location that has well-drained soil.  If you reside in zone 3 to 9 and your summers are hot with little rainfall then autumn joy is a plant for you as it is drought and heat tolerant.  My summers are extreme with temperatures well into the upper 90’s to mid 100’s.  I do not have to water my sedum every day, however I do water it 1-inch per week and the plant foliage is green and healthy.  

The best time to plant is in the spring after the danger of frost has past.  Decide if you are going to plant sedum in the ground or in containers.  For growing in the ground you would ready the garden by removing the grass and then loosen the soil to 18 inches with your spade or tiller. Whenever I prepare a garden I remove all of the rocks and debris then I work the soil with my hands to remove the clumps.  A fine soil texture is best when rooting new plants.  Another thing that I do is amend the soil with organic matter; compost or manure. 

 

Plat the autumn joy sedum by digging a hole that is the same depth and width as the nursery container.  Gently remove the plant from the container.  You may need to lightly tap the container to remove the root ball.  Set the plant in the center of the hole.  Spread the roots so that they grow outward.  Fill in the hole with soil and water well.  Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet for the next 10 days.   If you intend to plant more than one sedum then allow a two foot space in-between plants.

Tips:

Apply two inches of much around the stem.  The mulch will help deter weeds and will improve the soil.

Autumn Joy sedum flowers attract butterflies.

You may transplant sedum anytime during the growing season provided you keep the ground evenly moist until the roots take.

Instead of cutting back after a hard frost, apply two inches and mulch and leave the plant and the dried flowers.  The autumn joy sedum Will add winter interest to your yard and garden. 

Fertilize autumn joy sedum the end of July and you will have beautiful blooms in fall.

Easy to Grow Elephant Ears

An elephant ear is a tropical plant that is grown from a bulb.  This plant earned its name because when the stem grows upright out of the bulb a large elephant ear-shaped leaf will unfold at the tip of the stem. This ornamental plant comes in many colors; green, purple, or black and some leaves have white veins. 

Elephant ear container

Mature elephant ear plants will grow to a height of 2 to 10 feet with a leaf spread of two feet. Because of their large size and spreading habit, the elephant ear is a good choice to grow along a garden path or grow as a group as a privacy screen for your patio or outdoor living space.  

Growing Tips

Grow elephant ears as perennial in warm humid climates or grow as an annual during the summer when the temperature is an average of (68 to 88)   Choose a garden site with part sun and shade. Elephant ear grows well in moist to wet soil that has organic matter.  If you have a pond then plant the elephant ear in the moist soil along your pond.  If not grow an elephant ear in an area where the soil is evenly moist.  

Ready the garden site

One bulb will require a space of 36 to 60 inches. Allow space for the elephant ear to spread.  When you know how much space is needed for your elephant ear garden, you would then clear the garden site by removing the soil and then using a  tiller to loosen the soil to 10 inches deep.  Work the soil by breaking up the clumps so that the soil is a fine texture.  Improve the soil by adding compost or manure.  Also, add soil that will aid in retaining moisture.

Planting Elephant Ear

Dig a hole that is 8 to 10 inches deep. Plant the bulb; flat side down.  The top of the bulb should be planted no deeper than two inches below the soil.  Water well.  The plant will emerge in approximately 2 to 3 weeks.  

 
Tips:

• Provide the elephant ear with its growing needs; part sun and shade, rich organic soil, and evenly moist soil, and the plant will provide you with beautiful foliage and a summer flower.  The elephant ear is a great plant for a beginner gardener because it is easy to grow. 
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• Grow the elephant ear in the ground or as an accent plant in a large container.
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• Set up a soaking hose or drip irrigation to provide the elephant ear with water.  Install a timer on the faucet so that the plants will be hydrated automatically and you will not need to worry about turning the faucet on or off.
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• Refrain from allowing the soil to dry out as this will cause stress on the plant and the leaves will wilt. 
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•  Elephant ears can become invasive when growing in tropical climates. If this occurs then divide and transplant them in the spring or divide them in the fall after you lift them from the ground.
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• Lift the bulbs in the autumn after the foliage has died back and before a fall frost.  Store the bulbs in a cool and dry area until it is time to plant them in spring.

Image Credit Elephant Ear bulb

Image Credit Elephant ears grown in masses

View the video to learn how to care for elephant ears during the winter months.

 

Summer Watering Tips – When to Water Gardens

Summer is a season when the temperatures can be extremely hot and gardeners will need to water their flowers however there may be water restriction and so one needs to water their gardens in the morning when the weather is cooler and the water will not evaporate.

Before you water your gardens check the plants to determine which plants have deep roots and also check for plants that have roots close to the soil surface.   Deep rooted plants do not need to be watered daily.  They benefit  from deep one inch watering on a weekly basis. By providing deep rooted plants with one inch of water each week the plants will have stronger roots and they will be healthier.  

