Horticulture Hotline 03/27/23
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
If you have been waiting for the weather to warm up, here is a brief checklist of things that should have been completed around the yard:
· Test soil. You might be wasting your money. Over fertilizing or under fertilizing could affect your landscape. Soil test provide valuable information for accurate fertilizing! Consider a custom program (Possum’s), especially if you are new to the area. Charleston is a difficult place to grow grass compared to most areas of the USA. Long growing season for weeds to germinate, critters, fungus, and the grass here is not that easy to establish from seed.
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Have you applied SeaHume G to lawn and beds for
a healthy start? The catalyst to make your fertilizers work better.
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Have you fertilized your trees and shrubs? No soil test? Try 17-00-09.
· Have you applied a preemergent to lawn and beds (this late use Dimension if it is your first application)? Remember it is never too late to start a preemerge program. With our mild climate weeds germinate almost every day of the year. It is never too late to start a preemergent program. Once you have put out a preemergent product, new small seeded annual weeds will stop coming up. Some weeds might have come up already, so you kill them and you should not have new weeds replace them. Read and follow product label.
· Have you drench Dominion around plants with a history of insect problems?
· Have you applied a preventive fungicide to turf if you have a history of fungus (T-Methyl, Strobe G)? We had a wet winter.
· Mole Crickets overwinter as adults and do their mating flights right now. Have you killed them now before they can make new babies and increase the population? Be sure your lawn and beds are free of fire ants (always but especially with Easter egg hunts coming up), and if you have pets, fleas and ticks should be controlled. If you live near the woods, chiggers may be an issue. (Granular Sevin will work on these pests. If you prefer organic, check with a Possum’s near you to find a product or products that will work in your situation.)
· Have you gone through your irrigation system to be sure everything is operating correctly? In my travels through the Lowcountry, I have noticed many broken heads (geysers) and heads that are spraying into the street. Although they have been calling for rain, where I live, we have had very little. These low humidity days will dry out your grass and plants quickly. Plants and grass are putting out new leaves and need water! Wetting Agents will help get the water into the soil.
· The little fury terrorist of the yard is having babies now. Have you killed a mole recently or at least repelled one out of your yard?
· Is your lawn mower ready for another season? New Blade? New Air Filter? New Spark Plug?
· Have you measured your turf and bed areas so you know how much product you need to buy and apply to your yard? Getting the right amount of product on your lawn will determine the success of your efforts.
· Take time to enjoy the Gardens, baseball, softball, and soccer.
Always read, understand, and follow product label. The product label is a Federal Law.
