I presented a Free How to Garden Talk on Saturday March 10th, 2012, the topic? Understanding Garden Maintenance. I would like to thank all who were in attendance and offer you, and everyone else who may be in need, guidance in the garden.
I have been a participant in the green industry for well over 15 years and I have received many phone calls in regards to garden maintenance, if I only had a nickel….
NEOhiogarden.com is devoted to saving you a nickel and more. I have closely examined the participation at the entire Free How to Garden Series and I have learned that we all want to understand some aspect of our garden, whether small or large. It is an awful feeling to want to accomplish a task or a goal when you do not understand how to do it correctly or do not have the right equipment, professional connections, etc.
Look no farther, NEOhiogarden.com will help you to understand your garden and for the Do It Yourself homeowner we have listed some tips to help you better understand garden maintenance:
Most Important Maintenance Practices Not to Miss
- Diagnosing your plants and landscape beds and creating a pest management plan if needed
- Keeping equipment clean, sharp and in great running condition
- Clean birdbaths, feeders, etc. on a regular basis – 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and rinse thoroughly
- Keep debris out of the landscape beds, some pests will overwinter in the fallen leaves. i.e. Apple Scab
- Cultivate your mulch 3-4 times a year if you want to keep slime molds and fungus at bay
- Do Not cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one mowing – cutting more will weaken the grass and create an opening for pest and disease
- Install crabgrass preventer or Greenview Crabgrass Preventer and Seed Starter when the nighttime soil temperatures reach 50 degrees for at least three nights in a row
- Install all season long Grub Control in April and repeat in late July early august or you can apply Milky Spore – If applying Milky Spore DO NOT apply grub control as this will also kill the milky spore.
- Keep the iris patch clean to prevent Iris Borer – The Iris Borer overwinters in the fallen leaves and debris in the Iris patch.
- Remember, when in doubt it is always safe to trim blooming shrubs and trees right after the bloom has faded – wait too long and you will remove the bud set for the next bloom.
Maintenance Practices that could be Postponed because of a Busy Schedule
- Edging landscape beds
- Could postpone mulching until early June – before the heat of summer sets in – or if your mulch is already 2-3” just cultivate it and reapply mulch next year.
- Cutting back perennials in the fall
- Cutting back Dbl Knockout Rose or Endless Summer Hydrangea – I trim mine every couple of years
- Fertilizing plants – if your plants have great vigor and are healthy – you do not have to fertilize constantly – take a break – your plants won’t mind – though do not postpone this forever
- Trimming – if there is no pertinent reason to trim except you think you need to – take a break, there is always another day.
If you have a garden question do not hesitate to ask Michelle@neohiogarden.com we are devoted to helping you keep your green spaces green.
