June 2007 Garden Tips

Lawn

• The second lawn fertilization of the season is due early this month before it gets too hot.
  Give your lawn much needed slow release nitrogen by using Espoma Organic Lawn
  Fertilizer 18-8-6.
• Control the next generation of Japanese beetles by applying Bayer Season Long Grub Control with Merit to lawn and gardens early this month. For a natural control method try Milky Spore.
• You may continue broadleaf weed control
  while temperatures are below 82° F. Spurge Power and Speed Zone are both excellent
  choices for hard to control weeds.

Annuals & Perennials

• Prevent plant damage caused by strong wind and heavy rain by using Prop-Ups by Lustre Leaf.
• Deadhead spent flowers on annuals & perennials to promote new blooms and keep plants looking their best all season long.
• Keep an eye out for insect and mite damage on plants and take action before they get out of control.
• Check containers daily for moisture. A Dramm watering wand will provide a light, steady, stream of water that will not force plants out of their pots. Water in the morning so that plant foliage has time to dry before evening arrives.
• Fertilize annuals, whether in containers or in
  the ground, every other week with Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster or Master Nursery
  Bud & Bloom.

Fruits, Vegetables, & Herbs

• Remove cool season crops and replace with warm season vegetables. Plant debris may
  be composted if there is no sign of disease.
• The soil is now warm enough for peppers,
  tomatoes, and eggplants. Set out vegetable supports at time of planting.
• Mulch between rows of vegetables with salt marsh hay. This will help to maintain soil moisture, keep soil temperatures cooler and hold down weeds.
• To avoid blossom end rot on tomatoes,
  mix gypsum into the planting soil and provide consistent watering throughout the growing
  season.
• Continue to clip herbs to use in your favorite summer recipes and salads. Herbs may be dried thoroughly and stored in airtight containers for later use.
• Protect ripening berries from hungry birds by covering them with Ross Garden Netting.

Roses

• Fertilize roses monthly with Espoma Rose-Tone.
• Be on the lookout for rose slugs. This tiny inchworm- like pest chews holes in rose foliage and is easily controlled with Neem oil.
• Control insect and disease problems and fertilize in one easy stem with
  Bayer All-in-One Rose & Flower Care.
• Deadhead roses to keep plants looking their
  best all season long.

Trees & Shrubs

• Newly planted trees require 10 gallons of water per week per inch of trunk caliper. Tree Gators are a portable drip irrigation bags that provide water directly to the root zone of the tree.
• Prune Rhododendrons immediately after they bloom so as not to interfere with next year’s buds.
• Inspect trees and shrubs for insect and disease problems. Stop by Primex with a sample and we will identify the problem and recommend a treatment.

General

• Soil pH is an important factor for plant health. At Primex we test soil pH at no cost. Simply bring us a 1⁄2 cup sample of dry soil.
• Be certain to use at least 2 inches of mulch around plants to prevent the rapid absorption of soil moisture during the warm summer months, to control weeds, and to keep soil temperatures cool.
• Keep compost pile evenly moist and turn contents weekly.
• Are critters a problem in your garden? Visit our Critter Control Department to choose the appropriate deterrent for your problem.