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
Bud says
What about mesquite trees?
James says
You can prune mesquite trees at any time
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.