Timely Tips from Over the Garden Fence
You can catch George Wedel on Over the Garden Fence, 9:05 am Saturdays on AM 590 WKZO.
And return here each week at www.wedels.com for the latest in Wedel's timely tips.
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OVER THE GARDEN FENCE JUNE 15, 2002 This has been a wonderful gardening week at our home. After a spring when gardening time was severely limited because of cool, wet weather, we have some catching up to do! Unfortunately, the weeds are growing despite the weather. After weeding perennial beds, Joyce is applying Preen and then a bark mulch. That should keep the perennials weed-free for the balance of the year. Last week, the vegetable garden went in and this week all the petunias, salvia, and coleus transplants were put in. Morning glory, cosmos, and calendula seeds were also planted this week. To cap off my planting spree, I planted two Black Gum trees. And you can be sure that whenever a bare spot shows up in the perennial garden, we will fill it with one of the many new perennial varieties now available. My purpose in mentioning the gardening activities at our home this week was to point out the opportunities we all have to garden at this time. If you have the resources and the time, June can afford many, many possibilities. There is still time for almost all vegetable plants and seeds planted now to produce a fine crop. The same can be said for both annual and perennial flower and seed planting. And most certainly, tree, shrub, evergreen, rose, and vine plantings will be successful wherever irrigation is available. The following is a note from last week’s M.S.U. Landscape Alert. It’s that time of year again when the seedheads in turf are popping up everywhere. All the major turf grasses in Michigan, including Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and of course, Poa Annua, are busy day and night popping out seedheads. Turf producing seedheads at this time of year is a natural phenomenon, so don’t think something has gone wrong. The seedhead issue in turf is most noticeable because sprouting seed stalks are tough to mow. This is when we’ll find out who has a sharp blade on their mower! Here are some things to watch for over the next couple of weeks as the seedheads hit peak. The turf may start to look stemy and lose density. This is natural; it will come back strong once this period of seedhead production ceases. Basically, right now the plant is putting a lot of energy into popping those seedheads. Once it’s done, the turf should be back to its old self. The only advice is; keep your blades sharp, mow high, keep up on your mowing frequency, and enjoy the seedhead appearance in the turf, they’ll be gone shortly. I would also advise an application of Scotts Lawn Pro fertilizer to improve turf density and color. And don’t forget, in order to keep lawns green and growing, turf needs one-half inch of moisture twice a week. Irrigation should take place in mid-day for best results. Turf diseases are beginning to kill patches in many lawns. The best broad-spectrum disease control is provided by Scotts Lawn Fungus Control. Lawns with problems or a history of diseases would benefit from an application of Scotts Lawn Fungus Control at this time. George |
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