Gardening Tips

"Fall Gardening Practices Essential for Success in The Garden"
As the summer comes to an end across our Nation, and the fall season is upon us, what you do now in the garden will insure the health and vigor of your plants. With winter on the horizon, plant nutrition is a key factor in assuring your garden plants have sufficient nutrients to recover from summer environmental stress and providing food for plant functions throughout the winter. I recommend you apply a complete fertilizer product in granular slow release form to all flowering and ornamental plant material. I have found across the nation that Lesco 8-10-10 50% slow release granular fertilizer to be the best choice for your garden ornamentals. Lesco also has a flowering plant product for your annual flowering plants. You should use the 8-10-10 product for all your larger ornamentals, (trees & shrubs) and use their garden flower product for your annual color beds. Lesco also offers the 8-10-10 fertilizer formula in tree stakes for your large trees in the garden. Be sure to follow the label directions to prevent misuse of the product. Lesco products can be found nationally at most reputable garden centers and the Home Depot. To find a Lesco facility in your area you can visit their website at www.lesco.com


"Examine Trees and Shrubs Closely for Fall Insects"
Every season of our weather cycles from coast to coast will produce an array of insect activity which can cause costly damage to our landscape plants, trees and shrubs. The fall in particular will be a challenge for most garden enthusiasts. If climactic conditions in your region of the country have been unusual (too wet or dry, and/or unseasonably cold or hot) plants are weakened and fall prey to high insect populations. University research indicates that plant material "in stress" will emit pheromones in the atmosphere which actually promote insect activity and literally "ring the dinner bell" for the bugs in your garden. Not all insect activity needs to be treated. When you find possible insect damage symptoms in your garden such as; leaf yellowing, leaf drop, browning and dieback. Inspect thoroughly the entire top and bottom of leaves and branches much of the time you'll find the critter's hiding beneath the leaves. Consult a local garden center and your University Cooperative Extension Office as to what measures you need to take further to eliminate your insect concerns. Many times a simple solution of soap and water will control many insects other times nature will provide a beneficial insect predator to control damaging insects. Take caution not to hastily head for the insect spraying mayhem aisle at your local garden center to resolve your insect concerns. Random frequent use of many pesticides will promote insect resistance to the products you are spraying. For further education on insects and their control, I recommend checking out www.scotts.com online for a complete and extensive database of help for your garden concerns.

"Inspect Your Lawn Carefully in the Fall for Disease"
As we begin moving into the cooler months of the year, transitioning from very hot humid summer conditions, you may begin to see unusual yellowing or brown patches beginning to form in your lawn. Each region of the country will have its own specific lawn diseases which will affect many varieties of turfgrass. For the most part "leafspot" and "Brown patch" will be the most common disease encountered in your home lawn. Leafspot disease of turfgrass looks just like it sounds. Look for round and/or oblong circles or lesions on the leafblades which will extend further to completely wilt and brown the leafblade. This disease will be most commonly encountered in very wet humid environments. Leafspot disease is commonly controlled by using a contact fungicide spray, readily found at your local garden center.

Brown patch disease will be scattered in many areas of the lawn and look like cloud shapes of yellowing to browning turfgrass. The affected leafblades will be rotted and mushy to the touch. This disease is present mostly during times of excessive rainfall and watering. Poor soil drainage and over watering will contribute to the spreading of this disease. Extensive turf damage will occur if not corrected by improving drainage, reducing water and treating with a systemic fungicide for lawn use. Contact your local University Cooperative Extension Office for disease confirmation and identification and their recommendation for treatment in your area of the country. Please note proper cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing, and watering will greatly reduce disease issues in your lawn. Sharp mower blades and a proper mowing height will reduce turfgrass stress and minimize most disease and insect issues in most all turfgrass varieties. For more tips on proper mowing practices check out www.scotts.com and www.lawn-boy.com.