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Gardening Calendar
7/12/2008
Linda Langelo
Horticulture Program
Coordinator
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
Area |
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April – Lawns: Late April is a good time to core
aerate (not power rake) the compacted lawn. Leave the cores on the lawn
since they will break down as mowing begins. These help to add organic
matter back into the soil. It may also be necessary to repeat
pre-emergent herbicide applications, if the weather has fluctuated since the
first application. Begin mowing as soon as the lawn greens and water as
needed. If you have bare areas, this is a good time to over seed the lawn
for a thick turf. Watch for bluegrass billbug and sod webworm in the
lawn. These may be controlled with Pyrethrins.
Trees/shrubs:
In late April, the onset of pine needle scale egg hatch and crawler stage
occur. This stage is the best time for control with insecticides such as
Pyrethrins, Orthene, or horticultural oils. This insect can occur on both
pine and spruce species as well as fir. Other insects that affect these
evergreen species at this time include: tip moth, pine weevil, Zimmerman
pine moth, and spruce needle miner. Late April is also the time to spray
preventative sprays of Pyrethrins on the trunks and branches of American Elm to
control bark beetle (the insect responsible for spreading Dutch Elm
Disease).
May – Lawns: This is the best time to begin
fertilizing the lawn with a slow release nitrogen product unless restrictions
prevent watering., then fertilizing is a lawn stress you should avoid.
Continue watching for billbug and sod webworm damage. Mow as often as
necessary, never removing more than one-third of the grass blade at one
cutting. Post emergent herbicide treatments for broadleaf weeds such as
dandelions should be completed before daytime temperatures reach 85
degrees.
Trees/shrubs: This is the month that most insects cause
severe damage to trees and shrubs. Lilac/Ash borer general timing for
preventative trunk sprays with Pyrethrins is May 1-15; however an early spring
with temperatures above 60°F in the morning and sunny conditions may
cause adult emergence to take place earlier in the season. The ash sawfly
and ash curl aphid are also at peak feeding during this month. Orthene is
the recommended insecticide for the aphid, and most insecticides will control
the sawfly. Oystershell scale is at the crawler stage on plants such as
Aspen, lilac, ash, and cotoneaster. Horticultural oils, Pyrethrins,
Orthene are effective insecticides used for control. Spruce budworm will
also be damaging fir and spruce trees at this time. Mites, plant bugs,
leaf beetles, and miscellaneous borers can also be a problem this month.
It is important that you inspect your plants regularly to prevent severe damage
from these various insects. The month of May is also a good time to spray
plants with Daconil or Bravo for the prevention of Dothistroma Needle Blight in
pines, Kabatina Tip blight in junipers, Juniper Hawthorne Rust in apples,
crabapples hawthorne and quince (pear).
June – Lawns:
Continue regular maintenance on lawns. This is a good time to prepare and
plant Buffalo grass since it needs warmer temperatures to
grow.
Trees/shrubs: This is a good time for preventative sprays of
Pyrethrins or Sevin on junipers for control of cedar bark beetle, if you have
had a nearby problem in the past. Borers such as the peach tree borer,
birch tree borer and cottonwood borer will begin new egg laying his
month. Pyrethrins trunk sprays will help control these. Mite will
continue to be a problem on several plant species. Sprays of water on the
plant can sometimes keep populations under control without the use of
insecticides. Mites are best controlled with Kelthane, or Dimethoate if
insecticides need to be used.
July – Lawns: This is
the month to let the lawn go on vacation from fertilizers and pesticides.
Just water and mow as needed and then begin fertilizing and pest controls again
in August, when the weather cools.
Trees/shrubs: Borer damage to
fruit trees will really begin to show now with oozing in the trunk areas and
dying branches. Moth crystals placed around the bottom of trunk can
sometimes help to control those that made it inside the tree. Mountain
pine beetles begin egg laying so preventive sprays may be necessary. Leaf
cutter bees are at height of injury to roses, lilacs and fruit trees.
These insects leave nice round circle cut outs of the leaf, but otherwise do no
harm to plants. Mites will continue to be a problem to many plants during
this hot, dry period.
This calendar is only meant as an advisory guide
to help you become aware of the many problems that can plague your yard and
garden. It is always best to have the problem diagnosed properly before
you begin treatments to insure the best control methods. If you are
having problems with the garden that you are unsure of, get help from the
professionals at local garden centers and the extension office. |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
7/17/2008 |
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