Horticulture Hotline 12/18/2023
By Bill Lamson-Scribner
Wow, what a difference a week makes! Last week my yard was full of nutrients and now after almost six inches of rain, totally stripped of nutrients. Where I live, Sunday was mainly a rain event (fresh water) in other areas, with record high tides, salt water was more of an issue.
Your soil nutrients took a big hit over the weekend. A soil test now would help you out tremendously in 2024. 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. A light dose of Cotton Burr Compost right now is a super organic product for your whole yard. Not only will it provide needed nutrients and break down thatch, 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 combines well with any of the above products, especially Cotton Burr Compost.
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.
Because of damage potential, really inspect your trees closely. With these saturated soils, wind can blow over trees. I know when I stepped into one of my beds that usually has very firm soil, I sank up to my ankle. Eastern Red Cedars, magnolias, and other evergreens are very susceptible because of the big sail their foliage provides. Young trees that have not 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.
The above 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 2024 brings their way (remember the drought Spring of 2023). If you have heavy soil, the saturated soils might have cut off oxygen and drown the roots or encouraged root rot disease. Our soils are warm enough that roots grow all year, so give the roots some food to encourage root growth.
Now is a great time to walk around your yard and identify any low areas. Fungus and weeds love low areas. 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.
Always read, understand, and follow product label. The product label is a Federal Law.
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, 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.
