You can hear them cackling. The winter weeds are laughing because they’re sure you haven’t noticed them.
They think you’ll just stroll by and not notice them lurking in your lawn and beds, sneaking and snaking their way across your landscape.
The loudest howls come from the mighty few that have the audacity to be unfurling a few flowers or a smattering of seedheads.
Think this is fiction? Nope. Weeds classified as winter annuals are having a field day out there and they spell big headaches for our springtime gardens.
Common chickweed (Stellaria media), a winter annual weed that vexes many local gardeners. Photo: K. Mathias, University of Maryland
Winter annuals germinate in the fall to kick-start their growing. Cold weather slows them down some, but in milder winters they do some serious expanding to vex us in the spring.
Don’t let them. Get out there and show them who’s the boss.
I got a call from a client whose lawn was being eaten by henbit(Lamium amplexicaule), a notorious winter annual. Its scalloped leaves and purple flowers make us think it belongs, but it doesn’t. Be merciless.
Henbit’s charming name belies an aggressive habit. Photo: UME – Home & Garden Information Center
The yellow flowers of common groundsel(Senecio vulgaris) are popping up around our offices. It’s another one that needs to go.
Common chickweed looks innocent enough with its tiny white star-shaped flowers. Don’t be fooled.
Chickweed, purple deadnettle (Lamiumpurpureum), and hairy bittercress (Cardaminehirsuta) have all done well in the last few years. While their names are lovely, they have terrible habits.
Like most winter annuals, hairy bittercress makes abundant seeds. Photo: Betty Marose
So how do you banish these beasts? Knowledge is power. Scout your gardens and look for plants that are out of place and looking particularly vigorous. They might be winter annuals.
Next, use a good resource to identify them. One is our Home & Garden Information Center website which has photos and management tips.
You also can send me photos for identification and advice on cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls.
Cultural controls focus on how you manage your landscape. Many lawn weeds can be controlled by beefing up your lawn to stave off interlopers.
Other preventive cultural controls include planting tightly, mulching, and using groundcovers or cover crops.
Mechanical controls are physical controls such as pulling, digging, or mowing to keep weeds from making seeds.
It’s particularly important to control winter annuals before they set seed. Annuals make up for the fact that they only live one year by making ridiculously large amounts of seeds.
Always, always follow the directions on the product label. More is not better and can cause harm.
Break the cycle of winter annual weeds in your landscape. Use all the tools in a smart gardener’s toolbox: prevention, identification, and informed controls.
By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County, University of Maryland Extension.
Well-kept poinsettias can bloom for up to 8 weeks.
Poinsettias and amaryllis and paperwhites, oh my. These holiday beauties add grace to our homes but need proper care to keep up their show.
Caring for Poinsettias
Poinsettias are the divas of holiday decor. Their colorful bracts – modified leaves that change color – deliver an instant “wow” factor. But like all divas, they can be challenging.
They like bright, not direct, light and prefer daytime temps between 60 and 70 degrees and nighttime temps in the mid-fifties. They hate drafts, so keep them away from heat vents, fireplaces, doors, and windows.
Water them only when the soil is dry. Let the water run through the bottom of the pot. Good drainage is crucial.
Foil wraps are pretty but problematic. So poke a hole in the foil for drainage and set your poinsettias on a pretty plate or tray. A well-kept poinsettia will bloom for six to eight weeks.
I toss my poinsettias at the end of the season (cue the gasps), but determined, thrifty, or thrill-seeking gardeners keep them going from year to year. Here’s how it’s done.
Cut back your poinsettias in early May to 3 inches and repot them into a soilless potting mix.
Move them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, usually mid-May. Start them out in the shade and introduce more sun over several weeks. When the new growth is 2 inches tall, start fertilizing every month.
Pinch or prune out the tips of branches when the new growth reaches 4 inches and again after the new growth reaches 2 or 3 inches. Stop pinching in early September.
Bring your poinsettias inside in late September before the nighttime temperatures dip below 60 degrees. Cut back on fertilizer and put the plants in bright light.
Now comes the fun part.
Poinsettias need a period of darkness since shorter days trigger their “flowering.” So, put yours in a dark closet or box for at least 14 hours every day until Thanksgiving. 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. works well.
Next, bring your poinsettias back into full-time light and get ready to enjoy another show.
Caring for Paperwhites
Another holiday favorite, paperwhites deliver a sweet perfume from dozens of white shooting star-like blooms for a month or two.
If you received paperwhite bulbs as a gift, choose a shallow pot for forcing them into bloom. Put an inch of sterile potting mix or gravel in the pot. They grow well in both.
Tuck the bulbs in tight, pointed ends up. Add soil or gravel until half the bulbs are covered. Water thoroughly and often to keep the bulbs moist.
