How not to attract flying insects when gardening

Q: My fashionable sister in law has always been envious of my back yard plantings. Her yard is about the same size as mine and not very tended so to speak. I’ve asked her why she doesn’t garden and her response has always been “I don’t like being assaulted by flying insects!” What advice would you suggest I offer her to make her gardening adventures a lot more pleasurable? J.L., Albuquerque.

A. First and foremost I’d lovingly suggest that she never head out to garden looking or smelling like a bouquet of flowers! Suggest that she forgo wearing any perfume while she’s working outdoors. If she’s the type that uses scented laundry products, she should set aside a collection of clothes that aren’t ever subjected to scented laundry products — ever! Also, think drab-colored clothes — no lovely colorful patterned shirts or bright pants or shorts. She doesn’t want to look like a flower that a flying insect would be curious about.

I like to work in a loose long-sleeved white shirt over a T-shirt with a worn comfy pair of jeans, close-toed shoes and a brimmed straw hat when working in the yards. I am rarely pestered by flying insects because I don’t look like anything interesting that might be a food source. If she pooh-poohs the advice, she just might not want to be outside and don’t feel bad for her. Some are dirt crazy and some aren’t. It’s okay.

Q. I’m so excited! When at one of the big box stores getting several fly traps (they, the flies, seem so mean right now) I discovered a large selection of spring blooming bulbs available. It was all I could do to walk away empty handed but want to know when you think I could start planting them for next year? C.W., Albuquerque.

A. I suggest you wait until the end of this month. The soil is still quite warm and I’d worry that if planted now they’d attempt growing. Granted, the daylight is waning but it’s the soil I’m thinking about. Usually you’ll have until mid-October to get your spring bloomers safely planted so I truly believe it’s way too early to plant outdoors. Just know though, people cruising the garden centers are seeing and perhaps choosing their bulbs now.

You could make a few of your more uncommon choices now and as long as you keep them as cool as you can, they’ll be okay hanging out for the next few weeks. Be sure to keep them someplace shaded and dry, too! If thinking of forcing bulbs this coming dormant season, you could get your bulbs picked and start to chill them in the fridge since most need a good 10 weeks or longer to chill to get triggered to force.

The season change is coming, you can feel the freshness in the morning, and maybe have even noticed the lessening of daylight, so it won’t be long before our thoughts turn to true autumn.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.