June 2006 Gardening Corner
It's that time of the year again. Hot & steamy South Florida.
If it rains shut off your sprinklers. If you notice that your driveway swale has an inch of standing water then your grass has been watered by the rain. Either that, or you have a sprinkler head, or riser with a problem. Check your sprinkler zones, make certain heads are free of obstructions, like grass runners growing over them. If you allow an area of grass to brown out then you have waited to long to correct an existing problem.
I have a neighbor who recently spray painted the heads white. This way you can find them more easily. Another concern now is watering too much. Most of our lawns can easily succumb to FUNGUS, MOLD and increased INSECT activity with too much water. Wait to water, when your grass needs it you can tell. When it is this hot you really don't want to make your lawn work any harder. Don't use a nitrogen rich fertilizer. The first number found on most fertilizer bags. Really, one should not exceed the number 10 during the summer.
If your grass looks wishy washy and you want a deeper, dark green, try using an IRONIZER. It won't promote an excessive amount of growth leading to thatch (a build up of grassy debris) that can choke your lawn. Picture that, little grass blades strangling other grass blades. Ha! Pots are becomming the rage in gardens. Two things to keep in mind if you start decorating with them. One, with hurricanes they should be moved into the garage. Two, they can easily walk away. Don't invest in something your not willing to lose easily. It's unfortunate but true.
Cut off any dead, hanging branches from trees, and palms. You may even want to have coconuts cut off your trees now. Normal vegetation pick up is done on Tues. mornings. If you can trim Sun. eve. or Mon. then the refuse won't sit for long on the swale. Remember that vegetation pick up is suspended when a major storm is coming our way. Don't trim before an approaching storm. The debris will be your responsibility. Remember that large branches and coconuts are projectiles in our strong winds.
Stay safe, hear the thunder, go inside. Drink plenty of fluids, take breaks,
wear a hat...YES, MOM.
Above ALL,
Happy Gardening,
JOY SCHWARTZ