Pest Spotlight: the Varied World of Aphids

Great bark aphids (Longistigma caryae) on an immature pecan
(Carya illinoensis 'Sumner').
Photo by J.S. Corser, Durham Co. Master Gardener.

Editor's note: Aphids attack most gardens and come in armies in different colors and varieties. Here is some basic information from the Clemson Cooperative Extension with links to specific aphid info by plant type. These links should help any urban gardener to first identify, then combat these pests!

General Information:
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects that measure 1/16 to 3/8 inch. There are several species of aphids. Depending on species, they can range in color from tan, pink, or green to almost black and may or may not have wings. Aphids feed on leaves and stems by piercing the plant tissue and sucking plant sap. Their feeding can cause leaves to curl or become distorted. In addition, aphids sometimes serve as vectors to transmit plant viruses which may result in disease development. The first sign of aphids being present is usually a sticky residue left on leaves. The aphids excrete a sticky substance called honeydew as they feed. The honeydew will land on any surface beneath the feeding area, such as leaves, branches, understory plants or even cars and concrete surfaces. Sooty mold is a fungus that grows on the sticky surface of the honeydew. As the sooty mold grows it will form a black, powdery or velvety coating on leaves and other areas where the honeydew landed. The good news is that sooty mold does not infect the plant tissue.

Prevention & Treatment:

Aphids have several natural enemies, such as lady beetles, lacewings, syrphid flies, damsel bugs and wasps. Since the use of insecticides will also kill beneficial insects, it is best to try to first allow the beneficial insects to reduce the aphid population. For more information on these insects, see EIIS/BB-1, Beneficial Insects and Related Arthropods (http://entweb.clemson.edu/eiis/pdfs/bb1.pdf).

If necessary, insecticidal soap (such as Safer Insecticidal Soap or Concern Insect Killing Soap) can be used to reduce the aphid population. Keep in mind that the insecticidal soap must be sprayed directly on the aphid to be effective, so be sure to coat the under and upper side of the leaves and stems. Some plants are sensitive to insecticidal soaps. For more information see, HGIC 2771, Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control.

For more information on aphids, see:

HGIC 2001, Apple & Crabapple Insects

HGIC 2002, Crape Myrtle Diseases & Insect Pests

HGIC 2057, Viburnum Diseases & Insect Pests

HGIC 2101, Chrysanthemum Diseases & Insect Pests

HGIC 2102, Daylily Diseases & Insect Pests

HGIC 2104, Flowering Bulb Insect Pests

HGIC 2105, Pansy Diseases & Insect Pests

HGIC 2107, Rose Insects & Related Pests

HGIC 2201, Bean & Southern Pea Insect Pests

HGIC 2203, Cabbage, Broccoli & Other Cole Crop Insect Pests

HGIC 2205, Insect Pests of Sweet Corn

HGIC 2207, Cucumber, Squash, Melon & Other Cucurbit Insect Pests

HGIC 2218, Tomato Insect Pests

HGIC 2252, Common Houseplant Insects & Related Pests

Millie Davenport
Home & Garden Information Center
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/tyk/2010/tyk04.html

Forest Hills Garden Club Spends a Sunny Service Day at Briggs Ave. Community Garden

Members of the Forest Hills Garden Club worked their annual service day at the Briggs Avenue Community Garden in Durham on May 14. FHGC provides 5 cubic yards of mulch annually and spreads it to the beds in need. Durham County Extension Agent Cheralyn Schmidt (middle) directed essential needs for the garden such as weeding and various sweat equity activities. Photo by the FHGC.

Durham Council's 'Triple Crown' Winner: Linda Stewart

Croasdaile Garden Club member Linda Stewart (right) was recognized as 2015 “triple crown winner”
of the Member Award of Honor by The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc.,
the Southeast Atlantic Region (SAR) and the National Garden Club. Linda was honored
at all three meetings. She began the Youth Club for Garden Therapy at Durham’s Northern High School
17 years ago and has led its efforts with special needs student ever since.
Pictured (left) with Linda is GCNC President Gail Hill at the SAR meeting in April.

District 9 Presidents Meeting: June 2

The Annual Presidents Meeting of District 9 will be held Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 9 a.m.-noon.
All Garden Club Presidents should plan to attend.

Location:  Hillsborough United Methodist Church, 130 W Tryon St., Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278.

 

The June Presidents Meeting agenda will cover important information regarding the role and responsibilities of District 9 Garden Club Presidents. Guidebooks, calendars and other critical information for the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be distributed.

Please respond to District Director Andrea Lewis with your RSVP:  andrealewisandrea771@hotmail.com,  or by phone: 919.732.6762.

'First Bloom' at Witherspoon Rose Culture: May 21

'First Bloom ' garden tours of Witherspoon begin at 9:30 a.m. and noon. Photo by Witherspoon Rose Culture.

Head to Witherspoon Rose Culture this Saturday, May 21, 2016 for First Bloom!

Day-long schedule of speakers, food trucks and Witherspoon tours. Percentage of proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House of Durham.

