HUMMINGBIRDS
As you spend time outdoors in the garden, you may spot some “jewels with wings,” also known as hummingbirds. They’ve been in our area since April and will be heading back to Mexico and Central America in late summer. : hummingbirdworld.com/h/migrate.htm
• The broad-tailed hummingbird (note the broad tail) is the most common in our area. The male’s red throat with green flanks and white underparts are hard to miss. Females have peach-colored flanks, white throats and pale underparts. They are about 4 inches long and weigh as much as a penny. You may also spot some Black-chinned and Rufous hummers in our area.
• Hummingbirds eat about every 10 minutes. Their food includes plant nectar, spiders, spider eggs, gnats and other insects. They use their long fuzzy tongues to lap up nectar and can drink up to twice their body weight in nectar each day. And they have the fastest metabolism of any living creature on this continent.
• If you see them, you probably are growing flowers with red-colored tubular blossoms, which they adore — bee balm, penstemon, hyssop, salvia, zauschneria, honeysuckle, phlox, petunia and cleome are good examples. by mixing four parts water with one part regular white table sugar (no fake stuff, honey or food coloring). Clean the feeder every two to three days. More: denverpost.com/grow/ci_14982024
• Pour yourself a mint iced tea, grab your camera, head to the garden and try to capture a hummer in action…it might make a great holiday card!
VEGETABLES/FRUITS
Harvesting homegrown vegetables is what it’s all about. If you’re new to gardening, check the seed packet for maturity dates and taste often. You’ll know when it’s time.
• Harvest potatoes, onions and garlic as the tops die down. Hang garlic and onion in a dry place to cure.
• Harvest summer squash when long varieties (zucchini) are 6-8 inches in length and scalloped varieties (patty pan) are 3-4 inches in diameter.
• Continue to plant fall-season crops including lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, beets, carrots.
LANDSCAPE CARE
• Flowers or other bedding plants that “wilt” may actually be over-watered. Check soil moisture before adding additional irrigation.
• Check and water container plants once or twice daily. Continue weekly fertilization.
HOUSEPLANTS
• Don’t forget to water and care for your houseplants. Give them a shower to clean off the foliage. Use a gravel tray filled with water to increase humidity. This works great when you’re on vacation.
PEST/DISEASE WATCHi
• Nature has a great way of taking care of most insect problems in the garden by keeping the bad guys in check when the good guys show up. We interfere with the balance when pesticides are introduced, especially if they’re used incorrectly. You can’t fix a problem until you know what it is, so Contact your local county master gardener help line — or your local garden center for expert diagnosis and recommendations. More: www.extension.org/ask
• Webbing on branches could mean spider mites. Check for them by tapping a branch on white paper; if the specks are crawling, spider mites are present. Hose off the plant with water.
• They can affect leaves, stems, roots or fruit. Best cultural practices may minimize problems. Mulch under and around plants to prevent water splashback and prune out unhealthy lower stems. Avoid over- or under-watering. Recognizing tomato problems requires regular scouting and noting the growth and health of your plants. Early blight, crown rot, fusarium wilt, root rot, psyllids and aphids are all common problems. More: www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02949.html
• Sunscald and green or yellow shoulders may affect tomato fruit. Protect the plant from sun by shading it, especially later in the day. Betty Cahill: cahillbg@msn.com
