Planting Annuals in May – May 20th is the last (anticipated) frost date for Planting Zone 6 (here). This date is when it should be safe to plant virtually all annual flowers and vegetables in the ground. Bear in mind that when planting annuals outdoors, soil temperature is as important as air temperature. If you plant your annuals into soil that is colder than the environment they’re accustomed to, the roots will go into shock, and growth will be set back significantly. Planting into warm soil is immensely important in getting the best results.
Planting Perennials and Shrubs in May – Go for it. The Lawn Depot Nursery Yard is filled with a terrific variety and supply of thriving perennials and shrubs. Our professional staff are ready and waiting to help you pick the right perennials for your situation.
Fertilizing Young Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, and Bulbs in May – First, ALWAYS use dry (granular or formed solid) fertilizers for plants that live from year to year. Water soluble fertilizers are for annuals which will die in the fall anyway, so stimulate them all you can now. Shrubs, perennials, ground covers and bulbs should be fed with slow-release (either natural organic or synthetic slow-release granules) fertilizers in the spring (at the beginning of the growing season) and the late fall (the end of the season). Trees (less than 5-6 years in their present location) and large shrubs are best fed with formed fertilizer spikes. Using a crowbar or strong wooden stake, poke holes at the dripline of the plant, 12-15” into the soil, use 3 spikes for every 2” of tree caliper/shrub height, and drop the fertilizer into the holes. Leave the holes open; whether in mulch or lawn. They’ll fill in naturally.
Protecting Trees and Shrubs from Insects and Diseases, Season-Long – Now is the time to apply one of the excellent, season-long insect and disease controlling products available for young trees and most shrubs. These systemic pesticides are safe in the environment, long-lasting, and wide spectrum, so the homeowner can be confident that valuable plants will not be bothered by insects or diseases. Ask in the Garden Center for the specific products that will be best for your situation.
Weed Control in Landscaped Areas – Mulch looks good when first applied, and it helps control weeds if applied at depths of 3-4” (cumulative). However, lots of weeds can germinate in landscaped areas in or on top of the mulch. To help control this, we advise that you apply Treflan (granular weed preventer) as you apply the mulch in the early spring, and then apply follow-up layers every 6 weeks through July. Weed prevention product manufacturers may claim “season-long” control, but from our experience, applying these products on the surface every 6 weeks through July will ensure the best results.
Birds and Beneficial Creatures – Wouldn’t it be great to have a natural way to keep insects like ants, ticks, flies, gnats and mosquitoes in check in your yards? Did you know that many birds eat these insects? Bluebirds, robins and purple martins to name a few. Why not encourage them to stay around your yard by putting up bird houses and feeders for them? Not only will they help with pest control, but they are beautiful to watch too! NOW is the time to attract hummingbirds to your yard. They have already been spotted and will be looking to establish their territory for feeding for the season. These beautiful creatures are graceful and so amazing to watch.
Protecting Plants from Damage – Many of you have already been dealing with plant damage caused by deer and rabbits. Yes, we know they’re cute, but they can wreak havoc on the tender new plant growth that spring brings. We recommend regular applications of deer repellent sprays and/or granules for all vulnerable plants. Most repellents list the number of days they last “up to”. This is the manufacturers estimate. Many things affect the timeframe these products should be reapplied. Rain is the main factor. It is best to err on the side of earlier rather than later, as it is more difficult to attain control if active feeding has already begun. The garden center has a large selection of various types of repellents to choose from for deer, rabbits, etc. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you choose the product that will work best for your situation. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Lawn Depot Online Store – We are excited to announce that we have entered the world of Ecommerce! We now have an online store that is accessible via our website. Just go to www.lawndepotinc.com and click on Shop Now! Not everything we carry is available to view and purchase online, but you will find a good number of products to browse. We are offering pick up and local delivery options only. If you place an order online, be sure to use the email address you have on file with us. This way the purchase will integrate with your customer history. If you are a Turf Management customer, we encourage you to browse away, but call us before placing an online order as we want to ensure you receive the 20% store discount extended to all of our Turf Management customers.
The Lawn Depot staff and facilities have never been readier for spring than we are in the spring of 2022. It’s going to be a banner year for all of us, and we look forward to seeing you all soon and often as we go.