Durham Schedule
9 a.m. - Doors open
9:30 - Witherspoon Tour
10:30a.m. - Guest Speaker the "Buglady" Suzanne Wainwright-Evans "Good Bugs that Live on Roses"
11a.m. - Local Food Trucks start serving
12 p.m. - Witherspoon Tour
1 p.m. - Guest Speaker Bryce Lane "Using Color in Your Garden"

Witherspoon Rose Culture, 3312 Watkins Road, Durham, NC 27707
Phone: 919.489.4446 • Toll Free: 800.643.0315

'Collard Greens and Common Ground: A North Carolina Community Food Gardening Handbook'

Thinking of creating a community garden in your neighborhood? Not sure how to get started, much less design, build or even govern it?

Dr. Lucy Bradley, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Urban Horticulture, NC State University and Don Boekelheide, North Carolina Community Garden Partners have created a new 76-page handbook to address all planning and implementation aspects to guide you through the process of starting a community garden.

The handbook is numbered: AG-806 | December 2015, and can be purchased for $10 through your local Extension office or through the PDF link found on the NC Cooperative Extension website:

https://nccommunitygardens.ces.ncsu.edu/2016/05/collard-greens-and-common-ground-a-north-carolina-community-food-gardening-handbook/

 

Plant a Row for the Hungry: Logan's Targets 40,000 lbs of Veggies

Calling all GARDENERS:

 

Are your eyes bigger than your stomach when it comes to planting a vegetable garden? Do your friends and family beg you to grow less squash? Convert some of that garden space to feed the hungry with Logan’s and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle through Plant a Row for the Hungry.

 

What is Plant A Row for the Hungry?

 

Plant A Row for the Hungry (PAR) is a national program sponsored by the Garden Writers Association that encourages garden communities and individuals to donate fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs to people in need in our community. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle distributes your produce directly to local families in need. 2016 marks the eighth year that Logan’s has participated in this program by providing starter kits to get gardeners growing as well as providing a drop off location for fresh produce donations in Raleigh. Last year, 30,000 pounds of fresh produce were donated at Logan’s! Just harvest and bring your produce to Logan’s during our normal business hours and we’ll do the rest.

 

Donation Totals for Previous Years

2009 – 555 pounds

2010 – 6,454 pounds

2011 – 16,664 pounds

2012 – 20,106 pounds

2013 – 26,460 pounds

2014 – 35,186 pounds

2015 – 30,000 pounds

2016 – GOAL is 40,000 pounds!

 

Why Donate?

Did you know that low-income families have the highest rates of obesity/chronic disease and hunger in our community – largely due to limited access to healthy, fresh foods? Produce from your farm or garden helps provide access to fresh, nutritious food. Gardening provides physical activity, stress relief, family bonding, community building, learning opportunities, fresh food for healthy eating, time outdoors, and FUN! Start your own garden in your backyard or join with others to create a community garden. Garden gloves ready? Sign up o PAR-ticipate at Logan’s customer service desk.

Guidelines for handling fresh fruits and vegetables:

• Pick early in the day for best quality.
• Keep produce out of the heat and in the shade.
• For delicate produce like tomatoes and berries, avoid deep containers; the weight on top damages the produce below.
• Deliver to Logan’s soon after harvest to retain freshness and quality.

Safety Guidelines:
We cannot accept produce grown with animal manure not composted to USDA Organic standards or sprayed with pesticides within two weeks of harvest.
If you have questions about Plant A Row for the Hungry, please contact: info@logantrd.com.

http://logantrd.com/plant-a-row-for-the-hungry/

BOOKS: The New Southern Living Garden Book

The New Southern Living Garden Book: The Ultimate Guide to Gardening                              
Authors: Steve Bender and The Editors of Southern Living Magazine (Author)
Flexibound: 768 pages
Publisher: Oxmoor House (January 13, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0848742982
ISBN-13: 978-0848742980

From Amazon...

An all-new revised and updated edition, The New Southern Living Garden Book is THE definitive source on gardening from the brand Southern gardeners have turned to for nearly 50 years. Completely redesigned and updated for the first time in 10 years, the new edition features over 1,700 beautiful color photographs and over 7,000 featured plants. Enhanced features include a monthly garden checklist, a Q&A section to tackle everyday problems, and garden design solutions, plus industry experts provide the hottest trends and tips combined with old-fashioned wisdom. From the new homeowner just starting out in gardening to the Master Class gardener, this book will be an essential resource.

About the Author

For nearly 50 years, Southern Living magazine has delivered definitive Southern food, decorating, and gardening ideas to over 15 million readers monthly, making it one of the most trusted lifestyle brands in the country. A team of dedicated Southern gardeners and writers lent their expertise to this book, led by Southern Living Senior Garden Writer, Steve Bender. Steve grew up in Lutherville, Maryland, and, in his words "was exiled to Alabama" in 1983, for reasons that remain secret to this day. He loves fried okra and often selects dinner wine based on whether it goes well with fried okra. Known as the Grumpy Gardener, his column is one of the most popular in the magazine and his mission is to make gardening uplifting, accessible, and inspirational to all.

