by Shane Harris, Regional Extension Agent
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Published  in The Outlook and The Dadeville Record

Labor Day Weekend Woes and Comments
A Labor Day Weekend may mean a day off for many but for me that doesn’t necessary include a day off and not working.  My weekend will likely consist of catching up on a few things around the yard that need attention or have been put off way too long.  My list of chores will consist of weeding the flowerbed again, spreading a herbicide to prevent annual bluegrass (wrote about that topic last week), picking up and hauling off tree limbs that were blown down from the wind of Hurricane Katrina this past week, and mowing the grass, yet again.

Seems like I keep having this dream - repeating some of the same chores each week. If you know anything about owning a home, there is always things to do and upkeep, including the yard work. Thank goodness college football season starts this weekend so I will have a good excuse to come inside and take a long break.

Feeding Caterpillars
I have noticed and received several calls about caterpillars feeding on plants, especially trees, this week.  It seems that many of the lovely moths and butterflies we have been observing lately are having at least one last hurrah before winter.  Their babies, in the form of caterpillars of course, can be found feeding on various landscape plants.  Some specific caterpillars you may find are azalea caterpillars, yellow-striped oakworms, and cabbage loopers.  But there are many more out there, many that I do not know about or can identify.

If you locate caterpillars feeding on your plants, you have the right to do something about them, but just remember what they may turn into when they grow up.  Although caterpillars may completely defoliate a plant or tree, it is rare that their feeding will kill the plant.  Most plants can tolerate losing their leaves temporarily and will put on new leaves if given enough time.  If it is very late in the growing season, plants will just wait and put on new growth in the spring.  

Conserving Gasoline
As gasoline prices continue to rise and the possibility of a shortage remains, people are looking for ways to stretch the dollar and conserve gasoline.  Staying home and reducing traveling is the recommended solution but if you need to drive, here are some gas-saving tips from the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence:
  • Monitor tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder (let the tires cool down before checking air pressure). Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.
  • Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage.
  • Consolidate trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you avoid the stop-and-go conditions that hinder fuel efficiency.
  • Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends or family.
  • Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases the miles-per-gallon average of your vehicle.
  • Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Try to anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.
  • Keep your engine tuned up. A well maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing gas mileage. Follow service schedules listed in the owners manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended. Have engine performance problems such as rough idling and poor acceleration corrected at a repair facility.
For more information, contact the Tallapoosa County Extension office at 256-825-1050.