White County
 Gardening
Podcast
September 4, 2008
Insects in the Garden (2:05 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Sherri Sanders
County Extension Agent - Agriculture
Hi this is Sherri Sanders, County Extension Agent - Agriculture in White
County.
If your garden was plagued with insects or diseases, or simply had a few
leaves damaged, sanitation is critical as you work in your garden. Some plants
were hit hard by leaf spots or powdery mildew. As the leaves fall from these
plants, or if you are cutting back the spent perennials, get the plants out of
the garden. Do not add them to the compost pile, since you may not generate
enough heat to kill the disease organisms. If you are seeing signs of leaf spots
or other diseases now, starting a fungicide spray program this late in the
season is really not advisable. If you have an ongoing program, you can continue
for a few more applications, but the benefits of beginning a spray schedule at
the end of the season is not warranted.
Cool season annuals and perennials have been hitting the market for a few
weeks. The cooler than normal temperatures have them performing well, but who
can say if this cool period will last? I guess we can always hope, but warm
weather could still be in store. I would hold off on planting pansies and violas
until mid to late September at the earliest. October is often considered ideal.
Small transplants of flowering kale and cabbage can be put out now. Keep in mind
the same caterpillars that feed on your edible cabbage make no distinction in
the ornamental kind, and can damage the foliage. Pay attention and control if
needed.
Fall vegetable gardens got off to a great start and you can still add
lettuce, spinach, radishes and greens. Do watch for the insect problems. Aphids
in particular like tender new foliage, and often be unwanted protein in your
greens. Insecticidal soaps can keep them at bay. If using pesticides in your
vegetable gardens, pay attention to waiting periods. When we spray new plants
besides plants that we are harvesting from, you must abide by the waiting
periods from last spray until harvest time. Remember to read the label on the
pesticide product.
This has been Sherri Sanders in Searcy.
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