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How to Prepare Your Garden for The Cicada Emergence

Every 13 or 17 years, nature puts on a show with the emergence of periodical cicadas. In 2024, we’re about to witness a rare event—two broods, Brood XIII and Brood XIX, will emerge simultaneously for the first time in over 220 years. While this fascinating phenomenon is a wonder of nature, it can pose challenges for gardeners and homeowners, especially in areas like Jersey City, New Jersey. Here’s how to prepare your garden to thrive during this event.

Understanding the Cicada Emergence

Cicadas emerge from the ground in astounding numbers when the soil temperature reaches about 65°F (18°C). These insects live underground for 13 or 17 years as part of their life cycle.

Once above ground, cicadas live for 6-8 weeks to mate and lay eggs, after which they die. Female cicadas lay eggs by making small slits in tree branches, which can harm young trees and shrubs.

While cicadas do not feed on plants, their egg-laying activity can cause significant damage to vulnerable vegetation. During the 2024 cicada emergence, up to a million cicadas per acre could surface, making preparation essential to protect your garden.

Steps to Protect Your Garden

1. Shield Young Trees and Shrubs

Female cicadas lay eggs in small branches of trees and shrubs. This can cause damage, especially to young trees.

To protect your garden, cover vulnerable plants with fine mesh netting. Ensure the netting is secured tightly around the trunk and has holes smaller than half an inch to prevent cicadas from accessing the branches.

2. Delay New Plantings

If you’re planning to plant new trees or shrubs, it’s best to wait until after the cicadas emerge and complete their life cycle.

Newly planted trees are particularly susceptible to damage from egg-laying activity. Consider planting in late summer or fall to avoid issues during the 2024 cicada emergence.

3. Prune Strategically

Prune weak or dead branches from your trees and shrubs before the emergence. This will improve plant health and remove potential egg-laying sites.

However, avoid heavy pruning during the emergence, as it can expose more branches to damage caused by female cicadas.

4. Enhance Soil Health

Cicadas spend most of their lives underground, feeding on tree roots. While this doesn’t typically harm mature trees, maintaining healthy soil can help your plants stay resilient.

Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil and ensure your garden remains healthy during and after the emergence.

5. Create a Cleanup Plan

As cicadas complete their life cycle, their remains can litter your garden. Plan for cleanup to avoid odors and pests.

Composting cicada remains is an excellent way to turn them into natural fertilizer, benefiting your soil and plants.

Leveraging the Ecological Benefits

While the cicada emergence might seem like a nuisance, it provides numerous ecological benefits. Cicadas emerge every 13 or 17 years, and their massive numbers serve as a food source for birds and other wildlife.

This temporary abundance helps control other pest populations. Additionally, as cicadas decompose, they enrich the soil with nutrients, giving your garden a natural boost.

Embrace these benefits and focus on maintaining long-term garden health.

Managing Cicada Impact on Different Plants

Flowering Plants

Cicadas don’t directly harm flowering plants, but their presence can cause stress to surrounding vegetation.

Keep flowering plants well-watered and ensure they’re in optimal health to handle any indirect stress caused by cicada activity.

Fruit Trees

Fruit trees, especially younger ones, are vulnerable during a cicada emergence. Female cicadas may lay eggs in their branches, which can reduce fruit production.

Use protective netting around these trees and monitor their health throughout the season.

Vegetables

Vegetable gardens are generally unaffected by cicadas, as these insects target trees and shrubs. However, increased bird activity feeding on cicadas might disturb vegetable gardens.

Installing lightweight row covers can help reduce any potential disruptions.

Planning for Post-Emergence Recovery

The aftermath of a cicada emergence might leave your garden looking messy, but it’s an excellent time to revitalize your landscape.

Clean Up Thoroughly
Remove cicada remains and any damaged branches or debris from your garden. Composting these materials can enrich your soil.
Fertilize Your Plants
Take advantage of the nutrients left behind by decomposing cicadas by adding organic fertilizer to your soil. This will boost plant growth in the following season.
Replant and Revive
If you postponed any new plantings, late summer or fall is the perfect time to add new trees and shrubs. Focus on hardy varieties that can establish quickly.

Fascinating Facts About Cicadas

Cicadas emerge from the ground in such large numbers that their population density can reach up to a million per acre. These incredible insects spend most of their lives underground, feeding on tree roots. When they finally surface after 13 or 17 years, they make an astonishing impact on the ecosystem.

During this short above-ground phase, cicadas create a symphony of sounds as males attract mates. The loud, buzzing calls are a signature part of the cicada emergence and can be heard across neighborhoods.

Interestingly, their sheer numbers overwhelm predators, ensuring enough cicadas survive to reproduce. This strategy, called “predator satiation,” is one of the reasons periodical cicadas have thrived for millennia.

How Cicadas Affect Trees and Shrubs

The most significant impact of cicadas on gardens comes from their egg-laying habits. Female cicadas lay eggs by creating slits in small branches, which can weaken or kill the affected parts of trees and shrubs. While mature trees typically recover, young trees are more vulnerable.

To minimize damage, it’s crucial to monitor your garden closely during the emergence and take protective measures like netting and pruning.

The Role of Professional Landscaping Services

Dealing with a cicada emergence can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a large garden or newly planted trees. Professional landscaping services can help you implement protective measures and ensure your garden remains healthy throughout this period.

Our experts can assist with pruning, soil health management, and post-emergence cleanup. We’ll help your garden thrive even during challenging times like the 2024 cicada emergence.

Stay Ahead of the Cicada Cycle

Preparation is key to ensuring your garden survives and thrives during the 2024 cicada emergence. By shielding young trees and shrubs, pruning strategically, enriching your soil, and planning for cleanup, you can minimize the impact of this rare event on your landscape.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need expert assistance, we’re here to help. Our professional landscaping services in Jersey City, New Jersey, can ensure your garden remains beautiful and healthy through every season—cicadas included.

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Other Blogs

How to Prepare Your Garden for The Cicada Emergence

Understanding the Cicada Emergence

Steps to Protect Your Garden

1. Shield Young Trees and Shrubs

2. Delay New Plantings

3. Prune Strategically

4. Enhance Soil Health

5. Create a Cleanup Plan

Leveraging the Ecological Benefits

Managing Cicada Impact on Different Plants

Flowering Plants

Fruit Trees

Vegetables

Planning for Post-Emergence Recovery

Fascinating Facts About Cicadas

How Cicadas Affect Trees and Shrubs

The Role of Professional Landscaping Services

Stay Ahead of the Cicada Cycle

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