Whether you're just getting in to gardening, or have been at it for years - Dawn's observations leave us with lessons that any gardener can benefit from!
Walking around my property for the last time the other day, wakened a lot of memories of not only the happy and sad times, plans fulfilled or put on...
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🔥 Hot Topic: Lawns - Manicured or Wild and Free?
Whether you like manicured turf, a wild and free lawn, or something in between, these tips are sure to help you!
✅ Feed the Soil
Healthy soil means healthy turf. Robust turf can easily outcompete weeds and resist pests. A... soil test can reveal what nutrients are needed to promote soil health in any green space. Don't make amendments without one!
✅ Mow When It’s Dry
Wet grass? Skip the mow. Mowing dry helps prevent soil compaction and prevents the spread of diseases.
✅ Brown Spots? Don’t Jump to Grubs!
Drought, poor nutrition, or other pests could be the culprit. And moles? The bulk of their diet consists of earthworms, not grubs!
✅ Identify Before You Treat
Don’t guess! Identify your pest, weed, or disease before applying any products. (We know a few labs that can help you with that 😉). Always read the product label in full for instructions and considerations. Remember, the label is the law when it comes to pesticides.
✅ Rather Let It Grow Wild?
A “Freedom Lawn” embraces the weeds and boosts biodiversity. Learn how to Set Your Lawn Free in our article - Link in bio!
📸 by Dawn Pettinelli
#lawn #lawncare #lawngoals #freedomlawns #freedomlawn #naturallawn #intergratedpestmanagment #ipm #gardentips #lawntips #dandelions #uconnladybug
Did you already plant your garden, this spring? Night-time temperatures in CT are forecasted to be in the 40s this week and some may be wondering what happens to their young plantings. Here's the facts:
1.) Cole crops and cool season vegetables and annuals will tolerate this with ...little to no disruption in their growing. Warm days and cool nights are ideal to get a good crop!
2.) Most warm season vegetables and annuals will 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞 the temporary cool down, especially if they have been hardened off. However, they may not be unscathed. Some species may see flower drop, slowed growth, or a delay in fruiting. (Especially tomato and pepper plants!)
3.) Perennials and Woody Ornamentals should have no issue if they are established or have been hardened off this spring
4.) Move unplanted annuals and veggies indoors or into cold frames, if possible
5.) If possible, cover plants at night with frost cover, a sheet, or light blanket (never plastic!) to help insulate the plants. The soil warming during the day will help store heat that is released at night and aid in keeping plants warm. Try to use a stake or other means to hold covering off of plants so that air can flow.
Have questions? Email us at ladybug@uconn.edu or give us a call!
🗺 by: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
See the weather discussion: https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=BOX&issuedby=BOX&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1&highlight=off
Did you already plant your garden, this spring? Nighttime temperatures in CT are forecasted to be in the 40s this week and some may be wondering what happens to their young plantings. Here's the facts:
🌱 Cole crops and cool season vegetables and annuals will tolerate this with ...little to no disruption in their growing. Warm days and cool nights are ideal to get a good crop!
🌱 Most warm season vegetables and annuals will 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞 the temporary cool down, especially if they have been hardened off. However, they may not be unscathed. Some species may see flower drop, slowed growth, or a delay in fruiting. (Especially tomato and pepper plants!)
🌱 Perennials and Woody Ornamentals should have no issue if they are established or have been hardened off this spring
🌱 Move unplanted annuals and veggies indoors
🌱 If possible, cover plants at night with frost cover, a sheet, or light blanket (never plastic!) to help insulate the plants. The soil warming during the day will help store heat that is released at night and aid in keeping plants warm. Try to use a stake or other means to hold covering off of plants so that air can flow.
Have questions? Email us at ladybug@uconn.edu or give us a call!
📸 by Heather Zidack, UConn Home & Garden Education Center
#veggiegarden #veggiegardens #gardentips #coldsnap #nighttimetemps #nighttimetemperatures #gardenadvice #gardening #springinnewengland #plantprotection #uconnladybug
Gardeners, do you worry about bears in your community? Check this out!
Planning to garden this weekend?
Our May Gardening Tips may be just what you need to help you prioritize your chores and keep you on track!
May Gardening Tips Annuals & Perennials Lily leaf beetles often show up first in spring on leaves of the crown imperial (Fritillaria). Check both...
homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu
Remember to set up row covers or insect netting at planting time to help prevent pests. In the home garden setting, recycling old mosquito netting or even using tulle from the craft store is an effective way to help keep pests out! This is not a 'set it and forget it' method for ...gardeners, however, and we have to continue to monitor our gardens.
🐛 Row covers are incredibly effective when paired with crop rotation to deter insects that emerge from the soil in the spring and fly to new host plants to lay eggs.
🐛 Netting can be used to prevent pests on crops that do not need pollination to produce the vegetables we harvest for the duration of the growing season.
🐛 For fruiting plants that need pollination, knowing the life cycle of your target pest will help you determine when it is safe to remove netting so that pollinators can get in to do their job!
🐛 Some gardeners may opt to keep the netting for longer timeframes, and hand pollinate large flowering plants like squash and cucumbers to prevent insects with multiple generations per season.
If you need help determining whether you should try netting in your garden, give us a call or email us at ladybug@uconn.edu
Learn more: https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/research/row-covers
Start scouting early and be on the lookout for these pests starting in May!
Both rose slug sawfly larvae and viburnum leaf beetle larvae can cause considerable damage to their respective host plants from May to mid-June. Check undersides of rose leaves and viburnums, especially native ...arrowwood viburnum, for larvae. If you see these in your garden, contact us for management recommendations!
📸 by Pamm Cooper, UConn Home & Garden Education Center
#intergratedpestmanagement #scoutearly #rosesawfly #rosesawflylarvae #roseslugsawfly #viburnumleafbeetle #viburnumleafbeetlelarvae #roses #rosepests #viburnum #viburnumpests #uconnladybug
A great weekend read as we're heading straight into peak gardening season!
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“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust.”...
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