MAINTENANCE DUTIES

• Replace old worn shovels with an Ames Classic Pointed or Square shovel.

• To keep weeds down apply Dewitt Weed Barrier in flower beds. Apply Green Light Amaze prior to laying down weed cloth.

• Control weeds among vegetables by hand-pulling, mulching, cultivating or using Dewitt Weed Barrier

• Fertilize your lawns with a fast acting fertilizer such as Yara Turf Royale 21-7-14.

• Fertilize - Everything. Use Gro-Power Plus 5-3-1 all purpose fertilizer on shrubs, flowers, trees, plants and vegetables. Or apply Ironite 1-0-1 for strong, deep roots and rich green color.

• Fertilize peppers when flowers first show.

• Snails will coming be out to munch on the tender new growth. Time to purchase your favorite snail bait. One recommendation is Monterey Sluggo. Get 20% off 10 pound regular Sluggo with your preferred card this month.

• Now is the time to divide perennials such as agapanthus, callas, daylilies, rudbeckia, and daisies. Those with fuchsias can cut them back two-thirds toward the main branches. Remember to leave 2-5 leaf bud/scars for new growth.

• You can begin pruning your ornamental shrubs (pittosporum, boxwood, etc.) for hedges. Wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees until their blooming is over.

• Now's a good time to plant citrus and avocado trees. They'll have all spring and summer to get established before winter's cooler temperatures slow their growth. Provide them with good drainage and choose varieties that are right for your area. If you wrapped the trunks of young trees last fall, un-wrap them now.  In the inland areas begin fertilizing citrus and avocado trees this month. In coastal zones continue to fertilize them.

• Divide and repot cymbidiums that have outgrown their containers. Cut off bloom spikes from cymbidiums after flowers fade.

• Divide and mount staghorn ferns.

• Prune winter- and spring-flowering vines, shrubs, trees and ground covers after they finish blooming.

• Spray junipers and Italian cypress for juniper moths.

• Plant a new lawn or repair an old one with Grangetto’s Grass Seed. Tall or Dwarf Fescue Seed supplies year round green turf. Apply Kelloggs Topper to keep seeds moist for germination.

• Watch for insects on new spring growth: Control pests
• Aphids and Thrips - Wash foliage with water from a garden hose. For stronger infestations use Bayer Advanced Tree and shrub Insect Control. This is a systemic that gives 12 months of control.
  Read more about Thrips
• Scale - Use Lilly Miller Superior Type Spray Oil or Lilly Miller Vegol Pesticidal Oil to control crawlers.  Read more about Scale.

• For small gardens use an Earthbox. The Earthbox is great for tomatoes and herb gardens! For Fun easy growing with automatic Irrigation, consider a Garden Crib. The Garden Crib is a modular raised garden bed that can be customized how you like!