Garden calendar
• If perennial foliage appears bronzed, stippled or sticky, sap-sucking pests such as lace bugs, spider mites or aphids may be feeding. A strong spray of water can often dislodge these insects. Monitor regularly and reduce plant stress through proper watering and care to support recovery.
• Galls are becoming noticeable on many trees, including hackberries, oaks, and maples. Formed by the feeding or egg-laying activity of certain insects and mites, most galls are cosmetic and cause little to no harm to otherwise healthy plants.
• Water vegetables evenly and at the base of the plant to improve moisture uptake and reduce disease. On tomatoes, removing the lowest 6–12 inches of foliage can help prevent soilborne diseases from splashing onto leaves.
• Yellow nutsedge is becoming more visible in lawns and landscapes, especially in poorly drained areas. Look for its light green color and triangular stems. Hand-pulling young plants, regular mowing and maintaining healthy turf can help suppress it, but long-term control requires persistence over several seasons.
• Japanese beetles are emerging and will be feeding on many plants, especially roses and other members of the rose family. Avoid beetle traps, which often attract more beetles than they catch. Instead, hand-pick beetles into a bucket of soapy water, particularly in the early morning or evening.
• Fall webworm caterpillars are forming silken tents at the ends of branches on trees such as mulberry, walnut, elm, and crabapple. Pruning out and disposing of infested branch tips is the most effective control, as the protective webbing limits the effectiveness of insecticide sprays.
Julia Cambridge, Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
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