Harnett County Center

CAUTION:The information and recommendations in this article are applicable to Harnett County, NC and may not apply in other areas.

WHAT SHOULD I SPRAY? 4/24/98

Many phone calls I receive begin with the phrase "What should I spray.....?" We live in a fast paced world where we want fast food, overnight delivery, and instant solutions to our problems. Many people have the impression that there is a chemical available for virtually any plant problem.

But actually we haven't yet reached that point, and I'm not even sure we should try to get there.

To me, gardening and landscaping is about stewardship. It's about taking care of my quarter acre patch of land to the very best of my ability. It's about preventing soil erosion, providing a pleasant hang-out for birds, and giving something to the community. Planting flowers is an unselfish endeavor, since they are enjoyed by all passersby.

But gardening is also about patience. It is planting a seedling tree and watching it grow a little each year, and then telling youngsters about the time when that thirty foot dogwood was only six inches tall.

I also want to dispel the notion that landscaping is a project to be completed. On the contrary, landscaping is an ongoing and pleasurable venture. Plants require regular care to thrive.

Well, if you have read this far, you probably share my philosophy, but may still be wondering how those "green thumbs" manage to have such beautiful yards. I hope this doesn't get me in trouble, but I'm about to reveal their secret.

RIGHT PLANT, RIGHT SPOT

Dealing with plant problems begins before the plant is purchased, before the hole is dug. The trick is to know the characteristics of the site you want to plant. How much sun does it receive? What is the soil like? Wet, dry, sandy, clay? How much room do you have to work with?

Once you know the characteristics of the site, find out which plants will thrive there. Marigolds and centipedgrass hate the shade, but English ivy thrives in low light. Leyland cypress hate wet soil, but waxmyrtle is perfectly happy there.

GIVE IT THE CARE IT NEEDS

The next trick is to give plants the proper care. Spending a lot of time working in the yard does not guarantee success. Make sure the time is well-spent. Are you pruning properly and at the right time? Are you applying just the right amount of fertilizer? All plants need maintenance, but some need more than others and you should know this up front. If you do not want to spray pesticides every week or two, then plant daylilies instead of roses.

BECOME A PLANT DETECTIVE

As I have stressed before, problems are easier to correct when they are small. Keep a close eye on things to catch pests early. A magnifying glass is not a bad idea, as some pests are too small to see without one (though a trench coat might be overdoing it).

IDENTIFY PROBLEMS

When you notice a problem, be sure to identify it. This is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. Are the leaves turning yellow? That could be caused by a nutrient deficiency, a fungus on the roots, or tiny insects feeding on the leaves. Each of these requires a different course of action. If you are unsure, give me a call to find out how to submit a sample.

CHOOSE THE SOLUTION

Once the problem is identified, you can choose the best solution. This could involve applying a pesticide, applying lime, or selecting a plant that has fewer problems.

So the key to success is information. Fortunately, that information is easily available by calling me, or by visiting our website.

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