Page 8 - Agway Summer Mag

Our backyards—at their best -- OUTDOOR
are an extension of our homes
and can create bigger and
better entertaining spaces for
spent but in the planning and Oasis!
our families and friends. The
success of our outdoor spaces
is not necessarily in the money
labor involved in creating a
unique and creative space that
helps us unwind and enjoy the
natural setting.
Here are some of our top
recommendations
forcreating your own
outdoor oasis:
Seating:
All kinds of seating! Hammocks, lounge
chairs, benches and ____ are key to feeling
comfortable and relaxing properly.
Contemplate your day, read a book, sip
a beverage and pull your little ones on
your lap.
Warmth:
This is Cape Cod after all. Even on the
hottest days the evenings can be chilly.
Having a heating source like a chiminea,
firepit or heater will go a long way in
extending your comfort level after the
sun goes down.
Shade:
Be it an umbrella, a gazebo or a mature
tree—having a shaded area to escape to
during high noon is a must for a
functioning oasis.
Dining:
Who wants to eat watermelon and kebabs
indoors? Count your household members
and add a few more seats for guests and
you have an instant dinner party under
the stars.
Plants:
Well, we’re Agway so maybe plants should
have come first on our list! The plants you
choose for your oasis will set the ambiance;
be sure they reflect your personality.
Need instant impact for an impromptu gathering.... a
few hanging baskets will do the trick... just slip them in
a planter and remove the plastic hangers. Don’t forget
the larger pots of annuals are in at Agway, beautiful
combinations of all types of flowers in colorful floor
planters perfect for decorating the deck or patio………
how about something fragrant near your seating area
or white flowers for the evening get together, white is the
brightest flower after dark. And last but not least take
advantage of the herb garden you planted this spring….
the mint is ready and waiting for all your beverages!
of Cape Cod
PREVENT
the Pests
With the arrival of warm summer days our
vegetable gardens are actively growing. Tomatoes
and peppers have flowers and it’s time again for
us to plant more lettuce and carrots. But…
warmer temperatures also bring the insects.
For the avid gardener inspecting vegetables for
insect damage is the best prevention. I begin with
an inspection of the leaves. Look for notched
leaves to identify insect damage. It is helpful
to know the Problem—insect or fungus? Also
search for insect larvae on the underside of the
leaves, I often just rub away any larvae I find.
Sometimes you will find a silky webbing around
the leaves of vegetables indicating spider mites.
Discolored leaves can be caused by insects that
don’t eat the leaves but who feed on the juice of
the plant like aphids—look for droppings or
honeydew, the sugary residue of the plant, to
help identify these bugs.
With regular inspections you may discover the
damage early enough to find it manageable.
Pest Prevention Tips:
1. Plant disease resistant varieties.
2. Rotate your crops.
3. Always clean up diseased leaves
from the ground.
4. Water the roots, not the leaves.
5. Fungus spreads, don’t work in
the garden when it’s wet
6. Water in a consistent manner.
7. Plant all plant material with room
for proper air circulation.
I use products like Neem, a horticultural oil and
Biological soap to manage larger insect
populations. It’s possible some beneficial insects
like lacewings or ladybugs are working on it,
especially in organic gardens, or perhaps it’s
temporary. If the damage is manageable I
often give the plant some liquid fertilizer to help it
bounce back. It’s important to remember any
controls we use may affect our pollinators, as well
as the plant becoming food on our dinner table.
Read all labels carefully and don’t spray on a
windy day.
Vegetable gardens that experience rainy springs
and humid summers often suffer from fungus and
disease. Moisture on the leaves of a plant is the
gardener’s invisible challenge. Diseased plants
often wilt and have discolored leaves (yellow or
black spots). There are many fungicides available
to the home gardener but practicing good
gardening prevention is a good place to start.
Check with our knowledgeable Agway staff for the
best product solution for your plant problems.
of Cape Cod