Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2006
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/gardentips.html

Garden Tips
June 2006
Marty Johnson, President, Johnson's Garden Centers &
                Kansas Certified Nursery Professional

    It was a busy spring at Johnson's Garden Centers. The great weather
we had was good for those wanting do anything outside. In May, we
finally received some much-needed rainfall. My KAKE/Ben Pringle rain
gauge was finally used for its intended purpose, not as a place for
spiders to build their webs.

Landscape Pests
    This year, I am going after insects in my landscape early! I know
there will be several uninvited visitors to my yard. The first product
that I am going to apply is Hi-Yield Turf Ranger containing
Deltamethrin. This safe insecticide will control insects in my lawn and
landscape. Deltamethrin does a great job controlling insects such as
fleas, ticks, ants, crickets and other insects that are at the soil
level. This product attaches itself to the thatch in the lawn, which is
great for targeting insects above the soil level, but it won't affect
insects like grubs that live under the soil level. Turf Ranger lasts for
up to 6 weeks and is very reasonably priced with 5,000 sq. ft. coverage
for $14.98.

Bagworms
    Last summer, bagworms attacked my blue spruce with full force.
Before I knew it, much of the tree was already consumed. This year 
I am going after the hungry worms with ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm, Tent
Caterpillar & Leafminer Spray containing Spinosad. This organic product
does a great job controlling many insects that attack landscape plants.
Spinosad will control tent caterpillars, armyworms and other insects.
Use it early in the summer for the best results.

Grassy Weeds
    Another pest that I am attacking, before things get too busy, is
grassy weeds in my landscape beds. This year I applied Hi-Yield Turf and
Ornamental Weed Control containing Dimension. This granular product is
labeled not only for turf areas, but landscape areas as well. Its long
lasting weed control will allow me to prevent broadleaf weeds and grassy
annual weeds all season long with only two applications about ten weeks
apart. The nice thing about this Hi-Yield product is that it has no
fertilizer, allowing me to apply a turf fertilizer on turf areas and
ferti-lome Gardener's Special on my landscape beds.

Nutsedge
    Nutsedge is another weed that seems to arrive every summer in both
turf areas and landscape beds. SedgeHammer, previously known as Manage,
is a selective herbicide for the control of nutsedge and other weeds in
turfgrass and landscape areas. SedgeHammer can be used safely on
bluegrass, fescue, bermuda and zoysia grass lawns. To avoid injury to
landscape plants, keep SedgeHammer off of the foliage of desirable
plants. The label advises using a wetting agent, such as Hi-Yield
Spreader Sticker, to help get complete leaf coverage.

    Have a great summer in the garden and come by and see us!