Summer has finally arrived here in Northern California and boy, is it HOT! Nothing like going from 55 degree days to 100 to shock one into wearing shorts!  Wherever you are in the country, now is the time to watch for early infestations and treat any signs early to prevent damage.  
  APHIDS usually arrive about now so check the tips of new growth for the green or black, pinhead-sized bugs.  INSECTICIDAL SOAP is the best treatment to nip them in the bud, so to speak.  
THRIPS can also begin thriving now. They produce a mottling of the leaves and when you brush the plant lightly, you'll see them jump away. INSECTICIDAL SOAP is also effective in killing them. 
    Start keeping an eye out for POWDERY MILDEW on leaves, which looks like a white, or gray powdery dust on the leaves.  NEEM OIL will stop this from spreading.  RUBY'S GARDEN SECRETS hopes you are enjoying the good weather and have a successful start to a happy summer of gardening!

Horticultural Oil
Look for early signs of scale, which looks like crusty bumps on the stem of the plant. Spray with Horticultural Oil at first signs.

Neem Oil
Powdery mildew looks like white powder on the leaves of a plant. Roses also may need spraying to prevent Black spot and powdery mildew throughout the season.

Insecticidal Soap
Keep an eye out for infestations of Aphids and Whitefly and spray with Insecticidal Soap at the first signs to prevent larger outbreaks.

Sluggo
Snails and slugs are always looking for your favorite plant to eat so sprinkle this around to keep them from taking over.