Alright Memphis, spring is right around the corner and its time to do some gardening chores. It looks like the sunny days are starting to out number the rainy ones so let’s get outside and get our hands dirty.
If you did not apply a pre-emergent this winter, apply now to stop late spring annual weeds and grasses. Hi-Yield Weed and Grass Stopper with Dimension will suppress weed seed germination for up to 90 days and help you get on track for a weed free yard. This product also kills young crabgrass if you are a little bit late in making the application. In addition, Dimension helps prevent annual weeds and grasses from coming up in your flower and shrubs (note: do not apply to beds where zinnia seeds or other flower seed will be planted).
It is a perfect time to feed your evergreen shrubs that may have been burned by the early winter cold we experienced in November. These shrubs can greatly benefit from a feeding of Espoma Holly Tone or Milorganite as soon as possible. Feed Azaleas with Holly Tone to give them the needed energy to put on a bloom show this spring.
Broadleaf weeds are popping up in lawns now. Fertilome Weed Free Zone will control most of these weeds. You can also spray with Image now to control Poa annua (annual blue grass). As always, bring us samples and we will identify what weeds you have and show you how to get rid of them.
Feed fescue lawns now with Fertilome Classic Lawn Food or Lawn food with Iron. Need your soil tested? Bring us a soil sample, about enough to fill a red solo cup, and we will test the pH of your soil for free. Fertilizers work best when the pH is 6.2 to 6.8. If you need to lime, we will show much you need to get back in the good range.
Dan West Garden Center also recommends applying Natural Guard Soil Activator. This organic product improves any soil and benefits almost any plant by acting as a food source for your soil’s microorganisms. This product could be your gardens “best friend”.
Now is a great time to begin your spring planting of roses, azaleas, boxwood, hydrangeas, hollies, and many other ornamentals.
Spring bulbs and perennials can be planted now: Lilies, gladiolus, dahlias, callas, cannas, ferns, Helleborus, and a whole lot more (however, don’t plant those caladium and elephant ear bulbs in the ground until night time temperatures are in the 60s).
It’s time to clean all that winter debris out of your beds. Don’t forget to remove the old mulch. Put down a light layer of Back to Nature Cotton Burr compost or Blend, and a light layer of mulch. Feed all of your plants with a non-burning organic fertilizer like Milorganite, or plant specific products from Espoma or Fertilome.
It is time to re treat your Crape Myrtles with Fertilome Systemic Tree and Shrub Drench for the scale insects. Because of your diligence, we have been able to get ahead of this damaging insect and treating every spring will keep the populations in check. Spray now with Fertilome Horticultural Oil Spray or Bonide All Seasons Oil Spray to control overwintering insects and insect eggs on other trees and shrubs.
Cool weather vegetables can be planted now Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss chard, Seed Potatoes, Garlic, Sugar Snap Peas, Wando English Peas, Collards, Beets, and Carrots.
We have a great selection of herb vegetable and flower seed plus seed starting supplies.
And as always, feel free to call us if you have a question.
Times a wastin’ Memphis……
Happy Gardening