Things to Watch For

Micro-Climates

Take a few minutes, or an hour or so, and walk around your yard. Make note of walls that retain heat (such as south-facing brick walls) or areas that are exposed to a lot of wind. These are places that are different from your typical yard, and are called "micro-climates". The Indianapolis area is in Zone 5 (meaning our Winter temperatures typically don't go below -20 F), but a micro-climate can be either warmer or colder, and will definitely affect the plants growing there. Be sure you select plants that are hardy enough for those areas, to ensure their survival.

Emerald Ash Borer

What a nasty thing this is! Spreading throughout the Mid-West initially by folks bringing firewood back from summer camping trips, this borer attacks Ash trees - from the top of the crown. This is what makes an initial infestation so difficult to catch. Unless you're keeping an eye on your Ash trees, the first sign you may notice is when the tree is under extreme duress, and starting to die. The adults emerge in the spring leaving a small "D" shaped hole, about the size of the end of your little finger.