Plants and Trees
Continue to plant container-grown trees, shrubs, perennial herbs, groundcovers, and perennial flowers.
Time to Mow?
It is time to mow when you can't stand looking at a ragged lawnscape any longer. Once you start, mow regularly and at the right height. It's the best thing you can do to control weeds and keep grass thick and healthy. Now, during cool weather, mow cool-season lawns such as bluegrass, ryegrasses, or fescues at 2 inches or so. Raise the mower blade to 3 inches once temperatures hit the 90s F. Mow warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia at approximately 2 inches all season long.
We have a tendancy to overlook the benefits of aerating the lawn. Aeration helps remove thatch build up that provides a nesting place for lawn diseases. Aeration also helps with soil compaction. Grass does much better when the roots can spread easily. Most rental centers have aerators for rent making the job much easier.
Mulching
Mulching is good for your garden and for YOU! Mulch helps to hold much needed moisture in the ground for the plants. It helps to retard the growth of weeds at the same time. The results- less watering during dry spells and less work removing unsightly weeds. Good for You!
Add appearace to the benefits of mulching. Mulch gives your beds definition between the bed and the surounding area- setting it apart. That gives you opportunity to become creative with shapes, directing traffic flow through the garden, and highlighting your favorite plants. The contrast of mulch color and texture between the plants and the surounding environment can be eye catching.
Til next time,
Poppy
Mowing the yard is always a joy for me. It can turn a bad mood into a good one. I guess it makes a good stress reliever. For me anyway. I appreciate the info on mowing heights. Our water bill certainly reflects the "high and tight" mowing. Is it time to begin the "weed and feed?"
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