Bagworms Are Back.
This year, stay ahead of them.
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Last summer was hard on our evergreens. Bagworms were unusually active in our area, in such numbers that many arborvitae and junipers didn't make it through. Now these pests are emerging again, feeding on the host plants that survived.
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A local landscape planting, photographed last summer. Note the dead and dying junipers spreading out from the original infestation at the corner of the building.
The good news is that bagworm infestations are completely preventable, but the window of opportunity is short.
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Right now, newly hatched bagworm caterpillars are tiny, and that's the only time they're vulnerable. They encase themselves in a thickening cocoon of needles as they grow, shielding themselves from treatments.
To find out whether you've got a problem-in-the-making, check your arborvitae and junipers closely for tiny cones made from needles. The bagworm will be hidden inside. If you spot any large "needle cones" left over from last year, remove and destroy them by dropping them into soapy water.
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We practice integrated pest management at Hoerr Nursery, which means using the lowest impact method that will effectively treat the problem. If you find a bagworm infestation, we recommend picking up Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) in our Plant Pharmacy. Bt is a naturally occurring bacterial treatment that targets caterpillars specifically, leaving birds, bees, and other beneficial insects completely unaffected.
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Come see us soon if you're concerned about your evergreens. We're happy to walk you through what to look for, and which product will work best for your situation.
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Check Out Your Milkweed! 🦋
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Monarchs are on the move, and Jenny found our first caterpillar last week. (Look close!) If you’ve got milkweed in your own garden, check it over. Monarch eggs are laid alone, tiny ovals with vertical ridges. Little white beads of milkweed sap can mimic eggs, but don't be fooled!
The caterpillars start out so small that they're difficult to spot. Look for small holes in the leaves, or little black droppings on the leaves below. You'll often find the clues before you see the caterpillar itself.
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Not sure what you're looking at? Send us a photo. We love this stuff, and we're always happy to help you figure out what's happening in your garden.
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Once-in-a-Century Sale
10 Perennials for $100
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We've been in the nursery business since 1926, through droughts, late frosts, and heatwaves, and we think that's something worth celebrating!
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From Friday, June 12th through Friday, June 19th, retail customers can choose any 10 perennials from our homegrown sale selection for $100. Every perennial included in the sale was chosen to perform well here and come back reliably, so you get good looks, easy care, and a garden that keeps showing off season after season. It's our way of sharing what we've learned over the past hundred years.
Swing by, and we'll help you put together a curated collection you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Happy gardening!
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