Living > Home & Garden

  Home & Garden  

Fertilizing fescue _ If you're planning to water your fescue lawn this summer, fertilization in May is in order

Fertilizing fescue _ If you're planning to water your fescue lawn this summer, fertilization in May is in order. If you don't plan to water, the lawn will probably go through summer dormancy and won't need the fertilizer. It's best to use slow-release nitrogen at this time of the year, rather than quick-release (soluble) nitrogen.

Much of the nitrogen in synthetic fertilizers is usually quick-release. You can find total slow-release in organic fertilizers such as Milorganite, cottonseed meal and alfalfa-based fertilizer, says Ward Upham of K-State. If you use one of the organic types, you have to use more of the product to get the same amount of nitrogen as is available in synthetic fertilizers, and it will be more expensive.

Either way, apply enough fertilizer to provide 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. For example, if the fertilizer is 6 percent nitrogen by weight, it will take almost 17 pounds of fertilizer for 1,000 square feet.

If you use quick-release nitrogen, split the application in two doses: ½pound of nitrogen in May and ½ pound in early June, Upham says.

Sphaeropsis tip blight -- If your Austrian pine trees have Sphaeropsis (aka Diplodia) tip blight, it's time for the first of two or three sprays for it. The first spray is a little later this year because of the cooler than normal weather. The second spray should follow in two weeks, and a third can be applied two weeks after that for maximum protection. Professional applicators normally do the work because it's hard for a homeowner to spray a tall pine tree thoroughly.

Megan Kennelly, horticultural disease specialist with K-State Research and Extension, said that tip blight's symptoms show up in late May or early June. First, the pine's developing candles don't elongate properly. Then they turn yellow or tan, and the needles remain attached. Small resin drops may form on the stunted growth. Treatment must occur as the buds are elongating. Ponderosa and Scotch pine also can be infected.

Pine tip moth -- If you've had trouble with pine tip moth on mugo pines, treat with Orthene or Sevin this week and follow up with another treatment a week later, extension agent Bob Neier says.

Plant -- Collards, chard, carrots, lettuce, beets, melons, sweet corn.

Water talk -- Jerry Blain, superintendent of production and pumping in Wichita's water department, will be at Botanica on Wednesday to talk about the city's plans for water through 2050. The lunchtime lecture will be from 12:15 to 1 p.m. and is included in Botanica admission. Syl's Catering will be serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Peabody gardening -- The Joneses are opening up their greenhouse and sheep farm for visitors today in Peabody from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I'll be at Jackrabbit Hollow bookstore in Peabody at 1 p.m. to sign copies of my book, "Best Garden Plants for Kansas."

Unusual plants will be for sale at the greenhouse, or you can just take in the farm. The open house will continue Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Lemonade and cookies will be served. The greenhouse and sheep farm are at 1556 E. 59th in Peabody. Take Maple from town as it turns into Needle. Then turn right (west) on 59th and look for the 80-foot wind generator tower in the yard. The bookstore is at 113 N. Walnut in Peabody.

Mother's Day at Botanica -- AngelWorks will once again sponsor free admission to Botanica on Mother's Day, May 11, this year. Hours will be 1 to 5 p.m. In addition to the gardens, iris will be on display as the Wichita Area Iris Club has its iris show indoors at Botanica.

Annie Calovich