Poinsettias

Did you know that the tradition of decorating Christmas displays with Poinsettias started in Mexcio? They have a rich history in their native range, and the story of how they came to represent Christmas in the rest of North America is just as fascinating! Now with hundreds of varieties, they've come a long way in the plant world.

A few care tips for your Poinsettias at home:

• It is extremely important to keep these warm climate plants away from drafts or temperature extremes while in your home.
• Always bag them (preferably in paper) before transporting them to and from your car to help prevent shock!
• Keep them well watered. If you leave them in their decorative foil, either remove it when watering or  put a couple holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. Use a drip tray under them to keep your table or floor dry.

Poinsettias: The Story of a Holiday Treasure

Poinsettias: Care and Reflowering

 

---

The Bayberry Candle

Lighting bayberry candles around the holidays has become a cherished tradition.  It’s said that if you burn a bayberry candle on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, it will bring good fortune into the new year.  This tradition can be traced back to colonial America. 

Bayberry candles are made from a waxy residue released from boiled fruit of the bayberry shrub. These were one of the first waxes made from a material other than tallow (animal fat). They were appreciated for their pleasant scent.

For native gardens, the Northern Bayberry, Myrica pensylvanica, makes a great addition to be appreciated by people and wildlife.  

About the Bayberry

The History of the Bayberry Candle

---

Forcing Bulbs Indoors

Forcing spring bulbs to bloom indoors is a fun way to bring some spring cheer into your home during the dark, cold days of winter.  With a few key steps you can successfully grow spring bulbs in your home.  

Timing and temperature will be the key factors to consider when forcing bulbs in your home. Different types of plants may have different needs, so knowing the species will be key in identifying conditions needed to ensure success!

Coax Bulbs into Bloom for Late Winter Color

Bulbs: Forcing to Flower

Native Plant Highlight: Ilex verticillata

The Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is a native shrub with multi-season interest. It is a deciduous holly, meaning it loses its leaves in the winter, but when it does so the berries hold tight creating a vibrant and colorful display in the dead of winter!

Cultivars can be found with red, orange, and yellow berries to add more variation to the garden. Plus the berries are a great food source for native birds and wildlife.

---

Word from the WiSE

---

December 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in December will bring us into our winter season! (Click image to see larger map.)

30 Day Outlook for December 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• Christmas Bird Count, December 14 & 15, Statewide

• Find holiday gifts at local craft fairs! 

• Glow Hartford opens November 29th this year! Enjoy an indoor light display and vendor fair.

• Steve Cryan's 31st Annual Train Show, November 21-February 16, Essex CT​​​​​​​

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​CT Christmas Movie Trail​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Attend A Local Garden Club meeting, talk, or workshop

•  Eco-Holiday - Nov. 29 - Dec. 22, Derby CT. Decorators transform recyclable and throwaway materials into masterpieces representing eight biomes ranging from rain forest to desert. 

---

UConn Educational Events

• UConn Extension Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers Conference - January 7, Storrs CT

• Grab your 2025 UConn Master Gardener Calendar! Contact your local Master Gardeners through the UConn County Extension offices for more information! 

 

---

December Gardening Tips

• Mark perennials and bulbs before they become covered in snow to help you identify plants in early spring.

• Holiday plants, including amaryllis, mistletoe, and yew are toxic and should be kept away from children and pets. Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect a problem.

• Decorative foil around the roots of holiday plants can hold water and drown them. Either remove it when you water, or poke drainage holes in the foil and use a saucer.

• Finish the cleanup of the vegetable garden or beds, removing all plant debris

• Asian lady beetles and Brown marmorated stink bugs may enter the home to overwinter. Use weather stripping or caulking to keep them out.

• Check vegetables that you have in storage. Sort out any that show signs of disease and dispose of them.

• Turn compost piles one more time before they freeze for the winter.

• Avoid using salt to melt ice on driveways and sidewalks which may end up on the lawn, when possible use sand or kitty litter. This will help prevent salt damage to plant roots.

• If you have a real Christmas tree, recycle it after the holidays are through. Cut off branches and use as insulation over perennials. In spring, chip or shred branches to create mulch or add to the compost pile.

• Replace the plants in hanging baskets, containers, and window boxes with evergreen boughs, berries and pinecones.

• Be sure to keep bird feeders stocked with seed and suet for the winter months.

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Autumn Drought Woes

• Maintain consistent watering practices until the ground freezes, especially in newly established plantings and young trees and shrubs

• Avoid unnecessary pruning or trimming during drought conditions

• Mulching can help conserve moisture in the soil

Many of us were spoiled by the heavy spring/early summer rains and did not get into the practice of watering consistently during the growing season. Our plants will start to show signs of stress now, and potentially in the next growing season. Learn what to monitor for and how to correct course this fall to help your plants have a better spring! 

Helping Plants During the September-October Drought

---

Putting your Vegetable Garden to Bed

Part of fall clean-up in the yard is winterizing your vegetable garden.  Here are a few things you can do to put your vegetable gardens to bed and prepare them for the next growing season: 

• Harvest everything.  Store only mature fruits and vegetables and compost those that are rotting.  Be sure to throw away infected vegetables and fruit.  

• Remove all plant debris and only compost those that are free of pests or diseases.  Throw away any that are.
• Have a soil test done now and amend if needed so the beds are ready for the next growing season.

Learn More about Putting Your Garden to Bed

---

Decorate for the Holidays with Materials from Your Garden

Thanksgiving celebrates the autumn harvest, and dinner tables are often decorated with centerpieces of dried flowers, seed heads, grass plumes  and ornamental branches. The winter holidays also have a long standing history of using evergreens, pinecones and berries to decorate homes.

Gardeners who practice this regularly may have established plants to harvest their decorations from. Those just starting out may not have everything they want/need. Here's a few tips to help you gather material to create your own holiday decorations:

• Never remove something from property other than your own without permission

• Take plant material from healthy plants. Clean pruners in between plants to avoid spreading diseases between plants

• Inspect plant material for insects before bringing it into your home

• Make sure you are able to accurately identify any plant material you bring into your home. This will help you prevent accidental exposure to irritants, allergens or toxic plants

• Florists, craft stores, and even some farmers markets are a great source for pre-dried plant material
  
• Looking for evergreens to make your own wreaths or window boxes? Florists, Christmas Tree Farms, and even Garden Centers may carry bulk greens in late November/Early December for decorating.
  
  • If you already get your yearly "cut your own" Christmas tree, consider finding a slightly taller tree anduse the trimmings to create your door swags, wreaths, etc. 

Fall Cleanup Provides an Opportunity for Dazzling Dried Bouquets

DIY Dried Flowers for Thanksgiving

Holiday Decorating with Fresh Greenery

Native Plant Highlight: Rhus aromatica

The Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low' fragrant sumac is a cultivar of R. Aromatica, which is native to North America from eastern Canada to Mexico. It is a good low- growing shrub to use as a groundcover in sites like slopes or when there is no supplemental watering.

They need well-drained soils and can grow in full sun or part shade. The small flowers attract pollinators, fruits attract songbirds, and leaves turn a striking orange in the fall. These plants are drought tolerant and resistant to rabbit feeding.

Learn More About Rhus aromatica

Wildlife Highlight: Dunlins

Dunlins are found in large flocks along our shoreline in winter. Plumage in winter is less attractive than breeding plumage. They have a long, downcurved black bill, black feet and legs and have a white stripe along the upper side length of the wings that can be seen when they are flying. They forage for invertebrates in exposed mud and sands sand during low tides.

Learn More About Dunlins

 

 

---

Word from the WiSE

---

Novemberr 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about the month of November!

30 Day Outlook for November 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

•  Smith College Fall Chrysanthemum Show  - Open November 2-14. Northampton, MA.
• Support local farms, restaurants and businesses as you plan your Thanksgiving feasts! 

• Run off that turkey in a marathon or enjoy as a spectator:
  • Manchester Road Race 
  • Newtown Turkey Trot
  • Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Race

A late Thanksgiving this year will give us a shortened holiday season for shopping and festivities. Start early to get the most of your experience!

• Find holiday gifts at local craft fairs! 

• Find your Christmas Tree! 

• Glow Hartford opens November 29th this year! Enjoy an indoor light display and vendor fair.

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Composting for Sustainability - Nov. 20, Westport, CT

• Attend A Local Garden Club meeting, talk, or workshop

• Eco-Holiday - Nov. 29 - Dec. 22, Derby CT. Decorators transform recyclable and throwaway materials into masterpieces representing eight biomes ranging from rain forest to desert. 

