Grasses

Fescue goes naturally semi-dormant during extremes of hot and/or dry weather; it can survive 3 weeks without water. The most effective watering methods is to water to the point of runoff, turn off sprinkler to let water soak in, then water again, repeating until the root zone is wet. Unless the water reaches the roots where it is taken up by the plant, you waste both time and water. Water in early morning or very late at night; late afternoon or early evening is the worst time to water as the grass stays wet for a longer time and encourages diseases.Warm season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia need to be fertilized during the warm months of the year. Apply .5 pounds of nitrogen each month during the summertime. (1.5 pounds of 34-0-0 per 1000 square feet) or (3 pounds 17-17-17 per 1000sqft) Be sure to water it in during dry times.

Crape Myrtles

The beauty of crape myrtles is shown in their color this month. Prune spent flower blossoms and you’ll prolong the flowering period. If the leaves appear dark and sooty or almost uniformly charcoal gray, you have sooty mold, the result of an aphid infestation in May/June. Spray now with horticultural oil or soaps according to label directions. Next year watch for and treat aphids in May. Some have problems with powdery mildew. Use horticultural oils as an organic way to control to control mildew. There are also many chemical fungicides on the market which will control the problem as well such as myclobutanil.

Evergreens

Cuttings - July and August are the months to take semi-hardwood cuttings of evergreen shrubs. Remove the leaves from the lower half of cutting and dip in rooting powder. Place in a well drained media in a container that can be placed in a clear plastic bag or set in a cold frame. Place them out of direct sunlight and keep moist for about 6 weeks. (azalea, boxwood, holly, camellia and other evergreen shrubs)Bagworms -Handpick the bags. Pesticides are not effective once bags have been produced.

Trees

Remove suckers and water sprouts from trees. Do NOT prune trees. It is too hot! Only remove dead areas.

Deadhead

If you cut off (deadhead) blossoms when they die, then you will prolong the flowering period of the plant.

IN THE GARDEN…..

What to Plant this Month? It’s a little late to be planting but consider second crops of cucumbers and bush beans at this time. Be aware that disease issues are more intense on second crops so be prepared to treat diseases proactively. Also begin to plan your fall garden so you can begin planting next month.

Yellow Jackets

These bees can ruin outings until frost. With insect prey (their usual diet) becoming scarce, yellow jackets scavenge for other sources of nutrition, especially sweets, e.g. fruits, ice cream, soft drinks. A diluted solution of ammonia and water (6 oz. of ammonia per gallon of water) sprayed in and around trash cans and sponged onto outdoor tables and food preparation surfaces may help to repel yellow jackets from these areas. Use household ammonia, not bleach. Aerosol sprays that control wasps and hornets work well to control individual yellow jackets but are not very effective on the nest. Carbaryl(Sevin) is a better choice for nest control. Carefully locate the nest and drench the nest with a gallon of Carbaryl solution at dusk or after dark. Do not drench the nest with Gasoline as it is an environmental hazard*