Barker April 2017

April Gardening Tips
Mulch - If possible, buy Bagged Mulch. Bagging helps eliminate a great many pests that die from various causes while in the bag.
When you buy ‘loose’ mulch that is trucked to your home, you are also buying ants, roaches, termites, etc… Spend a little more
on bagged material and save lots of future pest problems. Keep your mulch at least 4” - 6” below the top of your homes exposed
foundation edge/side. This will aid in minimizing pests in your home and allow for quick and accurate termite inspections.
Shrubs, Flowers and groundcovers - Trim all shrubs/plants at least 12” - 18” back from your home. Do your best to create a plant
free zone that is 18” - 24” wide around your home. The exception is your lawn - it can grow up next to the slab as long as you keep
it 4” - 6” below the top of the slab. The most conducive to termite infestation are groundcover plantings, growing high against your
homes exterior or (especially) ivy that grows on your walls.
Trees - Spray your trees at least twice annually. The spring spray eliminates overwintering pests and fungi while preparing trees to
resist the pest onslaught of summer with residual pesticides. The fall spray also kills pests from the summer, prevents most fungi
from occurring over the winter and puts your valuable asset off to a healthy winter’s dormancy.
Lawn - Spring is the perfect time to do a fungicide treatment to stop brown patch in its tracks along with other fungi. If your lawn is
thin and weak in some areas, here are some important fundamentals: a) lawn aeration b) fertilization c) weed control.
Most important is proper watering:
• Water once per week (unless you get a 1/2” rain or more - then do not water.)
• Water heavily (1” - 2”) for total lawn coverage.
• In severe drought, water every 5 th day.
• Water from 5 AM to 7 AM in the morning - NOT AT NIGHT.
• A heavy deep weekly watering makes the turf grow deeper, stronger and more drought resistant roots.
• Less watering also saves you money!!
The Barker | April 2017 27