---

UConn Educational Events

The University of Connecticut's Animal Science Department offers a winter horseback riding program to the public with something for everyone!

Dressage, Hunt Seat, Polo and Western are open to adults and children who meet the minimum age and skill level requirements.

UConn Winter Riding Lessons

 

---

November Gardening Tips

• With the weather we've been having, it's still a great time to have your soil tested. Beat the spring rush and have your soil ready to go well before the growing season begins!

• Purchase some paperwhite bulbs and follow the directions for forcing bulbs so that they bloom for the holiday season

• Mulch garlic plantings to prevent frost heaving

• Finish the cleanup of the vegetable garden or beds, removing all plant debris

• Asian lady beetles and Brown marmorated stink bugs may enter the home to overwinter. Use weather stripping or caulking to keep them out.

• Use a mulching blade to finely chop fallen leaves of healthy trees and let them decompose on the lawn. Completely remove and dispose of any leaves that have shown signs of disease.

• Continue to thoroughly water trees, shrubs, planting beds, lawn areas and recently planted evergreens until a hard frost. Plants should go into the winter well-watered. 

• It is not a good idea to leave fuel in the lawn mower or other gas-powered tools over winter. If there is some gasoline left, run the mower until it is used up.

• Be sure to drain hoses and sprayers before cold weather sets in.

• Cut back perennials that were covered in powdery mildew during the summer. Cut stalks to the ground and dispose of them.

• Leave seed heads on ornamental grasses for winter interest.

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Going Apple Picking? These tips Are Just for You!

We're well into apple season here in Connecticut! With a few weeks left there is still time to get local apples and spend a day out with the family. UConn Fruit Specialist, Evan Lentz, from the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture and UConn Extension, created a fantastic guide to help you find the perfect apple in the orchard!

Fun Facts:

• Apples come in early, middle, and late season varieties and many orchards will plant a large selection to give you plenty of time to get out and enjoy the experience!
• If you're considering growing apples at home, you will need at least two trees that are two different varieties and flower at the same time!
• To keep plants shorter for easier access to pick fruit, many apple trees are grafted. The upper portion, known as the scion, will give you. your desired type of fruit. The lower portion or root stock helps to determine the ultimate size of the tree. If suckers are allowed to develop, the apples that they produce could be entirely different!

A guide to Apple Picking in Connecticut

---

Leave the Leaves: Let's Clear it Up!

At this time of year, we see the same question in many forms:

• Should I clean my garden now?
• What is your opinion on "leave the leaves?"
• Is it better to clean up your garden in the spring or fall?

In essence, many gardeners seek guidance on what the best move to make is for cleaning up their gardens. In reality, the "best" decision can be different for different gardeners. These are the considerations we want to bring to mind:

Reasons to Leave Plant Debris/Leaf Litter

• Create a haven for insects and wildlife to overwinter in
• Provide a layer of organic matter/natural mulch in your garden beds
• You have more time for garden chores in the spring
• Plants with sensitive crowns may be better if left alone over the winter and managed in the spring
• Late blooming plants may still be in flower, or ornamental seed heads provide winter interest for your garden space

If You Do "Leave the Leaves"

• Mulch or shred leaves that will be left on the lawn to break down. This causes them to release nutrients into the soil at a faster pace and gives plants below a chance to find sunlight in the spring
• If unable to mulch your leaves, do not leave more than an inch or two of fully intact leaves. Thicker leaves will hold moisture and encourage disease or smother plant material below. They are also slower to break down and will need to be managed in the spring.
• Monitor for pests like jumping worms in leaf piles
• Monitor closely next growing season for signs of pest and disease and manage as soon as possible!

When you SHOULD clean up in the fall:

• Your garden has experienced fungal disease or significant pest damage
  • Sanitation is a least-toxic method of control when it comes to managing garden pest problems.
  • Many fungal spores and vegetable targeting insects will overwinter in the leaf pile alongside beneficial insects. If you have had a particularly damaging year, it may be in your best interest to remove that leaf litter and plant debris from your property.
• There are plants (perennials & ornamental grasses, in particular) along your foundation or in other areas of your property that could encourage undesired rodent damage?
  • There's no doubt that rodents and small mammals need a home to overwinter in, but by removing possible shelters early in the fall, they will be encouraged to move elsewhere before the real cold sets in.
• Trees or shrubs on your property have experienced girdling or rodent damage before.
  • ​​​​​​​Building up leaves to insulate plants can be great! However, if past trials of this have resulted in damage to the stems or trunks, you may want to reconsider this method.

---

Keep Your Jack-O-Lanterns Fresh!

Everyone loves to carve a pumpkin! Jack-O-Lanterns (which were originally carved from turnips), are a festive tradition that many of us enjoy!

And whether you're a skilled artist or a spirited novice, keeping your jack-o-lantern fresh for the season is important! Learn about the traditions of the Jack-O-Lantern and how to keep yours well preserved at the links below!

Origins of the Jack-O-Lantern

Presesrve Your Jack-O-Lantern

 Plant Highlight: Monkshood

Monkshood, also called helmet flower and wolfsbane, is a deer-resistant non-aggressive, non-invasive non-native perennial that flowers in late summer-October here in Connecticut. The flowers are a striking deep, dark purple blue on upright spikes. It can used in cut flower arrangements. This is a good plant for shade conditions.

Learn More About Monkshood

Wildlife Highlight: Birds Are On the Move!

The Palm Warbler is a small warbler that forages primarily for insects. They will eat seeds and berries if available. These little birds migrate through our area in the spring and fall! Like a Phoebe, they are known for their characteristic tail wagging when they rest.

Late September is the beginning of migration to warmer climates of many species of birds that pass through Connecticut. Cornell University has many helpful fact sheets and other bird information tools that cover birds either breeding in or migrating through the North. 

Learn More About Palm Warblers

Cornell Birdwatching

Birdcast - Migration Forecasts

---

October 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in September will bring us into harvest season!

30 Day Outlook for October 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

 

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• See the Calendar of Fairs in Connecticut - There's still a few fairs left this season! 

• It's Apple Season! Visit a pick-your-own orchard, or find your favorite apple flavored treats starting this month!

• Interested in "leaf peeping?" Use this Foliage Finder guide to track fall color in the state!

• Explore a Corn Maze!

• Visit the CT Garlic & Harvest Festival Oct 12 & 13 in Bethlehem, CT

• Roger Williams Zoo is hosting their Annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Sept 27-Nov 2 in Providence, RI

• There's still plenty of time to complete the Sky's the Limit Hiking Challenge!

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Autumn Bird Walk - October 5th, Derby, CT

• Peoples State Forest 100th Anniversary Celebration, October 6th, Barkhamsted, CT

• Native Plant Seed Collecting Workshop, October 12, New London, CT

• SALT Conference, November 2nd, New London, CT

• CT NOFA Farm & Garden Conference, November 2nd, New Haven, CT

---

CT Invasive Plant Working Group
In-Person Symposium
October 29th, 2024
UConn Student Union
Storrs, CT

cipwg.uconn.edu

---

 

 

---

October Gardening Tips

• October is still a great time to have your soil tested. Beat the spring rush and have your soil ready to go well before the growing season begins!

• Keep collecting matured seeds. Dry them out and place them in labeled brown coin envelopes within an air tight container, and store in a cool place.

• Mulch perennial beds using a loose organic material such as bark chips or leaves to keep down weeds, preserve moisture and give roots a longer time to grow before the soil freezes.

• Sketch out where you planted various vegetables in your garden back in the spring. This will come in handy next spring so when you plant, you can rotate your crops and help prevent disease. Add notes of any issues you saw this season so you don't forget to scout for them next year!

• Plant garlic from October 1st to November 15th. Place each clove pointed-side up at a depth of 2-4” about 6” apart.

• Use a mulching blade to finely chop fallen leaves of healthy trees and let them decompose on the lawn. Completely remove and dispose of any leaves that have shown signs of disease.

• Move the houseplants to their indoor locations when outdoor temperatures are consistently 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Acclamate them by moving them into an unheated mud room or garage for a couple of days before moving them into a heated house. 

• Renovate the lawn by thatching or aerating if needed. All seeding should be done before Oct. 4th for best results. 

• Watch for frost warnings and cover tender plants and pumpkins.

• Limit herbaceous plant material located a few feet away from the house to eliminate hiding places for insects and mice, which could wind up indoors as temperatures plummet.

