FALL IS IN THE AIR

After the exhausting summer heat we’ve had, now is a great time to take advantage of the cooler weather in Texas. It’s a great time for planting spring bulbs, trees and shrubs. Plant Pansies, Ornamental Cabbage, Dianthus and Mums. Don’t forget to supplement your soil to replenish it from the drought before planting! Additionally, now is the time to be on the lookout for cabbageworms and aphids. Cabbageworms can be controlled with a worm killer. Ladybugs can aid in the fight against aphids or you can soak them with a concoction of 2 tablespoons of dish soap to a gallon of water. Don’t pull up clover and vetch because they are great attractants for lady bugs. Other insects can be controlled by handpicking, by spraying them with water, or by attracting birds. By attracting birds you get to enjoy their singing and babies in the Spring, but you’ll get the benefit of insect control. Purple Martins, Scissortail, Mockingbirds and Bluebirds are great insect eaters.