Spring is here, and we will soon be arriving to perform your #1 early Spring treatment to the lawn, trees, or shrubs. We are coming on the heels of a tough growing year in 2004, when we were affected by a variety of growing conditions, including short spells of drought. These past 3 years of intermittent drought have taken a great toll on area trees, be aware that trees are going to reflect previous years weather conditions in their growth and vitality this year. They will certainly need to be kept watered this year, and feeding will help overcome stresses from previous years' neglect.
LAWN CARE #1 On this first visit, we will be applying a slow-release food to help the lawn and roots develop at this hungry time of year. If your lawn is in the sun, we will also apply a crabgrass inhibitor to prevent crabgrass from taking over later in the summer. Note: you will not get a crabgrass preventer if your lawn is in the shade, in need of extensive re-seeding, or if you are on a totally organic program.
We are aware that many of our clients will need some touch-up seeding in trouble spots. We will use our discretion as to where to seed and as to where to wait until Fall. For purposes of brevity, we will assume that you know we'll do our best, and I won't get into minute horticultural details as pertains to seeding. Just call if you have specific concerns, as there may be reasons we omit a specific area.
SHRUB & TREE SPRAY- #1 will be done when temperatures dictate, NOT WHEN your neighbors get done by some big company that must keep its men busy for routing purposes. Growing degree days dictate everything. This spray will contain a horticultural oil ( a natural vegetable oil ) that smothers newly hatched or overwintering insects. It may also contain a natural fungicide for certain blights and fungal problems on certain plant species.
ROOT FEEDING- will be done for those clients we couldn't get to in the Fall due to the shortened post Thanksgiving work period last year. This important work will provide over 20 nutrients and soil amendments and usually a systemic insecticide to combat borers and larvae in the soil. It also reduces the need for foliar topical sprays later in the season as insect and disease activity is greatly reduced. A flower booster is in the mix, and the results have been great with this new addition to our mix !
Last season, we noticed that most of the landscape problems were generated by poor water management. Shallow roots, rotting vegetables, nutrient run-off, and most of all, FUNGAL / DISEASE issues.
KEEP THOSE SPRINKLERS OFF until late May ! Until you are consistently getting 80 degree days with no rain for at least 3 days, the systems should stay OFF after the inspection. Then when conditions are right, the client should turn controller from OFF to RUN AUTOMATIC. At my house, I actually leave the controller in the OFF position and I use a hand-held remote control to do a 10 minute watering of newly planted areas or flowers. If there is plenty of rain, I won't even turn it on until we've had 4 dry days. This will prevent shallow rooting as well as fungal problems. It is no coincidence that the people who consistently require a foliar fungicide are the very same folks who demand that their system be turned on early and run automatic cycles every other day so early in the year.
If you have a single new shrub or flat of pansies put in, just water that zone with the remote or by hand. If you need help understanding how to do this, or if you lack a remote for your clock, it is strongly advised that you call John at Civitano Irrigation 963-4353.