2016 Council Annual Meeting and Luncheon Gives Record Awards

Highlights from the Council Annual Meeting:  Club Presidents and members hold their certificates; Council Board members; Salads and gifts from the luncheon; GCNC Life Member recipient Jennifer Corser and "triple crown" winner Member Award of Honor recipient Linda Stewart.

The 2016 Annual Meeting of the Durham Council of Garden Clubs wrapped up its business year with a celebratory awards program and luncheon May 3, 2016 at the John Sprunt Hill House in Durham.

Most all of the Council’s member garden clubs received award certificates from The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc. for their financial support of the Tomorrow’s Legacy program. The program disburses a $50 contribution among the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone, NC, the Elizabethan Garden in Manteo, NC, and the Martha Frank Fragrance Garden at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh.

The Durham Council presented its 2015-2016 annual awards for large, medium and small size Durham garden clubs with Town & Country, Croasdaile and Heritage Garden Clubs winning a $50 award respectively. Town & Country and Heritage Garden Clubs also won the 2014-2015 annual awards for large and small clubs.

Special recognition awards were given to a number of Council members by President Trish Stewart. Some awards were special mentions of invaluable service given to Stewart. Retiring Council Treasurer Jennifer Corser was given a Life Membership to The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc. for her seven years of treasury service and other committee chair responsibilities during that period. She will continue serving as social media and blog editor as a consultant for the Council. Stewart also recapped Durham Council sponsored awards presented at the April 17-19, 2016 GCNC Annual Meeting hosted in Durham. Trish herself was awarded the #200 Blue Ribbon for the 2015-2016 Durham Council Yearbook.

Croasdaile Garden Club member Linda Stewart was recognized as 2015 “triple crown winner” of the Member Award of Honor by The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc., the Southeast Atlantic Region (SAR) and the National Garden Club. Linda began the Youth Club for Garden Therapy at Durham’s Northern High School 17 years ago and has led its efforts with special needs student ever since.

Also mentioned from the GCNC Annual Meeting was the welcome video taped by NC Governor Pat McCrory praising the work of the state's garden clubs. Daylily Garden Club member and Past Durham Council President Brenda Pollard had secured the video, and it can be viewed with the following link:  https://goo.gl/BbrEtH.

Catering the Council's Annual Meeting vegetarian luncheon was Town & Country Garden Club President Robin Marin and her sister Holly Davis. Board members and committee chairs were each gifted a potted Chlorophytum vittatum (spider plant) by Robin. Attendees of the Annual Meeting were all gifted quilted coasters from avid quilter and Council President Trish Stewart.

Spring Reminders from Keep Durham Beautiful



De-Band A Tree 

It's time to take the cankerworm tree bands down!

 

Please help keep our trees healthy by pitching in and removing bands you see near your home, work or school. Even if you didn't put it up--we encourage you to help take them down!

Canine Waste Ordinance: Pick it up, it's the Law!

Starting September 14, 2016 pet owners who do not clean-up after their animals can be fined $50-$150. This law applies to any public property, public right-of-way or private property without the permission of a private property owner. (This ordinance does not apply to a guide dog, service dog or hearing dog accompanying any person with a disability.)

 

Having a pet is both a pleasure and a responsibility. Not only do pet owners have a responsibility for the care, feeding and general welfare of their pets, they have a responsibility for protecting their community as well. That responsibility includes proper disposal of pet waste.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers pet waste a pollutant of water bodies and it is most often introduced into receiving waters by way of storm water runoff. Everyone must do their part to protect the quality of our storm water runoff.

 

Why should I clean up my pet’s waste?

 

Pet waste left on the ground increases exposure of you, your neighbors, and our community to bacteria, viruses and parasites. Those particularly at risk are other pets and children who play outside. Some of these bacteria, viruses and parasites are:

• Fecal coliform - bacteria;
• Salmonella - bacteria;
• Hookworms, roundworms & tapeworms - parasites; and,
• Toxoplasma gondii - virus.

What should I do?

 

Put pet waste in a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it in the garbage! Cat litter should be bagged and placed in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet.

Get Involved

 

Durham County is holding an artwork contest for children in First (1st) - Eighth (8th) grades. Children can submit one (1) picture illustrating the theme "Clean Up After Your Canine or Face a Fine" from May 9-May 27. A winner will be chosen by the Board of Commissioners on June 6th. The winner's artwork will be featured as artwork for the Clean Up After Your Canine or Face a Fine campaign. For more information, please call the Public Information Office at: (919) 560-0000(919) 560-0000.

  

Artwork Contest Permission Form, Artwork Contest Flyer

What if pet waste isn’t picked up?

It’s bad for your health, our waterways, and potentially your pocketbook! There are laws in Durham County to protect our health and our environment which require pet waste to be picked up and disposed of properly.