Maid To Garden

In The Garden Of Good Living - August 2009: Working Out The Bugs In Our Gardens
by Pat Hendrickson

Anyone who lives on Delmarva knows that mosquitoes can make being outside unbearable particularly at this time of year. With the higher temperatures and all the rain we have been having, now is a good time to be extra vigilant about denying mosquitoes a place to lay eggs.

Gardener's Tips

Things that collect water creating mosquito breeding grounds are:
- Used tires
- Playground equipment
- Plastic wading pools
- Trash, discarded toys etc.
- Tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc.
- Canoes, small boats & bilges
- Garbage cans & lids
- Wheelbarrows
- Clogged rain gutters
- Tree holes
Once or twice a week change the water in bird baths, ornamental ponds (that don't have mosquito eating fish), planter trays, pet dishes, and livestock water troughs.
If drainage ditches are clogged and holding stagnant water for longer than a week they should be reported to your county mosquito control office. They may be protected by wetland regulations so you should not try to clear these ditches on your own.
Now is also a time that gardeners are battling a variety of plant diseases and critters. Extreme weather stresses pants making them more susceptible. Birds can steal a crop. We have an amazing resource in our local Cooperative Extension offices which not only provide very thorough websites, but if you call them they can be provide helpful solutions for whatever ails your garden.

University of Maryland - Plant Diagnostic Center
Cecil County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-996-5280
Kent County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-778-1661
Queen Anne's County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-758-0166
Caroline County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-479-4030
Talbot County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-822-1244
Dorchester County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-228-8800
Wicomico County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-749-6141
Worcester County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-632-1972
Somerset County Cooperative Extension Office - 410-651-1350

University of Delaware - Plant Diagnostic Clinic
Kent County Cooperative Extension Office - 302-730-4000
New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office - 302-831-2506
Sussex County Cooperative Extension Office - 302-856-7303

Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech - Diagnosing Plant Problems
Accomack County Cooperative Extension Office - 757-787-136
Northampton County Cooperative Extension Office - 757-678-7946
There is often an organic solution to garden problems including beneficial bugs and nontoxic treatments. Visit these sites to find out more: