History of Herold's Farm

Tips for March

TREES & SHURBS

Apply dormant spray when temperature exceeds 40° F (5° C). Plant bare-root stock when soil is workable.

ROSES

In milder areas, begin bare-root planting when soil is workable. After planting, mix MASTER NURSEY MASTER START(1/4 cup per plant) into top 2 inches of soil with a garden tool. Water thoroughly.

LAWNS

Second only to fall, spring is the best time to start a lawn. Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, bent grass and ryegrass, find temperatures of 70° - 75° F ideal for growth.

THATCH:

Thatch is a layer of slowly decomposing grass stems, dead roots, and debris that accumulates above the soil and below grass blades. A certain amount of thatch is beneficial as an organic fertilizer and mulch. But too heavy a buildup can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the soil, as well as harbor insects and diseases. To prevent buildup, remove the thatch with a power rake, which you can rent.

WEEDING:

Crabgrass seeds in the soil from last year's crop of weeds will start to sprout when temperatures reach 65° - 70° F for four to five consecutive days. There are two types of herbicides used in the control of Crabgrass - pre-emergent that prevent the seeds from germinating SCOTTS STEP 1 or HALTS, and post-emergent that kill crabgrass plants. Now is the time to apply a pre-emergent barrier before seeds germinate.

GRUBS:

Grubs (the larvae of a number of beetles) can become serious lawn pests when present in high numbers. The grubs feed on roots of a wide variety of grasses, cutting the roots and loosening the sod. With a serious infestation, the turf can then be rolled up like a carpet and the entire lawn may be killed. Lawns infested with grubs will show irregularly shaped patches of wilted, dead or dying grass in April and May and again in August to mid-October. Damage caused by grubs is often more noticeable in the fall (August and September) because moisture stress is common. Grass does not always recover from severe grub injury, but it can regrown if the injury is moderate.treat entire lawn. Do not attempt to control lawn pest by spot applications. Repeat application in 4 - 6 weeks if necessary. Try to avoid prolonged use of the same chemical in order to prevent insect resistance. The chemicals are (MERIT) SCOTTS GRUBEX applied in spring as a preventative or BAYER DYLOX 24 HOUR CONTROL

Disease Control:

The cool moist weather of spring favors the development of several diseases .Dollar spot can occurs anytime from now until late summer especially when temperatures go into the 80's and humidity is high. Multi-Purpose Fungicide DACONIL 2787® Plant Disease Control or SCOTTS LAWN FUNGICIDE is effective on a wide range of diseases, however, proper identification of specific lawn disease is essential for control.

STRAWBERRIES

Begin planting strawberries as soon as the soil can be worked Spring is the time to remove protective mulch you've applied to last year's strawberry plants. Wait until a slight yellowing of the leaves appear under the mulch and then remove only enough to allow the plants to grow up through the mulch.

Last Updated:May 21, 2006