Winter Escape Lecture Series

(All Lectures are free of charge. Seating may be limited, so please arrive a few minutes early. Workshops will have a fee.)

February 4
10:30 AM
Public Enemies: Deer and Mole Control
Look out John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson - there are new public enemies in town, and they've got fur! Deer and moles are some of the most destructive (and expensive) pests in any home landscape. Stop in to see the latest techniques and garden products to rid your yard of these furry foes. We will also be discussing deer-resistant and mole-resistant plants in this lecture.

Lecture Series

Common Houseplant Pests

Growing houseplants is important to any indoor environment. In your home, they add beauty, oxygen and a touch of life, as well as acting as natural air filters.

Unfortunately, sometimes even the easiest of houseplants can play host to an insect pest.

There are a few things you can do to prevent an infestation in the first place.

1. Keep plants healthy and free from stress. Make sure they are getting the right amount of light, moisture, humidity and fertilizer.
   
2. Check each plant for bugs every time you water - this will catch a small problem before it becomes an unmanageable infestation.
   
3. Get a helping hand from Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control. This powder, when sprinkled on soil and watered in, will protect plants for 8 weeks.

Despite your best efforts, you may occasionally find a pest on your plants. Below are the 5 most common insect pests and how to treat them.

Spider Mites - These tiny, spider-like pests are difficult to see with the naked eye. They start feeding on the underside of leaves before moving to the tops and stems. Signs of damage are a mottled or pin-prick yellow discoloration of leaves as well as small webs on leaves and stems. To be sure they are spider mites, place a white sheet of paper underneath the infected area and tap the plant. Some mites should fall off and appear as brownish-orange specks on the paper. Treat plants with Bonide MiteX as directed on the label.

White Flies - These are more common in greenhouses than homes but often show up on tropical plants that you might try to overwinter - especially hibiscus and citrus plants. Immature white flies appear as white scale-like insects on the bottom of leaves. Mature adults will often fly up in the air when the plant is disturbed. Treat with Bonide Eight or Bonide Insecticidal Soap.

Aphids - Small, usually greenish insects that may cluster on stems, new growth or flower buds. Their sucking mouth parts excrete a sticky sap that can help identify the problem. Small infestations can sometimes be washed off with water. For quick results, treat with Bonide Insecticidal Soap.

Mealy Bugs - Easy to identify as soft-bodied, white, fuzzy insects that tend to cluster on stems or leaves. Often described as tiny, cottony clusters or fuzzy white bugs, they pierce plant tissue and suck out the nutrients, causing yellowing, poor or abnormal growth and leaf drop. Treat with at least 2 applications of Bonide Eight, 10 -14 days apart.

Fungus Gnats - One of the most annoying pests but one of the easiest to get rid of. These small black flying insects may be seen flying near houseplants and are often confused with fruit flies. They reproduce only in damp soil, so allow soil to dry out between watering and make sure all pots have proper drainage holes. For fast results, try the Terro Fruit Fly Trap.

If you have a pest problem that you can't identify bring in a sample to our greenhouse experts and they will be happy to identify your problem and get you the best solution.

Top 5 Reasons to Start Seeds Indoors

All the white stuff on the ground may make it seem like gardening season is forever away but you can get your green fix by starting your garden indoors with a few packets of seeds.

If you are a first-timer, keep these 3 rules in mind:

1. Starting seeds is neither difficult nor impossible (elementary students do it all the time).
   
2. Starting seeds is not rocket science - it's fun.
   
3. Starting seeds is not just for veteran growers and master gardeners.
   

Seed starting is for everyone. Here are Wallace's top five reasons to give seed starting a try.

1. Your get a head start - Gain 4-6 weeks of growing time over those who wait for the ground to thaw and warm up in spring
   
2. Money, Money, Money - Seeds are cheaper than buying plants. One whole packet of seeds is often cheaper than buying one green plant.
   
3. Selection & Diversity - There is a huge variety of seeds available and by starting early you can find rare and unique varieties, organic selections, heirloom seeds and varieties that are best suited for your growing climate.
   
4. FUN - Selecting your seeds and then watching them germinate and grow is fun at any age - as and added bonus, the kids will be more likely to eat their vegetables if they've watched them sprout and grow from day one.
   
5. Beat the Winter Blues - Nothing can help get you through the doldrums of winter like the smell of fresh soil and growing plants in the house. Those little green sprouts will remind you every day that Spring is right around the corner.

Now that you are convinced - click here for a great article on How to Start Seeds indoors.

Perennial Plant of the Year 2012