Summer is here! Many people have spent the last few months starting new gardens and working in their yards while stuck at home, and may be wondering what tasks they need to tend to now that the seasons are changing. Summer in Florida is hot and sticky, peppered with thunderstorms and the occasional hurricane, so it’s a good idea to prepare for the stormy weather. Prune back any dead or weak branches from your trees so as to prevent them from becoming hazardous in high winds, and remove any dead or diseased trees or shrubs from your property. Repair or renovate any broken structures in your yard, such as fences.
Now is the time to fertilize your lawn for the summer, and if you are planting any summer gardens, be sure to work plenty of organic material (like compost, manure, or peat) into the soil. Weeds generally need less in terms of nutrients than your lawn and garden, so if your plants are hungry the weeds may thrive. Go ahead and take care of them before you fertilize.
July is prime time for fungus disease, so keep an eye on your grass and if you see any problems, treat with a good granular turf fungicide. If you aren’t sure exactly what problem you are having, bring us a sample of your dry grass and we’ll diagnose what’s going on for you.
Spider mites and scale insects also like to attack at this time of year. A miticide like Merit works well against spider mites. Don’t let these tiny terrors take over – treat at the first sign of infestation. Chinch bugs, whiteflies, sob web, and armyworms can also be a summertime problem. If you have any insect issues, stop by Doty Farm and Garden Supply to get the right treatment for your lawn and garden.
BIO: William R. “Bill” Doty is the owner of Doty Farm and Garden Supply Inc. Founded in 1954, Doty Farm and Garden Supply, Inc. has been there for every one of their loyal customer’s budding needs. Bill Graduated from Winter Haven H.S. and then Florida State University, where he learned invaluable lessons in listening, asking questions, and reading anything related to the family business. Bill shares his knowledge with his customers daily and our readers each month.