Question #1: We just purchased a new home that has very little landscaping. I would like to plant some shrubs and flowers but my husband is concerned about attracting mosquitoes. Is there something that I can plant that repels them and if I plant around the foundation will that be an invitation for a mosquito infestation?
Answer #1: The only way to prevent a mosquito infestation is to make sure there is no standing water around your home. The tiger mosquito needs only a teaspoon of water to complete its lifecycle. Scout your property for anything that holds water. This includes: toys, plant saucers, watering cans, birdbaths, rain barrels, pet bowls, the list goes on…..Clean gutters and make sure they are in good repair and draining freely. In ornamental ponds and rain barrels use mosquito dunks or granules which kill mosquito larvae. They are formulated from a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Dense vegetation that blocks air circulation can be an invitation to mosquitoes to come and rest. If you are outdoors while mosquitoes are biting wear protective clothing and use an insect repellent.
Question #2: Soil testing has been talked about in the media lately. I was wondering if I should go ahead and buy a pH meter or find a lab that does soil testing. What is your recommendation?
Answer #2: Our recommendation has always been soil testing by a dedicated soil testing lab. We do not recommend home test kits or pH meters because they are less accurate and reliable. Soil test labs also provide important information that you cannot obtain if you test your soil yourself. Labs test for phosphate, potassium and magnesium levels in addition to the pH of your soil. If necessary, liming and fertilizer recommendations are also provided. Many labs, (usually for an additional fee), test the organic matter level of the soil and test for heavy metals such as lead. Lawn and garden soils should be tested every 3 years to make adjustments based on recommendations provided by your soil test results. You will find soil testing information on the homepage of our website, https://hgic.umd.edu/content/SoilTesting.cfm
Question #3: My flower garden is overrun with chickweed. What is the best way to get rid of this obnoxious weed? I do not like to use pesticides.
Answer#3: Common chickweed is a winter annual that germinates in the fall. It is an early-season weed with a small root system. It can easily be pulled out or chopped up and incorporated into the soil. Do this before it sets seed to help prevent this weed from taking over again next season.
“Ask the Plant and Pest Professor” is compiled from phone and email questions asked the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), part of University of Maryland Extension, an educational outreach of the University of Maryland. To ask a home gardening or pest control question or for other help, go to www.hgic.umd.edu. Or phone HGIC at 1-800-342-2507, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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