Put them in a cool, well-lit room until the shoots are an inch tall. Then move them to a warmer spot. If their stems topple, support them with thin stakes or chopsticks tied with raffia or ribbon.
Paperwhites bloom only once, so toss the bulbs after you’ve enjoyed their show. Sorry, no encores.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is another holiday bulb that delivers drama. For tips on planting and care, snag our fact sheet.
Amaryllis delivers drama with clusters of colorful flowers up to 6 inches across.
Enjoy all your holiday plants and time spent with friends and family in this most special time of year.
By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County, University of Maryland Extension.
Do you ever wonder where insects go during the winter? This year, as you snuggle up under a warm blanket to escape the winter cold, think about how you can help the beneficial insects in your garden do the same. The harsh conditions of the cold season can be challenging to deal with, but some insects can benefit from habitats that provide them with shelter not only during the winter but all year round. Ground beetles are a great example of insects that can be a tremendous help in the garden, but also appreciate a good nook or cranny to hide out in while the weather is less than ideal.
Ground beetles are one of the most diverse insect families in the world and can be found in many shapes and sizes across Maryland’s gardens, farms, and natural areas. Like butterflies and moths, ground beetles go through a complete metamorphosis, changing drastically in appearance throughout their life cycle. They begin their lives as larvae that resemble small, fast-moving, armor-plated caterpillars with giant mandibles – a little intimidating, but luckily, they’re on your side! Ground beetle larvae mostly feed on other small invertebrates, including a range of garden pests like aphids, grubs, and caterpillars. Ground beetles generally spend a few months as a larva and can live several more years as an adult.
Ground beetle larva with a potential snack. Photo: Benjamin Burgunder (CC-BY)
Adult ground beetles can be anywhere from ⅛ to 1 ½ inches long and oval-shaped with a plain dark coloration, but some may sport a green or bronze iridescence. They have long legs and thread-like antennae. Like other beetles, they have hard wing covers, usually with prominent ridges running across their length. These wing covers protect hind wings that may sometimes be used to fly, but many species have lost this ability. Even those that retain it are more likely to be found running across the ground or burrowing down just underneath the substrate.
Ground beetles have large, powerful mandibles that they use to capture and chew their food, which they’re not picky about. They are well-known for eating a wide variety of foods, but many species have a preference for one type over another. Some species, including Chlaenius aestivus, Scarites subterraneus, and Poecilus chalcites are famous predators of other invertebrates including aphids, caterpillars, and slugs, and can help keep pests at bay in your garden. Other species such as Amara aenea, Harpalus pensylvanicus, and Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis also feed on other invertebrates, but have additionally been studied for their useful tendency to eat the seeds of common weeds, helping to manage these weeds before they even start growing.
Some common ground beetle species in Maryland include insect pest predators Chlaenius aestivus (top left) and Scarites subterraneus (top right), as well as weed seed eaters Amara aenea (bottom left) and Harpalus pensylvanicus (bottom right). Photos: Zachary Dankowicz, Debbie Johnson, Martin Galli, Don Marsille (CC BY-NC)
While ground beetles do not damage garden plants, they may be considered a household pest if found wandering through homes. Most ground beetles are nocturnal and attracted to lights, so they may inadvertently enter houses and have trouble getting out. In this case, simply use a cup and a piece of paper or your hands to capture them. They do not pose any significant danger to you or your pets, but if handled roughly, their mandibles may deliver a small pinch. Relocate them outside where they can continue to serve you and your garden.
If you want to help support these useful critters, there are several actions you can take.
Avoid practices that disturb soil fauna such as frequent tillage, and don’t use broad-spectrum insecticides, i.e. those that harm a wide range of insects including beneficials.
Don’t leave the ground bare. Bare earth does not provide the best protection against the cold, so cutting back your plants before or during the winter to tidy up your garden actually may be harmful to resident ground beetles. Applying a straw mulch can help cover up bare earth and provide shelter for these overwintering insects. Planting perennials in or near your garden can also provide a lasting habitat for beneficial insects. Establishing stretches of perennial grasses called “beetle banks” is a common technique used to increase ground beetle numbers on farms in many places around the world.
Create sheltered spaces. Ground beetles will even hide out underneath large stones, logs, or brush piles. In addition to helping ground beetles, creating sheltered habitats and leaving ground cover over the soil can also help other beneficial insects, including pollinators and insects that are important food for birds (“leave the leaves!”).
Because they can live for several years, helping ground beetles for one year can result in much greater numbers during the following years as well. It’s an investment in your garden’s natural defenses against pests! Having these predators around can help keep you from needing to resort to using pesticides which may be harmful to your health and to the environment. Next time you’re making plans for your garden, consider helping out your garden’s natural protectors and enjoy as they return the favor.
