Horticulture Hotline 07/24/17
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
I have been writing this column since around 1989. Right
after Hurricane Hugo, I started this column (with the help of many others from
the Post and Courier family) to try to help people out with their landscape
situations after “The Storm”.
With over 28 years of articles in the archives (over 1300
articles), it is easy to spot trends. I see (in my article’s crystal ball) that
during the next two weeks’ army worms will be looking to add a little fiber to
their diet in the form of your turf grass.
While mowing the grass during the heat of the day, I noticed
a few moths in my grass. I have also noticed several moths flying around in my
yard in the evening, and I have been told by many of my fellow moth watching
friends that they are starting to see them as well. Moths fly around, lay eggs,
then the hungry worm emerges and eats your grass. They eat a lot of grass very
quickly. The spineless insects do not care that you worked all spring and
summer on your lawn. They munch down on it quickly and weeds move in. The worm then becomes a moth and the cycle
begins again.
Many people will be taking vacation before school starts or
dropping off that loved one to college. I’m going to get something out on my
yard in the next few days, so I don’t come home to a munched on lawn. These
worms do a lot of damage fast.
07-00-14 + Allectus (if you need a little fertilizer to get
you through the summer), Bifen, or Sevin G would help prevent the grass
munchers from eating the grass you have tried so hard to cultivate over the
summer. EcoVia is an NOP (National Organics Program) compliant product that
works great if you prefer to use organic products.
While driving around and looking at my own yard, the grass
is looking a little “washed out” from the high temperatures and the lack of
fertilizer. Most people’s spring fertilizer has been consumed by the plant and
turned into clippings. 07-00-14 + Allectus and Perk are two good fertilizers to
get you through until it is preemerge time again. If you are working from
information derived from a soil test or custom program, stick with those
recommendations.
While you are out there working in the yard, remember the
sunscreen (sun cancer seems to be another way our reckless youth catches up
with us), sun protection clothing, and water (rotate in a sport’s drink as
well). Mosquitoes?
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
http://www.possumsupply.com. You can also call in your questions to “ The
Garden Clinic”, Saturdays from noon to 1:00, on 1250 WTMA (The Big Talker).
