Is there anyone who doesn’t like Ladybugs? These intrepid little beetles eat aphids and various other harmful bugs -- helping protect your garden plants, and they happen to like coriander -- quite popular in Arizona gardens, where its more commonly known as cilantro. They’re partial to Queen Ann’s Lace and marigolds, too. Assassin bugs are also great to have in your garden - despite the scary name. Assassin bugs eat caterpillars -- moth larvae that can decimate your tomatoes and other plants, if not kept in check by other insect predators. And bumblebees are famous pollinators -- also essential in your garden. Learn “The Good, The Bad -- and the Ugly” truth about insects, both benevolent and malevolent, from Payson Community Garden volunteer Suzan -- the featured guest on Thursday July 16 when University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Gila County presents the weekly Garden and Country Extension Webinar Series live and online.
These weekly Zoom webinars begin at 11 and last about an hour, featuring a variety of horticultural and natural resource topics relevant to the environmental conditions and residential concerns of Gila County.

Suzan will discuss organic ways to deter and eliminate the bad bugs and to encourage beneficial ones. And she’ll share pictures of bugs, too!

Next up in the series? July 23 - Container Gardening

July 30 - Wildfire Recovery

These popular webinars are arranged and moderated by Chris Jones, Extension Agent for University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension. To be added to Mr. Jones’ invite list for future gardening and horticulture workshops hosted by Gila County Cooperative Extension, call Chris at 928-402-8586.

Find direct links to the Zoom online forums, each week’s topic and read more at
https://extension.arizona.edu/garden-country-extension-webinar-series.