The orange bugs are most probably aphids. Aphids would also be respondable for the sticky residue. Aphids can be black, brown, green or orange in color. A general purpose insecticide will control them. A second spraying to kill the later egg hatchings may be necessary.

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Fall is a great time to prune trees and shrubs. Make sure to do only light pruning on frost sensitive plants. Leaving longer than wanted limbs on a frost sensitive plant is insurance against any branches that freeze or frost back. Prune frosted branches after all chances of frost, normally Mid-March.

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Once established, perennial rye grass should only need water once a week. Extend waterings to every 10 to 12 days if weather is unusually cold or rainy.

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Yes. Winter rains do not normally come often enough to keep a dormant tiff lawn healthy. We recommend watering every 3 to 4 weeks if it has not rained during that time. Fertilize with SummerWinds Premium Lawn Fertilizer in early spring.

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Diatomaceous Earth looks like glass shards and razor blades under the microscope. Spread it around each plant in the garden for a slug and snail proof barrier.

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Yes. Tulips, Daffodils, Dutch Iris, Crocus, Hyacinth, and many more do well in the valley with a little bit of care used in planting. Adding a teaspoon or two of bone meal in the hole when planting helps also. Pre-chilling for Tulips, Crocus, and Hyacinths is needed. Four to six weeks in the fridge -not the freezer, for great spring flowers.

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It's called "June Drop". Citrus trees drop any fruit they are unable to maintain. The remaining fruit will be larger and the tree healthier for "June Drop".

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Hanging light bulbs or Christmas lights in the tree will help to generate nighttime heat. Sprays, such as Frost Pruf will help. Spray the trees one or two days before the expected frost. Coverage will last for weeks. You can also water, filling the tree well under the tree will give you a degree or two of heat with the evaporation from the water.

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We recommend fertilizing February, May & September for Citrus trees, shrubs and all other established trees.

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Definitely cover Impatiens and Begonias. Petunias will tolerate light frosts. Dianthus, Snapdragons, and Panies are unaffected by frost or freezes.

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Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Lantana, and other frost sensitive plants are susceptible to frost damage every winter. Planting in the fall will still give the plants time to root and give it a head start for a new flush of springtime growth. Waiting till late spring or summer will have you watering your plant as often as every other day until the roots establish. Better to plant now and cover with frost blanket if a frost or freeze is forecast.

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Watering daily could indeed harm your plants. Daily waterings are usually very shallow. Established trees and shrubs would benefit from a deep soaking every 7 to 10 days. Because of the high salt content of our water, shallow watering allows the salt to build up around the root zone of the plant. Signs of salt damage appear as brown edges on the leaves of trees and shrubs.
Spacing the watering your plants recieve will also help to reduce unwanted insects and weeds in your yard.

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Your roses have just survived another long, hot Phoenix summer. Fertilize monthly with a rose food, prune out any dead branches, long ugly canes, and dead branch tips. New growth will appear lush and green soon. Stop fertilizing in December. January is when you will do the heaviest pruning on your roses.

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Bougainvillea like sunshine and dry roots. An over-watered Bougainvillea does not bloom very well. Fertilize with a high phosphorous fertilizer for added blooming.

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Cutter bee is busy building a nest in your yard. The cutter bee uses the leaf to build the nest. The damage is only cosmetic and nothing to worry about. Spraying with a insect killer will not help as the bee does not ingest any part of the leaf.

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We recommend pruning roses any time from the end of December through January. Come see us for our free rose pruning workshops in December and January.

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Geraniums enjoy our winter sunshine - be sure your plants recieve at least 4 hours of sunlight. Fertilize your Geraniums with a water-soluble plant food every week or so. A fertilizer high in Phosphorus (the middle number) will promote blooming.

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