The monarch butterflies are loving the Meadow Blazing Star Gayfeather at Broomfield's Xeriscape Demonstration Garden! Special thanks to Master Gardener Carrie Nakajima who captured this photo while doing maintenance at the garden last week. The Master Gardener volunteers not only keep the garden looking great, but they are a great source of information about the plants there. |
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Japanese Beetles Invade Broomfield
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is an invasive scarab that was accidentally introduced to the United States over a century ago. This colorful, unpopular pest showed up a little late and with a vengeance in Broomfield this year.
Japanese beetles cause garden damage in two ways. The larvae are grubs that chew on grass roots, and this root damage can lead to drought stress and even plant death in heavy infestations. Larvae damage in lawns may be visible in the spring, but larvae are also developing and chewing on roots in mid-summer. Many treatments and management techniques, including letting your lawn dry between waterings, are most effective on the early larval stages in mid-summer. Japanese beetle larvae are typically full size, and less susceptible, by September.
When adult Japanese beetles are not busy reproducing and laying eggs in lawns, they can be seen feeding on leaves and flowers. They feed between the veins of leaves, a pattern that makes the leaves look lacey, or “skeletonized.” Japanese beetles can cause damage on a wide range of plants, but as a relatively new pest, information on their feeding preferences will continue to develop. A few of their favorites are roses, grapes and beans. You can help build this knowledge base by completing the Japanese Beetle Feeding Preferences Survey.
One of the most effective ways to control Japanese Beetles is to hand pick them off of your plants. This is most easily done in the early morning, when cooler temperatures keep the beetles moving slowly. Simply drop the beetles into a container of water mixed with a small amount of dish soap or detergent. Yellow traps that attract Japanese Beetles are very effective in doing their job. However, in areas (like ours) where Japanese Beetles are already well established, research shows that plant damage is not reduced by these traps because they actually attract more beetles to your yard to feed. These traps are also very attractive to bees, another reason to avoid them.
In cases where hand picking or planting less attractive plants are not options, there are insecticides labeled for use on Japanese Beetles. However, it’s up to you to protect our pollinators. Always read and follow product labels in full and never apply insecticides to flowering plants that are visited by pollinators.
View the resources section below for more Japanese Beetle information, including a fact sheet outlining numerous treatment options, and the “Japanese Beetle Plant Damage List,” which is based on observations from the gardening public and will be updated annually.
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Q. Is it true that spraying plants with soapy water is an effective and safe way to control Japanese beetles?
A. Soap in the garden can be a confusing topic. You may have heard of insecticidal soaps. Insecticidal soaps are effective on soft bodied insects, but not hard bodied insects like Japanese beetles. Then there is the part standard dish soap plays in the recommendation to hand pick Japanese beetles into a container of soapy water. When you drop the beetles into the container of soapy water, the soap creates surface tension, making it difficult for the beetles to crawl or fly out of the water. The soap does not have any other effect on the beetles. So, while dish soap is not harmful to plants in most cases, it will unfortunately not have any effect in controlling Japanese beetles.
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Water Resources Seminar Series
Each fall the Colorado Water Center (CoWC) offers an interdisciplinary seminar series on issues important to the water resources community. This year's theme explores the complexities of the South Platte River, with weekly lectures open to the public.
The next topic, Water Law and Governance of the South Platte, will be presented on Sept. 5 by Jennifer Gimbel, CoWC Senior Water Policy Scholar.
Visit the CoWC website for more information on the full schedule, course content, suggested readings, and registration links.
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Green School Registration Now Open
If you love gardening and are looking for in-depth, Colorado-specific classes, CSU Extension offers three options:
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Colorado Master Gardener training provides 60 hours of core training, followed by a 50-hour volunteer commitment in the first year (or 60 hours over two years). Application deadline is Sept. 15. If accepted to the program, the fee is $200; scholarships are available, based on need.
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Certified Colorado Gardener training - the Full Course is identical to CMG training, but without the volunteer commitment. Until Sept. 15, early bird registration is $475; regular registration is Sept. 16 - Oct. 25 and the fee is $530.
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Green School Short Courses are bundles of five self-paced, online classes offered in four areas: Colorado Gardening Foundations, Grow Your Own Food, Landscape Management Basics, and Plant Diagnostics. The price is $195 per course.
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Master Gardener Apprentice Open House
Monday, Sept. 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
CSU Extension Office
Interested in learning more about applying to the 2024 Master Gardener Apprentice Program? Do you have last-minute questions about the application due on Sept. 15? Feel free to drop by an informational open house on Monday, Sept. 11 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the CSU Extension Office located inside the Broomfield Library. For more information, email csuextension@broomfield.org.
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Gardening Programs from CSU Extension
All educational events are free to the public, but some require advance registration. Click on specific links for more information.
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Ask a Master Gardener!
Broomfield Master Gardeners are available in person to answer horticulture-related questions at convenient community locations:
- Saturday, Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Broomfield Library
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Tuesday, Sept. 19, 4-7 p.m. - Broomfield Farmers' Market
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Saturday, Sept. 23, Broomfield Days - Visit the Colorado Master Gardener booth (south side of Midway Park)
Master Gardeners have walk-in hours from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the CSU Extension Office in the Broomfield Library. Prefer a call-back? You may leave a message anytime on the Master Gardener Helpline at 303.464.5554, or submit your question(s) using this online form.
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Make a Garden Journal Outside at Brunner!
Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m.
Brunner Farmhouse and Gardens
Free, no registration required
Have you ever tried flower pounding to preserve flowers, sewn a journal, or kept notes about your garden? Get inspired by inventHQ, CSU Extension, and Butter Wilde, who will share her "big, messy, and joyful map of the growing season"!
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Free Sustainable Landscaping Classes
Saturday, Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
CSU Spur Campus, Denver
Join CSU Extension specialists for mini classes on a variety of sustainable landscaping topics. The program is free and open to the public, with no registration required.
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Kids' Corner: Garden Insect ID
Keeping with the theme of this newsletter, kids of all ages can test their knowledge of garden insects and whether they're good or evil! Answers are on the second page of the document.
Find more activities on the Broomfield CSU Extension website.
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Cottage Food Safety Training
Offered by Colorado State University Extension, this nationally-recognized training program covers the specifics of the Colorado Cottage Food Act and how to safely operate a food business from a home kitchen. The $50 online class is next offered on the following dates:
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2023 Broomfield Days
Broomfield's favorite event of the year is right around the corner! This activity-packed weekend is something you and your family will not want to miss. Mark your calendars Sept. 22–24 for three days of non-stop fun and community spirit.
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New Broomfield Emergency Preparedness Resource
Weather in Colorado can be unpredictable and sudden changes in weather can quickly create dangerous situations. Now you and your family can be better prepared before an emergency arises by visiting the brand-new Emergency Preparedness webpage at Broomfield.org/Emergency. Familiarize yourself with the emergency supply checklists, evacuation planning and emergency contact information to empower you to protect your loved ones and property. Don't wait for a crisis to strike; visit Broomfield.org/Emergency and take control of your safety. Remember, being prepared today means peace of mind tomorrow.
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Reach out to CSU Extension in Broomfield
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Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider. | Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. | CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English.
Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. | Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables. | Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es el inglés.
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