How To Control Ants
Because Madonna lilies start growing in early fall, it is necessary to get the bulbs planted this month. Don’t wait until they start sending up shoots in the dealers’ bins before purchasing them. Another lily to plant early is the rare giant Himalayan Lily. Both require shallow planting. A mere two inches of soil over the top of the bulbs is sufficient. Other bulbs worth planting now include Spanish. and Dutch iris, watsonias, colchicums, freesias and nerines. Of this latter group the iris are the most important because they yield great armloads of flowers early in the spring. Bearded iris should also be planted this month.
Control Pests
Keep after ants. By limiting their population aphids can also be checked. You will find the best controls down at the garden center. I just Sevin.
Green and black spotted “lady bugs” are seriously spoiling flowers on zinnias, asters, Shasta daisies, dahlias and other fall bloomers. The most efficient control is malathion or Neem oil. This can also serve as a check against leaf miners which attack the same plants.
Cut Water Bills
There is nothing like a 2-3 inch blanket of mulch to hold moisture in the ground these warm days. There are many kinds on the market, from straw, hay or pine bark to peatmoss.
This time of year to divide perennials if the clumps are thick and overgrown. Primroses, Roses, Transvaal daisies, arabis, aubrietas, columbines and other favorites are ready for the dividing knife. Be sure to keep them sufficiently moist afterwards so that they will take hold.
Now is the time to start indoor pot plants for Christmas bloom in the greenhouse. Good bets are: giant-flowered cinerarias, obconica primroses, climbing roses and poor man’s orchids. It is not too late to start poinsettias for holiday blooms but make the cuttings as early as possible.
All western lawns, unfortunately, are subject to crabgrass invasion and this is the worst month of all. However, efficient crabgrass killing agents are now available.