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Dear Jere Questions:

A customer recently asked how they should go about drying herbs from their herb garden, and this is a simple plan for you to follow: Dry herbs such as basil, parsley, and sage to store through winter by cutting 6 -to 12-inch long stems, remove any dead or diseased leaves, and hang stems upside down in paper bags in a shaded, airy, cool location.   About starting perennial snapdragons: Start seeds of fragrant annuals such as snapdragon, stock, and sweet alyssum to transplant into the garden this fall. Keep seedlings well watered and once plants have 4 to 6 true leaves, transplant them into containers and garden beds.   Question: How do I know when to harvest my onions, and do I need to do anything special before storing them for later use? Answer: To harvest onions for storage, watch for when the tops begin to turn yellow and fall over. The bulbs should be in the two- to four-inch range. At that point you may wish to bend the foliage flat to the ground to speed up the maturing process. After about three weeks, or when the tops are totally dried up, dig them up. (Do not harvest when the soil is very wet, and be sure to harvest before the first frost.) Harvest on a dry, sunny day and lay the onions out to dry for an hour or so in the sun. Brush off any excess soil, then cure them by placing them in a single layer in the shade for about ten days. If conditions are inappropriate for outdoor drying, you may have to spread them out on the floor indoors under a fan. Finally, clip off the tops about an inch from the bulb and store in a cool dry place. Storage onion varieties will keep from 4-12 months when properly dried and stored.

Wild and Wooly

A new pest has once again graced our region. The Wooly White Fly and it has arrived with a vengeance. It seems to affect only citrus at this time, with a particular affinity for lemons and oranges. Most people first notice this pest as they stand under their precious citrus and notice a profuse shower of sticky honeydew. As you look up into the tree, you will notice great masses of white cottony looking insects. They will be glistening with large amounts of honeydew just ready to fall on your head, car, or whatever else lies beneath. To control this new pest, you must be persistent. The cottony shield, as well as the large amount of honeydew, effectively protects these insects from contact with insecticides. Most people have found sprays containing cyfluthrin concentrate, to be effective when sprayed 3 times at 10-day to 2-week intervals. Be aware, while the insects will die, it will take some time for the cottony looking masses to disappear. You can help the process by squirting water on the trees with a high pressure nozzle to wash away the mess. Come on in and we'll be happy to show you how to control this problem.

Variety of the week: Blue Atlantic Cedar

The Blue Atlantic Cedar is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algerian in northern Africa. The stiff needle-like leaves are stiff and a brilliant blue color. This tree is a stark yet pleasing contrast to other green trees. It works well as a great back drop or as a striking highlight plant. Allow room for growth as this plant can get quite large. Specialty applications such as an espalier or pom-pom cut can keep this tree to almost any desired size. Make sure to keep moist when young and treat for excessive alkali. Try this tree in your yard for a great contrast that is sure to be the subject of conversation.

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