Father's Day Tree Sale: What Dad really wants is a nap in the shade.
Hello, again!
As of earlier this week, Cheney Reservoir, one of Wichita’s major water supplies, is up over 77% full, and less than 4’ below normal according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While Wichita is still in Drought Stage 2 of our water conservation plan, the level has come up 4’ since its low point. We still need to be ‘water-wise’ when we turn on our faucets, indoors or out.
Last week we were fortunate enough to have received up to 7” of rain in our area, helping not only our reservoirs, but helping out newly planted landscape plants as well. My vegetable garden and summer annuals loved the moisture, as well as the favorable temperatures. One thing to keep in mind is to continue to feed not only our flowering plants, but our trees and shrubs as well. Our potting mixes used in containers contain no additional fertilizer. With the amount of precipitation we received, much of the fertilizer we added earlier is used up by now and our plants will get ‘hungry’. I like to add Premium Bedding Plant Food by ferti-lome to fertilize my planters, bedding plants and perennials. It’s also highly recommended for hibiscus, bougainvillea, plumeria and flowering tropical plants. Premium Bedding Plant Food is a quality plant food with micronutrients and slow-release water insoluble nitrogen to aid in healthy plant growth. Advanced coating technology with polymer- and sulfur-coated urea provides gradual, consistent nutrients for up to 30 days.
My neighbor Steve contacted me over the weekend looking for a control for mosquitoes. With the recent rainfall, we have seen an increase in the population of mosquitoes because of standing water. The pools provide perfect spots for the female mosquitoes to lay eggs, molt and in a few days adult mosquitoes emerge and fly away - or stick around to be nuisance pests!
My recommendation to Steve (and others) is to eliminate any standing water as much as possible.
I always like to incorporate aromatic plants in the garden to help repel mosquitoes. With lemongrass, eucalyptus citronella and geranium citronella, as well as mixed planters, we have your first line of defense at our stores. Come check them out.
Next, I’ll use Mosquito Dunks containing BTI - Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis - a bacteria that's toxic only to mosquito larvae. Mosquito Dunks are safe for other wildlife, pets, fish and humans. Dunks kill larvae within hours, last for up to 30 days and are labeled for organic gardening.
Effective products that repel mosquitoes such as MosquitoGo and Mosquito Beater provide scent deterrents to help keep mosquitoes away.
To safely control adult mosquitoes, use permethrin, found in MosquitoGo Yard Fogger from ferti-lome and Bonide Mosquito Beater Spray.
Being in a rural area, Steve was looking for a highly concentrated product to safely and effectively control the adults. My recommendation was to use Hi-Yield 38 Plus. Steve will only need ¼ tsp per gallon of water - not very much is needed to control the mosquitoes. The active ingredient in 38 Plus is permethrin as well.
We have been busy this week refreshing our selection of annual and perennial flowering plants, including Sunbelievable and Sunmazing sunflowers, coneflowers, mosquito repellent planters, gaillardia, day lilies, and more. I hope you’ll stop by and add some color to your landscape.
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
P.S. - Don't miss our Father's Day Tree Sale, where you can save 25% off all trees - evergreen trees included. I can't think of a better gift to give Dad than a little shade for many good afternoon naps.
