Controlling Spider Mites

These tiny spider-like pests are just about invisible to the human eye, but you can definitely see the damage they do. Spider mites suck plant juices from rose leaves, causing them to turn yellowish with a silvery sheen, and often to drop off. They usually congregate on the undersides of the leaves, and if the infestation is bad enough, you'll see the webbing there. Another way to test for mites is to hold a piece of white paper under a branch and shake it. If you see any tiny specks fall on the paper, those are mites. Spider mites are most common in hot dry weather and on dusty plants.

What can you do to control spider mites? Use Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules. One application feeds and protects for up to six weeks. Absorbed by roots, it moves through the entire plant. Even new growth is protected against insects for up to six weeks. Rain or watering cannot wash off this internal protection.

Simply apply Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules to the soil around the base of the plant, sprinkling evenly in the area under the branches, according to the label instructions. Work the granules into the top 1 – 2 inches of soil and water thoroughly.

Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Granules also controls aphids, birch leafminers, elm leaf beetles, holly leafminers, lacebugs, leafhoppers, mimosa webworms, pine tip moths, thrips and whiteflies. It can be used around any roses, flowers and shrubs. Be sure to follow all label application instructions and specific rates for each plant type. It should not be used on edibles or plants growing in containers.

August Garden Checklist

Here's what needs to be done in the garden this month.

CARE FOR ROSES. Remove spent flowers to promote more blooms. Feed and protect from insects with Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate to ensure beautiful blooms this fall.

WATER DEEPLY. Where rain has been lacking, plants may be suffering from the long, hot summer. Water deeply to wet the entire root system.

REPLENISH MULCHES. To cool the soil and conserve water, apply a fresh layer of organic mulch around landscape plants, flowers and vegetables.

PLANT FALL FLOWERS. Plant cool-season annuals like pansies, violas, calendula, snapdragons, sweet peas and primroses. They'll get a good start in this month's warm weather, then bloom long into fall (year-round in mild winter climates).

PLANT FALL VEGETABLES. Much of the country can plant cool-season vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, spinach, chard and carrots for fall harvest.

WATCH FOR INSECTS, INDOORS AND OUT. Mosquitoes, Japanese beetles, ants, scale, spiders and borers are just a few of many insects that can cause problems this month.

CHECK IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. Watch your systems run. Fix clogs, broken or misdirected sprinklers and emitters. Left without repair, you could lose plants during hot weather.

PICK VEGETABLES. Summer vegetable gardens should be at peak production. Keep picking (every other day if needed) so that beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and the rest remain productive. If necessary, share the bounty with neighbors.

REPOT. Ease watering chores and give container plants extra root space by transplanting into larger pots.

ENJOY. Summer won't be around much longer, so enjoy the garden while you can.

For more information and great garden tips for your specific region this month, visit the Home and Garden What To Do Now.

Mowing Tips

It's the heart of lawn-mowing season and a good time to check your mower and mowing practices to make sure you're getting the best cut. Proper mowing not only keeps your lawn looking its best, it also keeps it healthier with fewer weeds. Here are some summer mowing tips:

MOW HIGH. Mowing at the upper end of the recommended mowing height for your grass type encourages deeper roots and better heat and drought tolerance since the grass helps shade the soil to reduce evaporation and maximize soil moisture content. This is a critical area which can help reduce the need for more frequent watering. Set your mower at 1-1/2 inches high for common Bermuda; 1-inch high for hybrid Bermuda; 3 inches high for tall fescue; 2-1/2 inches for Kentucky bluegrass; and 2-1/2 to 3 inches for St. Augustine.

MOW OFTEN. Mow when the lawn reaches about 1/3 higher than the recommended mowing height. For example, mow tall fescue when it reaches about 4 inches high.

KEEP BLADES SHARP AND MAINTAIN MOWER. Sharp blades give you a cleaner cut. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for sharpening blades and other mower maintenance. Or, if you have a rotary mower, simply replace the blade with a new one.

ALTERNATE MOWING DIRECTIONS. This will help prevent ruts from developing.

MOW GRASS ONLY WHEN IT'S DRY. Mowing grass when it's wet usually produces a very uneven cut. The wet grass clippings can also clump leaving a mess on the lawn and underneath your mower.

SAFETY FIRST. Keep yourself and your children safe. Review and follow manufacturer's safety instructions.

If weeds still persist in your lawn this summer use Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Weed Killer for Lawns Concentrate to help control them. It won't harm your lawn, but still kills annoying broadleaf as well as grassy weeds such as crabgrass.

August is a Great Time to Shop for Bulbs

If you plan on planting bulbs this fall, shop the mail order catalogs now. You'll find good bargains, ample supplies and the bulbs will be shipped to you at the ideal time for planting. We perused a few bulb catalogs and here are a few items that caught our eye.

Bi-colored daffodils are very hot. "My Story" is a very special daffodil, selected to honor the worthy cause with which it shares its initials -- Multiple Sclerosis. A large split-cupped type with fabulous double pink petals, it is truly spectacular!

"Clarence" is one of several new reblooming irises -- they bloom in spring then again in late summer or fall. This one bears spectacular, 4-inch wide, sky-blue and white flowers with a strong, sweet scent!

"Feather" hyacinths bear unique, feathery plums of mauve flowers with intense fragrance. They bloom in early spring and are great in pots.

"Dark Eyes" muscari was discovered in the wild in the North Caucasus region in the late 1960s. This unique grape hyacinth's flowers rise above 6- to 8-inch blue-green grassy foliage in a cone of sapphire-blue bells scalloped in white after opening. Once mature, the white blushes faint pink, making the darker petals and center stand out even more boldly. The flowers are lightly scented.

"Claudia" tulip is a lovely lily-flowered variety that opens with an hourglass shape, then unfolds into a big, bold star. Lilac-purple edged in white, it has a crisp, neat appearance and is better adapted to mild winter climates than most tulips.

"Horizon" is double, peony-flowered tulip with white petals with rosy-red brushstrokes on the outside.