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Hi, guys!
For the past couple of months, I’ve been planting — and replanting — my entire front yard (after what will forever be known around here as the Great Liriope Fiasco of 2022).
I say planting and replanting because, in a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do,” I keep changing my mind and moving things around, which, of course, is not good for the plants.
A week or two after planting a coneflower or black-Eyed Susan or bee balm or butterfly milkweed (actual victims of my violence), I realize they’re not exactly where they should be, dig their vulnerable roots up and plop them somewhere else.
Then, invariably, I watch helplessly as they wilt under the noonday sun, desperately clinging to life. I baby them as best as I can, shading them with an umbrella, watering twice a day and nourishing them with 1/4 teaspoon SUPERthrive and 1/8 cup of Neptune’s Harvest mixed into a gallon of water. It seems to help their roots settle in, and so far, they’ve all bounced back.
Flip-flopping when planting a garden is not a practice I recommend, but I’m only human. And as I look out my window, I see a newly planted Liatris (blazing star) that’s just a smidge off center, and it will drive me nuts if I leave it there.
Anybody else?
📬 Ask Jessica
DEAR JESSICA: What are your suggestions for [eliminating] nutsedge? I am concerned that the chemical [usually recommended] is very toxic. I applied it one season with a sponge paint brush with only temporary results. Even working on a small area, digging it by hand, was hit-and-miss and time-consuming. Is there something new for the sedge? —Libbey Oliver, Virginia
DEAR LIBBY: Nutsedge is regarded as a noxious weed in more than 100 countries and is one of the most challenging weeds to control. That’s because it spreads in not one or two — but three different ways, with the weed’s seeds, tubers and rhizomes forming the perfect trifecta to ensure survival of the species.
To completely eradicate it by hand, you’d have to dig very, very deeply to ensure every last bit of its root system is removed. Leave just a tiny portion behind, and the weed will rear its ugly head again.
In addition, each nutsedge plant can produce hundreds or even thousands of seeds in a single season, each of which can remain dormant in the soil for up to 50 years. So even if you think you’ve slayed the beast, you can’t be entirely sure those dormant seeds won’t come back to haunt you.
There are several herbicides available that target nutsedge. Regardless of which your choose, you likely will have to repeat the application at least once. Halosulfuron, the active ingredient in Sedgehammer, and bentazon, imazaquin and sulfentrazone are recommended for use against the weed.
It’s important to apply these herbicides early in the season, in late spring to early summer, when plants are 4-6 inches high. After that, the weed will channel much of its energy into seed production, slowing its ability to move the chemical into its root system, where the killing happens.
Be sure to read and carefully follow the directions and heed safety instructions, including precautions, listed on the package label whenever handling or using these or any herbicides.
💡 If you do one thing this week…
Inspect plants for the presence of scale, Japanese beetles and aphids (remember to check the undersides of leaves). If you find any:
Pick Japanese beetles off by hand in the morning and drop them into a soapy bucket.
Kill scale by dabbing each individually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol if there aren’t very many. Large infestations may require an application of horticultural oil —but hurry: We are at the end of its effectiveness window.
Rinse aphids off with a stream of hose water, rubbing leaves and stems with your fingers if necessary.
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This week’s newsletter was made possible by generous support from Gaspare, Karen Kazel, Mctiggs, Bill Weresnick, Kathy Coley and someone who wishes to remain anonymous.
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👏 Sunday shoutout
Frank Mauceri of Plainview, NY, started this fig tree from a cutting shared by a friend many years ago, he said, and now it’s so big he can pick figs right from his deck!
Last year, “the figs came out very good due to the hot weather, and all my friends enjoyed them,” Mauceri said. Here’s wishing you another bumper crop this year, Frank! We’re your friends, right?
📰This week in my Associated Press gardening column
I write a weekly gardening column for the AP, so you might have seen my byline in your local paper (or news website) — wherever in the world you happen to be. In case you miss it, I’ll post the most recent here every week.
Last week: How you water the garden can save you money, gallons and your plants, too. My best water-saving tips.
A week prior: Your garden doesn’t like wildlife smoke and ash, either. Here’s how to help it.
Before that: June is rhubarb picking time, so pucker up! Here’s how to grow the strange fruit.
One more: Tips for planting a container like the pros do.
You can read all my AP gardening columns here.
📚📺🎵 Random things I enjoyed this week
📺 I’m three seasons into Orphan Black on AMC+. I have no excuse for waiting 10 years to watch this story of a woman who discovers she is a clone created in an experiment. Tatiana Maslany plays the main character -- as well as all her (very different) sister clones. It’s right up my dystopian sci-fi alley.
🧄 I harvested my first garlic of the season way ahead of schedule, and it was huge! The other dozen or so plants in the bed are at least a couple of weeks off.
I’m a freelance writer who juggles various gigs to piece together a living. I spend hours every week writing The Weekly Dirt, answering your questions and sharing advice to help you achieve the garden of your dreams. As much as I enjoy it, I have bills to pay so can’t afford to work for free. If you work for a paycheck, I’m sure you understand.
I considered putting The Weekly Dirt behind paywall and charging a subscription fee, but although I am reserving that as a last resort, I’d rather not go that route because I understand that not everyone can afford even a nominal fee, and I genuinely love helping people learn how to garden better.
When I discovered the Buy Me a Coffee platform, it seemed like the perfect solution: A voluntary, tip-as-you-go sort of system that keeps the newsletter free for everyone, but provides the option to place the cost of a cup of coffee in my virtual tip jar every week — or as often as you are able and feel comfortable.
So if you find value in receiving The Weekly Dirt and would like me to continue writing it, please consider supporting my work by “buying me a coffee.”
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📧 How’m I doing?
I welcome your comments and suggestions, so please send them along — as well as any topics you’d like to see covered and questions you’d like answered in the Ask Jessica section.
Yes. I am guilty of moving things constantly, and sometimes I do kill them to my great annoyance. I'll try your supplements, though! And ... could you recommend a rain barrel? I wanna take advantage of the LI Garden Rewards reimbursement program.
I had loved your column in Newsday for many years, now enjoy your weekly email.
My son and daughter in law have a hydrangea that has not bloomed in years. Then all of a sudden this year it has started to bloom, but it appears that there is more than one color going on. I’m sure it’s going to be beautiful, but they asked me if this was normal. My first instinct was to ask you! You always give the best advice. What info do you have about this?
Thank you