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Fertilize roses every 4 to 6 weeks from now until September.
Wait until April to fertilize warm season lawn grasses and until May for
Centipede. If grass needs to be mowed then it is ready to fertilize
(thru April). Do that after about the 2nd
mowing.
Fertilize pecan trees with a high nitrogen formula such as 16-4-8.
Use a slow-release fertilizer according to soil test on perennials.
Feed roses after pruning and before they leaf out.
Attend to your indoor plants. Theyve just come through a long winter
and need a bit of fertilizer.
Use gypsum in clay soils to help break up compacted soils. It will make
the particles of clay clump together, opening up spaces for water to
penetrate and allowing easier growth for roots.
Feed houseplants with a diluted solution of soluble houseplant food
after new growth appears.
PRUNE
Pruning of evergreens and summer flowering trees and shrubs should be
completed in early March. Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs as
soon as they finish blooming.
Make sure your younger trees maintain a straight trunk as new growth
begins. Remove or prune (called a drop crotch cut) all limbs that may be
competing with the central leader.
Finish pruning fruit trees this month - before the buds swell.
To keep pines as a dense hedge, trim new growth or "candles."
Trim when new needles are about half the length of the old needles.
Pinch off tips of Sweet Pea seedlings and Mums, when they are 4 inches
tall.
Cut ornamental grasses down to new shoots.
DO NOT remove leaves from daffodils and jonquils until AFTER they yellow
but remove all dead blooms.
Remove winterkilled leaves from plants around water gardens before and
when new growth appears and compost trimmings.
Houseplants will react to longer days and brighter light at this time by
putting out new growth. The end of this month is a good time to pinch
them back to generate new growth and to thicken them.
WATER
Soak bare-root plants before planting.
Keep newly planted perennials moist.
Water newly planted roses often enough to keep roots moist during first
few weeks. Gradually reduce the frequency but not the depth of watering.
Hydrate newly planted shrubs every few weeks in dry weather.
Water lawn well if you want it to spread faster to fill in dead areas.
Observe areas of poor drainage, fill in low spots or create a channel
for drainage.
PEST CONTROL
Remain vigilant in watching for insects and pests. It is much easier to
win a bug war if you are aware of the infestation in its early
stages.
The most dreaded task of all is weeding, but it is one that really needs
to be accomplished before the weeds have a chance to flower and go to
seed. When you weed your flowerbeds, make sure not to pull any desirable
plants
Get a head start on snails and slugs. Apply baits in your garden,
under pots and edges of walks and foundations.
Spray fruit trees beginning with three swelling buds, bloom petal drop
and shuck drop. The Co-op has sprays especially designed for fruit
trees.
Begin to spray roses for black spot.
Keep an eye out for aphids and cutworms.
If you did not apply emergent weed control in February, do so now.
Pre- emergent agents are ineffective against post-emerged weeds. If
you have existing weeds in your yard the Co-op has post-emergent weed
killers available.
ODD JOBS |
