All Seasons Gardens

06/05/2024

The MA Department of Agricultural Resources has announced: Box Tree Moth Quarantine Issued in Massachusetts - USDA Declared Statewide Quarantine to Stop Spread of Invasive Insect. To read the full announcement, visit: https://massnrc.org/pests/blog/?p=3419 .

To report box tree moth insect life stages or damage to boxwood plants in Massachusetts, visit: https://massnrc.org/pests/report.aspx .

Effective immediately, to prevent the spread of box tree moth to uninfested areas, boxwood plants may only be moved outside of Massachusetts by a business operating under a compliance agreement issued by MDAR. The compliance agreement requires boxwoods to be inspected and treated regularly by trained nursery staff, and notification must be made to MDAR if box tree moth is found. Additionally, all exports must be accompanied by an authorized agricultural certificate.

This quarantine covers all boxwood plants (Buxus species), plant parts, pieces, cuttings, clippings, debris, or any other portion of the plant, alive or dead, except for boxwood roping, wreaths, and other decorative items. The quarantine does not impact existing plantings of boxwoods, or boxwoods that are purchased to be planted in Massachusetts.

Nurseries and other growers and sellers wishing to export boxwoods out of Massachusetts must enter into a compliance agreement with MDAR, and can start the process by visiting: https://www.mass.gov/box-tree-moth and clicking on EXPORTS: Request a Compliance Agreement.

For more information about box tree moth, visit:

USDA Box Tree Moth Page: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/box-tree-moth .

MDAR Box Tree Moth Fact Page: https://massnrc.org/pests/pestFAQsheets/boxtreemoth.html .

UMass Extension Fact Sheet: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth .

UMass Extension Box Tree Moth Monitoring & Trapping Fact Sheet: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth-monitoring-trapping .

For a map of where this insect occurs in Massachusetts: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a25afa4466a54313b21dd45abc34b62d/page/Page-2/?views=Box-Tree-Moth .

Photo: Box tree moth caterpillars. Courtesy of: Matteo Maspero and Andrea Tantardini, Centro MiRT - Fondazione Minoprio [IT].

05/07/2024

Need assistance monitoring or trapping for box tree moth? Visit this new fact sheet for guidance from UMass Extension and the MA Department of Agricultural Resources, here: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth-monitoring-trapping .

Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is a non-native insect first detected on Cape Cod in Massachusetts in 2023. It is currently known to be established in certain areas of the communities of Bourne, Sandwich, and Barnstable. For a map of where box tree moth occurs in Massachusetts, visit: https://bit.ly/BTMPestDash .

The primary host of box tree moth are boxwoods (Buxus spp). Caterpillars feed on boxwood foliage, eventually defoliating plants which may also be killed by this insect.

Box tree moth caterpillars have been reported as actively feeding this 2024 growing season in areas of Cape Cod, MA where they have become established. (See "Cape Cod Region Report" in the April 19, 2024 Landscape Message: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/landscape-message-april-19-2024 .)

Image: Box tree moth caterpillars. Courtesy of Matteo Maspero and Andrea Tantardini, Centro MiRT - Fondazione Minoprio [IT].

04/14/2024

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11/16/2023

The USDA has just released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the first new version since 2012. The map is based on 30-year averages (1991 to 2020) for the lowest annual winter temperatures. The new data, along with the addition of more temperature stations and better mapping techniques, shifted about half the country into a warmer half-zone (such as Zone 6a to 6b). Find your current zone by entering your ZIP code on the map at this link: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

06/30/2023

05/27/2023

Planted and ready for a 400 guest wedding!!!

03/31/2023

If you're a New Englander, you're itching to swap out your snow shovel for that rake standing idle in the garage. But our friends at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation say, "Hang on and hold off," lest you knock down the butterfly chrysalides still clinging to last season's stems and scrape up native bees still lurking beneath the leaf litter. Here are Xerces's benchmarks (short-form) to signal when it's safe for spring garden clean up (hint: not for awhile).

1. Would I plant tomatoes now?..It’s not a good idea to plant your tomatoes outdoors until evening temperatures are reliably in the 50s. If it’s time to plant tomatoes in your area, chances are conditions are neither too hot nor too cold for pollinators to be out and about.
2. Is the lawn growing tall?
Cool-season lawns begin growing when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees. In all but the warmest climates, if grass is growing enough to justify regular mowing, it’s probably a safe bet that most pollinators have emerged.
3. To help pollinators the most, wait a little longer to mow. No Mow May is a movement to allow grass and wildflowers in lawns to grow unmown until after May, creating habitat and forage for early season pollinators.... If you do mow before then, consider reducing intensity or frequency.

Photo: Monarch butterfly chrysalis, © Lorry, Pixabay

03/04/2023

growing hellebores with pine knot farms

01/30/2023

This is an awesome way to incorporate more natives into your gardens!

Have you heard of a C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture), and did you know we have our own native plant version? It was a joy for us last year and we are excited to bring it back this year. We call it our "Plant-of-the-Month" club and its a great way to get awesome plants...AND...support local growers. We purchase pots, seeds, soil, etc to grow these plants so it gives us a jump start. But even better, our Plant-of-the-Month members get first dibs on some great plants we will have limited numbers of. For example, last year these folks had first dibs on the hard to find Viola pedata (bird foot violet)!😍

For 6 months, May-October, we will supply you with a gorgeous New England native plant that is spectacular in that month, and with it information about that plant. Each plant will be in 1.25 quart pots (occasionally larger). Local pick-up only (no shipping). Always happy to chat substitutions if the plant we chose for that month doesn't work with your site needs. $60, plus tax, for the season.

OPEN FOR REGISTRATION NOW. Registration will close at the end of April. Limited membership spots available. Click below or find link in bio.

https://www.bluestemnatives.com/product-page/plant-of-the-month-club-native-plant-c-s-a

photo of Liatris novae-angliae courtesy of Dan Wilder (edited)

09/19/2022

Not sure how or when to divide your perennials? You can find out the details for each specific plant with this handy guide to dividing 45 different perennials.

07/14/2022