Normally I wouldn’t suggest planting much in our August heat. The ground is dry, water is scare with below 12” of annual rainfall, and temperatures are daily in the high 90’s, bumping the 100’s. Still we can dream of things we can do during more tolerant weather.

The Azalea Caterpillar (Datana Major) is very active in August and September. The adult moths (not butterflies) lay their eggs in late spring. As the eggs mature the young caterpillars skeletonize the azaleas, particularly the Southern Indica Hybrids.

The tune “Bad Boys, Bad Boys, watcha gonna do?” could easily be replaced with “Bad Bugs, Bad Bugs watcha gonna do?” in our area. We seem to have insects of Biblical proportion at certain times and especially late spring and summer.

Tips on summer care of azaleas

Many people are quite capable of taking care of their garbage. Just put in the plastic bag, take it to the road and it’s gone.

Some insects are questionable as to there “good purposes on Earth", but.....

This new year is quickly becoming a little surprising already. Many of the calls I’ve received are suspiciously starting with “S” subjects. The winter season has its usual calls about early spring fertilizing (don’t do it), spinach harvesting (yes, do it), and soil sampling (absolutely yes, do it). In addition, I’ve had some unusual winter calls about spiders, snakes, snails and slugs.

Weed control in flower beds

The best time to plant citrus is January or February

A list of Farmers Markets, Roadside Markets and Fruit Producers located in St. Tammany Parish.