Horticulture Hotline 10/03/22
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
Wow, what a difference a week makes! Last week my yard was
full of nutrients and now after almost ten inc
hes of rain, totally stripped of
nutrients. Where I live, Ian was mainly a rain event (fresh water) in other
areas, I imagine salt water was more of an issue. When I went outside after the
storm, the first sweet smell of my tea olives filled the air.
Because of damage potential, really inspect your trees closely. With these saturated soils, wind can blow over trees. Eastern Red Cedars and other evergreens are very susceptible because of the big sail their foliage provides. Young trees that haven’t developed an extensive root system are also susceptible. Just ride through a new neighborhood and you will witness these young trees lodged over.
Look at your trees and see if they have developed a new “lean”. Inspect near the roots of your tree and look for any heaving or raised areas. Not all trees become instantly dangerous because they are leaning. If the tree fell, what would it hit is always one consideration. Having a tree care professional inspect your trees is a very good idea at this time.
Your soil nutrients took a big hit over the weekend. A soil test now would help you out tremendously in 2023. Bring your soil to a Possum’s Landscape and Pest Control and we will get you back on the right track. If you think salt water is an issue, be sure to test for sodium. Salt Free RTS should help flush out the salt while you wait for test results.
Potassium like nitrogen moves in the soil – leaches. Phosphorous does not move so readily. If you do not have a soil test, 00-00-25 + minors is a very good fertilizer to consider for your lawn, trees and shrubs. Cotton Burr Compost is a super organic product for your whole yard at this time. Not only will it provide needed nutrients, but many people have noticed a reduction of fungus as well. Excell and Possum’s minors are two good minor nutrient products.
SeaHume G should be used with any of the above or, if you were going to use only one product, this would be the one to use. The host of minor and major nutrients as well as biostimulants will be a big help to your lawn, shrubs, and trees. SeaHume would combined well with any of the above products, especially Cotton Burr Compost.
These products will also help your roots grow over the winter. The trees and shrubs swaying can tear roots that you will want to re-grow, so they will be ready for what 2023 brings their way (remember the drought Spring of 2022).
If you know that you have had fungus in the past, consider putting out a preventative fungicide as the label recommends. T-Methyl and Strobe G are two good systemic fungicides that are good to rotate.
The rain has stripped your soil of most of its nutrients. Do you like to go to sleep at 11:00 pm after only eating breakfast at 5:00 am? Please feed your trees, shrubs, and lawn, so they have some protection from cold, insects, and disease this winter. Send your landscape to dormancy with a full belly.
While you are in your yard, look for any standing water and get rid of it. The mosquitoes are coming!
Always read, understand and follow product label. The product label is a Federal Law.
