Yo-yo weather

Do you feel like a yo-yo? No wonder, as we’ve gone from the temps being near 100 to being way down in the 70s. And that’s daytime highs. I’m afraid to look at the nighttime lows. Sorry, tomato plants.

Speaking of tomatoes, did you know that they do not set fruit when the temps go up to 90 or beyond? The little blossoms just fall off instead of beginning to form a fruit. They also don’t handle chilly temps well.

Actually, I can identify with the tomatoes as I don’t do well when it gets hot either. Trying to keep everything watered is a full-time job. I just keep reminding myself that it beats shoveling snow!

It’s too late now to do any fertilizing on shrubs, trees, roses or perennials. It would encourage new growth this fall that wouldn’t survive winter’s cold weather. Do, however, continue to fertilize those annuals. This will keep them blooming up until they’re killed by the first hard frost.

Oops, there I go again, speaking of cold. Sorry. Instead, let’s just enjoy the rest of the summer and fall.

In case you run out of yard chores, you can always look for and destroy weeds. If you don’t have any of the following, you must be growing Astroturf. Besides dandelions, here are a few common ones:

- Crabgrass: Looks like lawn grass, but is much coarser. Either dig individually or spot spray with a grass killer, being careful not to overspray onto the lawn.

- Hoary Bittercress: This grows in a small rosette shape. Even a tiny one can send up a stalk of seeds. When this is touched, the seeds literally spray out in quite a good-sized circle. Carefully pull the plant out.

- Black Medic: Looks like clover, but gets tall. Has small yellow flowers.

- Oxalis: Looks like small clover plants. Easily dug out.

- Wood Sorrel: Has small purple clover shaped leaves. Spreads like crazy and has a long taproot even at a young age. Each plant must be dug out individually as any remaining taproot will regrow. If you have lots of this plant, you may need to spray with a product listed for it.

Have you ever seen a hummingbird moth? They do resemble a hummingbird as they’re close to the same size and hover over flowers with whirring wings. The moths aren’t nearly as pretty though, being mostly brown. Look for them to visit your posies in the evening, shortly before dark. I’d attach a picture except they’re too fast for me!

Those big flowered dahlias are currently putting on a show. Remember to do the following when you cut any to bring indoors to enjoy. Sear the bottom of each stem with a flame. Otherwise, the sap will clog it up and keep water from being absorbed. If this happens, your pretty blossom will give up and permanently wilt. Other flowers that need this treatment are daffodils and poppies.

Remember, today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut.

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Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently serving as secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column appears in the Press every other Sunday from early March to late October.