Master Gardener^sm Column for the Week of June 28, 2004
Charlie Spencer
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^sm Volunteer

The following information is provided by David Barkley, Extension agent – urban horticulture with the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

What is the best way to plant a tree and what is the best season? Dig the planting pit twice as wide. Don't plant any ornamental too deep. It's much better to plant too high than too deep. Backfill with as much native material as possible. Amend with compost, pine bark mini nuggets (soil conditioner), and/or topsoil. The topsoil should be a sandy loam. Plant container grown plants whenever available and balled and burlapped plants in fall to early summer. Be sure to supply water to any newly planted tree or shrub.

What is the best mulch and can you use too much mulch? Pine needles (long leaf or loblolly); pine bark; shortleaf pine needles; hardwood bark; old shredded leaves/debris; wood chips; composted organic matter leaves, grass clippings, etc. A 3 4" layer of fine organic mulch is all that is necessary to help Hold moisture, discourage weeds, and moderate soil temperature. A much deeper layer can be tolerated if it is a very coarse material. Landscape fabrics are also highly recommended.

What are some good foundation plantings? Dwarf Nandina, English Laurel, Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Dwarf Abelia, Littleleaf Boxwood, Japanese Fatsia, Border Forsythia, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Japanese Ligustrum, Chinese Holly, Burford Holly, Chinese Podocarpus, Burkwood Viburnum.

What are some ornamental plants for shady conditions? Hosta Plantain Lily, Liriope, English Ivy, Japanese Aucuba, Camellia, Fatsia, Mountain Laurel, Drooping Leucothoe, Japanese spurge, Azalea, Rhododendrons, Carolina Hemlock.

What are some plants that are tolerant of "wet feet"? Liriope, Blackgum, Yaupon Holly, Willow, Red Maple, Bald Cypress, Dahoon Holly, Waxmyrtle, Sweetgum, Inkberry.

What are some recommended plants for screening material? Sasanqua, Waxmyrtle, Elaeagnus, Osmanthus, Burford Holly, Nellie Stevens Holly, Carolina Cherry Laurel, Red Cedar, Japanese Privet.

What are some trees tolerant of urban conditions? Norway Maple, Carolina Cherry Laurel, Red Maple, Bradford Pear, Green Ash, Sawtooth Oak, Crapemyrtle, Bald Cypress, Chinese Pistache, Japanese Zelkova, Crabapple (cultivar specific).

How can you determine if you have good drainage? Dig a typical planting hole for a 3 5 gallon shrub, or a small tree. Fill with water. If water is in the bottom of planting hole after 3 5 hours, then drainage would be considered to be moderate to poor. The longer the water stands, the worse it is. Improve by using various planting techniques, such as planting high, incorporating or sandy loam backfill, or possibly putting in a french drain. Also be sure to control run off water from downspouts, etc.

What trees can you plant over a septic field? In general, the larger the tree can grow and the faster growth rate it has, the greater potential for problems there are. Try to stay at least 20 25' away from lines and use shallow rooted trees (i.e. crapemyrtle, dogwood, etc.)

Gardening Tips--Lawn Care...

• Irrigate warm seasoned grasses at this time of year as needed. Most lawns will need 1 and 1/2" of water each week. It is best to apply all at one time or split the application to make two 3/4" applications several days apart.
• Watch for chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass and be prepared to apply diazinon to control
• Weeds are really adaptive to the harsh conditions that prevail in the summertime. Check on your weed population, get the weeds identified, and control with the appropriate weed control product. The best weed control strategy is to have a well established turfgrass that prevents weeds from establishing.
• Fertilize the warm seasoned grasses with 1/2 to 1 pound of actual nitrogen for Piedmont and Coastal Plains area.
• Continue to mow at the proper heights for the various grasses. Centipedegrass: 1.0 - 1.5"; St. Augustinegrass: 2.5 - 3.0"; Bermudagrass: .75 - 1.25"; Zoysiagrass: .75 - 1.0"; Tall Fescue: 3.5 - 4.0"
• Watch for mole cricket activity - small tunnels at the soil surface. Merit is usually applied for mole cricket control in late May and followed up with an application of Talstar or Diazinon around the first of July.
• Brown Patch disease control applications should be applied to both warm and cool seasoned grasses during hot, humid summer conditions - apply Clearys 3336.

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included on this web site as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services on this web site does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University, North Carolina A & T State University, or North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact an agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this column.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
Charlie Spencer, Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^smVolunteer

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Date Created 6/25/2004