The birds are chirping, the trees are sprouting new leaves, and the azaleas are in bloom. Warmer temperatures are here, helping to lure you into the garden. There is a lot to be done, so roll up your sleeves and put on your gardening gloves. It is time to treat your soil. [emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”]
You’ll want to apply weed and feed if necessary to keep out unwanted growth. It’s also a great time to fertilize lawns, azaleas, camellias, palms, woody shrubs, and trees. Fertilizing your lawn with a quality 16-4-8 formula is preferred if you don’t have fungus. This will help prevent future problems with your grass.
After the flowers bloom, you’ll want to fertilize your azaleas and camellias with a special acid fertilizer. It’s also a good time to prune your azaleas and shape them.
Palms need extra manganese, magnesium, and potash to maintain a vivid green color. Woody shrubs and trees, especially fruit trees, should be treated with a good nutritional spray to keep them vibrant and attractive.
You’ll also want to do some basic gardening maintenance. Replacing mulch will help you control aphids on new growth, before the leaves of shrubs and fruit trees are affected. It’s also a good time to air layer, graft or bud plants and plug bare areas of your lawn with Palmetto grass. Protect your grass by keeping mower blades sharp!
Keep your roses in good shape by using Triple Action to control thrips; a half-and-half mixture of Thiomyl and Daconil or Dithane M-45 controls black spot and powdery mildew.
CREDIT
column by WILLIAM R. “BILL” DOTY
BIO: William R. (Bill) Doty, is the owner of Doty Farm and Garden Supply Inc. Founded in 1954, Doty’s has been there for every one of its loyal customers’ budding needs. Bill graduated from Winter Haven High School and then Florida State University. Bill learned invaluable lessons in listening, asking questions, and reading anything related to the family business, and he shares his knowledge with his customers daily and our readers each month.