Not sure what all the hype is...but 17 years ago things turned out just fine...but for a month of noise and some extra bugs flying around, it was no big deal.
If you don't live in an area where there a lot of big old trees that have been in place for more than 60 to 100 years, you may not even notice them.
Of course plant your plants!
Linda C

I was out planting today, mostly annuals, but doing a lot of weeding. While doing so, I noticed a ton, and I do mean a ton, of cicada holes. I'm expecting an onslaught, since I do have old trees, and an undisturbed extra lot.

I didn't cover anything, but I did try to find some netting. The stores either didn't carry it, or were out. So, I'm gonna tough it out. Only concerned with my two Japanese Maples that are three years old. Go ahead an plant what you have now. I believe they said the cicadas will be here tomorrow.

The cicadas were here a few years ago. They can be hell on young seedlings--the Aronias are still trying to recover, and the Cornus kousa needed to develop a new leader, but the big old trees are never seriously hurt. Nor are they interesting in perennials.

All of the area stores are out of tulle, or netting. Any other ideas on how to protect my two young maples? They were planted in 2004.

I wimped out & covered my newly planted Cercis & Chionanthus (it had only 2 branches) and 2 Cornus kousas planted last year. I used old stroller netting on the 2ft high dogwood, canopy netting (complete with hanging ring) on the redbud, and a sheet of grass mulch (kind of like row cover material) for the others. I heard cheesecloth also works.

Anita....how about Cheesecloth? I think you can get it at Michael's or any hobby store? It's white and definitely breathes!

Thanks janice, that's a good idea. But now I'm thinking I won't be needing anything...no cicadas yet!!! Other towns have them, but I've only seen a handful in my yard. Tons of holes, though. Maybe they're still coming? I should get the cheesecloth, just in case.

Can't believe the scientists are that "off" in their forecast...maybe some areas will have less of a storm. I'm in the city and haven't seen many yet. Cheesecloth can always be used for other projects.

I haven't seen or heard ANY cicadas yet. I knew I was overreacting! :)>

I live in a SW suburb of Chicago, and they have arrived in full force in some neighborhoods! My uncle spent the entire day sweeping them off his driveway (ok, he's retired...not much to do). He said his entire lawn looked like it was moving.

Our property was farmland 17 years ago, so I'm hoping they won't be too bad. I have some pretty terrifying memories of them...trying to put on a brave face so I don't freak out my kids!

You can absolutely plant new perennials - the cicadas won't bother them at all - though you may find a shell or two on them in the morning. Just wear a hat while you do it :-). The don't eat foliage, and they're not as much interested in short plants as they are in tall trees, and they won't hurt either of them - the only reason people cover their small shrubs and baby trees is to protect them from too much damage when the cicadas make small slits in the ends of the branches to lay their eggs.

As I get older, I find myself more and more tolerant of the creepy crawly stuff in my garden that used to "freak me out", I think it's because I love gardening so much that nothing's going to keep me from it, and because I've learned how few of those creepy crawlers will hurt me.:-)

I'm fascinated this year by the cicadas - they only come out every 17 years, and they are kinda fun to watch...of course, I'm saying that now while they're just beginning to emerge in my suburban Chicago area - I might not be so fascinated in a week or two when they're flying into my face and making so much noise that I can't sit out on my patio!

It's just all part of what nature has to offer. Watch, learn, enjoy! Happy gardening to all of you...I'm off to the garden center now to shop for a backyard fountain - I'm very excited!