Not Planting Subject.. Or is it? Tools, Timing, etc...
We're in the ground, hopefully brown side down, green side up. El Nino is still present for a couple of months more, and most of us have endured "Bonnie", our first of several tropical events, this season. El Nino will quit by early August, and La Nina takes over, allowing the Tropics to move in. Get ready. As we prepare for the coming chores, like no other season, Ma nature is making us think, so let's get some things right.
First, if you have been following my Lawn Feeding schedule, it's time to look deep into your Fescue, I'll get to Bermuda and Zoysia in a sec. Any yellowing in the base, Ironite, or Milorganite.. That's it. Needs the 4 1/2 % Iron, not Nitrogen. Look in the morning, at your Fescue, see any fine whitish patches on the tips? That's Mycillium, sure thing you have some fungus issues. It's time to apply a Fungus Control. Really wet, cool to warm, Fungus loves this. Cut high still, around 4". Bag the clippings every 3rd cut, if you are cutting more than once every 10 days. Browning out in circular patterns is NOT always fungus, certain insects are emerging now, get a pic, there are ways for you to check.
Zoysia and Bermuda folks, time to feed, It is awake and hungry. Seeding now, plugs to fill in, you have 3 months to feed. You are opposite of Fescue Folks.
Within 3 days of cutting, look at the tips, if they are white, ragged edges, you need a new blade, or sharpen the one you have, bad things getting ready to happen.
Weed issues. Spot treat with a "selective broad leaf herbicide" after 3 days of cutting for Summer weed sprouts, then apply another shot of Pre-Emergent without fertilizer, lessen the competition, it will get you thru.
String Trimmers.. What can I say. The most common complaint in any wet weather season, is the string pays out too fast, gas, battery, and electric. Simple thing to fix. When you cut wet, the "fines" collect in the string housing, causing it to be "eccentric" thus paying out too much line, or too frequent. Clean out the inner cup where the line is, and try to always cut dry.
Pruners and loppers. Pruning more than usual, because of the weather? Mashed ends on your stalks take more time to heal than crisp precise cuts. Either clean, sharpen, or replace the tool. Send me pics, I'll look at them, and provide some guidance.
Tank Sprayers. Clean out the tank and disassemble the tip to clean and unclog, better performance, and you will get the prescribed results in your chem's.. If the plunger is not holding or pressurizing right, apply a bit of Vaseline on the o-ring in the plunger and around the seal to the tank. Consult your manual for disassembly.
In this 65 year record holding El Nino, folowing 2 years of Polar Vortex, unusual things are happening in your landscape, Growth, Blooms, Fruiting, Insects, Fungus. Can't tell you how many hundreds of "zip loc" bags I have seen this season. I love zip locs.. Something is in it!! I will put you out there with my folks, so don't get antsy, know you are getting several hundred years of knowledge. I have sources I check with, this is what takes up a lot of my time this year, nationwide, and a few, worldwide, that said, relax, garden on. I got ya. If you don't get it, send pics, or that "zip loc". I'll get you back in the garden as quick as I can.
Thanks for your want to get dirty. So many new sign ups, and thanks for the patience and emails from you folks in Europe. Thank you for signing on. Lot's of homework....
Keep the pics coming, I love seeing what you do!! How you grow, and your own answers for the predicaments you endure, I pass them along.
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