Spring
· Controlling insects and disease these months are important tasks, especially after a mild winter when insects winter over well, insect populations can explode and devastate plants quickly.
· Keep a watchful eye for insect problems, especially the underside of leaf surfaces. Rhododendrons, azaleas, pieris and cotoneaster are quick prey for lacebugs. Symptoms are yellowish grey leaves with small chocolate brown dots on the underside of the leaf. Treat with ultrafine oil twice at two week intervals.
· Another insect problem is spider mites on Dwarf Alberta Spruce. Keep an eye out for browning sections on the plants. Ultrafine oil is a good product to use.
· Aphids have been very active on Birches and Burning Bush.
· June is the time to treat your lawn for grubs, which are the larvae stage of the Japanese beetle. If unsure if treatment is necessary pick a spot in the yard and skim back an area one foot by one foot. If you have 5-10 white grubs under the surface, treatment is warranted.
· A healthy mower height is 2.5 – 3 inches. What grows above the ground equals the depth of the root system. Deep root systems will resist drought conditions much better, and will reduce weed incident.
Water Gardens
· Fertilize your water lilies and lotus twice a month. Use 1 plant tab per 5 quarts of soil.
· Prune off dead leaves and spent blooms.
· Try to keep vegetation from accumulating in the pond.
· Be sure your pond is stocked with submerged plants to keep algae to a minimum.
· Clean the intake of your pump biweekly, checking the impeller blade regularly.
· Keep your fountain or pump recirculating 24 hours a day, especially during thunderstorms, when the oxygen level drops.
· Do not treat your pond with chemicals at night or when the water temperature rises above 80° F. It is best to treat before 10:00AM.
· Keep your pond topped off with fresh water. Be sure to use a chlorine remover if are using public water.
Waterfall Gardens has professional landscapers with knowledge to take care of these items for you. Call 610.777.5159 to schedule our services toady!
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