Have you had enough of our Ohio spring yet? This is a great taste of a typical Ohio spring, as typical as they can get anyhow. Last spring sure spoiled a bunch of us. There were a couple posts on social media by those complaining about the cold spell this past week they had to bring their flowers and tender plantings inside. Typically in Northeast Ohio it is not safe to plant annuals, perennials or tender trees and shrubs until the last hard frost has passed. Northeast Ohio – Our last hard frost never hits until Mothers Day. O.K. last year doesn’t count! One in a million – all other years it is finally safe to plant within the week after Mothers Day. Mark that on your calendars, though, if you want first picks of the best selections you will have to get to the nursery earlier than that as everyone is yearning for a piece of spring. It is suggestible that you keep your tender plantings in the garage until the possibility of a harmful freeze has passed.
Have you heard of Bagworm? It hangs out in Locust trees, White Pine, Arborvitae and many more. The worm creates a home made from the leaves and stems of the host tree. When this little worm has completed building the pouch it resembles a Chinese lantern or maybe a Christmas ornament. The worm itself and the pouch in which it lives are quite cute – to some – quite gross to others. We have included a photo for identification. If you should happen to find this critter in your garden or landscape trees you will want to be proactive before they hatch a new generation. 500 unbelievably tiny little worms will crawl out of each female Bagworms pouch approximately late May to early June. In a recent e-mail sent to us it was described as 50 or more pouches in one tree – 50 x 500 = WOW!! Do SOMETHING!!!!!
Pictured above all of the tiny pouches of Bagworms hanging from the limbs
For more information on the identification, organic treatment or other actions to be taken with this critter visit our store and grab the e-course on Bagworms!
The photo above is a Bagworm working from its pouch.
Usually you can set your alarm to the pear trees blossom coinciding with tax day. April 15th – usually, though in 2011 they were about 2 weeks late on the bloom time we are accustomed to and last year they were early by about two weeks. Just when you think you have the schedule down, Ha – this is Ohio! Will they break out that blossom today? Tomorrow? I guess we will all have to wait and see. Spring is always full of surprises!!
As I write this Wendy Connair Owner of Garden Girls Inc. is gracefully grading an area with a mini-excavator she just finished cutting the soil out of. She is one of many contractors who have donated their time in creating a parking lot for a wonderful and local small business who needed the boost.
As always, if you have a garden question do not hesitate to call or write in, you should not spend more than 10 minutes with any conundrum – there is always an answer within arms reach. We are here for you!!
Until next week, remember, the grass is only greener on the other side of the fence because it is synthetic!
