It’s hard to imagine that we have arrived at the end of June and our temps are still below 90 degrees. While the weather has been cooperative, we have increased and magnified our half-price section, and just received a hot, hot, HOT selection of heat-loving baskets, now on sale!   

We have $30 baskets on sale for $25, including Lantana, purslane, calibrachoa three-colored mini-petunia, red mandevilla, and popular scabiosa/lantana combos.  

Our houseplant truck delivered this week, too, with Hindu Rope Hoya onboard. Take advantage, spruce up your stuff!

Nearly everything that we typically advise, “Don’t do it, it’s too hot,” is relatively safe in current conditions.  

We don’t typically even use the words “weed killer,” or “fertilizer” at this time of year when temps are usually above 85 degrees.  With temps lingering at or below this level for the next two weeks, now is the ideal time for these applications - with the additional application of a bit of knowledge.  Weeds love rain as much as we humans, right?  You will have them, if you don’t already!  Rest easily in the knowledge that we have a solution for any weed problem, from an organic solution that will kill anything to selective formulas to kill weeds in your lawn without damage, to a kill-anything-you-spray without toxifying your soil. 

DO:  apply weedkiller(s), starting Tuesday.

DO:  spray on actively growing weeds.

DO:  apply your second application of pre-emergent weed killer (labeled “weed barrier),” which stops seeds from sprouting. It is safe in and around your flower beds or in your lawn.

With no rain in the forecast and ideal weather, your weed killer has a good opportunity for effectiveness. The longer it is allowed to sit on your weeds, the more effectively it performs. Most are “rain safe” after 24 to 48 hours, while some work faster.

Let’s talk about Weed & Feed for your lawn vs. fertilizer.  How do you typically apply fertilizer?  Mow.  Apply.  Water.  Weed & Feed application is atypical, and a little counterintuitive, to boot:  Don’t mow.  Water.  Apply.  

Good news:  Weed & Feed contains weed killer that will kill actively growing weeds.  It functions differently, in that the product sits on the weed, and the more exposure allowed, the more effective it is. A bit of water or dew allows it to stick to the weed, but not so much to compromise its effectiveness. Mowing cuts the weed and the grass, which doesn’t allow the product to do the job. Other news:  if it rains after you apply, a reapplication is really overkill.  

Weed & Feed should be applied when temps are under 95 degrees and allowed to sit for two days. Temps are low enough this year to use Weed & Feed.

If you prefer not to treat your entire lawn, use a spot treatment/post emergent. You will use less chemical, and it likely isn’t necessary to treat the entire lawn to kill weeds. 

It is typical to see squash bugs at this time of year.  Diatomaceous earth (DE) used in combination with Eight Insect Control Garden Dust creates a deadly “one-two” punch for squash bugs when used in combination – application of either won’t solve the problem.

In a “typical” June, we wouldn’t recommend fertilization now. Take advantage of the weather, and if you haven’t fertilized your trees, shrubs, and roses in two-to-three months, take advantage of the weather with 16.8.8. For flowers or vegetables, now is the perfect time to apply Bloom Max. Fertilization and iron supplementation is mission critical with unusual rainfall. Pro tip:  check the leaves! If the veins are green and the rest of the leaf is yellowing, it is typically a lack of iron. We offer several different iron formulations for such a crisis – ask a Gardening Angel about Max Green Liquid Iron, or Sure Green iron formulation.

In addition to working in your garden, another great way to enjoy this cooler weather is to visit Jericho Nursery! We hope this article has stimulated some very specific questions. Our Gardening Angels are experienced and trained to give you clear and accurate answers.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Richard, Jennifer, and Your Gardening Angels  

PS: Check out our "About Us" page for a new guest editorial!