Q: Attached please find three photos of what I believe to be purslane in various stages of growth and development in my backyard. Trying to be more environmentally sensitive this year, for the first time in years, we did not put down any herbicide, pre-emergent or otherwise, in our beds, and the purslane appears to be the result. I read your June 8 column on this weed and can vouch that you were entirely correct. I have pulled this weed in the same area over and over again in a bed that I care about only to have the weed return with vigor. I have let it go in yard areas such as between stepping stones. It seeds at a distance with pleasure. I am ready to throw in the towel and nuke it with something potent, but my husband asks, what if we just let it go? Does it sap nutrients or smother plants? Is it a problem plant just in terms of cosmetics? Should we eat it and put our ample surplus in the freezer?
A: The weed in question is not purslane but spurge, and this one is not edible. If you break a branch you will see a white milky sap, and that can cause skin irritation in some people. Spurge is an annual weed that by now has set a copious amount of seeds. Nuking it is not going to make much difference for next summer as the seeds are set and the plant will be dying with cold weather. It is often more common in bare, exposed soil, but it does spread. A pre-emergent herbicide next spring can help, but try to pull it when you see it. Allowing it to grow unchecked is simply compounding problems for years to come.
Q: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority recently installed a new manhole in our backyard and removed a fruiting pear tree. We want to replace the tree but not necessarily with a pear tree. The tree location is surrounded by mature (75 to 100 foot) oaks and pines: shady, in other words. We would like a tree that provides a buffer between our house and our neighbors' house (by the way, our neighbors are very nice) and that would be beneficial for birds. We have bird feeders. Any suggestions? Holly?
A: I would assume you have some sunlight if you had a fruiting pear and it actually fruited. There are several ideas for you. Dogwoods are great understory trees and produce seeds for birds. Other ideas are serviceberry (Amelanchier), hawthorn, elderberry and fringe tree (Chionanthus). All of these are deciduous, so if you want an evergreen, you could use one of the hollies or one of the smaller magnolias.
Q: What is this and how do I kill it? I sprayed liberally with Safer about a week ago, and it seems to have caused yellowing and shrinkage in the greater leaves.
A: I have been getting a lot of questions about woolly aphids the past few weeks. These insects are more a nuisance than a threat. The recent rains and wind probably helped knock them down fairly well. The Safer insecticidal soap should also have done well. If you were spraying when it was so hot and dry, a little burn could have occurred. Using any pesticide -- even one that's organic -- when the weather is extremely hot and dry can cause some damage. Make sure you water your plants well before any treatment and then apply at a light rate of application.
Q: Do you have suggestions for transitioning my houseplants back indoors? I am especially concerned about not bringing insects, i.e. spiders, into the house.
A: We finally are getting some cool, fall-like weather, so it is time to start thinking about transitioning houseplants back inside. It is much easier on the plant if inside conditions are similar to outside conditions when you make the move. Clean the containers and inspect the plants for any visible signs of insects or diseases. If you are concerned about a plant, move it by itself into a room where you can monitor it for problems. If you move them all in together and one plant is infested, it won't be long before they all are. Some gardeners use a light insecticidal soap spray on their plants before moving them inside. Once inside, give them a bright sunny room and reduce the amount of water they receive.
Retired after 38 years with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Janet Carson ranks among Arkansas' best known horticulture experts. Her blog is at arkansasonline.com/planitjanet. Write to her at P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203 or email
jcarson@arkansasonline.com
HomeStyle on 10/12/2019