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

Garden Tips
May 2002
Marty Johnson, President, Johnson's Garden Centers 
   and Kansas Certified Nurseryman

TOMATOES
    If you haven't planted your tomatoes, plan to do it ASAP. Now is the
perfect time to get tomatoes planted without the fear of having to
protect them from frost.

    What varieties to plant? I always plant a couple of Jet Star (my
favorite and also tops on KSU's list); Big Beef for a plant that
produces those jumbo tomatoes; and some cherry tomatoes.

    Planting tomatoes into large containers (20 gal. or larger) with
ferti-lome Potting Mix (for proper drainage) then adding Start-N-Grow
fertilizer (for slow-release nutrition) and Soil Moist (for water
retention) will grow great tomatoes. Place the container in a sunny
location then stand back and watch it grow.

SPIDER MITES
    Be on the lookout for spider mites. Last week a customer brought in
a small branch of juniper covered with thousands of mites. This seems a
little early to see that many mites. You will notice a very small
webbing covering the needles or leaves and almost microscopic crawling
mites. Use ferti-lome Evergreen Spray or Neem Oil for control on
evergreens.

BAGWORMS
    Be on the watch for bagworms. I usually spray around Memorial Day
with Bt (Thuricide). It is a safe and effective way to rid your
landscape of these hungry pests. Bt is deadly for certain worms but
non-toxic to beneficial insects, man and pets.

ROSES
    Start spraying your rose bushes soon with ferti-lome Systemic
Fungicide to help keep the foliage disease-free. This spray will stay
with the plant even after several rains. Keep the roses fertilized with
ferti-lome Rose Food with Systemic Insecticide to keep roses blooming
all summer long.

DRIP IRRIGATION
    Think about adding drip irrigation with a timer to water your garden
plants. This simple system will water while you are away for a weekend
or on vacation. This water-saving irrigation only puts the water where
it is neededÑat the root zone!

SUMMER BLOOMERS
    Stop by to see all of the summer-flowering plants that we've brought
in for you. From crapemyrtles to tropical hibiscus, we have it all.