Have you had those first tomatoes and green beans from your garden yet?  That will make the work in March, April and May worthwhile. 

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Lawn

Watch your lawn for brown patches.  Before you think fungus remember Poa Annua is now dying and leaving patches of dead stuff.  Japanese beetle grubs are eating the roots of your grass.  Many things could be the cause so when you come to Northside bring a sample of your problem, so we can help diagnose the problem. Bermuda can be sprayed with Fertilome® Weed Out for broadleaf weeds. Put lime on your Fescue grass. Lawn Schedule

 

Vegetable Gardens

Water your cucumbers regularly to prevent a bitter taste.  Don't let tomatoes dry out between waterings and check them for blossom end rot.  Blossom end rot is usually a calcium deficiency that a foliar spray will correct. Pull spent plants and replant stuff like squash and beans to have a steady supply all summer. Plant herbs in containers on your deck or next to your kitchen window. 

 

Wild Birds

Most birds are very busy now raising families and trying to keep all those little mouths full.  Help them by keeping your feeders filled with good stuff.  Don't you hate it when squirrels get into your feeders?  The Droll Yankees feeders are pricey but boy they are fun to watch them flying squirrels.  They make great father's day gifts. Keep birdbaths full of water as well.

 

Bagworms

Those strange looking things hanging onto junipers and Leyland cypress are bagworms.  By the time you can see them, they've stripped the foliage from your plant.  Lucky for you, we have some products we recommend: Hi Yield® Bug Blaster and Natural Guard Caterpillar Spray with BT. You need to stay on top of that to save your trees. 

 

Pruning

This is your last chance to prune azaleas without cutting off next years blooms.  Complete any heavy azalea pruning before July 1, if you want blooms next spring.  Prune hydrangeas after they bloom.  You will get lots of new branches which may bloom again this fall.

 

Water

Summer means stretches of hot, dry weather. A deep watering less often is much better than a light sprinkle every day.  Either lay a water hose on the root ball at a drip over night or use the bucket method.  Punch a tiny hole in a five gallon bucket, set it on the root ball, and then fill with water. This mainly applies to new trees. Established trees and shrubs require less maintenance. The main key to locking in moisture is mulch. You have to mulch beds and around trees. It's a must.

 

Daylily

Did you know that each flower bloom only blooms for one day? That’s why the Stella d' Oro is considered "the ultimate daylily". A Stella is a repeat bloomer that flowers all season where most daylilies have a short season of 3-4 weeks. Because of their popularity many other types of daylilies are being hybridized to repeat bloom. We now have Ruby Stellas and Purple d' Oros. 

 

Daffodils and other spring bulbs

Crocus, hyacinth, and daffodils have now "browned down" (foliage died back).  Now is the time to dig and divide any crowded clumps.  Let clumps dry out a little then break apart and either store them or make a friend very happy by sharing.

 

Flower Seed

Have you ever planted zinnias?  They are easy!  They come up in a week!  They make great cut flowers. There are also tons of flower seeds to choose from on our Burpee® Seed racks.