Update on Dog Allergies

Theo

Earlier this summer I wrote about my dog's allergies, which have tormented him every summer since I first got him.  Because his symptoms generally start up in the late spring and continue until hard frost, I tend to assume that they are allergies to grass.  Allergies to trees usually occur in earlier spring, and weed allergies mostly in the late summer and early fall.

Fresh From the Garden

Stacking planter for strawberries

This morning out in the garden I loaded up my little harvest basket: several cucumbers, tomatoes, and a few strawberries.  There are several peppers that should be ready in few days, and the sweet corn is getting closer to ripe.  One cantaloupe is nearly full size, but still pretty green, two more nearly ripe; and the watermelon vine has two little melons coming along.

Mosquito Season

This has been a especially bad summer for mosquitoes, with all the rain we've had. This evening I was making the rounds of my garden, emptying out things that hold water, where mosquitoes might hatch out.  They only need enough water to fill a bottle cap to raise the next generation.

I have a lot of plant saucers in my yard. If a pot is too heavy to move easily, to get the saucer dumped out, you can use an old kitchen baster to remove the water.  Just remember that mosquitoes only need a quarter inch of water to breed. Dump out and replace water in bird baths and pet dishes two or three times a week. 

Late Summer Fireflies

Last evening when I went outside for the dog's last outing, I saw at least three fireflies circling around the back yard.  I was trying to remember if I usually see them this late in the year. Maybe the wet summer has made it possible for them to hang on longer than usual.  Perhaps it's just that their usual prey, things like other larvae, slugs, and snails, are more abundant. I'd love to hear if other folks have seen them around longer this year as well.

Weed Prevention Time

Today I applied corn gluten to my yard.  Corn gluten serves as a slow release high-nitrogen fertilizer, which is great for feeding your lawn; plus it prevents the germination of seeds, which keeps weeds from getting established.  It doesn't kill anything that's already growing, just stops seedlings from establishing roots.  Don't apply corn gluten to your lawn if you plan to overseed in the next couple of months.

Ornamental Peppers

Black Pearl ornamental pepper

One of the plants I enjoy growing each summer is ornamental peppers. Ornamental peppers grow bright-colored little fruits that may be white, purple, red, orange or yellow, depending on the variety.  I particularly like those that have purple or variegated foliage.

Black Spot on Roses



White roses

One of the less positive effects of the rainy summer we have had here, is the outbreak of black spot. Black spot is one of the most common diseases of roses. Caused by a fungus, it first shows up as black spots on the leaves, then yellowing of the leaf, which finally drops off.  If the disease is allowed to spread, the entire rose bush may become defoliated.