TIMELY GARDEN TIPS FROMOVER THE GARDEN FENCE

May 20, 2006

Day after day of rain and too little sunshine. That sums up this past week's garden activity. When there was a few dry hours, lawn mowing was top priority. Have you noticed while the rain drops were falling and our lawns were leaping, weeds were growing as fast as Jack's bean stalk? The moisture was welcomed by the very thirsty soil in Southwest Michigan and nearly all vegetation has responded very favorably. I hope by now all irrigation systems have been switched to manual control and are in the off position. Some gardeners are having to contend with too much moisture and, because of poor drainage, plants are beginning to drown.

The damp, cool weather of late has encouraged lawns to grow very rapidly. It is important not to be tempted to cut the grass too low. Cutting grass lower than 2 inches will cause turf to thin and allows sunlight to penetrate and encourage weeds to germinate and thrive. It is equally important that turf be mowed at the proper time. Often, we set a schedule of mowing the lawn once a week or when it is convenient. In the spring, that is usually not often enough, especially in cool, moist weather.

Ample moisture has made growing conditions perfect for broadleaf lawn weeds. The very best broadleaf lawn weed killer is Weed Free Zone. Most lawn weed killers take care of dandelions just fine, but bounce off the tough wild violets, creeping veronica, clover, ajuga, and ground ivy. Weed Free Zone kills them all usually with only one application.

Have you noticed how much moss has grown in shady lawn and garden areas this past week? Damp, cool weather has moss growing in places we have never seen it in before. In the proper place, moss is attractive, but growing in lawns and gardens or on walks, paths, and decks can be unsightly and a safety hazard. To kill moss and algae growing on decks, concrete and stone surfaces and walks, use Safer Moss and Algae Spray. To kill moss in the lawn, use Scotts Moss Control. One application usually gives a complete kill.

Flowering dogwood trees are truly outstanding this spring. Pink, white, and red blooming varieties were head-to-toe with beautiful blooms. To keep our dogwood trees healthy, I offer the following information. The need to care for valuable dogwood trees in our landscape has never been greater. Anthracnose disease is very wide spread in Southwestern Michigan and is moving into new areas rapidly. Dead branch tips are often the first signs of dogwood anthracnose infection. Plants in deep shade are the most vulnerable; in native unprotected areas, many trees are killed.

The following care tips will help keep your dogwood healthy. Provide a wind-protected environment. Prune nearby trees so dogwoods receive at least one-half day of sun exposure. Remove water sprouts promptly from trunk. Prune out dead branches and twigs if they are present. After each cut, dip pruners into Consan to prevent the spread of disease. Always use pruning paint to cover wounds. Be sure to destroy all prunings. Spray valuable dogwood trees with Halt Systemic Fungicide after rainy periods, most importantly from May 1st through June 15th . From August 1st through the end of September, spray dogwood trees every two weeks with Maneb Fungicide. Do not get foliage wet when irrigating dogwoods. Encourage dogwoods with yearly feedings of Holly Tone fertilizer, keep competitive grass clear of root zone, mulch with two inches of cedar or fir wood chips to the drip line, and water during summer dry spells.

We nursery folks knew they would arrive sometime; now they're here - Emerald Ash Borers. Local media has made it quite clear that our treasured ash trees are under attack. It's always sad to see our native trees destroyed by foreign invaders. The previous generation lost the American Chestnut, we saw American Elms nearly wiped out in the 60's and 70's, and now it's our ash trees. Since the Emerald Ash Borer was first found in Eastern Michigan several years ago, I have suggested caring for any valuable ash trees in the landscape. I will repeat the tips given the last couple of years.

Homeowners with ash trees in their landscape need to decide how important they are to keep alive. Decide whether you prefer replacing your ash trees with other varieties or protect them from the Emerald Ash Borer. If protecting the tree from the borers is your option, then take action now. Each May or October, drench systemic Tree Insect Killer around the base of the ash tree. Keep trees healthy and growing with annual feedings of Tree Tone. Irrigate ash trees during summer drought periods to prevent stress. Continue this regimen yearly.