James Gill had his annual Get Ready for Spring garden talk here at Gill’s last weekend. As always, it was a big hit – standing room only! In case you missed it, we decided to do a recap:
Pre-Spring Lawn Tips
- Prevent and treat Take All Root Rot using Peat Moss: Rake out dead grass, spread Peat Moss, and water it in. Wait until dry to water again.
- Know when to water your lawn – if a screwdriver is hard to push into the soil, its’ time to water. If it pushes into the soil easily, you’ve got enough moisture.
- Wait to fertilize your lawn until it’s growing, and you need to mow it once a week – usually March
- If you get Bermuda grass in your landscape beds, use Grass B Gone
- There’s not a practical way to remove Bermuda grass in your St. Augustine lawn – the best way is to keep your St. Augustine healthy (watered and fed) and it will choke out the Bermuda
To Prune or Not to Prune?
Prune Now
- Lantana
- Esperanza
- Plumbago
- Hibiscus
- Firebush
- Jatropha
- Grasses
- Shrub Roses
Do Not Prune
- Crape Myrtles
- Citrus Trees
- Bougainvillea
- Fig Trees
Prune AFTER Spring Bloom
- Azaleas
- Mountain Laurel
- Indian Hawthorn
- Climbing Roses
Fertilize Citrus Trees Now
- Use organic Citrus Tone
- Spread inside and just outside the drip line (where water drips off the tree branches and leaves when you water it)
-James
Arthur says
Hi James, I found it useful when I read your blog about pruning. Thank you for sharing your blog. It was really helpful.
Linda says
Can I prune hawthorns?
james gill says
Yes you can prune them now, and it’s a good time for the hawthorns but not as good for you. You will prune off the flower buds before you get to enjoy them. If you must do now, it works for the plants.
Bud says
What about mesquite trees?
James says
You can prune mesquite trees at any time
Cathy Bridges says
What about oleanders?
james gill says
First examine an oleander hedge to be sure it does not have oleander scorch.
https://www.azplantlady.com/2015/03/plant-disease-oleander-leaf-scorch.html
If you prune an infected plant and then healthy plants, you will be tranferring the disease.
If your plants are all healthy, you may prune now thru first week of February.
Fae says
How far back do you prune lantana?
james gill says
prune to 12″ tall or less
Steve says
When should orchid trees be cut back? It’s already starting to procduce blooms.
You can certainly run now. You will lose a few blooms in the process.james says
You can certainly run now. You will lose a few blooms in the process.
Jean Albright says
Why “do not prune crape myrtles”?
james gill says
That is an oversimplification, and not exactly what I said, but people do such a horrible butcher job that the crapemyrtles would be better off if left alone. What I said was, prune branches that are rubbing the roof or each other, or are too low across the walkway. Prune small suckers arising from the ground or lower trunk. But do not randomly lop off major branches at head height, as you so often see people doing this time of year.
John Carlson says
James
How about Hong Kong orchid tree as far as time to trim!
james gill says
Prune short, to 12″ tall or less.
james gill says
Sorry John, you got the lantana pruning instructions. Yes you can prune orchid tree now, you will lose a few blooms, you can prune now or after bloom.