STRESSED GARDENS SHOW SYMPTOMS.

Byline: JANE GATES Gardening

If you notice leaves and pine needles dropping from trees early this season, don't be surprised.

The water table is very low since it was not refilled properly last winter. Trees and large shrubs are keeping foliage to the bare minimum because they're stressed. They also are more vulnerable to insect attacks and disease when stressed.

I've seen an unusually high number of 'tarantula wasps' this year - huge black wasp-like insects with translucent amber-orange wings. (What looks like a large stinger is not a stinger at all but an ovipositor that allows the insect to deposit eggs right up against tree wood.) These are the adult forms of the pine borer that is decimating many of our conifers.

If you have a tree in the conifer family - pine, fir, arborvitae, sequoia, etc. - keep a watch for branches browning and dying. I usually shy away from chemicals whenever possible but, to keep adult pine borers from laying viable eggs, spraying around the base of conifer trees on a regular basis is necessary. These eggs hatch into boring worms that will tunnel through the living tissues to weaken and often kill trees.

Most of the willow family (salix) also is suffering badly from its own variety of borer infestations.

Other ramifications from last winter's lack of rain are assaults by hungry pests. With no green on our hills this spring, rabbits are now seeking out lawns and gardens more desperately than usual. Ants are being attracted by household water sources, as are rodents. And once close to the house, these latter pests are pleasantly surprised with the cool comforts and myriad food possibilities offered by the ordinary household.

So this year, take extra precautions to keep your house exterior and interior clean of attractants. Put those bird feeders away from the house so dropped seeds don't encourage undesirable nocturnal critters to come for a visit. And keep garden refuse and dead foliage cleaned up to minimize hiding places.

Once again, compost heaps are wonderful but make sure they are not placed too close to the house, even if it is convenient for you. The other diners might turn that convenience into a serious problem.

Watch foliage of ornamentals and vegetables for aphids and spider mites. The spider mites may not become evident until foliage starts to look bleached. On close inspection, fine webbing and the tiny dots that are the actual mites can be seen. Hosing foliage regularly will help keep insect pests down, especially where your sprinkler or soaker systems are likely to keep foliage dry and safe for these pests.

The best way to counter the stressful effects of hot summer weather and the region's low water table is to keep all plants as strong and happy as possible. Frequent light feedings (I usually recommend using half of what label directions call for), deep watering appropriate for each type of plant, washed foliage and the proper placement will help.

Mulching is wonderful to mitigate temperatures around roots and to hold in moisture. Keep a constant lookout for insect or disease infections. If you catch them early, they are more easily treated.

A little extra time and vigilance is necessary for a healthy garden this summer. Next winter, perhaps nature will be a little kinder, so we can be a little lazier next year.