Drought is not an issue right now. Plants have had to deal with wind, cold and hot temperatures, and the typical diseases.
Challenges that likely lay ahead are insects, weeds, more weather and often a common struggle, us!
Rainfall is above average this spring. Recently, the area received two inches of rain when the guide for plants is an inch a week. Not only is it too much rain for us, but lawn sprinklers also continue to add more. That is the “us” factor that can be adjusted.
It is documented that in-ground irrigation systems are overused. Many are turned on and left until fall. Often, irrigation is not necessary until June.
In the spring, you want to grow a big root system by allowing plants to reach for soil moisture. Turn your clock off until the plants need it.
Mowing tall and letting the clippings fall is recommended for lawns. There are many of us that bag the clippings and haul them away to the landfill.
Fortunately, they are converted to compost and not thrown away. Clippings left on the lawn turn into organic matter which improves plant health.
String trimmers are rarely used to leave the grass tall. Most likely, it is used to cut the grass to the crown. The grass dies and is replaced with weeds.
Pesticides are one tool used to aid plant health. Reading and following the label directions is necessary in achieving that goal.
Using the wrong product, wrong timing or using more than the label instructs are just a few common mistakes by us.
Soil testing identifies the nutrients in the soil. Many of us have soils that are naturally rich in nutrients.
Automatically adding fertilizer is a waste of nutrients and a potential pollutant. Too much fertilizer can make plants unproductive and susceptible to more insects.
Plants have a lot to deal with. As their caretakers, we need to be helping them. Learn the best management practices for plants with the many resources that are available either online or at the Extension office.
You can find out more information on this and other horticulture topics by going to the Riley County, K-State Research and Extension website at www.riley.ksu.edu. Gregg may be contacted by calling 785-537-6350 or stopping by 110 Courthouse Plaza in Manhattan or e-mail: geyeston@ksu.edu