Outsmarting the Beetles

A misty morning here. A little cooler for the weekend and I can deal with that. I've been trying not to complain about the hot weather, but cleaning up the yard while perspiring is not my cup of tea. We need some cooler weather to really get people in the mood to work outside. By the looks of the lawn this morning...Aric will be here next week to mow.

As in other years, I am thinking way ahead to Japanese Beetle time. My hanging baskets and containers were ravaged by them last year. I have been trying to think of plants that they don't enjoy. There are a few that I can think of...lilies, dipladenia, mandevilla, sedum, asparagus fern, clematis, etc. I want to outsmart the beetles this year. So, I set to work on a new plan.

I took my large container at the front of the house and made an indentation in the center for a pot a little smaller than the big one. Put the smaller pot there and then filled with soil. I put a stoneware pot of sedum in the center of that...making a tower of pots. Then I gathered up the smaller terra cotta pots of sedum from various places in the yard and planted the sedums and hens and chicks around the base of both pots. I put some of the trailing ones on the edges. When this container is established there will be succulents on all the levels. For color...I may tuck in a few annuals...I'm thinking some pansies right now. When the beetles come looking...they will have to go next door for flowers. I will be on guard with my roses, however.

Well, that's enough for now...remember to watch the Eaglecam...the babies will be hatching starting today or tomorrow.

Balisha