SINCE 1974

The Green Grass Inc ""

A Newsletter Dedicated to Help Keep Our Friends & Clients Informed.

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          BEES AND WASPS        

   Minimize the threat of bees and wasps in your yard by examining eaves and old buildings for wasps and hollow trees, debris piles and old buildings for bees.  If you find a new hive or nest, assess whether or not it is a threat.  If the insects are not close to human or pet activity, let them live.   Bees and wasps pollinate blooms and serve as predators that feed on caterpillars and spiders.  Having a resident population of docile European bees helps keep out the more aggressive Africanized bees. 

   Nests that are threatening can be killed with the long distance wasp sprays.  Bees and wasps are less alert and aggressive at dusk.   It is also possible to kill a swarm or hive with soapy water in the evening.   Use one cup of dish soap per five gallons of water.  Call a professional pest control firm for hives inside buildings. 

Tips During the Month of June....  
          

     Mulch heavily around ornamentals to protect and provide soil moisture for the hot, dry weather.  Call us for a free estimate.

     Make sure your sprinkler system is properly programmed and fine tuned.  Our licensed lawn sprinkler technicians can provide this service.

     Start new tomato transplants early in the month for planting out late in June. You can use seeds, or take cuttings from spring plants.  

     Be on the lookout for tomato problems such as blight early in the month, causing lower leaves to turn yellow in large blotches, then quickly drying and browning.  Also, spider mites in mid-month, causing plants to turn tan and mottled from bottoms of plants up.

     Pick vegetables as soon as or just before full ripeness is reached.  Ripened vegetables left on plants will prevent more production from beans, cucumbers, peas, summer squash, etc.  Extras can be frozen or canned for off-season eating.

Weeds still need tending in all garden areas.   Did you know that in Great Britain dandelions are on the endangered wildflowers list?

Insect Crape Myrtles weekly for aphids or powdery mildew.  Watch for and control insects on developing pecan nuts.

Tips During the Month of July...

     Now is the time to plant annual flowers, including Mexican Heather, Begonias and Zinnias from seeds to bloom in the fall.   Call Green Grass for an estimate.

     Plant fall tomatoes, such as Heatwave, Celebrity, Surefire and Cherry types early in the month.

     Hot weather and lots of sun mean shading is necessary for plants and vegetable normally grown in cooler weather.  Mulching will help reduce moisture loss, lower soil temperatures and keep out weeds.  Green Grass can provide this service.

     Prune roses (except climbing variety) to remove summer blooms and encourage vigorous re-growth for better fall flowering.

     Keep old flower heads trimmed off Crape Myrtles to encourage more buds.

     Also keep a close watch out for beetles and other foliage chewers so you can get rid of them before they cause severe damage.

     Don't pinch back Mums or Poinsettias after the 15th of the month.

     Check your sprinkler system to be sure it's not skipping a station or providing inadequate coverage.  If you would like us to check your system for you, give us a call.

     Ignore the huge yellow and black cicada killer wasps - they are beneficial insects.