August is almost over and so is 2021. There’s no question life moves faster when you’re having fun, and that’s true for us this year.   

We want to thank three clients for questions this month covering hydrangeas (winter-cut to the knee to avoid summer wilting), ugly August lawns (normal, but call if you suspect a problem), and what to do if Mr. Skunk decides to visit (ask for my newest referral).  

We also have an alert on a new pest in the area: army worms. Please keep your eyes open, and text me if you see a sudden change in your lawn.

Finally, Diane picked a pet, and it’s Holly Maroon’s new French Bulldog puppy, Hazel. What a beauty.

Interested? Please read on. If not, see you next month!

Hydrangeas: Trim Back to Curb Wilting

Fran Metheny asked why her hydrangea always wilts in the afternoon sun.

First, we see a problem already because hydrangeas really don’t like afternoon sun. Wilting is their defense against the heat. In basic terms, they turn their cells away from the direct light to limit the amount of sugar being made. Trees do the same thing, aiming their leaves toward the sun when they want and away when it’s too much.

Most likely wilting does NOT mean your plant needs water. It is possible, so use your finger at the base to check that out, but drowning it isn’t a nice way to say you’re sorry you planted it in the wrong place.

Normally summer-wilting stops as a plant gains an adequate root structure to support its above-soil structure. This can take several years, however, and Fran was frustrated that six years later hers is still drooping. The cure there is to cut it back hard in the winter—probably to your knee—and then let it regrow next summer. I cut my hydrangeas back to the knee each year to keep them the right size for their location too.

Yes, August Lawns Are Ugly, But Call Anyway

Yung Quian called to alert me to strange grasses in his lawn. If you look back through the summer newsletters, you’ll find lots written about August being the worst time of year to do a lawn evaluation. The simple fact is that when temperatures rise, the good grasses stop growing and all the hard fescues take off.   

In Yung’s case that was part of the story, but the main problem was that all this rain has kicked off a bunch of weed grasses. I am now scurrying about trying to get them all.  

Your eyes on your lawn are a help. If you suspect a problem, please call.

Call for Skunk Problems Too

I believe Julie Wiess Shaffer just became the first to be in two newsletters, but she had a problem with a skunk, and that answer is changing, so let's talk.   

Skunks indicate different conditions at different times of year. In October, for example, they are a sign of grubs. In August they show up because they are hungry, and it is amazing what they will eat. One client actually had one of his ducks eaten by a skunk, so their appetite is far ranging.   

The main thing is that a skunk can leave a gift that takes days to quit giving. In the past the solution has been a simple call to Mike Gray at ABC Animal Removal, but Mike and I aren’t as young as we were. Like me, he isn’t taking many new clients.   

Thankfully, I have a new referral for skunk removal. Please give me a call, as I don’t yet have permission to post the information. If you know Mike, though, there isn’t a replacement for him. I have loved working in the same town as Mike my entire 40 plus years.

Army Worms: New Pest, New Lessons

We were just alerted Thursday to a new pest hitting here and there all over the region: the army worm. We have never seen these creatures in Morgantown, so we regrouped and ordered a product to address the issue. Now the learning curve starts.

Watch video here.

Please alert me by text if your lawn shows a sudden change. I’ll check it out and, if the cause is this new-to-us wonder of nature, I will attempt to address the problem. It’s another learning opportunity for all, so keep your eyes open and your phone handy.

Hazel

Now the fun stuff begins. I get to talk about Diane’s pet pick. Unfortunately for her, I get to play with all the puppies. She just gets to pick the photos. But life is seldom fair.

Holly Maroon got a new French Bulldog named Hazel!  She looks big in this photo, but she’s really smaller than a bowling ball and soooo sweet.  Thanks to her for allowing me to get my puppy fix this month.

Thanks so much to you for giving this your time. Keep the questions coming.  See you soon in your lawn!