With the weather getting warmer we need to finish planting any annuals and perennials we want to add to our garden.
At the same time, you might want to replace any lawn grass damaged due to the cleanup from Hurricane Matthew. Many yards were damaged as trees and other debris were removed.
If you still have plants that like low light in areas that are now high light, you will need to move these plants as quickly as possible, otherwise they can be damaged and brown due to the increased light.
If you have not cleaned up your shrub and flowerbeds do so now, and then apply a new layer of mulch to help conserve water and reduce weed growth.
Until the past few weeks we hadn’t gotten much rain, so keep an eye on your landscape. If we have another dry spell you might need to water twice a week and apply one-half inch of water per application. If we do get a good rainfall once a week, apply watering only once a week.
If you missed fertilizing your shrubs in March, do so now to get the plants putting on new growth and give the plant energy for those that will be blooming later.
Continue to fertilize roses monthly and apply an insecticide and disease control on a regular schedule as black spot on roses has already been seen.
Now is the time to prune early spring blooming shrubs like azaleas as they have finished their bloom period and will be developing new shoot growth.
By pruning now, you will help thicken the plant up with many new bud breaks that will produce new shoot growth and more flowers next year.
Mole cricket activity will be seen in certain areas of the lawn as males and females will be in separate areas and later move to other parts of the lawn to mate. So if you see mole cricket activity in areas of the lawn treat those areas to reduce the number of active adults who can mate later.
We are seeing some grub activity in lawns so consider treating for grubs to reduce the damage to the roots of the grass, as the lawns are ready to pick up lawn fertilizer.
So fertilize your lawns now, and if you need to treat for weeds do so at the same time.
Remember to mow the lawn at the proper height for the species of grass you have.
Edward Poenicke is a retired Chatham County extension agent. This article is provided in collaboration with Lawn Doctor of Beaufort County.
