THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996 TAG: 9608300094
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: REMINDERS
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: 141 lines
PEACH TREES are often troubled with borers. In the summer, adult borers lay eggs on the tree trunk. The eggs hatch in a few days, and small larvae bore into the tree trunk to feed on the inner bark.
The surest sign your peach tree has borers is a black scaly swelling at or just below the soil line.
These insects can kill the tree, say Louisiana State University experts. They recommend Endosulfan (Thiodan) sprayed three times, at once, then three weeks later and again in October. Apply so it runs off around the tree trunk.
Lorsban can be used for a single application in late September, thoroughly wetting the trunk and lower branches.
Once borers infest a tree, they are difficult to control. About the only thing you can do is clean away the infested area, try to grub out the borers from their holes with a wire and then treat the area with one of the products named above. POLE BEANS PRODUCING
If you've been disappointed in the lack of beans on your pole beans, check them now. More favorable weather the last two weeks has made them productive, and you'll probably find many beans ready to pick. You can also plant another batch to pick before frost. I did that last week. TIME TO PLANT COLLARDS
For all you down-home folks, it's time to plant collards. Plants are sometimes hard to find, but I've seen them at Gardens in a Flowerpot and Ghent Gardens in Norfolk and Virginia Beach Feed & Seed. Other retail outlets may also have collard plants. USE CARE WITH BEES
Beekeeper Floyd Watkins called to say he's seeing an increasing number of bumblebee and yellow jacket nests. They adore fiberglass as a nesting place, as well as grass clippings.
He warns readers not to use gasoline to try to destroy them. It's dangerous. You can destroy yourself instead of the bees. If you must use something, household bleach is much safer but slower, Watkins said.
It's better not to destroy bumblebees, because they do some pollinating. If you have bees or wasps and need help, you can reach Watkins at 429-3134.
Watkins also grows kiwis and says a bumper crop is expected this fall. WORTHWHILE WEED KILLERS
There's a battle brewing between the makers of Roundup and Finale. Each are vegetation killers that are supposed to kill root and all. Roundup requires 10 days to four weeks, while Finale claims it kills weeds, roots and all, four times faster. Each company is running strong claims in professional publications and bombarding garden writers with conflicting information.
University testing has somewhat favored Roundup, but few gardeners want to wait four weeks for a weed to die. I've used both products and found that Finale is fast-acting and, to date, I've not found any weed or grass reappearing. Finale has just been given a seal of approval by the Handyman Club of America, which includes 350,000 farmers, gardeners and craftsmen across America.
Both products cost about the same.
There are many ``fast-acting'' products on the market, but most kill only annual weeds and sometimes only the top part of the weed. Roots, especially of perennial weeds, are not killed, so the weeds soon reappear.
In testing at North Dakota State University, Finale showed ``burn-down'' after three days; Spectracide after 24 hours; Roundup and Kleen-Up, which is a similar formula to Roundup, after seven days; and Trimec after four days.
Effectiveness results, however, were very different. After one month, there was no regrowth of weeds where Finale or Round-Up were used. Kleen-Up showed 10 percent regrowth, and Spectracide had a poor record of 100 percent regrowth of perennial grasses, as well as dandelions and clover. Trimec showed no regrowth of broadleaf weeds or clover.
If you want total kill, it's smart to use Roundup or Finale. Finale has just introduced a woody brush and vine killer that they say kills tough, woody brushes and vines, such as poison ivy, poison oak and roundleaf greenbriar, in as little as one to four days. These products are available in most garden outlets. SOURCE FOR LOVE GRASS
Reader Irene Frances wrote about her erosion problem and wanted to find weeping love grass. Deane Mills called to say that Coenen Landscape and Design, at 12533 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, carries love grass. Call 930-4484. MASTER GARDENERS PLANT SALE
Norfolk Master Gardeners will hold their annual Fall Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Southern Shopping Center, next to Peebles store. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer garden questions. Call 441-2237. ORGANIC ANSWERS
Milorganite is an organic fertilizer that's been around for years but was more recently approved for use on vegetables. The University of Wisconsin is now testing to determine the best application rate for vegetables. The company has a toll-free hotline where you can talk to agronomy experts. Call (800) 287-9645. SIGNS OF THE MOON
If you plant by moon phases, Llewellyn Worldwide has its 1997 moon sign book ready for you. It's been a best-seller since 1901 for those who time activities by the moon. It gives advice for gardening, fishing, buying, selling, health and recreational activities. For ``1997 Moon Sign Book (K922),'' send $6.95 plus $4 shipping, to P.O. Box 64383, St. Paul, Minn. 55038. Phone (612) 291-1970 or fax (612) 291-1908. SUSTAINABLE MINI-FARMING
A three-day workshop for garden professionals and teachers will be taught in Seattle by experts in ``Biointensive Sustainable Mini-Farming'' on Sept. 13, 14 and 15. Teachers include John Jeavons and Carol Cox. For info, call Ecology Action at (707) 459-0150. BEAUTIFICATION BUSINESS
If have a business in Chesapeake and believe it deserves an award for beautification, it's time to make your entry. Judging will be based on buildings, landscaping, litter control and signage. Nomination deadline is Sept. 16. For info, call 382-6411 or fax 382-8418. Sponsors are the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council and Women's Division, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce-Chesapeake. PRUNE BUTTERFLY BUSHES
This time of year, many butterfly bushes (buddleia) get tall and lanky. Prune them to prevent their being blown and damaged by winter winds. Sometimes they'll throw out new growth and bloom again before a freeze. LAWN-CARE CLASSES
McDonald Garden Centers offer lawn-care classes at 1 p.m. today at their Virginia Beach store and 3 p.m. in Chesapeake. The classes continue Monday and next Saturday. Call 722-7463. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
AGREVO ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Pretty poison: ``Leaves of three, let it be,'' is an old adage to
warn gardeners to stay away from poison ivy. Fall is a good time to
eliminate this weed from your garden with a product like Finale
Brush Killer, available in garden centers.
Photo
ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
Pole beans, slow to produce this summer, may now be ready to pick. by CNB