Southwest Yard and Garden
This column comes through the Grant County Extension Service out of New Mexico State University.
By Dr. Marisa Thompson & Dr. Carol Sutherland
Reprint from November 2017
Mesquite girdler. (photo credit: Dr. Salvador Vitanza, previously with TexasAgriLife, El Paso, TX)
Question:
Our mesquite trees are experiencing what appears to be a girdler bug attack. This is the first time we have experienced this. How harmful are they, and what can be done to rid these pests?
Jack D., Doña Ana County, NM
by Marisa Thompson, with guest contributor, Dr. Amanda Skidmore, NMSU Extension Integrated Pest Management Specialist for Urban and Small Farms
Question: I've always been told that squash bugs shouldn't be squashed, but should be placed in a covered jar or container because, when squashed, they emit a pheromone-binding protein that the other squash bugs can sense from distances and will be attracted to their brothers in my yard. Is this fact or fiction?
-Carol B., Los Lunas
Question: Back in April, I had questions about what turned out to be aphids on my peach trees. Now my melon plants are covered in squash bugs. Is there anything I can do to control them this late in the season?
Lorraine J., Los Lunas
Answer: I wish I had better news for gardeners with the squash bug blues. Squash bugs are difficult to control, and even more so as the bugs mature because insecticides are a much less effective tool.
Some people delay planting squash until July to avoid the squash bug, but this tactic is not foolproof. As many gardeners have reported this year, delayed planting seems to work some years, but not reliably.
Guest columnist this week: Alissa Freeman - Senior Program Specialist and Director of the pollinator-friendly NMSU Learning Garden at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas.
Question: I recently attended a native plant seed-saving workshop and collected a few different native plant species. How do I grow these seeds?
Emilio B., Belen, NM
Answer: Not only are native plants a beautiful addition to any landscape but they also require less water, are adapted to our climate, and are a vital resource for native bees and other pollinators. Many native plants are available commercially, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience to try growing native plants at home. The first step is collecting seeds—go on hikes, walk around the bosque, and find your favorite areas that have plants of interest. When collecting seeds, make sure they are dry and ready to harvest and only collect a small percentage of available seed to keep the plant population healthy. Following seed collection, clean the seeds by peeling away excess plant material. Be sure to dry seeds out before storing in a cool, dry location to prevent molding.
Rose leaves with symptoms of salt burn. Photo credits L. Peters.
Question: Can you tell what seems to be plaguing the various rosebushes in my backyard?
– L. Peters, Sandoval County, NM
Guest columnist this week: Alissa Freeman - Senior Program Specialist and Director of the pollinator-friendly NMSU Learning Garden at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas.
Question: I’ve heard that homegrown tomatoes shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator because they’ll lose their flavor. How does that work?
Sarah M., Las Cruces
Answer: The short answer is that volatile organic chemicals (aka volatiles) in tomato fruits are responsible for providing complex flavors—beyond plain old sweet and tangy tastes—and many of these volatiles are released when chilled to around 55°F or lower, thereby creating a noticeable loss in flavor. That’s why we’re told to keep tomatoes out in the open instead of in the crisper. The long answer winds up being a rich story of customer relations, plant breeding, plant physiology, chemistry, marketing, classical music, disappointment, and hope.
Question: I’m adding plants to my home landscape, and I’d like to make it a bird-friendly habitat. What are some bird-friendly plants?
- Yours Truly (Marisa Thompson), Los Lunas