Raintree Village April 2017
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<strong>April</strong> Gardening Tips<br />
Mulch - If possible, buy Bagged Mulch. Bagging helps eliminate a great many<br />
pests that die from various causes while in the bag. When you buy ‘loose’ mulch<br />
that is trucked to your home, you are also buying ants, roaches, termites, etc…<br />
Spend a little more on bagged material and save lots of future pest problems.<br />
Keep your mulch at least 4” - 6” below the top of your homes exposed foundation<br />
edge/side. This will aid in minimizing pests in your home and allow for quick<br />
and accurate termite inspections.<br />
Shrubs, Flowers and groundcovers - Trim all shrubs/plants at least 12” - 18”<br />
back from your home. Do your best to create a plant free zone that is 18” - 24”<br />
wide around your home. The exception is your lawn - it can grow up next to the<br />
slab as long as you keep it 4” - 6” below the top of the slab. The most conducive<br />
to termite infestation are groundcover plantings, growing high against your<br />
homes exterior or (especially) ivy that grows on your walls.<br />
Trees - Spray your trees at least twice annually. The spring spray eliminates<br />
overwintering pests and fungi while preparing trees to resist the pest onslaught<br />
of summer with residual pesticides. The fall spray also kills pests from the<br />
summer, prevents most fungi from occurring over the winter and puts your<br />
valuable asset off to a healthy winter’s dormancy.<br />
Lawn - Spring is the perfect time to do a fungicide treatment to stop brown<br />
patch in its tracks along with other fungi. If your lawn is thin and weak in some<br />
areas, here are some important fundamentals: a) lawn aeration b) fertilization<br />
c) weed control.<br />
Most important is proper watering:<br />
• Water once per week (unless you get a 1/2” rain or more - then do not water.)<br />
• Water heavily (1” - 2”) for total lawn coverage.<br />
• In severe drought, water every 5 th day.<br />
• Water from 5 AM to 7 AM in the morning - NOT AT NIGHT.<br />
• A heavy deep weekly watering makes the turf grow deeper, stronger<br />
and more drought resistant roots.<br />
• Less watering also saves you money!!