• If the leaves of euonymus turn yellow and drop, check the undersides of the leaves for tiny needle-like, white insects and a scattering of small, brown shell-like shapes. This is euonymus scale. Controls applied in spring are most effective.

• Many balled and burlap trees and shrubs are now sold wrapped in synthetic burlap that will not rot in the ground, resulting in a rootbound plant that doesn’t grow well if the burlap is left in place. Some of this material strongly resembles cotton burlap; if in doubt about the burlap’s makeup, cut it away from the root ball once the plant is in place.

• Order peony roots now for planting in September. Plant about a month before the average first frost date in your area. Planting should be completed before the first killing frost occurs.

• If you wish to kill grass and weeds growing through cracks in patios, garden walks, or driveways, be extremely cautious. Many weed killers will leach into surrounding areas and damage ornamentals or lawn. Pulling the weeds is the safest action, but you may wish to use a contact herbicide such as Round-up, Finale, or Wipe-out.

• Every weed that ripens seed means more trouble next year. Control weeds before they go to seed. Do not add weeds with ripened seed heads to the compost pile. Many weed seeds remain viable and germinate next year when the compost is used.

• Start selecting your favorite bulb varieties now by searching out bulb catalogs. It is time to order so bulbs can be planted this fall.

• During hot, dry, August days, avoid deep cultivation in your flower beds. Loosening the soil under these conditions reduces water uptake by increasing loss of soil water and damaging surface roots. Plants often look much worse after cultivation than before.

• Don't let your hybrid annual flowers go to seed. This weakens the plants and reduces bloom. In addition, the seed is not desirable to save because the resulting seedlings usually will be very different from the parent and often of poorer quality.

• Check on water needs of hanging baskets daily in the summer. Wind and sun dry them much more quickly than other containers.