References
Dennis, P., Thomas, M. B., & Sotherton, N. W. (1994). Structural Features of Field Boundaries Which Influence the Overwintering Densities of Beneficial Arthropod Predators. The Journal of Applied Ecology, 31(2), 361. https://doi.org/10.2307/2404550
Jordan, S. F., Hopwood, J., & Morris, S. (2020). Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators & Other Beneficial Insects. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
MacLeod, A., Wratten, S. D., Sotherton, N. W., & Thomas, M. B. (2004). “Beetle banks” as refuges for beneficial arthropods in farmland: Long-term changes in predator communities and habitat. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 6(2), 147–154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-9563.2004.00215.x
Philpott, S. M., Albuquerque, S., Bichier, P., Cohen, H., Egerer, M. H., Kirk, C., & Will, K. W. (2019). Local and Landscape Drivers of Carabid Activity, Species Richness, and Traits in Urban Gardens in Coastal California. Insects, 10(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10040112
Philpott, S. M., & Bichier, P. (2017). Local and landscape drivers of predation services in urban gardens. Ecological Applications, 27(3), 966–976. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1500
By Alireza Shokoohi, M.S. Student, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park.
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.) is a pleasure to watch unfold.
Celebrate your green thumb this holiday season with everything from décor to gifts.
Bring the garden indoors with plants, plants, and more plants. Start some amaryllis bulbs or paperwhites. Bank poinsettias in a bay window.
Top a delicate cyclamen with a gardening cloche or delight in the blooms of a Christmas cactus or orchid. These plants will add beauty and satisfy your need to play in the dirt.
Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis sp.). Photo: Pixabay
To keep your plants lush and lovely throughout the holiday season, check out the care tips in our Home and Garden Information Center fact sheets. Here are a few to get you started:
Go natural for decorations. Snip some holly or evergreen boughs and stuff them in baskets and pots. Add some winterberry or curly willow branches for flair. Fill a pottery bowl with pinecones.
Native winterberry jazzes up holiday arrangements. Photo: M. Talabac
Jazz up outside containers with evergreens and colorful branches for some welcoming eye candy.
Weave yarrow, baby’s breath, statice, hydrangea blossoms, and other dried flowers into wreaths, swags, and arrangements. Stuff an antique pitcher with an armful of Lunaria’s silvery seed pods.
Take a walk through a meadow with your clippers and a big basket and discover an abundance of interesting grasses, seed pods, and natural forms to enhance your holiday decorating.
Leave them natural or dust them lightly with a bit of gold or silver spray paint for a bit of holiday sparkle.
Next, add a few purchased decorations that mirror your passion for gardening. Tie tiny copper watering can ornaments onto your tree. Use zinc or copper plant markers as gift tags.
And just for fun, decorate a child’s holiday tree with brightly colored kids’ gardening gloves and tools you can later donate to a school garden.
Gifts for gardeners are a breeze. Give hand-softening soaps and lotions. Wrap a bunch of fresh holly in festive tissue. Pot an amaryllis bulb or other plant in a handsome pot.
Look for classic garden jewelry with blossoms cast in silver or gold. Or give a gift from your garden such as homemade pesto, a rooted houseplant cutting, or seeds collected from a favorite plant.
Are you crafty? Indulge your artistic side to create homemade gifts with a gardener’s touch.
Lavender sachets made from homegrown lavender make lovely gifts.
I give friends tins filled with lavender cookies made with lavender from my garden. I delight in friends’ gifts of hand-stitched sachets, dried flower bunches, and potted herbs.
I can hear the guys out there saying, “Enough with the girly stuff, whatcha got for me?” Tools, dudes. And yes, we gals like tools, too.
Check out your local garden centers, then hit the catalogs. Two of my favorites are Lee Valley and Gardener’s Supply. Both have quality tools and other garden gear.
And in my book, you simply cannot go wrong with a gardening book. New or used, your favorite reads and references will help to grow your gardening friends’ libraries and know-how.
Whether yours is a homemade or store-bought holiday, make your home and gifts a beautiful reflection of your passion for gardening.
By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County, University of Maryland Extension.
This is a great time of year to prune most deciduous trees and shrubs so let’s cover some tips and techniques.
What is pruning? Pure and simple, it’s removing the undesirable parts of plants.
Good pruning improves plant health. It gets rid of dead and diseased parts and improves air circulation, shape, and appearance. It can also restrict growth, stimulate flowering and fruiting, and rejuvenate older plants.
February to early March is the ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs because they are dormant. The cuts you make will add vigor without trauma.
You need only a few tools. Start with hand pruners to clip small twigs and branches. Add a pair of loppers to cut larger branches. For tight spots, it’s hard to beat a folding pruning saw.
