Timely Gardening Tips
JUNE 2026
LAWN CARE
It’s time to fertilize warm-season lawns with ferti•lome Winterizer. Don’t be confused by the name. Winterizer has 25% nitrogen to feed these grasses during their period of rapid growth. Use a second application in about 6 weeks. There is still time to plant bermuda, buffalo and zoysia. Buffalo and bermuda are usually planted by seed. Bermuda can also be planted by sprigs or plugs like zoysia.
On cool-season lawns, raise the mower cutting height to help beat the summer heat. Mow to 3 to 3.5” for fescue and to 2.5 to 3” for bluegrass.
Deep watering encourages a deep root system that results in a more drought-resistant lawn. Use Hydretain to assist in more efficient watering. Be on the alert for conditions which would trigger an outbreak of Brown Patch disease — high humidity and nighttime temperatures above 70°. If these conditions exist for several days — especially if your lawn has a history of disease — apply a preventative application of ferti•lome F-Stop fungicide. *Also water during the early morning hours so grass blades will be dry at night. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer if you suspect Brown Patch. The fertilizer, in effect, feeds the fungus and causes it to spread even more rapidly.
For grubs, apply Hi-Yield Grub Free Zone now as a preventative, before damage is seen. Grub Free Zone should be watered in well for best results.
*Preventative fungicide rates will be less than curative rates.
FLOWERS
Keep hanging baskets, planters and garden flowers fertilized to maintain vigorous, healthy plants. A slow-release fertilizer, like ferti•lome Garden Cote, will feed plants all season — but remember to supplement with a water-soluble high in phosphorus (ferti•lome Blooming & Rooting) to keep plants blooming profusely. This same fertilizing routine will increase vegetable yields as well.
Mum plants should be cut back to 6-8 inches tall now and again before July 4 to help them bush out and bloom in the fall.
Other tips to keep annual plants blooming all summer include deadheading the flowers and maintaining good soil moisture. “Deadheading” is removing the old flowers so the plants won’t waste energy producing seeds and will produce more flowers. Water is crucial. Don’t let plants dry out to the point of wilting. Check every day and maybe twice a day with containers. Mulch plants in the ground with Cedar Mulch to retain moisture.
PEST CONTROL
MOSQUITOES - These pests can ruin outdoor activities and pose a health threat. In ponds or other standing water use Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits in the water to take care of the larva. For area control spray Bonide Mosquito Beater to kill mosquitoes. Follow up, especially before outdoor activities, with ferti•lome MosquitoGo Insect Granules to keep them away.
BAGWORMS - The larvae are now active and feeding inside their bags. Spray with ferti•lome Spinosad now and again in two weeks.
SPIDER MITES - Hot weather brings these pests out. If your leaves look stippled or yellow check the back side of the leaf for webbing. To check for mites tap the leaf over a piece of white paper. The mites will leave a red streak when smeared. Use ferti•lome Horticultural Oil to control mites.
PINE TIP MOTH - Look for the second generation of moths in June and spray with ferti•lome Spinosad once a week through June or use Hi-Yield 38 Plus Turf, Termite & Ornamental Insect Control.
