Nothing says “spring is here” than the azaleas when they bloom (besides birds chirping and the trees sprouting new leaves). Warmer temperatures are here, helping to lure you outdoors. 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, so here’s the laundry list for your lawn.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”]
Keep out unwanted growth and apply Weed and Feed where necessary. 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, 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. Now is 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 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.
CREDITS
column by WILLIAM “BILL” DOTY
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.[/emember_protected]