NOT FOUND: theplantlady.jpg.jpgHow much water does my lawn actually need? How do I know if I’m doing too little or too much? Well, according to the experts, the lawns in our zone require only one inch of water per week – whether from rain, the hose or sprinklers. However, when the temperature exceeds 95 degrees, an additional ½ inch may be supplemented, but not all at one time.

How do we do this? Many of us have heard of the tuna can in the yard (away from the direct hit of the sprinkler) or a rain gauge placed above the lawn. After a usual watering, check the amount of water in the tuna can or rain gauge. Notate and calculate the increase or decrease in the amount or frequency of waterings. If one watering gives you ¼ inch, you may water every-other day. If you get ½ inch, you may need to recalibrate your sprinkler heads, etc. If too much water is applied at one time, it may not have a chance to soak in, and may just run off.

NOT FOUND: theplantlady2.jpg.jpgWhen it is hot, the water evaporates faster, so it is better to water in the morning or right as the sun is going down. Remember that during extremely hot nights, the water may fight its own cycle and end up just sitting – causing bacteria or fungus to grow.

How often should I mow and what height should I set my mower at? As a general rule (according to Gepetto), you should cut your blade of grass no more than 1/3 of its height at a time for three reasons: 1. This avoids causing stress to the grass. 2. It takes less energy for it to grow back. 3. Tall grass shades the soil and keeps it moist, making it harder for pesky weed seeds to germinate. This may require us to mow twice a week rather than just once. However, it will pay off in the long run.

I recently taught the May “Do-It-Herself” clinic at work, and in my leadership guide, I found this really cool chart for fertilizing; and I want to share the information with all of you. I urge you to keep this copy and cut out this article and stick it on your refrigerator door. (Yeah, right! Like there’s any room. Ha! Ha! Hunter and Harlie own my refrigerator door. It is their art gallery!)

Fertilization Chart
February – March
Fertilize to prevent crabgrass. Use Scotts or Vigoro pre-emergent with Halts or Weed Stop. Apply before crabgrass has a chance to germinate.

April – May
Fertilize to control broadleaf weeds. Use a weed and feed solution.

June – July
Fertilize to control insects in the lawn. Scotts and Vigoro both have a summertime fertilizer that feeds the lawn and controls insects.

August – September
Fertilize to control fall weeds. Again, Scotts and Vigoro will both be available on the shelf during the time of need.

I thought that was great. Thank you, Home Depot, for allowing me to forward that information to my reader family. I don’t know any one person who claims to know it all (including myself). However, I will use every resource God gives me to help, encourage and bless all of you. I pretty much write this article for the fun I have, and hopefully for the happiness it brings to you. I write how I feel in my heart to give thanks to the North Sac News for having me in their family, and giving us this time to simply “be”. Thank you! My editor’s wife, Pam, is pregnant and she does all she can to see that I get my column in on time, and I don’t know that I have ever extended her the grace she has coming for the mercy she has extended to me. Thanks, girl! I love you. (Spit!)

Well, Harlie just collected her first clutch of snails for the season. (Time for Bug-Geta Plus.) And, yes! They are racing in front of me on the picnic table as I try to bring this to an end. She just interrupted me saying, “Mommy! When SpongeBob was feeding Gary the snail, he gave him enough crabby patties for all of his friends.” She is now hand-harvesting all of his friends that she can find in my plants. What shame and honor our children can bring us as they so humbly keep us honest in our own steps. Thanks, Harlie. Now everybody knows the Plant Lady has snails! Ya think that’s bad? You ought to see the weeds in my lawn! Thank God I don’t have cameras watching like on a TV reality show! But then again, why not? I’ve never claimed to be perfect, just forgiven!

I love all of you. Whenever you need me, come see me at work; or remember, you can email me at the paper.

P.S. – Who has their veggies planted? I’d like to see some photos or share some tricks or secrets with me.

Until July … Love Always,

Your Plant Lady
Get that garden in!!!