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Control

Growing Ajuga Reptan: A Guide to Planting, Care, and Control

by Donna May 4, 2024

written by Donna 2 minutes read

Growing Ajuga Reptan

What is Ajuga Reptan?

Ajuga reptans, also known as bugle or bugleweed, is a beautiful ground cover plant with dark blue flowers that bloom in spring. It also has attractive evergreen foliage in green, red, bronze, or burgundy. Ajuga is a versatile plant that can be used in containers or as a ground cover in shady areas.

How to Grow Ajuga Reptan

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
Divide clumps in early spring or autumn if the plant becomes overgrown.
Water regularly until established.
Keep plants healthy with regular watering and good drainage to prevent powdery mildew.

Controlling the Spread of Ajuga Reptan

Ajuga reptans can spread rapidly by producing runners. To control its spread:

Plant it in a location where it is restricted by a path or edging.
Cut back any runners that are trailing out of the desired area.

Varieties of Ajuga Reptan

There are many varieties of Ajuga reptans to choose from, including:

‘Alba’: white flowers, green leaves
‘Burgundy Glow’: red and white leaves, deep blue flowers
‘Black Scallop’: dark purple leaves, dark blue flowers
‘Braunherz’: bronze-purple leaves, dark blue flowers

Where to Buy Ajuga Reptan

Ajuga plants are available in garden centers, nurseries, and online retailers.

Tips for Growing Ajuga Reptan

Choose a variety that is suitable for your space and color scheme.
Plant in a location where it will receive partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Water regularly until established, and divide clumps every few years to keep plants healthy and prevent overcrowding.
Control the spread of Ajuga by planting it in a contained area or by cutting back runners.

Vegetable Gardening

Squash Vine Borers: How to Identify and Control Them to Save Your Zucchini Plants

by Donna April 9, 2024

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Squash Vine Borers: The Culprit Behind Dying Zucchini Plants

If you’ve noticed your zucchini plants suddenly wilting or turning yellow, it’s time to be on the lookout for squash vine borers. These sneaky pests can quickly wreak havoc on your zucchini crop, leading to plant death.

Identifying Squash Vine Borers

Squash vine borers are the larvae of a moth that targets squash, gourds, and sometimes watermelons. These pests overwinter in cocoons in the soil and emerge as adults in late spring. They lay their eggs on the underside of leaves, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the stems of the plants.

Signs of Squash Vine Borer Infestation

Yellowing leaves: One of the first signs of a squash vine borer infestation is yellowing leaves. As the larvae feed on the stems, they disrupt the plant’s ability to transport nutrients, causing the leaves to turn yellow and wilt.
Wilting plants: As the infestation progresses, the larvae can cause the entire plant to wilt. This is because they tunnel through the stems, weakening the plant and preventing it from absorbing water and nutrients.
Holes in stems: If you inspect the stems of your zucchini plants, you may find small holes where the larvae have entered. These holes are often accompanied by sawdust-like frass, which is the waste product of the larvae.

Controlling Squash Vine Borers

Catching a squash vine borer infestation early is crucial for saving your plants. Here are some effective control methods:

Prevention:

Inspect plants regularly: Regularly check your zucchini plants for signs of yellowing leaves or wilting. Early detection is key to successful control.
Use row covers: Row covers can prevent adult moths from laying eggs on your plants. Place the covers over your zucchini plants when they are young and remove them once the plants start to flower.

Treatment:

Insecticides: Insecticides containing pyrethrum, malathion, or Sevin can be used to kill squash vine borers. Apply the insecticides as dusts or sprays every seven to ten days for about five weeks, starting when the vines are young.
Physical removal: If you find squash vine borers in the stems of your plants, you can carefully remove them using a sharp knife or tweezers. Be sure to check the entire stem for any remaining larvae.
Cover damaged areas: For plants that have already been infested, cover the damaged areas on the stems with soil and water the plants regularly. This can help the plants recover and prevent further damage.

Additional Tips:

Keep your garden clean: Remove any weeds or debris around your zucchini plants, as these can provide hiding places for squash vine borers.
Rotate your crops: Planting zucchini in a different location each year can help reduce the risk of infestation.
Companion planting: Planting marigolds or nasturtiums near your zucchini plants can help deter squash vine borers.

By following these tips, you can effectively control squash vine borers and protect your zucchini crop from damage.

Gardening Techniques

Weeds in Zone 9: A Comprehensive Guide to Identification and Control

by Gregory January 21, 2022

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Weeds in Zone 9: Identification and Control

Introduction

Weeds can be a nuisance in any garden, but they can be especially problematic in Zone 9, which encompasses a wide range of climates and growing conditions. This article will help you identify common weeds in Zone 9 and provide effective control methods.

Identifying Zone 9 Weeds

The first step to controlling weeds is to identify them correctly. Here are some of the most common types of weeds found in Zone 9:

Grasses:

Goosegrass
Crabgrass
Dallisgrass
Quackgrass
Annual bluegrass

Sedges:

Nutsedge
Globe sedge
Kyllinga sedge
Annual sedge

Broadleaf weeds:

Bull thistle
Pigweed
Morning glory
Florida pusley
Beggarweed
Matchweed

Control Methods

Once you have identified the weeds in your garden, you can choose the most appropriate control method.

Grasses:

Many grassy weeds produce underground rhizomes or aboveground stolons that help them spread.
Removing them by hand requires persistence and potentially a lot of digging.
Herbicides that specifically target grasses can be effective.

Sedges:

Sedges love moisture, so improving the drainage of a sedge-infested area may help control them.
Avoid overwatering your lawn.
When removing sedges by hand, be sure to dig below and around the plant to find all the tubers.
Products that can kill sedges growing within a lawn without damaging the grass are also available.

Broadleaf weeds:

Most herbicides will specifically control either broadleaf plants or grasses and won’t be effective against the other category.
Choose an appropriate herbicide for the types of weeds you need to control.

Preventing Weed Infestation

In addition to controlling existing weeds, there are several things you can do to prevent weed infestation in the future:

Maintain a healthy lawn: A thick, healthy lawn will help to crowd out weeds.
Mulch around plants: Mulch can help to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Hand-pull weeds regularly: Removing weeds by hand is an effective way to prevent them from spreading.
Use pre-emergent herbicides: Pre-emergent herbicides can help to prevent weeds from germinating in the first place.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can effectively control weeds in your Zone 9 garden and enjoy a beautiful, weed-free landscape.