Prepare your yard now for a healthy spring

Happy spring. As we begin to get out more, we are seeing many changes in our outdoor environment. Our lawns and plants are beginning to come out of dormancy, and color and growth are returning to our landscapes. The biggest setback we are currently facing is ongoing drought conditions. Heavy watering once per week is strongly encouraged at this time. We want to make sure to get 1 inch of water per week.

We have seen some minor impacts from the cool weather during winter, which we will cover, as well as some steps to take this month to get the most out of the growing season.

We have recently passed our soil temperature mark of 65 degrees on a fairly consistent basis. This is an important metric when it comes to plant growth and application timing. Once the soil temperature reaches 65 degrees, most of our warm-season lawns begin growing and taking in nutrients. Now that we have consistently stayed above that mark, it is getting to the point where it is safe to fertilize. We recommend applying the most suitable nutrient blend based on the recommendations of soil tests. It is also important to make any necessary adjustments to your pH prior to applying fertilizer. The pH of the soil determines the plant’s ability to take in nutrients. Having a pH that is too high or too low will impact the effectiveness of the product.

Along with the positive changes we are seeing in our landscape, we also want to be cautious of the pests that are present. With the change in temperatures and the lack of rainfall, we have been seeing quite a few lawns having a rough transition. We recommend watering heavily one to two times per week at most. Keep an eye out for discoloration or “dying off” in your lawns, especially if it appears in circular patterns, which could be signs of fungus. Look for yellow and red splotches appearing on grass blades and spreading, typically with a strong leading edge. If you are noticing any signs of fungus, we recommend treating with a fungicide and avoiding any fertilization until fungal activity stops.

The frost and cool weather did knock back some of our indigenous and more tropical plants, but most damage should be recoverable. Severely damaged plants such as palms, bottlebrush and other tropical plants should be putting on new growth at this time. Completely brown limbs can be removed to allow room for new growth.

Epsom salt and 8-10-10 fertilizer can be spread around sago palms and other palms or plants to provide additional nutrients for growth. Deep-root fertilization can also be an effective way to promote new growth and protection.

We are nearing the end of the bloom cycle for azaleas. After the bloom is a great time to do any pruning or cutting back, as aggressive new growth is forming. We’ve recently seen new growth on crape myrtles and should have blooms forming soon. Keep an eye out for the increased presence of aphids and whiteflies as we move into hotter and more humid weather. Repeated applications of insecticides may be needed to keep infestations suppressed. Viburnums typically have the most severe cases of whiteflies.

As we transition fully into the growing season, a little attention now can go a long way toward a healthy, vibrant landscape all summer long. If you have any questions about your lawn or landscape needs, or if you are noticing any problem areas, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you get the most out of your outdoor space this spring.

Zach Deloach is the owner of Lawn Doctor of Beaufort County.