CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- This is one of those weeks. In my column, like in my yard, I have to catch up. At home, I'm still watering, watering, watering and weeding, weeding, weeding. There are irises to split and a few perennials to move, and the final houseplants are ready to come in for the winter.

Speaking of irises and fall, there's a collection of irises in the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens that bloom in June and then again in August-September. They are available from White Flower Farm, (800) 420-2852 or www.whiteflowerfarm.com.

Most tall bearded irises take a rest in the summer, but these will continue to flower throughout the season. A collection of six is pricey at $59 plus nearly $18 shipping - but with two seasons of bloom, they seem worth the expense.

I saw a beautiful fall planter recently that used not only the typical mums and pansies, but also beautiful, colorful and edible Swiss chard. I believe the variety was Beta vulgaris 'Bright Lights,' and it added a great vertical element to the planter.

Another great tip was passed along to me recently. A friend said she uses her turkey baster to change the dirty water in her flower vases. She sucks up the old liquid, dumps it, and then refills her vase with a long-necked watering can.

I'm not pruning right now; it tends to encourage new growth and that's not what I want at this point in the garden. I'll save that for very early spring.

'Slugweiser'

Recently, I asked for suggestions to help rid our gardens of slugs. Bobbi Galloway writes: "I have many, many hostas and I have battled them for years. I use the following organic mixture to kill the slugs and it has worked the best of anything else I have used:

Slugweiser

 1 pound of brown sugar

 1 1/2 teaspoon of yeast

POUR the brown sugar and the yeast into a 1-gallon jug, fill with warm water and let mixture sit two days uncovered. Do not put the lid on!

POUR the mixture into small containers and place among the plants. I use those little Hormel Kids Chicken and Noodle microwaveable containers for they are deep enough that the slug cannot climb out. The yeast is what attracts them, and they will go wild for it.

CHANGE out the mixture in the slug traps every two days.

Moonflower pod?

Dr. John Dixon writes, "I am sending a picture of a 'Moon' flower that a friend gave me. I do not know anything about it. It has bloomed and has what appear to be some seedpods. Do you know how to take care of it over the winter?"

I'm not sure about this one, John, so I am asking for help from my readers! Anyone know about moonflowers?

Wayne, we'll miss you

Wayne Bennett, West Virginia University Putnam County extension agent, will retire at the end of September. Wayne's vast knowledge of agriculture, horticulture and home gardening combined with his kind and helpful nature made him a sought-after speaker and consultant. I'm sure he'll still be seen pruning trees in St. Albans or teaching Master Gardener classes!

Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 348-1249.