Seeding

Fall is the best time to seed fescue lawns. The combination of warm soils and cooling temperatures are the perfect conditions for seed germination. There are also much fewer weed problems when seeding in the fall. So if your lawn took a beating this summer, fall is the time to start repairing the damage.

Professional diagnosis

If you are having trouble with your plants the first step in correcting the problem is getting an accurate diagnosis. That's where we can help. Bring us a good sample of your plant that is having a problem and our professional staff will diagnose the problem. Once the cause is know steps can be taken to remedy the situation.

Grub Control in turf

If you are seeing areas of you lawn turning brown it's a good idea to check for grubs. These pest can cause considerable damage if untreated. The easiest way to check for their presence is to pull up on areas of turf that are turning brown. If grubs are present the turf will come up easily as its root have been severed. Grub worms may also be visible. When treating early in the season we like to use Hi-yield Grub Free Zone II. But since it is slow to work, grubs at this time of year require a different product. Bayer 24 Hour Grub Control containing dylox acts quickly and is best when grubs are activly feeding. It provides an instant kill stopping any further damage.

Bermuda control

Bermuda is an aggressively spreading grass that thrives in the heat of summer. By itself Bermuda can make a good lawn but when it starts growing in your fescue lawn it looks unsightly and is difficult to control. In the past the only way to eliminate Bermuda was to kill the entire area that it was growing then reseed in the fall. Now there are more options. You can control Bermuda without harming your fescue by making monthly applications of Bayer Bermuda Grass Control for Lawns or Hi-Yield Turflon Ester during the growing season.

Budworms

Are you having trouble with the buds of your petunias, geraniums or million bells being eaten by small worms? Bud worms are a frequent problem. Spraying with Ferti-lome Borer Bagworm and Caterpillar spray will keep them under control. Regular applications will be needed.

Blackspot on roses

Some varieties of Roses are prone to a fungal disease called Blackspot. Symptoms include yellowing leaves with black spots. It starts on the lower leaves and works it's way up the plant when there are periods of high humidity and warm temperatures. Infected leaves will usually drop off.

1. Plant varieties of roses that are less susceptible to blackspot.

2. Plant roses is areas with sun and good ventilation.

3. When watering, water the soil not the foliage.

4. Remove infected leaves that have fallen.

5. Spray every 10- 14 days with Ferti-lome Liquid systemic fungicide when sign of the disease are present

Spider mites

Watch your plants for spider mite damage. If your plants have pale dirty looking patches that are turning brown you may have a problem with spider mites. Spider mites are very small so the best way to check for them is to hold a piece of paper under a branch that looks suspicious. Shake the branch vigorously and watch for what looks like specks of dust to fall on the paper. Watch these specks closely, if they start to move they are most likely spider mites. To treat for spider mites spray the plant thoroughly with Ferti-lome Horticultural Oil or Bayer 3-in-1 Insect and Disease Control. (Blue Spruces should not be sprayed with horticultural oils) Treat again in a week.

Euonymus scale

Watch for euonymus scale. Stems and underneath leaves become covered with white scales or brown bumps. Spray with dormant oil in the spring when the buds begin to open. In summer, spray with Ferti-lome Horticultural Oil Spray during the crawler stage (when new eggs have hatched). Spray first in late-May to early-July. Spray again if needed in late-August to early-September.