By Paula Pettis
Summertime in south Mississippi is brutal. We have the hottest-of-hot temperatures and humidity, and these days, we’re setting rainfall records. One frequently asked question is, “What do I need to be doing in my garden?”
Here are some helpful tips for taking care of your lawn and garden for the rest of summer and beyond:
TURN OFF SPRINKLERS
• With the rainfall we’ve had, irrigation systems should be turned off. Lawns and landscapes need one inch of water per week. Watering deeply and less frequently trains the roots to dig deeper into the soil for water and produces stronger root systems.
Watering frequently and for a few minutes produces shallow roots, making plants more susceptible to shock from the heat.
FERTILIZE LATER LATER THIS MONTH
• Shrubs and trees do not need to be fertilized until at least late August. Containers and hanging baskets should be watered with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Many plants like petunias and potato vine are starting to look leggy. Now is a perfect time to prune back these plants, and they will reward you with a wonderful fall display.
CHECK FOR BUGS
• Pests are horrible in the summertime. Chinch bugs attack lawns, aphids and white flies attack plants and worms attack vegetables. !f you suspect bugs in your lawn, open both ends of a can of tuna, press the can into the soil and pour soapy water into the can. If you see bugs crawling up the sides of the can, one or two granular treatments should be applied.
Products that contain pyrethroid insecticides, such as bifenthrin or permethrin, typically provide the best results. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, use diatomaceous earth, which is made from pulverized sedimentary rock. Diatomaceous earth appears soft and powdery, but its tiny particles are razor sharp and will penetrate the insects. It also will cause dehydration of insects that come into contact with it.
Horticultural oils or soapy water (blue Dawn with water) can be applied to the tops and bottoms of your plants. If this treatment does not work, a stronger chemical spray is required.
NOT TOO LATE TO PRUNE
• Did you forget to prune a few months ago? Are you worried about pruning too late? Take a deep breath and prune a little. We are blessed to have a very short winter, which helps when we prune a little late.
I would not heavily prune anything with these high temperatures, but some light pruning is OK. To be honest, I cut back my roses last week, just to control their shape a little more. I selectively prune my azaleas and camellias all year long, and they reward me with an abundance of blooms each year.
Paula Pettis is owner of the Island Garden Shop and president of the Mississippi Nursery & Landscape Association. Reach her at theislandgardenshop@gmail.com.