Do As I Say, Not As I Do OR Iris Borer Blues

I've heard that saying SO many times and have rolled my eyes on each occurrence. Luckily they haven't frozen at the back of my head, like my mother warned me! Now I'm afraid that I am the say-ee. For the past few days I've done everything wrong, but on purpose. Go ahead and roll your eyes. I have to take the opportunity to do my gardening when the opportunity presents itself.

I've been outside working quite a bit in the early morning before the arrival of little Gabriel, and again in the early evening, after his mommy takes him home. For the most part, I have been watering and then weeding (I STILL need to get more mulch spread!).

Last night I planted about 150 Narcissus bulbs and a few surprise lily bulbs (both of which should be planted in the autumn) and three peonies (which should be planted in September). I also dug up and transplanted a clump of iris (July was the time for that.)

My iris had been invaded by the dreaded IRIS BORER (said in a spooky voice). It is a pinkish grub-like creature with a darker head and nubby legs that run nearly the length of the body. If your iris have dark spots on the spear-like leaves, with many of the leaves in sad shape, you quite likely have the same uninvited guest. Dig up the iris and check for a big hole. Take a sharp knife and cut away any stinky rotted parts. (Honestly, a rotted iris smells worse than Gabe's and Bryan's diapers put together!) KILL the borer, which can be found deep in the iris, happily munching away. In my case, I drop the little buggers into the water garden and let the koi feast. Otherwise, I squish them underfoot. They give a disgusting but somehow satisfying POP when you destroy them. I (usually) cut off the top of the leaves at an angle, forming a fan, leaving only about 4" of green. The plant can then expend energy growing roots rather than trying to feed the leaves.

At the top of the page you'll see an iris borer enjoying the last minutes of its life on top of my purple paint can. YUCK, borer...cool paint.

A quick dip in a 10% bleach solution makes sure that the plant won't harbor disease, and will kill anything bug-wise that you missed while cleaning. Let the iris dry before replanting it. Remember, iris like to have their toes "sunburned", so just plant the root part and leave the rhizome slightly above the soil. Here's an important message...do NOT mulch iris. Keep mulch, dried leaves or grass, weeds, and all other debris from the plant. That way the iris borer won't be able to overwinter, which makes it harder for them to invade in the spring.

Tomorrow is the much anticipated Ketcham-Crosier family reunion so I will not be out in the garden until late evening. My plan is to spread more mulch on the vegetable garden and in the Weeping Cherry Garden, where most of the bulbs were planted.

Happy gardening,

shel