JoAnne Skelly: Late summer news

We had a taste of fall this past weekend. I had to cover my tomatoes and cucumber, which fortunately made it through OK. In some ways I’m ready for the seasonal change, but mostly I would love to have mid-70 temperatures for a couple of more months without freezes at night.

Washoe State Tree Nursery is ready for their fall sale. They will be open Thursday Sept. 12 through Oct. 11, Thursdays and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment only.

They have trees such as Amur maple, crabapple, green ash, hackberry and more. Shrubs include Apache plume, chokecherry, cliffrose, red-twig dogwood, currants, lilacs and more. Flowers of interest include asters, blanket flowers, penstemons, milkweeds (my favorites), evening primrose, red yucca and more. Plants purchased at the Washoe Nursery must be used for conservation purposes as provided for by NRS 528.105 to make plantings for windbreaks, shelter belts, woodlots, erosion control, food and cover for wildlife, post-fire restoration, and riparian restoration.

Prices are set by the size of containers. Not all species are available in different sizes. Check the website (https://forestry.nv.gov/washoe-state-tree-nursery) or call 775-849-0213 to verify availability. Prices subject to change.

Here are the prices they posted: SUPERCELLS 10 ci, $3.25; 1-GALLON pot $9.00; D-POT container,16/40 ci, $6.00; 2-GALLON pot, $17.50; T-POT container, 100 ci, $10.75; and 5-GALLON pot, $22.75.

A longtime reader, Gail, wants to know when to prune her lacebark elms to avoid excessive weeping at the pruning site. The answer is after the first frost. This applies to maples, birches, beeches, poplars, elms, and willows.

She also wondered about when to prune purple robe locusts to reduce water-sprout development. Best time to prune mature trees is late summer or fall, or they too will “bleed.” Young trees are best pruned in fall or winter to strengthen the structure of the tree. Dead wood can be pruned in summer because you will be able to see it most easily against the green growth.

Another reader, Tom, suggested the reason my lemon cucumbers set fruit so late, was the lack of vigor of the vines. My plant was definitely not vigorous. However, I’m happy to report that I have plenty of good-sized edible cucumber now!

Reader Joyce reports fewer bees and butterflies this year in her pollinator garden. Even the lady beetles are fewer but, besides the weather, she suspects a resident wren may be eating them.

Thanks to all my readers for their observations and advice.

JoAnne Skelly is Associate Professor & Extension Educator Emerita at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Reach her at skellyj@unr.edu