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Get Ready for Spring – James’ Tips for Lawns, Pruning, and Citrus

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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

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