For plants that have roots close to the soil surface they will need water on a daily basis.  Many people water these plants with a light mist several times a day.  This method is not advisable because the water tends to evaporate in the heat of the day and the plant does not benefit.  It is better to water the plants early in the morning.  I prefer to water my garden from 5:30 to 7:30 am.  In the early morning the temperature is cooler and the water will not evaporate. 

Another time to water your garden is late afternoon.  Afternoon watering is acceptable provided the gardens have ample time to dry before nightfall.

The best way to water your gardens is to set up a soaker hose The slow drip emerges from the entire hose and hydrates your plants at the soil line and thus gets to the roots and nourishes the plant.   

Tips and Warnings

Consider installing drip irrigation and a faucet timer. Set the timer so start and stop automatically. This watering system is great especially if you work outside of the home.

    

Avoid getting the leaves wet as it will attract pests or disease.  Gardens that are watered at dusk or at night will attract pests and fungus.

Watch for Powdery Mildew on leaves due to watering the leaves.

If your city has a water restriction check with your city ordnance to find out when you can water and if it is acceptable to provide one inch of water to plants and shrubs weekly.

Growing Cosmos From Seed is Easy

 The cosmos flower is a good choice for beginner gardener as well as intermediate and master gardeners who desire a summer flower that will add color to garden after other flowers have spent.  These vibrant beauties certainly put on a color show and they are very easy to grow from seed.

I planted cosmos flower seeds outdoors on a sunny day in late spring.  My cosmo garden is in a location where it gets morning sun, part sun in the heat of the day and part sun in the late afternoon. The flower gets six hours of sun per day and is healthy with vibrant blooms

To provide drainage the cosmos were planted on a slight slope on my side yard.  The soil in this area is rich with organic matter. Normally I take care in the way I plant but I was in a hurry so I literally tossed the seeds into a new bed and then planted them where the seeds landed by covering the seeds with a half inch of potting soil and a light layer of mulch.

I cared for the seeds by watering them so that the ground was evenly most but not wet.
We had an unusual spring as the days were cool well into May and there was flash flooding. I was certain that the seeds were washed away. However 21 days later I viewed new growth.  Cosmo seedlings were pushing upward through the soil.

If you are a beginner gardener and would like to grow an easy flower from seed then I would recommend growing cosmos. They are beautiful bedding flowers that are easy to maintain provided you water them regularly and do not let the soil dry out. 

Fertilize your cosmos monthly throughout the growing season.  I use miracle grow mixed with water. The hose end fertilizer is a good choice. 

The cosmo will bloom throughout fall as long as there is sun and no freeze. 

Learn more about cosmos by viewing this YouTube video

Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow' Growing Tips

Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow’s a creeping evergreen ground cover that many gardeners grow because of its dense mat growth, attractive green leaves with a bronze highlight, and pretty blue spring blooms.  If you are seeking a low-growing ground cover then grow Ajuga reptans 'Burgundy Glow'.

Image Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons: 

I grow ajuga in my rock garden and under my butterfly bush. I also grow it amongst my hostas, ferns, and coleus. Ajuga reptans burgundy glow' is easy to grow and will spread quickly.

Purchase plants at a nursery or ask your friends if they grow ajuga. If they do grow the ajuga they may be transplanting in the spring, let them know that you are interested in trading plants. Trading is a good way to get healthy plants for your garden.   Offer your friend plants from your garden in exchange for healthy ajuga for your yard and garden.

Growing Tips

Select a garden site that features sun, part shade, and shade. The ideal garden site is one that has early morning sun, part shade in late morning, and shade in the heat of the day followed by the early evening sun.  An average of four hours of sun will enable the ajuga ground cover to produce healthy foliage and spring blooms.  Ajuga will tolerate full sun as long as the ground is evenly moist but not wet and well-drained.

Ajuga is not fussy about the type of soil as long as it is well-drained.  I find that when I add organic matter to the plants in early spring the leaves and flowers are healthier. 

Here is a photo of some annuals I planted in amongst the ajuga I think they add interest to the summer garden.

Get the growing site ready by removing the grass and loosen the soil to six inches.  Mix an inch of compost or organic matter into the soil and also add a time-release fertilizer. Wet the soil so that it is evenly moist but not wet prior to planting.

Dig a hole that is three inches deep. Place the plant in the center of the hole. Spread out the roots and then fill in the hole with the soil. Space one-foot in-between plants, to allow for the runners. Lightly water the newly planted ajuga so that the soil is evenly moist.

Care for Ajuga

Apply a thin layer of mulch. This mulch will help to retain moisture, keep the roots cool, and will prevent weed growth.

Set up an irrigation system.  Place the water system on a time; set to water the plants from 6 to 7 am daily. 

Feed in spring with spent coffee grounds or with all-purpose plant and flower fertilizer.

Tips and Warnings

• Grow ajuga amongst Hosta, Fern, and Astilbe
• Plant under shrubs or trees
• Fifty plants cover 200 square feet
• Ajuga is good for erosion control
• A low growing ground cover for zone 3-9
• Apply a layer of straw to protect ajuga during winter, remove the straw in early spring.