A. Where aphids are, ants will follow. Aphids secrete a substance called honeydew, which ants love. Ants have even been known to protect aphids since this is the source of this substance. If you control aphids, you'll control the ants in your artichokes (or anywhere else). Controlling aphids can be something as simple as spraying strong bursts of plain water onto plants under attack by aphids. Be sure to spray underneath the leaves, too. The water will knock the aphids off the plants and they'll die. You can also spray soap remedies. Mix a tablespoon or two of liquid soap into a quart of water, or you can buy already mixed soap sprays, such as Safer's Insecticidal Soap. Finally, chemical insecticides like malathion and diazinon can also be used. Such chemical sprays can be used on edibles, but you'll have to wait five to seven days after spraying before eating them.
Q. When doing garden chores in my garden, I have observed a number of grasshoppers. I don't recall seeing so many before. Are there more this year than previous years? Is this species of grasshoppers characteristically destructive to plants?
A. Grasshoppers need to be controlled as they can damage many plants. Rotenone, sabadilla or pyrethrum sprays can be used. However, I've found the best success with a biological weapon called Grasshopper Bait. It is a product made from bran and a sweetener lure laced with predacious protozoa, Nosema locustae. It is non-toxic to animals, people, plants and other insects. However, it kills grasshoppers by infecting them with a disease. The grasshoppers spread the disease among themselves by eating sick grasshoppers and by laying infected eggs. I know, it sounds gross, but works. You can order it from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply in Grass Valley, Ca. Phone is (916) 272-4769. Short of Grasshopper Bait, you can always buy a couple chickens. They'll not only keep your grasshoppers under control, but also rid your garden of snails!
Q. I am in need of a good book about flowers. I live in San Diego, but would like something that covers California.
A.You're in luck because Sunset Books has just brought out the completely revised and updated Sunset Western Garden Book. This is the first revision since 1995 of what has become known as the Bible for gardening in the West. First brought out in 1867, this book broke new ground in that it introduced 24 climate zones for 11 states west of the Continental Divide. There are listings for some 2,000 new plants in the new edition compared to 1995, and there's loads of new color photographs as well. As for flowers, there's a section on annuals, perennials and special case situations, such as fragrant plants, plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies,etc. Cost of this 768-page encyclopedia is $32.95.
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