Pest Control
Carpenter Ants
Those large black ants roaming around your yard are probably carpenter ants. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but the will excavate it for nesting and occasionally can cause structural damage. They will also nest in insulation. In most instances they are mostly nuisances. Many home infestations are satellite colonies from a nearby stump [...]
Weed in Bites
I like to weed early in the morning. It is cool, and I can listen to the birds singing their morning songs. By weeding 10 to 30 minutes almost every morning I can keep ahead of the weeds. If you have a regular job, try setting your alarm 20 or 30 minutes earlier. There is [...]
Controlling Blackberries
The wild Himalayan blackberry is one of the most difficult weedy plants to control in the Pacific Northwest. Blackberry vines are so difficult to control because established plants spread by nodes – or small underground buds – that grow off established blackberry vine roots. No matter how much of the plant you remove, you’ll miss [...]
Rose Disease and Insect Control
Roses need repeated applications of fungicides and insecticides to protect them from diseases and insects through the growing season. The three main rose diseases prevelant in the Pacific Northwest are black spot, mildew and rust. All three diseases can be controlled by systemic fungicides such as Propiconazole, Myclobutanil and Tebuconazole. Propiconazole is available in Fertilome [...]
Leaf Diseases on Flowering Cherry, Dogwood, Photinia and Peaches
Leaves of these trees and shrubs should be protected with a fungicide application as they begin to grow in late March and April. Most effective are the systemic fungicides such as Propiconazole, Myclobutanil and Tebuconazole. Propiconazole is available in Fertilome Systemic Fungicide. Myclobutanil is in Spectracide Immunex Fungicide. Tebuconazole is in Bayer All-in-One Rose and [...]
Moss Control
Moss loves shade and wet areas. Moss is easily controlled. Moss Control products for plants contain a natural iron compound which not only kills moss but turns grass and leaves dark green. Iron compounds can stain concrete a rust color. So if some is spilled on concrete, brush it off before it becomes wet. (I have [...]
Organic Insecticides
Many gardeners like to control insects organically or naturally as much as possible to avoid dangers in handling pesticides and residues on plants. An increasing number of organic pesticides are becoming available for use.
Bacillus thuringensis (often referred to as B.T.) is a bacteria which causes disease in insects, especially caterpillars, within two days after they [...]
Insect Control
The best way to keep ahead of pests is to inspect the garden frequently and regularly. That way pests can be observed and controlled before much damage is done.
Insects
Aphids are short, soft-bodied insects about 1/8 inch long which are most commonly light green in color, although, brown, red and black ones are also seen. Aphids [...]
Summer Insects
Insects multiply much faster in warm weather. Aphids and mites are two pests to watch for. Aphids (often called plant lice) are small soft bodied sucking insects usually concentrated on new growth. They are usually green, but can also be pink or black. Aphids exude a sweet juice which drips on the ground. Ants are [...]
Leaf Diseases on Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Our moist climate is ideal for fungus diseases on trees and other landscape plants. Cherry, Dogwood, Rose, and Photinia are particularly susceptible to leaf diseases such as anthracnose, mildew, black spot, or shot hole, during the spring and early summer. If you have plants which have been severely infected by one of these diseases in [...]