Horticulture Hotline 03/28/2025
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
The biggest issue I see is the lack of rain. The high blue skies with the lower humidity and the wind will dry out an area very quickly. Water, water, water and use a wetting agent to get the most out of the water when you water or when it rains. Water and sunlight are key to a plants growth (photosynthesis). SeaHume, Cotton Burr Compost and other organics will help the soil hold water as well. There are fires in South Carolina because of the drought and wind! Outside burn restrictions. Trees are trying to put on new leaves and the grass is trying to come out of dormancy – water is required.
Spring is here so many things need to happen in the landscape. Here are just a few:
test soil – know what to amend the soil with, tune up lawnmower – sharp blade, clean air filter, clean spark plug, good gas, irrigation audit – if you have an irrigation system make sure everything is working properly, use preemergent control products so weeds do not control your free time – can apply anytime of year (weeds germinate all the time so do not delay stop them now), apply SeaHume – will provide the nutrients to your plants and turf that will help them come out of dormancy and will help the soil as well, 17-00-09 – if no soil test – good all-around slow release fertilizers for trees and shrubs as well as turf in May, 07-00-09 good all-around for palms, citrus, and topicals if you do not have a soil test, use neem oil and systemic drenches on plants with a history of insect issues, sanitation in beds – rake out diseased leaves and keep leaves from piling up too deep, check gutters to be sure they are working properly so they do not breed mosquitoes, treat for ticks – Lyme disease is for real, moles – babies coming, mole crickets – kill before they mate, Perk – will help your plants and turf come out of dormancy, if you are planting this Spring try GroTabs – a slow release fertilizer combined with beneficial microbes in a convenient tablet or Diehard Transplant, get ahead of fleas - adult control product and a growth regulator, perimeter treat your house to keep roaches and other uninvited guest outside, if you have had large patch or brown patch before apply a product to manage it preventatively, patch anywhere a rat, squirrel, or the beloved possum might want to enter your house to exclude them…
For you long-time readers of the Horticulture Hotline the following is review but very timely. Possum’s Wetting Agent with Biostimulants (PWAB) is a product that helps water move deeper into the soil. PWAB will help soften clay for water penetration and get rid of those localized dry spots in your lawn. Sandy soils will hold water longer and prevent those localized dry spots. Wetting agents have shown to reduce watering needs from 33% to 66% in Arizona and other areas where water is limited. If you could go from watering three times a week down to once a week or not at all, think of the savings!
The benefits of using a wetting agent would be far greater than just the savings with the water company. Since the water would penetrate deeper into the soil, the root systems of your grass and plants would grow deeper. As the roots of your grass and plants slough off and are replaced by new roots, organic material is increasing in the area where these roots are shed, creating a deeper topsoil area.
A deeper root system will help in times of drought and can collect more nutrients from the soil. If you use fertilizer, a deeper root system can absorb more nutrients before they leach away; therefore, you can use lower fertilizer rates. If you use root absorbed systemic fungicides or insecticides, a deeper root system will also “catch” these products more efficiently giving you more “bang for your buck”.
When it rains, a yard treated with a wetting agent like Possum’s Wetting Agent with Biostimulants has less runoff. The rain penetrates the ground much easier, keeping the rain in your yard and not in the storm water drains. If you have ever poured water out on a dusty dirt road, and watched the water bead up and not penetrate the road, you have witnessed a hydrophobic soil condition. If you add a little wetting agent to this water and poured it on the same road, the water would penetrate the dusty dirt road. By keeping the water in your lawn, you will have the benefit of the water and we will have less runoff into our marshes.
The biggest savings from using a wetting agent will come from reduced use of fungicides. Most fungi like water. By watering less fungus populations should decrease.
Brown patch / large patch and gray leaf spot definitely comes to mind.
Many people travel that live in the Lowcountry. PWAB is great to add to hanging baskets or pots. Whether you are travelling or just want to increase your intervals between watering, PWAB should help you with a more uniform distribution of water and better hydrated plants.
If you prefer a granular product over a spray, try HumGranWet. HumGranWet is very cost-effective product that combines a wetting agent and humic acid. If you would rather spread than spray, check it out. HumGranWet has a very low use rate (1.15 pounds per thousand square feet 4 times a year or 2.3 pounds per thousand square feet every 6 months) and long residual making it very affordable!
People come into Possum’s and say that the savings on their water bill more than pays for the Possum’s Wetting Agent with Biostimulants. All the other benefits are an extra (free) bonus!
Bill Lamson-Scribner can be reached during the week at Possum’s Landscape and Pest Control Supply. Possum’s has three locations 481 Long Point Rd in Mt. Pleasant (971-9601), 3325 Business Circle in North Charleston (760-2600), or 606 Dupont Rd, in Charleston (766-1511). Bring your questions to a Possum’s location, or visit us at possumsupply.com. You can also call in your questions to “The Garden Clinic”, Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, or listen to the replay of Saturday’s show, Sundays from 11:00 to noon on 1250 WTMA (The Big Talker). The Horticulture Hotline is available 24 / 7 at possumsupply.com.
