July 2017 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends, Summer is now in full swing and that means it’s time for mid-season garden concerns. The following are a few things to watch out for: Just when I thought I had the lily leaf beetle under control a whole second crop has appeared that’s more numerous than the first. I check as often as I can and knock the little buggers into a container of soapy water. You also have to check for the larva (black ugly slimy looking things) under the leaves. I wipe them off with a paper towel. For more information on the lily leaf beetle go to: http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2001/07/cornell-cooperative- extension-master- gardeners-spot- invasive-unpleasant- beetles-new  As if that’s not enough to worry about the Japanese beetles have arrived. You can use the same soapy water container to drop them into. If you are thorough and get the early ones it will cut down on the numbers you get. Do not get a Japanese beetle bag. That will actually attract more to your garden than you would normally get. They have a pheromone lure which draws them in. For more information on Japanese beetles go to: https://blogs.cornell.edu/willow/files/2014/10/Japanese-Beetle- Popillia- japonica-fact- sheet-16vi6b4.pdf Powdery mildew is starting to show up on some of my plants. It looks like a white powdery covering on the leaves. Once you see the first signs remove those leaves and treat the plant with a fungicide specifically for powdery mildew. There are some available that are not harmful to the environment. Fungicides are best used before the symptoms show up so if you have plants you know are susceptible start treatment now. Powdery mildew may look awful but it won’t kill the plant. Make sure you disinfect your hands (gloves) and pruner before moving to another plant. Garden Tours: On the bright side, July is garden touring month. There are Open Gardens every Thursday and Friday as well as Garden Walks in many communities each weekend. There are 2 bus tours, Beyond Flowers which takes you to some amazing community gardens and projects and the East Sider Momentum tour which covers community gardens bringing life to the East Side. All these activities culminate with Garden Walk Buffalo the last weekend in July. Buffalo is now known as a gardening gem, we should be very proud of our area and its beautiful gardens. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. Everything but the bus tours are free. Fort the full schedule go to: gardensbuffaloniagara.com. There is a comprehensive guide book available at many nurseries and the Botanical Gardens. The website lists where they are available. Lessons from Nature Events: Classes on making concrete stepping stones, birdbaths, draped concrete planters as well as hypertufa planters are being offered. Contact me to schedule a class. Classes are offered for 1 to 6 people. The cost is $30 and you get to make two. Check my website (lerssonsfromnature.biz) for pictures and details. Mid-season is a good time for a Garden Consultation. If you have questions or concerns give me a call. Happy Gardening! Lyn Chimera Lessons from Nature 170 Pine St. E. Aurora, NY 14052 [email protected] 652-2432     Copyright © 2014 Lessons From Nature, All rights reserved. You're receiving this message because you requested to receive Lessons from Nature newsletters. Our mailing address is: Lessons from Nature 37 N Union Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences