10 Summer Tips

10 Helpful Tips for August and September

1. Mulch planting beds and around trees at 3” deep. Avoid putting mulch on tree trunks and plant stems. The benefits of mulch are water retention, soil temperature reductions and weed prevention.
2. St. Augustine grass needs to be mowed at 3-4 “ in height. This keeps it less stressed during heat and drought conditions.
3. To help your plants survive the heat and drought of summer, apply liquid seaweed to them.
4. Water grass, plants, and trees for extended periods of time to promote a deeper root system, therefore making them more drought resistant.
5. Check your sprinkler system, making sure all sprinkler heads are in proper working order. Calibrate the timer to go off in the early morning hours before the sun comes up. This will help brown patch from occurring. Brown patch is a fungus found in St. Augustine grass.
6. Be on the lookout for patches of brown or dead grass, this is usually an indication of chinch bugs and or grub worms in grass. Apply insecticide as needed.
7. Apply a winterizer fertilizer for your grass that has a low ratio of nitrogen. Fertilizers high in nitrogen can accelerate a fungus problem.
8. Prune your plants and fertilize them with an 8-2-4 ratio, this will promote more blooms in the fall.
9. Fall planting is the best time to plant! Perennials, shrubs, trees, grass, wildflower seeds, annual flowers all do great when planted in the Fall.
10. It is time to plant your fall and winter vegetable garden. Also a good time to start a compost pile from your summer garden. Prepare your vegetable garden with rich organic soil.