SPRING PLANTING

Spring is a good time to plant everything.  Trees need to get established before the July-August heat.  Be sure you dig the holes at least twice as big as the rootball, plant level to a little above the level of the ground, and fill with a mix of compost and soil conditioner.

PREPARATION AND CARE

Be sure to fertilize your annuals every other week with a liquid 20-20-20.  Feed your roses with rose food monthly – start now if you haven’t done it yet.  Add a slow release to your other plants.

GROOMING

Cut back shrubs and remove spent blooms after spring blooming.  Cut suckers from trees. 

PEST CONTROL

Apply Milky Spore to ground to prevent Japanese Beetles.  Apply systemic pesticides. I have had good luck with Bayer Tree and Shrub.

Inspect new growth for aphids and watch for whiteflies.  If you see them, spray them off with a stream from your hose.  Use an insecticidal soap if your plants are too far from the hose.  Aphids are food for lady beetles, lacewings, and hover flies..

Have you considered having a butterfly garden?  They are beautiful and easy to do.

Butterflies like sun, so full sun is important.  Butterflies cannot drink from running water so a good idea when considering how to make a butterfly garden is to include a drinking source. Butterflies love puddles. To make a permanent one, bury a bucket to the rim and fill it with your choice of sand or gravel. Then fill the top with liquids like water, stale beer or sweet drinks and place small stones or sticks in the area to give butterflies a place to perch. To further encourage butterflies to visit your garden, place small pieces of overripe fruit that has been allowed to sit for a few days by the puddle. They won't be able to resist these sweet treats making your garden the favorite in the neighborhood.

Plants that butterflies like include butterfly bushes, bottle brush, clethra, coneflowers, fennel, salvia, lantana, pentas, holly hocks, phlox, black eyed susans, viburnum, cosmos, petunias, and butterfly weed.  Bright colors are important.  Plant the taller plants in the back and shorter plants up front to improve access for all types of butterflies.