Hello Horticulturalists For updated information on how COVID-19 is affecting our office, please check our website at http://madison.ca.uky.edu/, Facebook page or call our office at 859-623-4072.

Amanda Sears

County Extension Agent for Horticulture

amanda.sears@uky.edu http://ces.ca.uky.edu/madison/horticulture

H O R T I C U L T U R E

September 2020

How To Make Next Year Better! This class will be via ZOOM on

September 23rd at 12 noon

This class will give tips on how to prevent common diseases in our gardens and landscapes. There are a lot of things you can do now to make your life easier in 2021. And really, don’t we all deserve a better new year! It should only last 20 minutes or so, plus time for questions.

If you are interested in attending, please email amanda.sears@uky.edu and I will send you an invitation to the class. This class will be recorded and placed at the Madison County Extension Horticulture Webpage: https://madison.ca.uky.edu/content/horticulture.

If you do not have access to a computer we can send you a copy of the presentation.

2020

2021

Check out the Farmers’ Markets!

For the most current information, be sure to check out each markets’ Facebook page and website.

The Berea Farmers Market is located at Fee Park (401 Chestnut Street, Berea next to People’s Bank). The market is open Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. https://www.facebook.com/bereafarmersmarket https://www.bereafarmersmarket.org/

The Madison County Farmers Market is located at White Oak Pond Christian Church (1238 Barnes Mill Road, Richmond). The

market is open Saturdays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Tuesdays from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The market also sets up at Dreaming Creek Brewery (109 East Irvine Street, Richmond) on Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. https://www.facebook.com/MadisonKYFarmersMarket/

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are common household pests at this time of year. The Internet can show many creative ways to deal with them, but most are focused on killing or trapping the adults. The key to eradicating persistent problems is finding sources of infestation and eliminating them.

Finding the source(s) can be very challenging and often will require much thought and persistence. Fermenting or over-ripe fruits and vegetables are common sources, but if they are not the issue, then expand the search to garbage cans, garbage disposals, and drains. Cracked or damaged portions of fruits and vegetables should be cut away and discarded to eliminate eggs or larvae present in wounded areas. A single rotting potato or onion forgotten at the back of a closet or fruit juice spillage under a refrigerator can breed hundreds of fruit flies, as can a recycling bin stored in the basement, which is never emptied or cleaned.

For more information on fruit flies, go to https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef621. (Source: Kentucky Pest News)

Be sure the insect you are having trouble with is a gnat. If not, control measures may differ. Fruit flies usually have light tan/yellow bodies with cross stripes and red eyes.

These little guys have been buzzing gardens all over the county! No, it's not a murder hornet, it is a hummingbird moth! For more information on this neat insect go to https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml

Watch Out for Flannel Moth Caterpillars

There are several species of flannel caterpillars that may be encountered. The ones most commonly reported in Central and Eastern Kentucky are the black wave flannel moth caterpillar and the white flannel moth caterpillar. Both have painful stinging hairs if one brushes against them; one is marked with bright warning coloration, while the other is difficult to see due to camouflage.

There are others in the group that also possess stinging hairs, such as the very painful puss moth caterpillar. Unlike other stinging caterpillars, the venomous spines are hidden underneath longer silky hairs. The shorter venomous spines from these may cause a painful sting, swelling, and blistering that may last for days.

White Flannel Moth The mature white flannel moth caterpillar can reach 1 1/4 inch in length. The yellow body is marked with a wide black stripe down the back that is bordered with red at each end. This is warning coloration alerting other animals to stay away. There are 11 pairs of raised yellow tuffs along this strip bearing short stinging hairs (setae), and there are smaller tuffs along each side of the body. The dark long silky hairs do not sting, but shorter needle like hairs at the base of the tuffs do. The larvae can be common leaf feeders on redbud, among other hosts.

Black Wave Flannel Caterpillar Very similar in appearance to the puss moth caterpillar in their final larval stage, black wave flannel caterpillars can be commonly found in younger stages that look somewhat different from mature larvae. The younger larvae bear long white wispy hairs while mature larvae have thick coats of long hairs. Both have short stinging hairs hidden underneath. Hair colors vary from reddish brown to almost white. They feed on a wide variety of hardwood plants and can be common in late summer. The sting of black

wave flannel moth is usually not as severe as the puss caterpillar.

Treating Stings There are no really effective home first aid treatments for caterpillar stings available; however, these suggestions may help:

Adhesive tape or transparent tape may be used to pull out some of the broken spines in the sting area. Washing the area thoroughly with soap and water may help remove some of the irritating venom. Prompt application of an ice pack or baking soda may help to reduce pain and prevent swelling.

Antihistaminic drugs, often administered for bee and wasp stings, are reportedly effective. See a physician if severe reactions occur. (Source: Kentucky Pest News)

A brightly colored and well defended white flannel moth caterpillar (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK)

Black wave flannel moth caterpillar (left) and a partially grown larva (right) (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK)

Companion Planting

Plants, like people, influence one another! These relationships are the basis of companion planting. There are some scientific studies in this area and a lot of folklore mixed with facts.

I think one of the most important foundations of this concept is focusing on diversity in the garden, which mimics a natural ecosystem. Benefits can come in different ways:

Attractants Some insects are attracted to certain flowers. If you plant a beneficial insect’s favorite flower, they will be more likely to come to the area. Plants are not always nectar sources, they may also be a shelter or home.

We often think of attracting pollinators, but other beneficial insects would include predators who kill nuisance insects.

Trap crops Some plants are more attractive to insects than others. An example is Blue Hubbard Squash (BHS). It is much more attractive to squash bugs than to other types of squash. To utilize BHS as a trap crop, plant it away from the other squash in the garden. Insects will be attracted to the BHS and hopefully ignore the other planting. The BHS is sacrificed in order protect the other squash.

Repellents Certain plants have stronger smells than others. An example would be radishes. If planted with cucumbers, the smell can repel cucumber beetles. Another frequently used repellent is marigold.

“Good Neighbors” Plants that are good neighbors do not attract or repel insects. A good of this interaction is known as the three sisters which is a way of growing corn,

squash and beans together. The corn provides a trellis for the beans to grow. The beans, which are legumes, give a boost of nitrogen to the corn and squash. And the squash, which grows closer to the ground, shades the soil to keep out weeds.

Antagonist Some plants are capable of creating chemicals that negatively effect surrounding plants. This type of plant is called allelopathic. Black walnuts are allelopathic. They create a chemical called juglone, which makes plants like tomatoes or blackberries wilt. Other allelopathic plants include rye, nutsedge, and sunflower.

Not every plant works in every situation. So experiment and see what works for you! Keep a garden journal of things you notice. I think the most important thing is to try this concept using plants you like. That way, even if you do not see an interaction, you still have plants you like!

The links below are a couple sources that give combinations of plants and how they interact with one another.

Benefits of companion planting in gardening, Virginia State University:

http://www.agriculture.vsu.edu/files/docs/cooperative-extension/companion-planting-in-gardening.pdf

Companion Planting, Cornell University

http://chemung.cce.cornell.edu/resources/companion-planting

Marigolds are often used as a repellent

Queen Anne’s Lace attracts insects small insects because it is made up of many smaller flowers.