A LOT OF YOUNG backyard citrus trees that have not yet shown signs of greening still suffer from starvation or scale. A healthy tree will help fend off diseases, so don’t let it happen to yours! May is the time to feed and spray your citrus. As a matter of fact, May is the time to feed all your fruit trees with Ferti-lome’s Fruit, Citrus, and Pecan Tree Food. For shade trees, as well as woody landscape plants, I highly recommend Ferti-lome’s Tree and Shrub fertilizer.
When it comes to your lawn, it’s important to replace the sod areas that need renovation or to plug or seed lawns. Bahia lawns can be power raked, if you have not done that already. Check all lawns — and plants, for that matter — for spider mites, diseases, and lack of fertilizer and minor elements. Control mites with Triple Action. Mole crickets in Bahia grass should be treated with Turf Ranger or Bifenthrin, available in sprays or granules. Keep an eye out for chinch bugs in your St. Augustine grass because warmer weather has shortened their gestation period.
Here are more tips for your garden this month:
• Plant annuals for a colorful show in the garden and for cut flowers.
• For summer vegetables, you can plant okra, cowpeas, collards, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
• Propagate through air-layering and replace any plants damaged by the cold.
• Spray mud dauber nesting areas with Demon, 38 Plus, or Baygon now and again in August.
CREDIT
column by 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 readers of Central Florida Ag News monthly.
Posted May 19, 2016