Plants can help bees make their comeback

Q: With a third of bees being killed, are there plants I can grow to help them multiply? I abut the woods. — Bill, Ledyard, Conn.

A: Mountain Laurel, your state flower, and other broadleaf evergreens like rhododendron, azaleas and hollies can adorn your property and help create an environment for their attraction. Bee Balm, lilies, milk weed and bell shaped flowers in your gardens can supplement their need to pollinate. Think about adding feeders and baths for the birds. It will make the bees feel at home with their compatriots.

Q: I see holes in my lawn and signs of voles eating the bottom of my vegetable plants.

What can I use short of poison to get rid of these critters? — Paul, Norwich, Conn.

A: You can put cinnamon at the entrance to their hideouts. Their strong sense of smell will send them to greener pastures. Sticks of gum with the wrappers will gum up their intestines and leave them aching for a new home. Be sure to put the wrapped gum in the holes with gloves. If they detect your scent, it could cost you. You must get rid of the grubs in the lawn because they are feeding on the grubs.

Apply grubicide in the spring and fall every year until they depart.

Q: Our 3-year-old strawberries are in bloom and we have little beetles crawling around them. Can we spray them and with what? — Daniel, Pelican Rapids. Minn.

A: You can use a powder Bordeaux Mix. Be very careful not to allow any dust to get on the flowers. Dust the soil and the under leaves.

Since snout beetles cut off the bud, you are right on time. I suspect the infestation is not too severe. It is always advisable to plant strawberries on hills that are a foot to a foot and a half. Plant strawberries in clean soil to alleviate the prospect of insects and disease. Rotating strawberries every three years is also smart. Rich organic well drained soil is best.

Lastly, always lay down straw in between the rows of hills.

Q: I have a lot of dark green leaves on my radishes. I do not have any fruit. I have been using a liquid fertilizer and they have been getting plenty of water. — Ken, Preston, Conn.

A: Radishes usually produce a root vegetable within 30 days. That was my first experience in the garden. I did not use any fertilizer at all and got rather large radishes to give to my friends. It would have been better to use 5-10-10 granular.

You also need to thin them out when they sprout to allow space for the roots.

You can still plant new seeds every two weeks in the summer and succeed. Let the present crop stay. We have had too much rain. They could be later than expected.

Stop the soluble fertilizer. It is too high in nitrogen.

“Do no dishonour to the earth lest you dishonour the spirit of man.” — Henry Beston