• If rain is lacking, continue to thoroughly water trees, shrubs, planting beds, and lawn areas. It is especially important to keep newly planted evergreens watered

More October Gardening Tips

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Late Season Plants for Pollinators

As gardeners, it is important for us to be able to enjoy our gardens as long as possible into the colder months! As allies and companions to our beloved pollinators, it is part of our task to help provide food sources to help them prepare for the winter months as well. 

Annuals

• Zinnias are a long-season pollinator plant that will continue to perform into the fall. You may even see them returning to garden centers to be included in fall containers. 

• Other late season bloomers like Tithonia, Lantana, Marigolds, Sunflowers  and Cosmos are particularly important food sources for migrating butterflies and other insects. Hummingbirds are very fond of lanatana nectar, so they will benefit as they migrate through in September.   

 

The Fall Garden is Still Great for Pollinators

Perennials

• Native goldenrods (Solidago spp.) provide nectar and pollen for diverse species of insects and seeds for birds and small mammals. Different species bloom from August- late September or even into October, when other native plants are past bloom time. They are important sources of energy for migrating butterflies and for bees that are active late in the season.

• Other late season pollinator plants include Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Sedum and Asters

Planting for Pollinators

---

Late Season Cucurbit Harvesting

Watermelons

Watermelons  take 35-45 days to  mature after flowering, but temperatures and variety will affect time to harvest To determine if a watermelon is ripe, use these signs:

• There is a curling tendril closest to the melon- this should turn brown and dry out
• Carefully turn melon over to see f the white blotch where soil contact was made is now yellow
•  Rind should be dull, not shiny
•  Thump the melon- sound should be hollow-sounding, deep and resonant. Unripe melons will have a higher pitched flatter sound
•  Check the days to maturity as given on the seed packet. If it says 65 days, then it should be ripe at that time, but check above signs, too. If you do not know the variety, then use 1-4 as a reference.

Pumpkins/Gourds

This time of year is when pumpkins will start reaching maturity. Harvest will be here before you know it! Keep these things in mind while deciding "is it time?"

• Skin should be thick and pumpkins should be firm
• Leave the stem intact to ensure a longer shelf life
• Never lift or carry a pumpkin by the stem
• Read More Tips

Winter Squash

Winter squash have many of the same harvest characteristics as pumpkins and gourds. 

• Similar to pumpkins, the skin should be hard and difficult to puncture with a fingernail
• Leaving 3-4 inches of stem attached helps preserve the fruit
• Read More Tips

 

 

---

Preparing and Storing your Harvest

The UConn Home & Garden Education Center is here to help you get your plants from seed to harvest! 

While we're not able to answer your questions about what happens once the produce is picked, we do have partners who are here to help you with just that!

UConn's Food Safety program can take you "from Harvest to Feast!"

 

UConn's Food Safety Program

Home Food Preservation at UConn

---

Native Plant Highlight: Shrub Dogwoods

Shrub dogwoods like silky (Cornus obliqua) and red osier (Cornus sericea) and gray (Cornus racemosa ) not only provide food for pollinators in the spring, but they are an important source of food for birds and animals in late summer and fall. They are available at most garden centers that feature native plants and their a cultivars. Many can tolerate some shade and moist soils.

Learn More About Shrub Dogwoods

---

September 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in September will bring us into harvest season!

30 Day Outlook for September 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

 

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• See the Calendar of Fairs in Connecticut

• The Mattabesett Trail is a 62-mile trail that features some of the most outstanding cliff views and ridge walking in Connecticut, especially on the western sections. It links to many state forests, land trust preserves and parks. Other sections have brooks, bogs, hardwood forests and high ledges looking over the Connecticut River.

• It's Apple Season! Visit a pick-your-own orchard, or find your favorite apple flavored treats starting this month! 

• Farmer's Markets are still very active! Find one near you!

• The Big E is this month! Visit for agricultural displays, food, entertainment, and more! Starting Sept. 13th

•  Sept 15-21 is National Indoor Plant Week.

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Letterboxing & Geocaching, September 12th, Hamden, CT

• Bat Appreciation Day - September 15th, East Granby, CT

• Bird Walk, September 21st, Milford, CT

---

CT Invasive Plant Working Group
In-Person Symposium
October 29th, 2024
UConn Student Union
Storrs, CT

cipwg.uconn.edu

---

2024 UConn Master Composter Program

Interested in learning more about composting and sharing your knowledge with others? UConn will be holding its Master Composter program this September. The Master Composter program is a train the trainer program where participants will learn about the various aspects of composted and then donate a minimum of 20 hours volunteer time engaging in outreach projects that may include activities such as tabling at events, giving presentations or working with schools or community gardens. When outreach goals have been met, participants will be certified as Master Composters and receive a certificate of completion. There is a registration fee.

The 2024 program will be a hybrid program with two in-person Saturday sessions, September 14 & 28 along with two evening online sessions, September 19 & 27 via WebEx. The two Saturday classes will be held at the Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Rd, Haddam, CT 06438. It is anticipated that two field trips will be offered this fall, also on weekends

If interested, please visit: The Master Composter Homepage

Feed The Earth……Compost!

 

---

September Gardening Tips

• September is a great time to have your soil tested. Beat the spring rush and have your soil ready to go well before the growing season begins!

• Early fall is a good time to plant trees and shrubs and allows time for the root systems to get established before the ground freezes.

• Visit a local nursery or garden center and select spring flowering bulbs to add to your gardens. Plant the bulbs among perennials, under trees and shrubs, or in larger groups for a splendid spring show. Choose colors that complement other spring flowering plants as well as nearby plantings. Work a little Bulb Booster or 5-10-10 into the bottom of the planting holes.

• Continue to water any new shrub or tree plantings until the first hard frost.

• Do not fertilize trees, shrubs and perennials in late summer. Doing so may cause new growth that will not harden off before winter.

• Use a mulching blade to finely chop fallen leaves of healthy trees and let them decompose on the lawn. Completely remove and dispose of any leaves that have shown signs of disease.

• Move the houseplants to their indoor locations before the furnace gets turned on so they can start becoming used to the lower indoor light and humidity levels.

• Pot up or propagate herbs to bring indoors for winter use.

• Watch for frost warnings and cover tender plants.

• Do not add diseased leaves or stems into the compost pile. Temperatures of home compost do not usually get high enough to kill pathogens and can cause disease to reoccur in your garden next year. 

• Do not add weeds with mature seed heads to the compost pile. Many weed seeds can remain viable and germinate next year when the compost is used.

More September Gardening Tips

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Slow-Growing Gardens

Does your garden feel a little behind this year? Have you noticed your tomatoes seem to be taking forever and a day to turn red? You're not alone!

A big contributor is the weather. When temperatures exceed 85 degrees, for example, tomatoes won't turn red until the temperature comes down again.

Other vegetables will drop flowers and even pause their water uptake. Be careful not to overwater during these times - always check your soil! 

Sometimes, pollinators will reduce their activity in excessive heat, further delaying the process. 

We've had a handful of heatwaves this season that have contributed to the slowing of vegetable development.  Be patient! 

Learn More About Heat Stress in Gardens

---

Preparing for Lawn Season

It's time to start thinking turf! The ideal time to seed your lawn is between August 15th and September 15th. You want to give your lawns enough time to establish new roots before the cold sets in. Finding the right kind of turf for your location can be a big help in establishing a robust lawn. Consider light, soil, and water conditions when selecting a turf species. 

Lawns should not be fertilized after July 1st. Continue to monitor for watering needs and only mow when there is adequate water available. 

If you have not done so, early August would be a good time to get a soil test to help prepare for any lawn establishments or renovations!

See our list of resources on establishment, rennovation and selection.

Lawn Renovation and Repair

Establishing a New Lawn

Alternative "Lawn" Options

Selecting an Appropriate Grass for Your Lawn

Understanding Grass Seed Labels

 

---

Rare Stink Bug: Perillus excaptus

Two Perillus excaptus stinkbugs, considered rare and unrecorded here in Connecticut, were discovered this year by one of our staff, Pamm Cooper. One of them was found in Vernon in a wildlife management area while on a Bug Week hunt with Jacqueline Crepeau, a master gardener intern. This predatory stinkbug is associated with certain goldenrods which have particular leaf beetles feeding on them. This Perillus spp. stink bug eats the larvae of the goldenrod beetle. According to a resource, P. excaptus is rare in all its locations and its life history is unknown.

---

Native Plant Highlight: Yellow Fringed Orchid

The yellow fringed orchid Platanthera ciliaris is on the CT DEEP endangered plant list. This rare plant has a showy raceme of fringed lipped flowers that can be yellow to orange in color. It likes sunny, wet acidic soils including seeps, bogs, wet meadows and sometimes roadsides. It blooms here from early July - August. It is pollinated by certain bees, moths and butterflies, especially by the swallowtails.  

