by BILL DOTY
It’s August, and while the heat comes as no surprise, the rainfall we’ve had so far this season puts us ahead of the average, and that’s affecting our lawns and gardens. Here are some helpful tips to keep your garden and lawn healthy and beautiful.
First, during this month it’s important to keep a close eye out for insects in your grass and plants. Mole crickets, chinch bugs, sod-web worms, and azalea caterpillars are just a few to look out for.
Now is also the time to feed your azaleas and camellias. Continue to feed and spray your roses. Thrips can be a problem on light colored roses around this time of year. Spray with Malathion or Acephate to control.
If you’re worried about how the amount of rainfall has affected your soil health, bring us a dry soil sample and we’ll evaluate it for free to make sure your pH levels are on the right track.
It’s important to remember that nutritional sprays are just as important to the health, fruitfulness, and beauty of plants as regular fertilizers. They are vital because Zinc and Manganese are not very effective when applied in the soil. Leaves of these plants can easily take in these elements that are very important to their health.
Start planting and preparing for fall vegetable gardens. Clean your garden site and add compost, manure, or peat to hold moisture and fertilizer until plants can use it.
This column is sponsored by Doty Farm and Garden Supply, Inc., and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.
BIO: William R. “Bill” Doty is owner of Doty Farm and Garden Supply Inc., founded in Winter Haven in 1954. Bill graduated from Winter Haven High School and Florida State University. Growing up, he learned valuable lessons in listening and asking questions and was a student of the family business. Bill shares his knowledge with his customers daily and with our readers monthly.
