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Birch Leafminer Systemic Injection Service

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An emerging treatment proves promising for birch trees

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Sample of a healthy birch tree

What is Birch Leafminer and does it occur in Southern Alberta?

Birch Leafminers are sawflies, which are closely related to bees and wasps. They are among the most common insect pests affecting Birch trees in North America.

Native Birch varieties include Paper (aka Canoe Birch or Silver Birch), River, Bog (aka Dwarf Birch or Swamp Birch).

Areas inside the leaves are consumed by the larvae, affecting the leaves’ ability to produce food. Browning of birch leaves is apparent annually in mid-July and August, but the leafminers have been feeding inside the leaf tissue since early spring. Wikipedia

Are your trees infected with Birch Leafminer?

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Birch trees provide visual interest in winter due to their infamous bark

Calgary and Strathmore area homeowners are reporting Birch Leafminer as an issue in recent years. If you’re not sure if you have it, check birch trees for tell-tale brown patches on the leaves. This is evidence that caterpillar-like larvae are feeding inside your tree.

If I have an infected tree what can I do?

It is possible that left untreated, the Birch Leafminer infestation will be taken care of naturally as populations of wasps eventually get the sawflies under control. However, repeated infestation over a number of years can weaken the affected tree so intervention might be desired.

It is always a good idea to keep your birch healthy by ensuring it’s well-watered.

Landscape Plus is currently working with an arborist who will provide a service to treat your birch tree with a systemic insecticide. This relatively new treatment is a systemic injection, which looks promising with two-year effectiveness in combatting Birch Leafminer.

Is there a certain time of year that the systemic injection must be done?

The treatments must be done in mid to late May, so book now!

Did you know? The peeling bark of the Birch tree will add winter interest to your landscape.

gardening prize package 2021

10 Days of Isolation – 2021 Gardening Prize Package

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Landscape Plus “10 Days of Isolation” Facebook & Insta Contest

Enter to win a 2021 Gardening Prize Package*, Valued over $300!

The prize package is fully transferable and the winner will be announced the week of April 26th, so it could make a great Mother’s Day gift!

In order to win you must:

  1. Be a resident of Alberta age 18 or older
  2. Like/follow our Facebook page or Instagram page
  3. Tag a friend who is interested in gardening   
  4. Watch our Facebook page to Like, Share & Comment on the daily prize announcements to increase your odds of winning

Contest details:

Starting Apr 16, 2021, Landscape Plus will post one prize daily for ten days. Each day, you can like, share and comment on the prize post, each action is an entry to the contest. We use third-party software to randomly select one person daily from all actions on the post, this person’s name will be entered into the final draw (assuming all other criteria are met, #1, 2 & 3 above).

Contest closes on the 10th day (April 25th, 2021) at midnight. The week of April 26th, one name will be selected to win ALL TEN prizes. The prize is transferable, the winner will be contacted and asked if they wish to receive the prize or gift it. This information will be announced and shared on our social media pages.

*The 2021 Gardening Prize Package includes a cumulation 9 items + delivery & instructions for use of your gardening prize package. In a series of 10 social posts, we will reveal the complete prize package. PLEASE NOTE: Not all items will be exactly as pictured. Upon randomly selecting the winner from contest entries, we will contact the winner to arrange free delivery IF you are within Strathmore, otherwise, you will need to arrange for pickup/delivery of your package and instructions will be given over the phone.

The contest is closed to Landscape Plus employees, subcontractors and affiliates. Any activity by Landscape Plus and/or its affiliates on the campaign posts will not be included in the draw. Click here to contact us with any questions or concerns.

 

What are the benefits of an Irrigation System?

Time to Put Your Garden to Bed

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This is the time of the year when Alberta can start the day with a frost then by afternoon we are enjoying twenty-something temperatures! We are all busy though gathering the rewards of our summer labours; fruits and vegetables are being preserved for winter meals, herbs are dried, late-blooming flowers enjoyed. There are also things we can do to get our garden and landscaping ready for the winter ahead.

Tips to get ready for winter

1. Trees and shrubs need a good watering in the last half of September or early October before freeze up. This helps them survive the fluctuating temperatures we get in the Calgary area.

2. Grass will continue to grow and stay green if you water through the Fall. Autumn is when the roots are active so it isn’t too late to lay sod.

3. Evergreen trees such as Spruce and Pine will begin to show signs of yellow inner needles. This is a normal seasonal activity. By giving a good soaking of water it will ensure that new needles will grow in the Spring.

Continue reading “Time to Put Your Garden to Bed” →

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Taking care of your garden during the heat

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flowers in albertaHow to care for your garden during a heat wave

Your garden may not be enjoying this heat as much as you are so we are providing a few tips to help keep it healthy.

For the hot and dry month of August, here are some suggestions to keep your plants and grass in good condition.

The running times from irrigation controllers should be increased so things don’t dry out. It is also better to run for longer times less frequently than run the zones every day for shorter times. A deep watering encourages deep roots which in turn make for a stronger plant that can resist droughts and diseases easier.

Bark mulch can also help to keep the plants moist during the hot summer sunny days. Three inches minimum depth is recommended.
New sod needs to be watered immediately after laying. It should be watered until the ground under the sod is wet. Keep the ground under the sod moist and you will see new roots in 5 days!
New plants need to be hand-watered regularly until the root system has established itself. The first week daily watering, the second week every second day, the third week every third day during the hot days or months.

Move potted plants to a shaded area or for larger pots cover with a lightweight piece of fabric.

Finally, early morning or when the evening starts to get cooler is the best time to water or to do any weeding and light clean-up.

Final Tips to Get Your Garden Ready for Winter

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Alberta is an amazing province to live in but perhaps the biggest challenge is the weather and this Fall has lived up to our reputation for uncertain weather. Here at Landscape Plus we have been busy blowing out irrigation systems, putting the finishing touches on landscape projects while purchasing salt, shovels, ice scrapers and checking our snow removal equipment all in preparation for the upcoming winter.

There are a few things you can also do before that first big freeze.

1. It is a really good idea to give a deep watering to all the trees and shrubs before the ground freezes. It is better for the ground to freeze wet than dry. The most susceptible part of the plant to cold temps is the roots. So if the ground is frozen wet it is a consistent temperature all winter.

Continue reading “Final Tips to Get Your Garden Ready for Winter” →