Learn More About Yellow Fringed Orchid

---

August 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in August will bring us closer to harvest season!

30 Day Outlook for August 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• August is the start of Fair Season! See the Calendar of Fairs in Connecticut

• Sunflowers will start to bloom this month! Try the Connecticut Sunflower Maze or one of these many Sunflower Events Around the State

• Summer is a great time for music festivals and various summer concert series. See what's happening this summer or check with your town for events! 

• See the Plainville Fire Company's Hot Air Balloon Festival August 23rd & 24th

• Check out the Made in Connecticut Expo August 10th & 11th

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Plant Science Day, August 7th, Hamden, CT

• Summer Tree ID for Beginners - August 10th, Hampton, CT

• Papermaking Class, August 22nd, Hampton CT

Upcoming UConn Educational Events

3rd Annual IPM for Home Gardeners Seminar
Saturday, August 3rd
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
W.B. Young Building Room 100
1376 Storrs Rd
Storrs, CT 06268
Cost: Free

Register at: s.uconn.edu/ipm_2024

Event Speakers:
- Dr. Nick Goltz, Uconn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory - Plant Disease Updates

- Emily Leahy, Uconn Plant Diagnostic Laboratory - Plant Disease Trends in a Changing Climate

- Pamm Cooper, Uconn Home & Garden Education Center - Basic Pest Control: Know the Enemy

- Heather Zidack, UConn Home & Garden Education Center - Being an IPM Detective

- Dr. Srikanth Kodati, UConn Extension Pesticide Safety Specalist - Math of Pesticide Application & Reading Pesticide Labels

- Dawn Pettinelli, Uconn Soil Nutrient Analysis Laboratory - Fertilizers 101

Register for the IPM Seminar

---

CT Invasive Plant Working Group
In-Person Symposium
October 29th, 2024
UConn Student Union
Storrs, CT

cipwg.uconn.edu

---

2024 UConn Master Composter Program

Interested in learning more about composting and sharing your knowledge with others? UConn will be holding its Master Composter program this September. The Master Composter program is a train the trainer program where participants will learn about the various aspects of composted and then donate a minimum of 20 hours volunteer time engaging in outreach projects that may include activities such as tabling at events, giving presentations or working with schools or community gardens. When outreach goals have been met, participants will be certified as Master Composters and receive a certificate of completion. There is a registration fee.

The 2024 program will be a hybrid program with two in-person Saturday sessions, September 14 & 28 along with two evening online sessions, September 19 & 27 via WebEx. The two Saturday classes will be held at the Middlesex County Extension Center, 1066 Saybrook Rd, Haddam, CT 06438. It is anticipated that two field trips will be offered this fall, also on weekends

If interested, please email ladybug@uconn.edu or call (877) 486-6271 and you will be notified when the program is finalized and registration is open!

Feed The Earth……Compost!

 

---

August Gardening Tips

• Water plants deeply once or twice a week depending on the heat and humidity.

• Remove old plants that have stopped producing to eliminate a shelter for insects and disease organisms. Replant sites with chard, quick maturing beans or cucumbers, leafy greens etc.

• Keep an eye out for black rot on grapes. Black rot results in mummified grapes- Infected pruned tissues and mummified berries should be removed before new growth begins in the spring. Sanitation is a key to preventing this disease of grapes. 

• To reduce the number of pests on your fruit trees for the coming year practice good sanitation by removing and destroying all fallen fruit. Do not compost it.

• Reseeding the lawn in late August gives the new grass two growing periods (fall and spring) before the heat of summer. Be sure to keep the seed moist until germination.

• Noticing plants that wilt during the day and recover at night in spite of adequate water in the soil can be a sign of verticillium wilt. Watch tomato, pepper and eggplant closely for this type of flagging. 

• Do not add weeds with mature seed heads to the compost pile. Many weed seeds can remain viable and germinate next year when the compost is used.

• August is a great time to order peony roots and spring bulbs for September planting. 

• Fertilize container plantings and hanging baskets if they look yellow with a ½ strength dose of a balanced liquid fertilizer

• The best time to gather herbs and flowers for drying and preserving is during the midmorning hours, just after the dew has dried but before the sun causes them to wilt. 

More August Gardening Tips

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Fruit Thinning

Most home gardeners who grow fruit trees know the importance of pruning for better air circulation, pest and disease control and for better quality of fruit.  Thinning fruit early in the growing season is equally important for the same reason.    In addition, it reduces a biannual fruit set.  If fruits are left alone on the branches, the trees will use its carbs to produce all the fruit in one year exhausting its stores to produce fruit the next.

Read More About Fruit Thinning

---

Smart Harvesting

July is often the month when we start harvesting vegetables and cut flowers from our gardens! Use these tips to make sure you're getting the most out of your home production.

Tips for Harvesting Vegetables

• Harvesting early in the morning will help increase shelf life and may even improve taste.

• Never tug on your plants - use pruners or scissors to remove stubborn vegetables.

• Harvesting tomatoes before heavy rains can reduce chances of splitting.

• Know your vegetables and harvest at the right stage of development! Picking too early or leaving things too long can lead to reduced quality.

• When harvesting garlic, use a trowel or other garden tool to help you pop the bulbs out of the ground. This allows you to avoid damaging the stem while you're pulling.

More Tips for Harvesting Vegetables

Tips for Harvesting Cut Flowers

• Cut early in the morning when plants are well hydrated.

• Carry a bucket of fresh, clean, water to collect freshly cut flower stems.

• Know your plants - different species of flowers may need to be cut at different stages of development.

• Sanitize buckets and tools (knives, shears or purners) between uses.

• Make sure cutting tools are sharp so as not to crush vascular tissues when harvesting.

• Never store flowers in refrigerators that have food in them. Ethylene released by vegetables can speed up the bloom's decline.

More Tips About Harvesting Cut Flowers

---

Night Feeding Garden Pests

One of the most frustrating things for gardeners is walking through our beds and seeing damage that "wasn't there yesterday!" Many culprits feed at night or in the early evening when we're having dinner and settling down for the day. Learn more about them to help you catch the culprits red handed this summer!

Asiatic Garden Beetles

These non-native rusty brown scarab beetles feed on plant foliage and flowers at night. Scout with a flashlight to look for them. They can destroy basil plants overnight and may be hiding in mulch or just under the soil surface at the base of plants they are feeding on.

Earwigs

Earwigs feed on plants and flowers at night and hide during the day where it is dark especially in mulch or under plant containers where they are feeding. Foliage can be sprayed with an appropriate product, so they ingest it when feeding. Do not apply products to flowers.

Slugs

Slugs can leave shot hole like damage from chewing, and you will often also see trails left from where they have been. They are very active during wet/rainy weather.

Deer/Fawns

If deer repellents were used earlier in the year repeat applications now as fawns will be browsing and they may not have been exposed to both desirable plants and effective repellents yet. Teach them when they are young to avoid plants their mothers preferred.

Rabbits

Rabbits can feed day or night, but normally are more active toward evening and nighttime. Favored plants can vary. Cage plants at night that they are eating, or simply throw bird netting over them at night.

---

Native Highlight: Coral Hairstreak Butterfly & Native Wood Lily

The coral hairstreak butterfly flight period coincides with the start of flowering of our native wood lily Lilium philadelphium. These small butterflies are often seen getting nectar on the flowers. Male butterflies also patrol their territory using the flowers as their base of operations. Wood lilies can be found in bloom around July 4th in Connecticut.

Learn More About Lilium philadelphium

Learn More About Coral Hairstreak Butterfly

---

July 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in July will continue to lead us into the growing season!

 

30 Day Outlook for July 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• The 4th of July kicks off fireworks season! Find Displays near you!

• Blueberries & Raspberries are in season. Find a Pick your own farm near you!

• Blueberry Festivals! July 13 - Ellington, CT , July 20 -  Lyman Orchards

• Wequetequock Festival, hosted by the Eastern CT Conservation District July 14th -Stonington CT

• Summer is a great time for music festivals and various summer concert series. See what's happening this summer or check with your town for events!

• Try a cruise tour like the Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruise, Thimble Island Cruises or the Essex Steam Train & River Boat

• July is when we often see many local events including local fireman carnivals, farmers markets, and town celebrations.

