Hudson Valley Landscaping

Hudson Valley Landscaping

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Despite the surprises Mother Nature may send our way in spring, such as unseasonable temperatures and rain, by May her moods are calmer. For gardeners, this means there's almost no limit to the gardening activities that can be done this month, so let's get out there and get to work.

Q. I have a large old maple tree in my front yard near the fence and would like to plant a line of blueberry bushes along the fence. Would treating the soil to make it more acidic for the blueberries harm the tree? It's a beautiful tree, and I would change my plan rather than harm it. Barbara C.

A. Maple trees and blueberries can both take an acidic soil, so planting the berries near the maple shouldn't be a problem. However, if the tree provides too much shade or you are trying to plant too close to the old maples roots, the blueberries may not do as well. Blueberries prefer a full sun location, ample moisture and a soil rich in organic matter. Our native heavy clay soils should be made more suitable for blueberries with the addition of organic matter such as peat moss or a good quality compost.

Unlike many other garden crops, blueberries require a relatively acid soil for good growth. The soil pH should be within the range of 4.5-5.2. Before you plant, simply do a pH test on your soil. (Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office will do the soil test for a modest fee.) If the soil is not acidic enough, you can add elemental sulfur to make it more suitable for blueberries.

Blueberry plants are a beautiful addition to your home landscape. They provide spring flowers, summer fruit, and beautiful fall color as well as brightly colored stems in the winter, so go ahead plant your blueberries, and enjoy.

Q.I have a burning bush that has its leaves all curled up only on the ends of the limbs. It has black seedlike items in them really teeny seeds and may have some wetness, too (it's hard to tell with all the rain we've had), but it seems to be just on the end leaves! Nothing is moving, and I see no "host" bug. What is it? Thanks for your help. Angela

A. What you are describing sounds like aphids. Aphids are tiny garden pests that will often hide under the leaves at the very tip of the burning bush branches and feed as they are hiding. Their leaf-sucking will cause the leaf tissue to contort and the tips of the new growth to curl downward. Insecticidal soap or other contact-kill insecticides work well, but you have to get it on the aphids for it to work, so make sure you spray into that curled-up portion so you get them all.

Another maybe more effective way to make sure that you are getting the aphids in the curl is to use a systemic insecticide that absorbs into the plant. As the aphids feed, they will be ingesting the poison and are effectively controlled. You could also just prune off the tips that have the aphids on them, and it won't hurt the plant. Get out there and give it a try, and your plants will look better before you know it.

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