Gardening is a favorite pastime of people worldwide.  About one in four Americans states that they have a real interest in gardening.  As people become older their interest in gardening increases.  Only 13 percent of 20 years old have an interest in gardening.  The love of gardening goes to 33 percent in the age bracket of 60 years old.  I began my interest in gardening when I was a teenager.  For those who think I am immature, this proves I was as mature as a 60 year old when I was in high school.

Many Gallop polls have put gardening as the United States number one leisure activity.  These polls must not have allowed any other vices to be entered.  Along with an interest in gardening there are many other benefits that gardeners are reaping.  It has been proven that walking through a garden will actually reduce your blood pressure.  That is unless the rabbits and deer have eaten all your plants to the ground.  Research shows people with plants in their hospital rooms have recovered from surgery at a faster rate.

 

I have found that my love of gardening has also helped me with my social life.  If I am out in public people will actually come up and talk with me about gardening.  You see there are two things that I love to talk about.  The first thing I love to talk about is myself.  I have quickly found out that no one really wants to hear about my life.  The second thing I love to talk about is plants and what is going on in people’s gardens.  I have found out people respond more positively to plants than my personal life.

 

I have really enjoyed writing about individual plants for the last few years.  I have tried to write about plants that were in bloom or had another outstanding characteristic at the time the article was coming to press.  This year I am changing my format.  I am going to try to give you ideas for your yard, pests that you might harbor and what is happening in people’s gardens at the time of the article. 

 

The main concern of every homeowner is to make sure that there lawn is the best in the neighborhood.  This spring the white grubs have caused many homeowners many sleepless nights, because their beautiful turf is now brown and is being torn up by the skunks at night and the crows during the day.  What are these insomniac homeowners to do? 

 

If you want to control the grubs this spring you must do so before May 10th according to Michigan State Entomology Department.  The pesticide that you would use would contain either Seven of Dylox.  These two insecticides kill on contact.  The grubs will soon begin to pupate and thus no longer will be feeding.  The best time of the year to control the grubs is first couple of weeks of July with a grub preventative.

 

The grub that you most likely are encountering is the European chafer.  If you want to positively identify it you have to look at the hair patterns on the grub’s butt.  This is the truth.  To learn more go to Ohio State’s web site: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2510.html.  This web site will teach you about the hairy butts of the white grubs.

 

It is perfectly okay to reseed you lawn now, since these grubs are slowing down on their eating.

 

I am looking forward in spending this year with all you who enjoy gardening and those who enjoy wasting their time reading my articles.

1809 eastman avenue • midland • michigan • 800.362.4874 • tierney@dowgardens.org