• Check out events offered along the CT Wine Trail

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Explore the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center Gardens, July 13th, Old Lyme, CT

• Summer Tree ID Workshop - July 13th, Hampton, CT

• Night of 1000 Fireflies, July 13th, New Canaan CT

• CT Rocks Geology Workshop - July 27th, Hampton, CT

Upcoming UConn Educational Events

UConn IPM For Home Gardeners Seminar 
Saturday, August 3, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
W.B. Young Building
Storrs, CT

Register for the IPM Seminar

CT Invasive Plant Working Group
In-Person Symposium
October 29th, 2024
UConn Student Union
Storrs, CT

cipwg.uconn.edu

---

July Gardening Tips

 

• Many plants will shut down temporarily during times of high heat and drought. This can reduce flower/fruit/vegetable production. Check the soil for moisture to avoid overwatering.

• Do not mow during times of drought, this can damage your turf. Only mow when lawns are actively growing.

• Closely monitor for Squash Vine Borer and Squash bugs on your cucurbits!

• Check hummingbird feeders for mold, ants and other problems every week. Cane sugar solutions may need more frequent attention. There are some products resistant to mold and nutrient breakdown - please check the label for frequency on these products.

• Many gardeners will be harvesting fall planted garlic in the month of July. Allow bulbs to cure for a minimum of 2 weeks.

• Cut back mums, tall asters, Montauk daisies and helianthus by about one-quarter for bushy, more floriferous plants.

• Pinching back herbs to stop flowering will keep the best flavor in the leaves and encourage branching. Herbs can be air dried, dried quickly in the microwave, or frozen.

• Check family members and pets for ticks after being outside, especially when in tall grass or wooded areas. If necessary send ticks to the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for testing.

• Sunflower seeds can be sown before mid-June - mid August, depending upon days to maturity on the seed label which can vary from 60 to 110 days. If planted too late, plants will not have time to bloom before October

•  Calibrachoa are stunning annuals that are excellent in hanging pots. They are heavy feeders and need moist soil, Watering can be done daily, but make sure not to saturate soils as these plants will succumb readily to root rot, especially in hot weather.

 

More July Gardening Tips

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Establishing New Plantings

Many gardeners have done a majority of their seasonal work by the start of June. While spring is the best time to plant, you will see trees, shrubs and perennials going into the ground as projects pop up over the summer. It CAN be done but NEEDS to be done wisely! Here are some tips to keep any new plantings as healthy as possible in the warmer summer months.

• The sooner plants can be put into the ground, the better! Plan to purchase and plant within a short timeframe (over the same weekend, if possible). Plants in containers tend to dry out faster and will almost certainly need daily watering if left in hot temperatures and sunny locations.
  • Pace yourself and break up your projects if you need to!

• Dig a hole the same depth as the pot. Digging wider than the root ball will help it spread but digging too deep can risk burying the crown of the plant which can lead to complications further down the road.

• If the soil and plants are not nutrient deficient, fertilizing is not necessary. We always recommend fertilizing based on a soil test analysis whenever possible.

• Do not divide plants in their first year of establishment.

• Water the soil line with the goal of providing enough water to move beyond the root ball. This will encourage roots to continue to stretch outward.
  • Apply 2-3 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter immediately after planting.
  • Be advised: Watering with sprinklers or drip hoses will only water the first couple inches of soil unless run for long periods of time.

• ​​​​​​​Check for water regularly.
  • Keep in mind that different plants have different needs and instructions on the tag may provide insight into watering. 
    • Plants that are stressed, exposed to extreme weather conditions, or producing flowers/fruit may need closer attention.
  • The best way to know if a plant needs water is to check the soil. Feel the first few inches of the soil to determine if it is wet or dry
  • Many potting media mixes used by nurseries may dry out faster than the soil surrounding the plant in the ground. Check as close to the center of the root ball as possible, being careful not to disturb the roots.

Read More About Planting Trees & Shrubs

---

Continuing Veggie Garden Success

• Split garden chores up. If you weed for 30 minutes every night after dinner it can be much more enjoyable than having to spend hours of energy on it all in one go.

• Keep an eye on the weather - plants will need more water and even possibly more support on hot or windy days. When tomatoes start to show up - heavy rains may cause them to split so picking them early can help to prevent losses.

• Start scouting now! Look for signs of insects and eggs on the underside of leaves while plants are small and manageable.

• If you have had squash vine borer, cabbage moths, or other types of flying insects - consider using row covers. Keep in mind you may have to hand pollinate if you use this method.

• Giving young vegetable gardens supports early can allow the plants to grow into them as opposed to you making them fit when they're a bit too big. Gardeners have used different types of trellising over the years, and each found what works best for them. A few of them include:
  • Tomato Cages
  • Stakes
  • The Basket Weave/The Florida Weave
  • String or Twine Guides
  • Compare Various Staking Techniques

---

Planting to Attract Hummingbirds

Gardeners all over North America strive to create a garden space enticing enough for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators to stop by on their travels.

• Even though we all associate the color red with these little creatures, they actually see many more colors than the human eye can even detect. You can select other colors to make your garden enjoyable for you and your winged friends.

• Flower shape matters! Hummingbirds like tubular or trumpet shaped flowers best.

• Create a hummingbird haven by making sure there is always something in bloom in your garden. Gardeners can achieve this with long blooming annuals, a series of perennials that bloom one after another, or a combination of both.

We've helped to create a brief list of plants that will improve your chances of attracting hummingbirds into your garden spaces!

Annuals

• Cuphea spp.
  • Mexican Heather
  • Bat Faced Heather
  • Cigar Plant
  • Firecracker Plant
  • Lantana
• Salvia spp. 
  • Black & Blue
  • Rockin' Series
• Torena 
• Verbena 

Perennials

• Delphinium
• Dianthus 
  • Garden Pinks
• Dicentra
  • Bleeding Heart
• Hosta

• Monarda spp. 
  • Monarda fistulosa Bergamont​​​​​​
  • Monarda didyma Jacob Cline

Learn More About Attracting Hummingbirds

View the 2024 Hummingbird Migration Map

---

Native Plant Highlight: Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia is broadleaf evergreen native to eastern North America and is found in open woods, edges of water or along woodland edges.

Flowers are white and are n bloom from late May to early June. It can form thickets in the woods, and the older specimens have rather picturesque gnarling of trunks and branches. There are multiple cultivars of this plant, some with very colorful flowers.

Learn More About Mountain Laurel

---

Native Insect: Elderberry Borer

This native long-horned beetle is a spectacular, though uncommon. It can be found in natural areas where there are elderberry plants. It is large, has long serrated antennae, and has elytra that are orange and bright metallic blue. Larvae are borers of elderberry stems and roots but are not a serious pest in the wild where elderberry are numerous.

Learn More About the Red Admiral

---

Wildlife Highlight: Turtles

Our native turtles will be or are already looking for suitable places to lay their eggs. Sometimes they travel a distance from the water source they live in. As they travel, they are often a victim of motor vehicles as they cross roads at a less than rapid pace. If you decide to help a turtle cross the road, make sure to place it on the side of the road it was trying to get to, as females will only try to get to the side they were originally headed for. Pictured  is a spotted turtle on its way somewhere.

 

Learn More about Connecticut Turtles

---

CT Updates its Invasive Species List

The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group has helped in the efforts to bring more plants to the state invasives list. This year, legislation was passed that will affect the sale and transport of: 

• Bradford/Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) 
• Quackgrass (Elymus repens)
• Japanese angelica tree (Aralia elata)
• Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda)
• Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) 

Additionally, Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), will be added to the state's prohibited from sale list as of October 2024.

 

In the News: NBC CT

CIPWG Official Announcement

---

June 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in June will continue to lead us into the growing season!

 

30 Day Outlook for June 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• Visit a farmers market - Find fresh produce, local goods, and all sorts of special treats all summer long.

• June is Strawberry Season - Check out this list of Strawberry Festivals around Connecticut or go pick your own this month.

• Celebrate Father's Day June 16th.

• Elizabeth Park is open daily for visitors and June is a great time to visit their historic Rose Garden. Join them June 16th for their Rose Sunday event to celebrate the 120th anniversary of their Rose Garden!
• Celebrate Pollinator Week- Check out these virtual events happening June 17th - June 21st. Or get out and plant some pollinator friendly plants with your friends!
• June 8th is Connecticut Open House Day- Over 200 local tourism attractions are open to the public with free or reduced admission.
• Connecticut Historic Gardens Day - June 23rd. Visit one of many of Connecticut's Historic Gardens for tours, garden talks, and other events.

• Attend a Juneteenth celebration! Juneteenth is observed on June 19th. Many towns and local organizations will host events and activities throughout the month to celebrate freedom, culture, and community. Keep an eye out for what's happening near you!

