Timely
Tips for Garden Success in Summer
Summer is the time to enjoy the beauty that a garden can
provide. Make sure to provide plants with ample moisture
so they don’t suffer from summer heat stress. Applying
a layer of mulch will also help plants retain moisture and
will help prevent weeds from germinating.
PLANTING
Add color to your garden to make it come alive for summer parties with annuals
such as Ageratum, Alyssum, Marigolds, Petunias, Verbena, Vinca and Zinnia for
sunny locations. Use Begonia, Impatiens, and Lobelia for areas with more shade.
It's not too late to plant roses and fruit trees and we still have a good selection
to choose from. The nursery is bursting with colorful perennials and we invite
you to come in and visit to see them in their full blooming glory. As always,
our staff is available to help you with great perennial planting ideas,
LAWN CARE:
Feed lawns every 2 months with Dr. Earth Supernatural Lawn fertilizer.
It helps promote deep green color, encourages root development, adds beneficial
microbes to your soil and will improve your lawn's resistance to disease. Control
existing weeds with GreenAll Weed N Feed. Prevent and control grubs
and other lawn feeding insects with Complete Insect Killer. Raise your
mower height to at least 2 inches. The higher lawn height helps insulate the
grass roots from heat, reducing the potential for heat stress and requiring
less water. Make sure to water between 5:00AM and 12:00PM to help prevent lawn
disease.
TREES & SHRUBS:
Keep evergreen trees and shrubs healthy and green by feeding every 2 months
with Dr. Earth LIFE fertilizer. Prune shrubs now to keep them from
getting leggy in summer. Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendron should be fed
every two months with Dr. Earth Rhododendron, Azalea and Camellia fertilizer.
To control aphids on any new growth, spray as needed with Monterey Take
Down. Control mites with Bonide Mitex.
ROSES:
Feed roses every two months March thru October with Dr. Earth Rose and Flower
Fertilizer. Control aphids, spider mites and thrips with Bonide Mitex.
Prevent and control blackspot, powdery mildew and rust with Serenade Disease
Control. Avoid overhead or night watering.
FRUIT TREES:
Give fruit trees their second feeding of Dr. Earth Fruit Tree and Vine fertilizer.
Use Bonide All Seasons spray to control aphids, mites and whitefly.
Control the size of your tree and create next season's fruiting wood by summer
pruning your fruit trees now.
FLOWERS & VEGETABLES:
Prepare soil for summer flowers by working in Gardener and Bloome Harvest
Supreme soil conditioner into existing soil. Feed flowers every two weeks
with Greenlight Superbloom. For a larger harvest in the garden, feed
summer vegetables every two months with Dr. Earth Tomato and Vegetable Fertilizer.
(The calcium in this unique plant food helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes
and peppers. If tomatoes bloom but fail to set fruit, spray blossoms with TOMATO
SET. To control caterpillars on petunias, geraniums and tomatoes spray every
7-10 days with Monterey Garden Insect Spray. Protect plants from slugs,
snails, earwigs and sowbugs with all-natural Sluggo Plus.
WATER PLANTS:
To control algae growth, remember to keep at least 60% of the water surface
covered with striding water plants and replace no more than 25% of the water
at any one time. Control mosquito larvae with MOSQUITO DUNKS or the longer lasting
MOSQUITO TORPEDO.
