If you gave your house plants a summer vacation on a screened porch, start bringing them in now. All houseplants should get a good cleaning before they return inside. If they weren't protected from insects and diseases, start treating them with appropriate insecticides. Then, isolate them from other plants until you are certain they aren't harboring pests or diseases that could wreak havoc on them.
Beet, radish, and turnip seeds germinate best when the soil is cool. To improve germination, cover the newly seeded areas with shade cloth and keep the soil consistently moist. To grow good-sized roots, give them room by thinning to about 3" to 4" between each plant.
In addition to Lyme disease, it is reported that “local” ticks now also carry other serious, health-endangering pathogens. Deer ticks are known to carry Babesiosis (which kills red blood cells), Anaplasmosis and relapsing fever (cause fever, chills, severe head and muscle aches), Ehrlichiosis (attacks white blood cells), and Powassain fever (causes vomiting, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, and seizures). Testing has not shown any natural products to be effective. Instead, use established, effective skin repellents like DEET or picaridin and permethrin. Wear light colored clothing and for check for ticks after every outdoor activity. Throwing clothes into the dryer for 20 minutes will also kill any ticks you brought in with you.