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• CT Butterfly Association Spring Meeting June 8th, Madison, CT

• How to Identify & Control Weeds, June 13th, Stamford, CT

• Summer Tree ID for Beginners June 15th, Hampton, CT

• Knockout Natives with Sam Hoadley June 20th, Middletown, CT​​​

• Forestry Walk & Talk, June 27th - Hampton, CT

---

May Gardening Tips

 

• Plant vegetable starts after all danger of frost is gone and the soil is warm. This is usually the last week in May.
  • Direct seeding of beans, corn, cucurbits and melons can be done at this time as well.
  • Peppers & tomatoes like warm weather!

• Put nets over ripening strawberries to protect them from birds and other wildlife.

• Lily leaf beetles often show up first in spring on leaves of the crown imperial (Fritillaria). Check both sides of the leaves and down inside the center whorl of leaves. Also check the undersides of leaves for tiny orange eggs. The larvae have orange, brown, or greenish yellow bodies that are sometimes hidden under their excrement. Hand-picking the adults and the egg masses is the easiest control method.

• Aphids and lace bugs will appear soon. Spray with water or use a low-toxicity insecticide to control them. Asian lady beetles are a beneficial insect that feed on aphids.

• Remove any tree wraps or guards you placed on young trunks for winter protection.

• Clematis vines like cool roots so apply mulch or plant a low-growing ground cover to shade the ground.

• Use fresh potting soil in your containers as old soil has fewer nutrients and may contain harmful bacteria and fungi.

• As night temperatures moderate into the 60's, move houseplants outdoors. Help them with the transition by putting them outside on warm days and bringing them in on when nights are too cold. Avoid putting them directly into full sun or windy locations.

• Hummingbirds and orioles return to northern states by mid-May. Clean and refill feeders to attract these colorful birds to your backyard or fill hanging baskets with flowers that will attract them such as petunias, salvia, and fuchsia.

• Aerate and moisten the compost pile to speed decomposition.

 

More May Gardening Tips

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Container Gardening

May is a mad dash to get our spaces in shape for outdoor entertaining and vegetable and flower gardening. Container gardens have become a universal tool for gardeners of all types as they can meet all sorts of needs.

• They allow plant lovers in rental spaces to enjoy planting with minimal impact
• They provide great accessibility to gardeners of all ages and abilities
• They allow temporary solutions while larger projects are in progress
• They give gardeners an opportunity to plant where soil is poor or where rocks/tree stumps prevent them from digging into the ground
• They give us an easier opportunity to change our minds! Experiment with color, texture, and style - if you don't like it, change it the next season!
We've seen this method come a long way in the past few years It's being used for ornamental plants and fruit and vegetable plants, alike. Some even mix the two in an effort to bring both productivity and beauty to a small space.

The best thing about it, is that it doesn't take up a lot of space, time, or energy to keep going. And new advances are being made all the time as new "container friendly" varieties are hitting the market for all types of plants.

We have a few suggestions for you if you're considering container gardening this spring:
• Many gardeners refer to the "Thriller/Filler/Spiller" method of design where a central plant is surrounded by plants that will fill in and cascade over the edge of the container.
• Give your plants enough space to perform well in their container. This is incredibly important for vegetables and herbs that will be producing for you!
• Use soilless potting media in your containers.
• Pre-made mixes (sometimes called "recipes") can be found in larger drop-in pots that can be placed into a decorative container when you bring it home! Hanging baskets can be another alternative - just remove the hangers.
• Select an appropriate container. The material and size of the planter you choose should be something you consider. Any plants that need to go in for the winter should be in planters that can be easily moved or carried inside. Additionally, different materials need different maintenance and care from season to season.

---

Healthy Habitats for Beneficial Insects

Creating a garden or habitat within your space to support beneficial insects can be the most effective thing you can do if you have the space. Select plants that are known to support the various life stages of insects you hope to encourage in your garden. For example, parsley is a great herb to host swallowtail caterpillars.

A thriving garden will host beneficial insects including pollinators, predators and parasitoids. Additionally, a few "bad" insects in the mix provide a food source for some of these beneficials and ensure you have a healthy balance in your garden ecosystem. Never panic at the first sight of trouble. Investigate further and monitor a problem as it develops. Always use Integrated Pest Management practices when considering treatment for any pest or disease you find in the garden.

Beneficial Insects in the Home Garden

 

In recent years, the concept of "insect hotels" has been increasing in popularity. It is important to realize that these structures are considered a fantastic tool in a tool box of many things that are needed to preserve these populations of pollinators, parasitoids and predatory beneficial insects. They can be great educational tools or supplemental habitat when absolutely necessary. Native insects are well adapted to finding shelter in gardens and habitats locally created by you, your neighbors, and surrounding areas.

If you choose to host one of these in your garden, be aware that it is not a 'set it and forget it' type of garden decoration. Take all the precautions to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy habitat by cleaning out nesting each year, monitoring for signs of distress, and purchasing sustainable and safe materials for the insects to be using.

 

More about Insect Hotels

---

Gardening with Climate Change in Mind

The Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture at UConn has been spreading the word about gardening in a changing environment.

Dr. Mark Brand has been working to develop cultivars that are equipped to adapt with changing environmental conditions and stressors like drought and heat. His lab also works to improve native shrubs to help with their adaptability in our changing climate as well.

Read More

Dawn Pettinelli from the UConn Soil Nutrient Analysis Lab & Home and Garden Education Center joined Catherine Shen & Charlie Nardozzi on Connecticut Public to discuss ecological gardening and strategies for gardening for the environment.

Listen to the Podcast

---

Native Plant Highlight: Pinxsterbloom Azalea

Rhododendron periclymenoides is a native deciduous shrub found in wet woodlands, stream and pond edges and sometimes in open areas where soils are damp. Showy clusters of pink flowers appear in May before leaves expand. This native makes a good addition to a shade garden where it will be out of the afternoon sun. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees frequently visit the flowers.

Learn More about Rhododendron perilymenoides

---

Native Butterfly: Red Admiral

This common native butterfly is one of several migratory species, and one of the first to migrate north in early spring. They can be found in moist areas near woodlands, and they visit garden flowers from spring through late summer. The most common host plant of the caterpillars is stinging nettles, which is one reason most people never see them. When the butterfly folds its wings, it reveals the undersides that resemble a Jackson Pollock painting. Red admiral's often land on people to get salts from sweat.

Learn More About the Red Admiral

---

Native Bird: Mallards

Mallard ducks normally lay 4-14 eggs between March and June and the young are on their own after 8 weeks. A maintenance worker at a golf course stopped traffic so this mallard and her ducklings could safely cross a busy street on their way to a reservoir. The nest was an eighth of a mile away on a grassy pond edge.

 

Learn More about Mallards

---

Vegetable Gardening Resources

During the growing season, UConn Extension publishes a regular pest alert. Additionally, the New England Vegetable Management Guide offers a lot of information about specific vegetable crops.

While the target audience for these publications is usually commercial growers, home gardeners can learn a lot from these materials including identification and management of common pests in your veggie gardens!

If you ever need confirmation on an ID or have additional questions about what you read in these reports, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at the Home & Garden Education Center! We're happy to help your gardens thrive.

4/26/2024 Vegetable Pest Alert

Read Previous Pest Messages

New England Vegetable Management Guide 2023-2024

---

May 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns will continue to shape this winter season. 

 

30 Day Outlook for May 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

Read our Ladybug blogs written weekly:

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• Visit a farmers market! Many start opening in May and continue throughout the summer.

• Support your local garden club by attending their plant sales/May markets

• Celebrate Mom on Mother's Day! - May 12th

• Shad Derby, May 18th, Windsor, CT

• Sky's the Limit Hiking Challenge - Hosted by CT Parks & CT DEEP. March 22, 2024 - December 6, 2024

• Attend a Memorial Day Celebration, Memorial Day is observed May 27th this year!  Most towns in the state host their own parades and activities on the long weekend to honor those who bravely served and sacrificed for our nation.

• Get out and garden! The growing season is finally here!

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Roses for New England with Mike & Angelina Chute, May 16th, West Hartford, CT

• Dig Into Gardening: A 3-Day Weekend Workshop May 17th, 18th & 19th, Washington, CT

• Birding at the Bartlett, May 18th, Stamford, CT

• Beginner Tree ID, May 19th, Hampton CT​​​

• CBS and Yale Herbaria Tour, May 25th - Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven CT

---

May Gardening Tips

 

• Plant vegetable starts after all danger of frost is gone and the soil is warm. This is usually the last week in May.
  • Direct seeding of beans, corn, cucurbits and melons can be done at this time as well.
  • Peppers & tomatoes like warm weather!

