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START JUMPING!
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This week's Gardenline Tip is a day late, sorry for the inconvenience!
Quite often, you'll hear me refer to certain times of the year as "Jumping Off Points" for many of our care practices. February is one of those months where a whole lot of jumping can take place, if the weather cooperates.
And since this week has seen some 70-degree temperatures and no threats of freezing weather, then I say it's time to START JUMPING! Here's a short list of the many things that can and should be done over the next few weeks.
Apply a 15-5-10 for an early green-up. This is the newest addition to the Lawn Fertilization Schedule we've ballyhooed for so long. But only in the last two years have we emphasized the importance of the quick release 15-5-10, such as Nitro Phos Imperial or Easy Gro 15-5-10. Here's a link to the entire fertilization schedule, if per chance you've never seen it.
Click Here
Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide - This is for preventing the stubborn spring weeds that have yet to pop up. Remember, a PRE-EMERGENT doesn't kill weeds that are already up, it only prevents weeds from germinating. I prefer the Barricade pre-emergence because it takes care of both grassy and broadleaf weeds. This can be done in both the lawn and flower/shrub beds.
Prune Your Hybrid Tea and Floribunda Roses - Valentines' Day is usually the "jumping off" point for Rose Pruning. It was too cold last weekend, so there's no time like the present. If you need more info on Rose Pruning, please check out our tip sheet known as Roses 101. Click Here
Prune Your Crape Myrtles - Yeah, I know, many of you already pruned them. But for the over-all health of Crapes, it's definitely better to wait until February to prune them. Again, here's your link to our tip sheet all about Crape Myrtle Care & Pruning. Click Here
Start Your Tomotoes - As a means to "Cheat Mother Nature," it's always worth the investment to get your vegetable garden started by mid February, especially with Tomatoes. Sure, if we get anything close to 30 degree temps again between now and the end of March you will need to protect them. But by getting them established right now, you will be a month ahead of everyone else when it comes to tomatoes and veggies.
Feed and Prune Your Azaleas -- Sure, not all of them have fully bloomed yet, but that will happen in only a matter of weeks. After the azalea has done "most" of it's blooming (in other words, it doesn't need to be completely devoid of blooms before you prune and feed) then it's time to feed and prune. Also mark your calendars for 6 weeks from the first feeding and do it again. Again, if you would like to read more about azaleas, please read out tip sheet on the subject. Click Here
Now, if all that is not enough to keep you busy for the next couple of weeks, the don't forget about SCALPING, DEEP-ROOT FEEDING OF TREES, TRANSITIONING TO SPRING COLOR, FRUIT TREE PRUNING AND LAWN EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE. If you need to learn more about any of those topics don't hesitate to give me a call this weekend on the GardenLine 8-Noon, Saturday and Sunday, exclusively on Talkradio 950 KPRC.
Until next issue, here's to
Great Gardening from the GardenLine, heard
exclusively weekend mornings from 8 to noon
on Talkradio 950 KPRC.
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