Horticulture Hotline
By Bill Lamson-Scribner

Here is a quick check list of current events in the yard.

Lawn Mower – sharp (new) blade, new oil, new air filter, new spark plug?

Prune azaleas, camellias and other spring flowering plants after they bloom?

Trees need pruning?

Fertilize daffodils and spray them with Messenger for bigger bulbs next year. Leave the leaves (foliage) to collect sunlight to refurbish bulb for next year.

Huge fleshy leaves on new growth of camellias and azaleas? Leaf Gall? Remove infected leaves and destroy.

Is Powdery mildew attacking roses, crepe myrtles, dogwoods? Neem PY (organic), Honor Guard

Large Patch Fungus – get an early start – prevention is cheaper than curative. Cleary’s 3336, Dual Action Fungicide, Prophesy and PCNB are a few chemical controls. Crab Shells, Serenade, and Natures Blend are organic controls that “fix” the problem.

Adult mole crickets are mating – manage them. Lebanon Insect Control

Fire ants are starting to forage – manage them. Lebanon Insect Control, Over n Out, Baits

Grubs are near the surface – manage them. Lebanon Insect Control, Grub X

Scale insects are in their crawler stage – this is the best time to kill them. Malathion and Oil premix, Acephate, Dominion …

For trees and shrubs with perennial insect problems consider Dominion Tree and Shrub or Merit.

Get a “jump” on fleas this year. Lebanon Insect Control, Tirade outside. Precor 2000, Inverted Carpet Spray or Ultracide all have an adulticide as well as a growth regulator and are labeled for indoor use.

Winter Kill?

Plant a vegetable garden?

Plant a flower garden?
If you applied preemergent in February, it is time for your second application (depending on the rate and product you used the first time). Remember the ornamental beds!

The leaves have fallen – new mulch?

Fertilized your trees and shrubs? 17-00-09, 03-01-05 (organic)

Fertilized Palm Trees with 07-00-09 (the most awesome Palm Fertilizer)?

Tested your well water?

Pruned holly fern, cast iron plant, and monkey grass (liriope)?

Moles?

Soil tested? Custom Program?

Always read, understand, and follow product label – it is a Federal Law.