Worms and other end-of-summer issues

THE GARDEN FANATIC

“A worm tells summer better than the clock ...

What shall it tell me if a timeless insect

Says the world wears away?”

-- DYLAN THOMAS

“But thy eternal summer shall not fade.”

-- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

“How large would the worm be to leave droppings that size?” asked

James. “I can’t find them,” added Lynn. “Reluctantly taking a break

from my glass of wine, I glanced at the 1/4-inch diameter frass

[insect droppings] and jagged holes in the Brown’s potato vine.

“About four inches long,” I replied. “Probably a hornworm.”

“They like to hide, blend in with the foliage,” added Catharine

helpfully.

Right on schedule, these caterpillar larvae are feeding on leaves

and flowers, signaling the end of summer. Soon, they will enter

cocoons, to pupate until next spring. Emerging as moths or

butterflies in the spring, the cycle will become complete, as will

the anticipation of another eternal summer in Laguna.

The curtain may have fallen for the festivals until next year

(among other things), but summer gardening continues for several

weeks. Your questions for the Plant Man included:

Q: OK, how do the Brown’s control their caterpillar situation?

A: Hand removal is the most practical approach, particularly if

one’s near-vision is intact. Otherwise, I recommend spraying with the

safe insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Q: Should I still be fertilizing my garden?

A: Fertilizer is generally applied while plants are actively

growing -- with Laguna’s mild climate that means monthly feedings

through at least October.

Q: The city has limited the height of my privet hedge. I

understand that constant trimming devitalizes a hedge. True?

A: To some extent this is true. Shearing privet every week could

be injurious, however, monthly trimming during the growing season

should not be a problem.

Q: It is all right to use electric hedge shears?

A: Absolutely. Quality electric shears will complete trimming in

about a quarter of the time required with hand shears.

Q: I’m preparing an area for azaleas. How acidic should the soil

be?

A: For most azaleas, pH 5 to 6 would be good. Your local nursery

can help with a test kit and soil preparation methods.

Q: How can I tell which end goes up when planting a bulb?

A: There will usually be a vestige of roots at the bottom with the

top generally more tapered, and a shoot may be visible as another

clue.

Q: Why does white alyssum come up yearly, while purple ones don’t?

A: The purple varieties of alyssum are not as vigorous due to its

more complex genetics. White flowers tend to be more prolific due to

simpler genes.

The summer crowds have waned, at least during the week. Parking

was available Downtown at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, even in front of City

Hall. Schools reopen on Thursday and the weather is perfect for

gardening. Enjoy Laguna! See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. He is married to local writer,

Catharine Cooper, and has three cats. He can be reached at (949)

497-2438, or e-mail to landscapes@ln.coxatwork.com.