Toby has spent his entire adult life learning the best way to have the very best home, lawn, garden, and so much more.
Each month he puts together a new list of tips to help you with a plan that will ensure you keep everything up-to-date and going great.
Check back here every month for the very best tips, advice on how to do it right, and what to do!
Keep mower blades sharp. Seed heads will start showing up on bluegrass and fescue. The seed head stems are very tough and dull a mower blade quickly. Mow fescue and bluegrass at 3 inches. Mow zoysia at 1 1/2 - 2 inches.
Bluegrass lawns: Summer Patch Disease
Symptoms are large round brown spots usually 1 - 1 1/2 feet in diameter often with a small green center. To prevent this disease apply Bonide Infuse Granular Disease Control May 1 - 15 and a second application three weeks later.
Fescue lawns: Brown Patch Disease
Last year this disease was the worst I had ever seen. Anyone who had this problem should apply Bonide Infuse Granular Disease Control. Apply three applications 3 weeks apart starting May 15.
Fertilize zoysia lawns now and refer to Toby's Warm Season Grass Program under Tips.
Visit Toby's Tips for bluegrass and fescue Spring and Summer Lawn Programs for information on fertilizing, weed and insect control, mowing and watering.
Crabapple, Apple:
To control cedar-apple rust and apple scab, spray with Immunox Fungicide and Spreader Sticker approximately every two weeks from mid-April until early June.
Great time to plant trees and shrubs. Be sure to stake trees for one year.
Mushroom Stuff:
This is an incredible plant starter. I use this whenever I plant vegetables, shrubs, trees, flowers, etc. Dilute 2 Tablespoons per gallon and water plants with mixture right after planting.
Prune crepe myrtle, butterfly bush mid-May and after new growth starts.
Prune spring flowering shrubs within 3 weeks after flowering.
Remove rhododendron and azalea flowers when they start fading.
Fertilize rhododendron and azalea after flowering with an azalea evergreen food.
Don't spray bagworms on evergreens until early June.
Outdoor planting dates:
Cantaloupe
5/1 - 5/20
Pepper Plants
5/5 - 5/30
Watermelon
5/1 - 5/20
Squash
5/10 - 5/30
Okra
5/1 - 5/25
Sweet Potato
5/15 - 6/10
Cucumber
5/5 - 5/25
Tomato
5/5 - 5/30
Eggplant
5/10 - 5/25
Corn
5/1 - 7/20
After planting seeds or plants, water in with Mushroom Stuff in addition to any other fertilizer.
Tomatoes:
To control septoria leaf spot and early blight, spray weekly with Bonide Copper Fungicide until August 1. Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves. Fertilize 3 times with Hummert Dyna Green Flower and Garden Fertilizer at planting time, mid-June and early August. Stake or cage plants now to eliminate hassles later.
Remove rhubarb seed stalks as they appear.
Growing lettuce under shade cloth will slow bolting and give you a longer time to harvest.
Plant herb plants now for summer use.
Time to plant annual flowers for great summer color. If not done already, spade or till in Cotton Burr Compost, but don't spade or till if the soil is wet.
Continue planting perennials.
Start planting Gladiolus bulbs. For a longer bloom period plant at two week intervals til July 1.
May 10th on, start planting summer bulbs:
Caladiums, Dahlias, Cannas, and Elephant Ears.
Pinch back new growth on Mums until July 15.
Peonies:
Fertilize early May with Hummert Dyna Green Flower and Garden Fertilizer. Planting peonies this spring? Be sure to visit Bannister Garden Center, 10001 E. Bannister (corner of Bannister and Raytown Road). They have over 30,000 peonies growing in their fields and the largest selection of unusual peonies in the Midwest. Tour their fields when the peonies are in full bloom. It's an incredible sight. Call 816-763-4664 around mid-May for the best time to visit.
Spring flowering bulbs (Tulips, Daffodils, etc.):
Don't remove foliage until it dies back naturally. Do not fertilize until September..
Mulch flower beds:
Mulching keeps plant roots cooler in the summer, conserves moisture, and helps control weeds.
Check air pressure in tires for better gas mileage.
Clean or replace furnace filter.
Perform your monthly cleaning on dishwasher and washing machines.
Flashlight:
Be sure to test the batteries every few months.
Easy Silverware Cleaner:
Cover the bottom of a large glass dish with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Place silverware in dish and cover with 1 qt. hot water mixed with 1 tbsp baking soda. Turn the silver once. This won't work if there is a protective coating on the silver.
Houseplants:
Most houseplants love to be outside during the summer. Don't move them outdoors until nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees. Do not place houseplants in full sun since their leaves will sunburn.
Slugs can become a problem, especially during wet springs. I love to saute them in garlic butter. But, if that doesn't sound good to you, use the new iron phosphate slug controls. Bonide Slug Magic or Monterey Sluggo are biodegradable and safe for use around pets and wildlife.