• Put nets over ripening strawberries to protect them from birds and other wildlife.

• Lily leaf beetles often show up first in spring on leaves of the crown imperial (Fritillaria). Check both sides of the leaves and down inside the center whorl of leaves. Also check the undersides of leaves for tiny orange eggs. The larvae have orange, brown, or greenish yellow bodies that are sometimes hidden under their excrement. Hand-picking the adults and the egg masses is the easiest control method.

• Aphids and lace bugs will appear soon. Spray with water or use a low-toxicity insecticide to control them. Asian lady beetles are a beneficial insect that feed on aphids.

• Remove any tree wraps or guards you placed on young trunks for winter protection.

• Clematis vines like cool roots so apply mulch or plant a low-growing ground cover to shade the ground.

• Use fresh potting soil in your containers as old soil has fewer nutrients and may contain harmful bacteria and fungi.

• As night temperatures moderate into the 60's, move houseplants outdoors. Help them with the transition by putting them outside on warm days and bringing them in on when nights are too cold. Avoid putting them directly into full sun or windy locations.

• Hummingbirds and orioles return to northern states by mid-May. Clean and refill feeders to attract these colorful birds to your backyard or fill hanging baskets with flowers that will attract them such as petunias, salvia, and fuchsia.

• Aerate and moisten the compost pile to speed decomposition.

 

More May Gardening Tips

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Smart Shopping At The Garden Center!

This time of year is when the trucks start filling the garden centers with fresh plant material and new varieties! Growers who have been growing their new stock will start to

release their products both in retail and wholesale spaces. We're starting to look closer at what's coming for the new season and dreaming on gardens to come! Here's a few smart shopping tips for going into the garden center this spring!

• New Varieties are "released" into the grower markets before they hit the retail market. It may still take a couple seasons to make it to your patio! When looking at new material, grower catalogs display what they plan on providing to their customers (garden centers) and therefore are more reliable.
• Many garden centers order their plants in the fall of the previous year, so availability, especially for new varieties, can be very tight!
• New introductions usually have been through years of display gardens, trials and other testing conditions to make sure that they will perform well in our zone and climate.
• Not every garden center will carry every variety available. Many will choose to focus on a select few they've selected for their client base.
• When substitutions are necessary, select a substitute that will meet your target size, growing conditions and maintenance expectations. Avoid decisions based on physical features alone.
• Some perennials and flowering shrubs may have been forced to flower early in order to sell this spring. These plants will correct themselves to their "normal" schedule once they complete a season in the ground.
• Planting your garden in "stages" will help you extend your budget, but it will also give you a chance to see how plants grow into the area.
• When considering plant size, ask yourself the following questions:
  • Can I handle digging and planting this by myself?
  • How quickly do these plants grow in one season?
  • Am I willing to wait multiple weeks/months/seasons for it to grow in, or do I want instant gratification?

Monrovia New Plants 2024

Prides Corner New Plants 2024

Griffin: New Varities For 2024

Proven Winners 2024 Flipbook

---

Keeping Your Seedlings Healthy

In February, March, or even April we're starting seeds. Gardeners spend a lot of time and energy in picking out the right lights, creating the ideal conditions, and helping those seedlings get the right start. We're here to tell you keep up the enthusiasm! Here are few tips to keep your seedlings in good shape until you're ready to plant.

• Maintain a consistent moisture across all cells.
• Don't be afraid to thin or transplant seedlings into slightly larger cups or containers once true leaves are showing.
• Maintain light! The height of your grow lights may need to be adjusted after germination to keep seedlings reaching for sunlight.
• Air circulation is crucial! Consider using a fan on a low setting to keep air moving and to help strengthen young stems.

Read More Tips for Keeping Your Seedlings Healthy

---

Clean Hummingbird Feeders for Healthy Hummingbirds

Each spring, ruby-throated hummingbirds embark on their annual migration north to Connecticut from Mexico. These migratory journeys, which can span hundreds or thousands of miles, require immense preparation and a shocking amount of energy from these small birds - the smallest in the world. Their spring migration north is a solitary journey with the goal of getting to their breeding grounds early enough to claim the best feeding territories. They will be very hungry and in need of nourishment when they arrive. Putting out feeders in anticipation of their arrival- early April- will help with their transition until the flowers are in bloom. Proper care of the feeders will ensure these little birds stay happy and healthy during their stay until they begin their migration south in the fall.

Care & Maintenance of Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird Central: Spring Migration Map 2024

---

Native Plant Highlight: Red Trillium

Also known as red wakerobin, Trillium erectum is a native plant that blooms in late April. The rather putrid-smelling flowers are pollinated by flies. Found in open deciduous woodlands, it is often found among bloodroot, ramps and violets. Flowers vary in color, sometimes being green, white or pale red. Moths may also visit the flowers.

Learn More About Red Trillium

---

Be On the Lookout: Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is a large brush foot butterfly that overwinters in its mature form. It is one of the first butterflies seen in late winter- early spring and are sometimes seen flying on warm winter days. Seldom visitors to flowers, these butterflies lap tree sap, dung, mud and ripe fruit. Caterpillars are found mostly on willows and elms living in communal groups in silken shelters. Look for them when willows begin leafing out. These butterflies may be the longest living ones in North America.

Learn More about the Mourning Cloak Butterfly

---

The CT Native Tree & Shrub List Has Been Updated for 2024!

UConn Extension and CT DEEP Wildlife Division have released an updated list of CT native plant selections and businesses that grow and/or sell these plants! We shared the 2023 list last month. See below for the updated list for 2024. One of the biggest updates is that the list now also includes native perennials!

2024 Connecticut Native Perennial, Tree & Shrub Availability List

---

Blueberry Growers: Prevent Mummy Berry This Spring

UConn Extension's Fruit Expert, Evan Lentz, has advice for people that had blueberry mummy berry problems last year: " I’ve seen Forsythia beginning to bloom already. This means that we need to make sure to get down a 2-4” layer of mulch on our blueberries if you haven’t done so already. Forsythia bloom times coincide with the maturity of the overwintering spores that are currently on the ground under your bushes. We are a bit away from having the conditions required for infection (50-62°F) which makes this the perfect time to apply that mulch."

Mummy Berry of Blueberry

---

April 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns in April will continue to lead us into spring! 

 

30 Day Outlook for April 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

Read our Ladybug blogs written weekly:

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• Connecticut Audubon Walks- there are many walks scheduled around Connecticut for the month of April. The website also has Audubon centers and Ct. sanctuary sites. Late April is also the start of the spring bird census.
• Sky's the Limit Hiking Challenge - Hosted by CT Parks & CT DEEP. March 22, 2024 - December 6, 2024

• City of Hartford Earth Day Celebration, April 22 

• Pick your own Daffodils or Tulips!
  • Halfinger Farms- pick your own daffodils at this historic 1790 property on Candlewood Hill Road in Higganum. They recommend calling first for picking status- 860-345-4609.
  • Wicked Tulips, Multiple locations.  Check out their bloom reports for details of each location.

• Total Solar Eclipse -  April 8th, 2024 - View details about where, when, and how much coverage we will see! 

• Colorblends Spring Bulb Garden display - Bridgeport, CT. April 1- May 12. Features spring bulbs like snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, tulips, alliums and others that bloom in sequence. Located in Bridgeport. 

• Visit Historic Homes and Gardens in Connecticut- Visit gardens and homes like the Henry Whitfield Museum in Guilford, Leffingwell House and Norwich, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme and the Rosewood Cottage in Woodstock, among many others.

• CT Cactus & Succulent Society Annual Show & Sale April 13th & 14th - Bristol, CT

• CT Orchid Society - Orchid Show & Sale 'Spring into Orchids' April 20th, Bristol, CT

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• Ecological Approaches to Garden Design and Management with Harland Patch, April 18 2024 - Live and on Zoom

• Explore Connecticut's Notable Trees, April 6th, Derby CT

• Organic Farming & Gardening presented by the Naugatuck Garden Club, April 18th​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Gardening in America - Self Paced Online Course from the American Horticultural Society

---

April Gardening Tips

1. Apply pre-emergent crabgrass weed control when soil temperatures reach 50°F. Use a tool like this soil temperature map to track your timing. Do not use a pre-emergent weed control if you are trying to germinate grass seed.

2. Place peony supports.

3. Freezing temperatures don’t harm pansies, but if they have been grown in a greenhouse they should be gradually exposed to outdoor temperatures before planting. Frosts and freezing temperatures can damage delicate flowers. 

