More Bugs!

Harlequin & squash bugs have joined the host of aphids and flea beetles that have been plaguing my garden. They're easier to deal with--the adults are difficult to kill with sprays, so this is one of those times the organic approach works better. I spent an hour dropping them into a bucket of soapy water. Then I combed through my squash looking for eggs. Only found a few squash bug eggs, but there were plenty of eggs of the Harlequin stink bug (most of what's floating in the bucket).

Both bugs feed on veggie foliage, leaving telltale white blotches and wilting leaves.

Squash bug eggs

Harlequin stink bug eggs.

After the carnage, I sprayed the garden with Garlic Barrier, an OMRI product I've heard a lot about and am trying this summer. Don't expect much regarding the squash bugs, but am hopeful about the aphids. Will post if it's effective.

Recommendations for squash bugs include good end of season sanitation--clean up so the bugs don't overwinter in garden debris.

New Grape Cuttings

 Spent the day getting my new grape cuttings on the heat mat.  As soon as they arrive, I start them soaking to rehydrate the wood. Juicy wood supports good callus which is what forms the new roots. This morning I mixed up perlite with a bit of peat potting mix then dipped the cuttings into rooting hormone and stuck them in the two inch pots. Then they all went on a heat mat at 85 degrees.

I've tried a slightly different method on each batch of cuttings, and I think either I'm getting better, or the refinements in the techniques are helping. I used all my six inch pots on the osage oranges, so I'm using a shorter pot, but it should heat better. In a week, I'll start checking the bottoms of the grapes for callus, and when it forms, I'll move the cuttings into gallon pots to finish developing roots.

I could plant the callused cutting directly into a prepared bed, and I've done that in the past, but our soil is so cool (and so hard, and so alkaline, and so many critters are out there) that I think the grape gets a better start growing out in loose potting mix.

My favorite reference for grapes is The Grape Grower--A Guide to Organic Viticulture, by Lon Rombough, which I heartily endorse--it's clear, and truly comprehensive. I have always ordered my cuttings from Mr. Rombough. Sadly, he passed away last winter, but his family was able to supply my grapes. 

 Flea beetles are emerging now, and doing serious feeding damage. Those of us who are familiar with the tiny black beetles that leave minute shot holes in cabbage leaves may be surprised at the size of some of our New Mexico species. A 1/4 inch or more long, they're capable of eating entire leaves, virtually defoliating plants. We found them this morning on a dozen pots of fireweed. A further search revealed the skeletonized leaves of my grapes. But only a few were on the garden veggies.

Good sanitation is the best defense against these little eating machines. Clear all plant debris from the vegetable beds (why didn't I make the time to do this?!!!!). Stir the soil around plant roots to expose eggs. Cover favorite plants (this would be all veggies!) with floating row cover--the best course after a new planting.

After they emerge, dust with diatomaceous earth or rotenone. On ornamentals try Sevin (carbaryl) or malathion. remember to follow directions. Any chemical can be dangerous. While carbaryl is considered safe for food crops, systemics like malathion are not.

Class Schedule

Took this photo the other evening. That's smoke from the Baldy fire in the Gila hazing the sunset. While climate change causes disastrous extremes in the rest of the country--think tornados, flooding, blizzards, hurricanes--we in the southwest are seeing wildfires, last year's season the worst in New Mexico history. So with streaming eyes, I decided to repeat Landscaping For Firesafety as our first class this summer. We're switching the date to Friday evening (Sundays are a scramble for us with family), 6-7 PM, since we're open late anyway.  The composting class was set earlier. So here's the revised schedule:

June 10th, 1-3 PM. Composting with guest speaker, Master Gardener, Ralph Anderson

June 15th, 6-7 PM. Landscaping for Fire Safety.

June 29th, 6-7 PM. Soils (More Interesting Than You Would Believe!?)

July 13th, 6-7 PM. Gardening For (and despite) Wildlife

July 27th, 6-7 PM. Caring For Trees & Shrubs.

August 10th, 6-7 PM. Seedstarting--Tips, Tricks, & Timing

August 25th, 1-2 PM. Wintering Over. (This is during ArtFest, and the big, end of season plant sale).

Bring lawn chairs, and anything else needed for personal comfort. The talks will be in the new Tree & Shrub area behind the shop, so hopefully the street noise won't be the factor that it has been in the past. No more reverent pause as the bikers roar by on their way to Madrid!

Weekly Specials

We are going to have different plants on sale each week. The Hardy Geraniums are buy one, get one for 1/2 price. These are in gallon pots. They love the shade, and will continue to bloom through out the summer. We have white, purple, pink and blue. 
We have also put the tomatoes on sale for half price.
Our first class will be held Sunday, June 10 at Mountain Gardens. At 1pm Ralph Anderson will show you how easy it is to start a compost pile. Bring a chair and lots of questions. Ralph is a Master Gardener and a Master Composter. Call for more info.

Mother's Day Specials

This Sunday is Mother's Day. We have beautiful hanging baskets, a full supply of perennials, trees and shrubs, veggies and annuals. We will have hardy Geraniums on special, buy one-get one 1/2 off. We will be giving a free Aloe plant to each customer who makes any purchase. These specials are for Saturday and Sunday.

Open for 2012 Season

We are open for the 2012 season!! The greenhouses are full of plants, we are waiting for the weather to stay warm at night before we fully stock the shelves at Mountain Gardens. We have added more room behind the bag goods for shrubs, and a new table for our Plant Select collection. We are going to have a potting area for anyone who wants to buy or bring flowers pots to fill with our wonderful hardy plants.
Our business hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 12noon-7pm        Saturday: 10am-5pm           Sunday: 12noon-4pm