Every spring, Fran and I run an informal contest to see who can find the first tick, who gets bitten first, and how many ticks we can find before it gets cold enough for them to disappear. Last weekend I won my first competition. I got into the car, waiting for Fran to finish her run, and grabbed my water bottle. There was a small mark on the cap. I tried scratching it at the open window, but it didn't work, so I tried swiping my little finger. The nasty little creature reached out to grab me, but I threw it out the window before it landed on me.
Lesson: Check for ticks every time you go outside. None of us were standing in tall grass or bushes, and got into the car anyway.
There is a lot of misinformation about ticks:
- Don't jump they travel attached to something next to what they hide.
- You will not be susceptible to the disease if the tick does not bite you or is removed quickly.
- Do not use the wick. Nail polish, Vaseline, or a hot flame.
- Not all ticks carry diseases, and different types of ticks usually carry different diseases.
- Although a bull's-eye is often considered a sign of Lyme disease, just because you don't have it doesn't mean you don't have it.
- Not all insect repellents work against moths. Check labels before purchasing.
- For accurate, up-to-date information about ticks, how to remove them, and possible diseases, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website cdc.gov/ticks/index.html.
buy plants
While I often warn against pulling plants out too early, I certainly am not telling you not to buy plants. As long as you have a sheltered spot and are mindful of the nighttime temperatures and cooler days, you should be fine.
I started shopping last week and picked herbs for my raised bed. Fran and I visited Brick's Garden Center, 1200 S West End Blvd in Quakertown, (215536-7102). I also ordered three Caryopteris (Blue Mist Spirea) bushes. I love this plant. It has pretty blue blooms in late summer, bees love them, deer don't eat them, and care is easy: cut them at least in half in the spring before they start to bloom. The downside is that it is relatively short-lived and loves bright sun, which is rare in our garden.
When buying in person:
- Look for healthy plants with little or no damage.
- Examine the roots. A one-year-old pot is not a cause for concern, but keep an eye on the plants around the pot. This is especially important for shrubs and trees.
- Check for insects. When cleaning leaves, watch out for clouds of white insects. Look under for hidden parasites or egg masses and look for signs of chewing.
- Look for several tribes, this is usually a good sign.
- Review your growing needs and choose the right plants for your garden.
- Kidneys are good, they promise potential kidneys. Flowers in full bloom are not good because they shorten the flowering time when you get home. The exception is when you need to see the color of the flower, or if it's a plant like a wisteria that will never bloom.
Activities in the park
Busy Workers: The Busy Workers' Attic and Annual Factory Treasures Sale will be held on May 13 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on May 14 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The sale is taking place at the Moravian Church Central Christian Liberation Center, 40 W Church Street, Bethlehem. There will be an assortment of annuals, hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs, and plenty of perennials and lilies, as well as springtime wreaths, crafts, pastries, and an abundance of overhead treasures. All charities benefit local and international sales. www.centralmoravianchurch.org
in our garden
Hawthorn star of the week. A cloud of delicate white flowers hides the unsightly thorns that dominate the branches the rest of the year. Many of our daffodils were destroyed during the recent storm, but we still have a few late-blooming varieties left.
My willow sprigs from Old Jack are rooted in willow water and will soon be ready to plant. I forgot my forsythia cuttings and have to try again.
One of my favorites, the Japanese Tricolor Butterfly Maple, is flaking and has a green-leafed branch again that must be cut to prevent the rest of the tree from turning green again.
A week in the park
Landing: Starting seeds: pumpkin, nightshade, summer pumpkin, winter pumpkin. Continue planting gypsophila, cosmos, and zinnia. No-till: Celery, celery, cabbage, carrots, collard greens, spring onions, scallions, parsnips, Swiss chard. Next plant: Peking cabbage, endive, cabbage, turnip, leeks, lettuce, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, peas, radishes, spinach and turnips.
Continue to sow seeds for planting: girl's rose, marigold, cockscomb, gaillardia, calendula, morning glory, nasturtium, cantaloupe, muskmelon, and chard. Plant trees and shrubs. Make sure the soil is dry enough to work with; Do not dig or plant in the soil. Plant or transplant summer bulbs and tubers such as dahlias, pitchers, boobies, and caladeas. Buy annuals for containers and annual beds and fill in spaces in perennial beds or shrubs.
Seasonality: As temperatures rise, remove tougher plants that have overwintered indoors. Start with about an hour on a hot day and increase your time outdoors until the nights are consistently in the 50-degree range before letting them out for the season. Visit nurseries or order new plants online. Also buy green onions. Apply a top layer of compost to lawns and flower beds. Put your houseplants in a brighter light and start watering them regularly. Spring and summer mulch should be 2 to 3 inches thick and placed within a few inches of supports, trunks, and other plants. Flip the lid over and add more if needed. Calculate the amount of spring mulch you need and order or buy it. If you use a corn gluten weed killer in the garden, apply it now and schedule a reapplication, usually at four to six week intervals.
Lawn: Start controlling broadleaf weeds in mid-May. Spread the lawn from mid-April to May. Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control over the next few weeks. Fill holes and depressions in the grass with seeds. Sowing or re-seeding before mid-May
Responsibilities: Water all new plants if less than an inch of rain falls during the week. Repairing damaged strainers and garden hoses. Watch out for damaged sealants around doors and windows. Drain standing water and remove anything that could collect rainwater to control mosquito populations. Protect deer, rabbits and badgers from endangered plants. Reapply any flavor or scent repellent. Clean and fill birdhouses regularly. Clean up seed spills and empty the trays. Empty, clean, and refill the birdbath at least once a week. Don't forget to put nest material if you have it. Clean gutters and direct drains away from the home's foundations.
Tools, Equipment, and Supplies: Stock up on your winter gear and replace or repair it as needed. Check Spring/Summer Equipment - Repair or replace damaged or worn gear. Check power tools and hair clippers and repair them as necessary.
Safety: Clear lawn debris before mowing, and keep pets, children, and others out of the mowing area. Store garden chemicals indoors, away from pets and children. Dispose of expired chemicals at your local chemical collection point. Take a photo of storm damage prior to cleaning or repair for insurance claims and submit it immediately. Anytime you're outside and the temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, watch out for tick bites. Apply an insect repellent containing diet to the skin. Put permethrin on the clothes. When gardening, wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, a hat, and long pants. Drink enough water or other non-caffeinated soft drinks. Even in cold weather, use sunscreen, wear hats, and limit sun exposure. Wear closed shoes and gloves. wear eye protection; Wear hearing protection when using loud power tools.
Sue Ketic is a horticultural columnist, writer, and speaker. Direct questions to the gardener at grdnkpr@gmail.com or by mail: Garden Keeper, The Morning Call, PO Box 1260, Allentown, PA 18105.
