Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/gardentips.html

Garden Tips
February 2001
Marty Johnson, President, Johnson's Garden Centers, KS. Certified Nurseryman

FEED SPRING BULBS
    One gardening tip that's often forgotten in the spring is feeding
tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs.

    The key to large, healthy flowers next spring is to have big healthy
plants now. With strong green foliage above, the bulbs are able to take
in more sunlight and turn it into flowers for you next spring. So, as
your spring bulbs start to leaf out, remember to fertilize the plants
with American Dutch Bulb Food or ferti-lome Start-N-Grow.

HOUSEPLANTS
    Continue to monitor plants for pests. Mealy bugs, aphids and spider
mites can all become serious problems if left untreated.

    At first sign of a problem, apply an insecticide such as ferti-lome
Whitefly & Mealybug Killer. If you have a plant that is prone to insect
problems, use ferti-lome Systemic Insecticide granules in the soil to
help protect against re-infestation.

    If you notice black gnats flying around the house, your plants are
infested with fungus gnats. Fungus gnats hatch out in moist soil, so let
the soil dry out between waterings. Saturated the soil with ferti-lome
Quik Kill and water it through.

WINTER WEEDS
    Winter is a great time to spot treat weeds in a warm-season lawn
(bermuda, zoysia & buffalograss) with Hi-Yield KILLZALL. (DON'T apply
KILLZALL to fescue or other cool-season lawns.)

    First, spray on a warm (50 degrees) day.ÊThe weeds absorb more KILLZALL
if they aren't under stress from subfreezing temperatures.

    Second, mix Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker with the KILLZALL.ÊSpreader
Sticker gives a more complete coverage on the leaf surface and helps
prevent unexpected snow or rain from washing off the KILLZALL.Ê

    Third, be patient.ÊUnlike spring and summer applications of weed
killers, winter applications take timeÑup to six weeks or more to see
results.ÊCold temperatures slow down the weed killing process so don't
expect overnight results.

PRUNING
    For most trees, the best time to prune is during the plant's dormant
stage, when the "bones" of the tree are exposed and it is easy to see
what corrections need to be made.

When pruning, there are several things that should be considered:
     -Is there a problem with competing leaders?
     -Are there interior branches hindering air circulation?
     -Are there any dead parts to be removed?

    When evaluating how to prune, look for only one true leader. Trees
such as maples and pin oaks may have two or three different branches in
competition  as a leader. The straightest leader should be kept and the
rest either pruned out or pruned back to a bud which leads in a
different direction.

    Sometimes, when a tree becomes cumbersome and shaggy, homeowners
have the tree topped. Unfortunately this is not healthy for mature trees
and is very unattractive. A topped tree will grow many small, thin
branches which are weak and they will not hold up to the next snowstorm
or heavy winds.

    If your tree is overgrown, it is better to thin the branches. A tree
that has been thinned allows more sunlight and air to reach the center
of the tree. The tree is able to fill out, producing more foliage
towards the center.

    For the life and health of your tree, take a look at it this winter
and if there is trimming that needs to be done, please do so. It will
add years to the life of your tree.