|
THINGS TO EXPECT:
|
| CHLOROSIS, LEAF
DROP of broadleaf evergreens. Induced by weather and season. |
| APHIDS on many landscape
and garden plants. Predator insects are often very effective when chemical
applications are needed, apply by label directions. |
| SPIDER
MITE infestations with spring warm-up and winds. Rinse susceptible
plants weekly during this season with a forceful fine spray of water. Apply
miticides if necessary. |
| WORMS IN VEGETABLE
GARDENS. They appear on undersides of leaves first. Control them while
they are small -- older worms are difficult to kill. Thoroughly spraying
plants with Bacillus thuringiensis or carbaryl is effective. |
| WEEDS follow winter
and spring rains. Controls are more effective on young weeds. RUST-a fungus
problem common on snapdragons after wet weather. A couple of broad spectrum
fungicides on the market with good rust control capabilities, as per label,
will provide adequate control. |
| PETUNIA DIE OUT
older petunias are susceptible to fungus as temperatures rise. Fungicide
applications as a drench at the crown area should help to get them through
the remaining bloom period. |
| POWDERY MILDEW
often appears on new growth on roses repeat fungicide applications are
often needed to protect successive extension of leaf growth. |
|
THINGS TO DO:
|
| GET BARE-ROOT TRANSPLANTING
DONE NOW, if its not already done. |
| CHECK STAKED TREES
for stake rub and tie girdling injuries. Remove unnecessary stakes. |
| PRUNE CITRUS, BOUGAINVILLEA
and other freeze tender shrubs and trees. |
| FERTILIZE FRUIT,
NUT AND SHADE TREES, SHRUBS & VINES but don't fertilize Bermudagrass
lawns until May. Don't fertilize overseeded winter lawns after February. |
| WATER DEEPLY following
fertilizations. Trees, shrubs, vines, etc. that have not received attentive
watering would especially benefit from a good irrigation now. |
| PREPARE SOIL AND
PLANT SPRING VEGETABLE GARDENS. Plant during February for early bloom pollination. |
| TREAT GUMMOSIS infested
citrus trees. |
| APPLY MILDEW CONTROLS
to grapevines after new growth starts. |
| PRUNE HEDGES. More
severe cut-back is needed every year or two to maintain foliage vigor. |
| APPLY PRE-EMERGENT
HERBICIDES. |
| THIN DECIDUOUS FRUIT
to one or two fruit per shoot. |
|
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