Hot Weather Tips for Green Lawns and Great Gardens
It's the height of the season for enjoying lawns and outdoor spaces, but if they aren't in perfect shape for a picnic, now is the time to take action. There are some simple projects and great products that can get lawns looking great in no time.
Craig Rouse, lawn and garden expert and Business Director for Controls, at United Industries, manufacturer of Spectracide®, Sta-Green® and Garden Safe® products, offers the following tips for treating weeds and pests and growing a beautiful green oasis this summer:
Keep an eye out for damage. A yellow spot in the lawn or damage to the leaves of one plant can indicate a fungal or insect problem and it can spread quickly during the hot, humid summer weather. When a problem appears, visit the local Lowe's for help in identifying the cause and determining the right treatment.
The yard is the home's best defense against bugs. Homeowners can protect their home from an insect invasion and kill pests above and below ground on contact by treating the yard with Spectracide® Triazicide® Once and Done!™ Insect Killer granules or hose-end spray.
Spot treat the weeds. Treating weeds in the lawn with Spectracide® Weed Stop® 2X for Lawns plus Crabgrass Killer or Spectracide® Weed Stop® for Southern Lawns will eliminate them and prevent their spread. Make sure you don't apply these products when the daytime temperature is above 90 degrees. Always follow the instructions on the label.
Tackle tough weeds with targeted treatment. If weeds and grass are growing on sidewalks, or around patios, driveways, flowers, shrubs or trees, Spectracide® Weed & Grass Killer is the solution. It quickly kills grass and weeds down to the root and works well in hot summer sun.
Feed the lawn - but not the bugs. Keeping a summer lawn nourished is important, but keeping the bugs at bay is critical to the lawn's health. Sta-Green® Phosphorus-Free Summer Fertilizer with Spectracide® Triazicide® Insect Killer kills over 40 types of lawn-invading insects as listed, delivers important nutrients and is specially formulated for warm weather applications.
Protect your fruits and vegetables.
If you see insects on your fruits and vegetables and are concerned about using chemicals on edibles, you can look to Garden Safe® Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer. You can use up to the day of harvest to kill all stages of insects, including eggs.
Don't allow the fungus to flourish. While you might blame your neighbor's dog, those unsightly brown spots can actually be fungus in the lawn caused by summer heat and humidity. Treat them with Spectracide Immunox® Lawn Disease Control Granules or concentrate to prevent and cure the fungus.
Watch the watering. Most turf grasses need about ¾" to 1"of water per week to maintain green color and active growth, but a healthy lawn absorbs and retains water more effectively. Water lawns early in the morning when lawns are wet from dew. Mow grass at a higher level during summer months, and watch the weather forecast to take advantage of natural rainfall.
Give your garden a great boost. Ripening vegetables need lots of nutrients during the summer. For nurturing in the garden, trust Garden Safe®All Purpose Organic Plant Food, a natural fertilizer.
Start planning for fall fix-ups. Fall is just around the corner, and that is the time to reseed the lawn, rework flower beds and trim trees and shrubs. Develop lawn and garden plans now, determine the grass, soil and plants needed, and work with your local Lowe's to make your home the envy of the neighborhood.
So that's the summer shape-up plan for creating beautiful lawns and gardens. It's all about using the right products to keep the bugs and weeds at bay, and fighting them aggressively when they show up. Homeowners can get their lawns in shape with Spectracide®, Garden Safe®and Sta-Green® products, available at Lowe's. For more information, visit www.Spectracide.com, www.gardensafe.com and www.sta-green.com.
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