Proper pruning improves plant health.Tools such as this lopper can cut branches up to 3 inches thick.
No matter what tools you choose, keep them sharp and clean.
Can you hear them? Tiny little elves are softly singing carols. The holidays must be around the corner.
If you’re scratching your head for gift ideas for the gardeners in your life, the Master Gardeners and I can help. Here are a few suggestions to make smiles wider and green thumbs greener.
Tools are cool. Yes, we say we really don’t need yet another tool. We lie. Our eyes light up at the flash of steel and the smoothness of a wooden handle.
A Hori Hori soil knife – a multipurpose tool with a serrated edge and slight curve that digs, plants, cuts, weeds, and more – is a perennial favorite.
Used here to plant garlic, a Hori Hori knife also digs, cuts, weeds, and more.
Folding saws are a marvel for pruning in tight spots. Garden kneelers let you work sitting or kneeling with grips to give you a boost in getting up. If you’re over 50, you get it.
We gardeners are always looking for our next favorite garden glove. I have two: a waterproof glove and a sturdy but breathable pair with cushioned fingertips and palms.
A good pair of gloves is an indispensable gardening tool and a fine holiday gift idea.
Gardeners love books. Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope and Bringing Nature Home top many Master Gardeners’ wish lists as do other conservation-minded books.
Magazine subscriptions make fine gifts, too. How about Horticulture, Fine Gardening or Birds & Blooms?
I treasure handmade gifts, both to give and receive. Gifts from the garden – such as pesto, jam, and herbal liqueurs – are especially welcome.
If you’re crafty, sew a garden apron, paint garden markers or make a hypertufa pot. If bigger is better, make a birdhouse, potting bench, or trellis.
Good things also come in small packages. Seeds make great gifts.
Botanical Interests offers blends for butterflies, pollinators, and more in beautiful, informative seed packets. The Hudson Valley Seed Company sells heirloom seeds in incredibly artful packets.
Bundle small gifts into a pot or gift basket. One Master Gardener fondly remembers an upcycled vintage bushel basket filled with bulbs, a bulb planter, and handmade plant markers.
Still stumped? How about a gardening calendar for year-round enjoyment or a garden-themed jigsaw puzzle that keeps twitchy gardening fingers busy in the winter months?
You can’t go wrong with a gift card to a favorite garden center or online store. I used to disdain gift cards, but now embrace them because the recipient can get just what they want and need.
Always welcome is the gift of time. Why not give a busy gardener a coupon good for a few hours of planting, weeding, watering, or tending? For many of us that is the best gift of all.
Among my many gifts are my Master Gardeners. Thanks to Master Gardeners Lori, Ann, Will, Chanelle, Marcia, Dusty, Michelle, Susan, Catherine, Karen, Judy, and Sharon for their suggestions for this column.
We hope we’ve given you some ideas to jump-start your holiday gift-giving.
By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County, University of Maryland Extension. This article was previously published by Herald-Mail Media. Read more by Annette.
Brown marmorated stink bug, one of the little stinkers that try to get into the house in autumn. Photo: Kristie Graham, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org
Q: The bugs trying to spend the winter in my home aren’t a hazard, right? I’m going to try to seal up where they may be getting in, but there are already some that have managed to appear inside that would be hard to track down.
A: They don’t bite, aren’t attracted to indoor plants (though they might be drawn to grow lights, as they are to any light source), and are generally just a nuisance. If not easy to find, you can let them wander around until they expire, then dispose of them. Live bugs can be vacuumed or caught and released outside to meet their fate. Boxelder bugs, brown marmorated stink bugs, and multicolored Asian lady beetles are the trio of common culprits here in Maryland. Crickets, pillbugs, and millipedes come inside too, but at least they don’t fly.
Our homes must look like giant boulders to them, basking in the waning sunlight and retaining relative warmth, riddled with inviting crevices in which they can wait out the winter. Our abodes might be especially attractive since our groomed landscapes don’t have as many natural tree cavities, fallen logs, brush piles, or layers of leaf litter to tempt them instead.
If anyone is still puzzled by how they’re getting in, check your door and window weather-stripping for degradation or gaps, look for torn window screening, and inspect vent covers and conduit or pipe entry points on the exterior of the home. Seal any gaps and cracks that you can. If you use a window air conditioner, take it out for the season or plug up any access points around it.
By Miri Talabac, Horticulturist, University of Maryland Extension Home & Garden Information Center. Miri writes the Garden Q&A for The Baltimore Sun and Washington Gardener Magazine. Read more by Miri.
Have a plant or insect question? The University of Maryland Extension has answers! Send your questions and photos to Ask Extension. Our horticulturists are available to answer your questions online, year-round.
