Lawns - Fertilize
after April 15 ( last possible freeze ) but, only after if the lawn has been completely green for at least two weeks (usually
around May 15). Never fertilize
wet grass. Use correctly adjusted spreader.
After use flush out spreader with plenty of water and water lawn to water fertilizer granules into turf.
Use only a fertilizer specified for your type of grass. For centipede or St Augustine, use a low middle number (phosphorous)
such as 16-2-8.
Read the entire label before buying the fertilizer. Often, a statement on the back will say "not for centipede, etc".
It is very important to know what type of grass you have, since grasses differ as to the type of care required to grow
a healthy lawn.
Bringing soil samples to Clemson Extension Services for testing will show you what should be added to your lawn or garden
for proper growing conditions..
CAUTION - DO NOT OVERFERTILIZE !
Centipede and carpetgrass tolerates only a small amount of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer will kill your grass.
Recommended Amounts of Fertilizer:
Centipede 1/2 - 1 lbs Nitrogen per
1000 sq ft of lawn
Carpetgrass 1/2 - 1 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft
of lawn
St Augustine 2 - 3 lbs Nitrogen per
1000 sq ft of lawn
Bermuda Grass 2-5 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft of lawn
Zoysiagrass 1-3 lbs Nitrogen
per 1000 sq ft of lawn
Water your lawn only when the lawn requires water.
Water early in the morning. Evening watering can cause desease, since the lawn stays wet all night.
Shrubs - Most shrubs
that blume in the spring should be pruned after flowering, if they need pruning.
If you have heavy aphid problems, a systemic can be watered in around the plant.
If you are having a problem with a plant, go to one of the locale plant clinics manned by area master gardeners.
Bulbs - Leave bulb foliage until it turns yellow.
This feeds the bulb for next season’s flowers. If you mark gaps in your bulb displays you will know where to add more in the Fall.
Trees and Shrubs - Prune dead wood out of trees and shrubs and prune flowering
varieties after they blossom. Check for borers at the base of any unhealthy shrub and ask extension agent which control to use.
Spring planted shrubs
probably need feeding. Apply half
a cup of 5.10.10. or 6.12.12 per shrub. Feed again in July.
Aphids - Watch for aphids and
spray any you find with insecticidal soap.
Azaleas - After bloom cut back and feed with slow release azalea fertilizer that contains iron and other minor elements.
Chrysanthemums - Let them bloom before cutting back for Fall flowers. Before August cut
to within six inches of the ground.
Clematis
They prefer to have their roots in the shade and their tops in the sun.
Enrich poor soil with organic matter.
Container plants Keep well watered and fertilize every
three to four weeks with water soluble fertilizer.
Mulch Apply
2-3” to keep soil moist and cool.
Roses spray for blackspot.
Suckers Small sprouts can be easily removed by hand. If you let them grow you will have to use pruners.
Annuals
Start planting annuals
after April 15 (last possible freezing weather). Now is the time to plant
bulbs, corms and tubers for flowers through the Fall.
Vegetables
It’s planting time for most warms season vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper plants, squash, peas
and beans.