4. A new generation of spongy moth and eastern tent caterpillars will hatch in late April and begin feeding on the leaves of many tree species. Remove and destroy any egg masses you find on your trees.

5. Cut ornamental grasses back to a height of 6 inches before new growth appears.

6. Set up a bat house early in the month to encourage them to roost. Visit the DEEP’s Bats fact sheet for information and bat house plans.

7. When filling large containers for the deck or patio, use less soil by creating a false bottom. Most smaller container plants don't need more than about a foot of soil depth for their roots. Keep the plant in a smaller pot that is supported by an inverted pot or rocks.

8. Start dahlia tubers in pots indoors in a cool, bright spot. Cover tuberous roots with 2 to 3 inches of potting mix. Pinch back tips when they reach 6 inches and transplant outdoors when the ground temperature reaches 60° F.

9. Inspect houseplants for pests and use low-toxicity insecticidal controls as needed. Transplant houseplants that need repotting.

10. Place seedlings in cold frames around April 25 or later to harden off.

More April Gardening Tips

---

 

Did You Know...

This year, a company called Light Bio received approval to produce and sell glow in the dark petunias! Scientists were able to genetically engineer a petunia with the genes of a bioluminescent mushroom to create this fascinating plant!

Flowers are white in daylight, and in the dark the fastest growing parts of the plants will give off a soft glow. 

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack 

 

Shamrocks, Clovers & Oxalis, Oh My!

For every 10,000 three-leaf clover, you'll find one or two four-leaf clover. These odds explain the "luck" behind the tradition of finding one! While the popular St. Patrick's Day symbol is seen everywhere in the month of March, have you ever stopped to think about the botany behind the symbol?

The beloved shamrock, four-leaf clover and the Oxalis houseplant all have their own identities, but when St. Patrick's Day hits, they all become interchangeable. So what's the real difference?

The Botany Behind the Shamrock

---

Prune your Fruit Trees

Late Winter/Early spring is a great time to be pruning your fruit trees! By keeping your fruit trees properly maintained, you can encourage air flow, healthy branch growth, and productive yields each season. There are a lot of factors that go into pruning your trees "the right way," and different gardeners may have different needs to be met. One of the most important things you can do is remove any dead, dying, or weakened branches. To read about all the considerations that play into pruning decisions, check out the link  below.

UMaine: Pruning Fruit Trees

---

Building Raised Beds Safely

Raised beds can be the pride and joy of many home gardeners. They come with many advantages:

• Using raised beds can combat poor soil conditions
• Less bending or kneeling for gardeners
• Extend the growing season by combining methods like cold frames or plastic covers over the raised beds
• They can be either a temporary or permanent fixture in your garden

When it comes to building raised beds, there are many options out there. Prefabricated beds are on the market as a quick "pop up" option. Meanwhile, others like to construct their beds themselves using various materials like cinder blocks, pallets, or fence panels. Whenever you're building your raised beds, be sure to consider the safety of the material you're using. Avoid pressure treated wood materials and take caution when using concrete products. Look for pallets with the "HT" symbol on them, indicating they have been heat treated instead of chemically treated. 

If you already have beds made with these materials, don't panic! There are options to help you "seal" your beds to keep your plants safe from chemicals that may leach into the soil. For example, latex paint will help minimize the contact of the material with the soil. Some wood stains and even plastic sheeting can also be used. 

To learn more about raised bed material safety, read the fact sheet below.

The Safety of Materials Used to Build Raised Beds

---

Native Plants that Support Native Bees in Early Spring

Cellophane bees (Colletes inaequalis)are one the first of our native bees to be out and about on a warm day in very early spring, sometimes when there is still some snow on the ground. Their flight normally coincides with native willow blooms, which are one of only a few native plants that may be blooming in March. These ground- nesting solitary bees are active for a few weeks, and other native plants like bloodroot, red maple and Amelanchier are visited by these bees. They also can be seen on crocus and other early blooming spring bulbs.

Where to find these and other native plants is a common question that we get here at the Home & Garden Education Center. As gardeners become more aware of native plant solutions, we are seeing more widespread availability. The Connecticut Native Tree and Shrub Availability List is a fantastic resource to help you find both plant recommendations and nurseries that may carry these plants! 

Learn more about Colletes inaequalis

---

Wildlife Highlight: Eastern Phoebe

Eastern phoebes are native tyrant flycatchers in the Tyrannidae family. Characterized by its large head and a habit of wagging their tail when perched. Phoebes are among the first of our migrating birds to return in early spring. People often mistake the similar chickadee call for the raspier “phoebe” call. They build their nest on sheltered ledges, often on buildings. While primarily insect eaters, phoebes occasionally eat ticks, spiders, fruits, and seeds.

Learn More About the Eastern Phoebe

---

UConn's Brewing Innovation Initiative Talks Hops

Hops farming in the northeast goes all the way back to the 16th century. Now, the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at UConn is working with experts in the craft brewing industry and growers tohelp bring the brewing industry to the next level here in Connecticut!

Read more about Hops and what UConn is doing to get involved at the link below! 

Come on, Get Hoppy!

---

March 2024 Weather Outlook

A seasoned gardener always keeps their eye to the sky at any time of year! NOAA's National Weather Service released their discussion about how weather patterns will continue to shape this winter season. 

30 Day Outlook for March 2024

---

Knowledge to Grow On

Read our Ladybug blogs written weekly:

---

Upcoming Events and Things to Do

• March 16th & 17th is Maple Weekend here in Connecticut! Many local sugarhouses will be open or hosting events this weekend. Find your local sugar house on the Maple Syrup Producers Association webpage.
• Check in with your favorite garden center! March & April are common opening months to start getting your plant fix!
• The Scantic Spring Splash is March 30th. Spectate or join in this canoe & kayak race to kick off spring!
• Visit Elizabeth Park's 2024 Spring Greenhouse Show March 1st-March 8th
• March 2nd - Early Spring Garden Planning Event at the Waterford Public Library​​
• March 30th - Vernal Pool Hike. Join DEEP Outreach Biologist Paul Benjunas and Naturalist Laura Rogers-Castro for a hike along the Beaver Marsh Trail to a vernal pool. ​​​​​​

---

Educational Opportunities & Workshops

• March 21st - Native Plants for Container Gardens with Duncan Himmelman. This webinar is hosted by the CT Horticultural Society.

• Check out Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village and see how syrup was made in the early 19th century! 

• Well Water Testing Workshop, March 7th

• March 12th - New Spring Color for Your Garden webinar hosted by Monrovia 

• March 9th - Wildlife in Connecticut's Changing Landscape. Paul Colburn, a CT DEEP master wildlife conservationist, presents a natural history of Connecticut from the early 1600’s, when European colonists arrived, to the present. ​​​

• March 14th -  CT Compost Conference

---

March Gardening Tips

1. Using sterile growing mix for starting seeds reduces problems with damping-off fungi. Avoid overwatering, which encourages root rots.

2. Seeds of cold weather vegetables like spinach, peas, lettuce and broccoli can be direct seeded as soon as soil is workable.

3. Before new shoots emerge, cut back last year’s stalks on perennials and grasses.

4. Move woody plants before they begin new spring growth; transplant as soon as the soil is workable.5. Begin fertilizing houseplants with a water-soluble fertilizer as they resume active growth.

6. If you potted bulbs for forcing last fall, check their progress. Soil should be barely moist. If tips have sprouted and have a few inches of growth, bring the pot into a cool, bright room (50 to 60 degrees F). Gradually expose the plant to increasing warmth, indirect sunlight, and increased watering. Feed once a week with half-strength houseplant fertilizer. To help the stems grow straight, turn the pot every day. When buds and foliage are fully developed, bring into full sunlight, and enjoy!

7. Once your garden beds thaw, remove old garden debris such as leaves, stalks, and seed heads to reduce the presence of any overwintering diseases and pests.

8. Thin bramble plantings (raspberries, blackberries, etc.) to increase air circulation and reduce stem and leaf disease problems.

9. Clean out bluebird houses! They start looking for nesting spots in early March.

10. Start cleaning containers and pots so they are ready for planting. Inspect for chips and cracks.

More February Gardening Tips

---

Did You Know...

Nursery wholesalers and greenhouse growers may sometimes have different product lines for independent garden centers and big box stores. 

As you start your garden shopping this spring, consider shopping at different locations to find new and unique plants for your projects! 

---

This Month’s Newsletter Contributors: 
Pamm Cooper, Dr. Nick Goltz, Dawn Pettinelli, Marie Woodward, Heather Zidack