Stan DeFreitas “Mr. Greenthumb” Shares with you some of his gardening secrets like adding Black Kow manure to any gardening project which can be the foundation to your success.
East Coast Home Show will most likely be in August 2018. And as always yours truly will be giving talks Saturday and Sunday. Please come out and support local businesses. Bring your soil samples as I will be doing free pH testing. If you would like more information please visit: https://www.tampahomeshow.com/
Talks on Saturday and Sunday are TBD.
Larry wrote:
In mid 70s watched you on wedu and when I was out in so pasadena stopped to say
hello. Called TIS about sox hitch-hikers, what about ones that are smaller and have root like a
carrot, is that root edible? Attacked the sox pods by tilling. Good to hear you
on the air again. Missed the interview with Roger P. –sorry slept….
Dear Larry,
Thanks for being a loyal fan. Not sure what you meant about BIG, but yes, I’m
still around. I don’t recommend eating the root of the weed. I’m not sure exactly
what you have and have my doubts about eating any roots off any weeds.
Keep listening to WTIS and call in with your garden question! Look forward to
hearing from you.
My Best,
Stan
Richard wrote:
Planted Palmetto St. Augustine on 22-23 April = laid 450 sq ft on two sides of a
sidewalk. Watered per Extension Service instructions. Son continued watering
while I was gone 05-14 May. On return see much brown. Stopped watering, except
for rain. Applied ~ 5# of Immunox Lawn Disease Control Granules to the 450 sq
ft of new Sod for Fungi infection on 08 June. Brown seems to be increasing.
Applied Chinch Bug control today, but dead grass looks like straw, not like
runners are dead due to Chinch Bugs. Green part grows quite well. Saw your show
at “Thunderdome” {aka orange juice field} this past Sunday = i was old
guy with long white hair and beard on your right = a very fine presentation,
also good stand-up comedy routine. Murf
Dear Richard:
You’ve treated for both possibilities, fungus and chinch. I’m leaning more toward fungus
than chinch. Chinch bug normally starts near the hottest areas such as the sidewalk or
street. A fungus normally looks like irregular patches that grow together. Realize that
new grass has a relatively small root system, so when it is injured it is more difficult for
it to grow back quickly.
You may wish to even put in a few trays of plugs into the bad areas to see if this helps.
Thanks for the kind words and hope you enjoyed the Home Show at the Trop.
My Best,
Stan
Alicia wrote:
My husband and I live in Evans Ga and have been trying to get our grass to grow
in our lawn this past year. We have had a drought and we also have alot of
trees. Some of the grass has been doing ok and has taken off, but there are
sections of grass that is brown and really want do much of anything. Our soil
test says it’s neutral, and the lawns gets enough sun throughout the day in our
opinion, some sections more than others. Any suggestions?
Dear Alicia:
If it’s conducive to the landscape, you might want to go with a ground cover.
Possibly a whole bed such as perennial peanut, liriope, mondo grass (the small
variety) small ivies, or low growing ground cover, fig.
Many people use pavers or brick work to make patios and walkways, or decks.
Lawn furniture such as benches, small tables also make more interesting lawn
views. Don’t limit yourself to grass, allow the imagination to run free.
My Best,
Stan
Our lastest gardening partner is John Williams from John Williams Sprinkler Inc., located in St. Petersburg Florida. John and his knowledgeable staff have the ability to handle any residential or commercial applications you may have.
Please tune in to watch on July 10, 2011 as we discuss drilling wells, installing sprinklers the way the pro’s do it, we will give out handy tips and tricks that will help keep you in the know. If you’d like to contact John you can go to his website at http://www.sprinklersandwells.com/ or call him today at: 727-552-9874.
Marsha wrote:
What can I fertilize St. Augustine grass to grow under the shade of oak trees???
My front yard is half shaded by oaks and half shaded by other trees; the grass
grows well under the other trees.
Would I fertilize with the same product under both shaded areas????
Dear Marsha,
Depending upon the variety of St. Augustine, some will grow best under the shade of trees, such as Floratine, Bitter Blue, Raleigh or Seville.
Under dense shade consider using a bed of ground cover such as English ivy, fern, dwarf jasmine or creeping fig. Use a good turf builder such
as Turf Builder made by Scotts. Yes, use the same fertilizer for both shade areas.
My best,
Stan
Sandra wrote:
Seems we are not able to purchase any fertilizer in the local Home Depot here in
Pinellas County…we are told that home owners will be banned from using the
stuff.
Do you have any recommendations as to what we can do…..we have had extremely
bad results with professional lawn care people….
Thanks.
Dear Sandra,
This fertilizer ban may be superceded by State law. There are 67 counties in the state of Florida, so it becomes confusing when each small area creates their own rule.
Personally, education with fertilizer is more important than a total ban. Without fertilizer it is difficult to have the successful results we are all looking for as growers.
Also, a government that governs best, governs least in my opinion.
Hope this is helpful.
My best,
Stan
Question: Our majestic oak trees make growing grass underneath them a huge problem. What types of grasses can be grown in these areas?
Grass, like all plants, develops food in its leaves and requires sunlight. Areas such as you describe are quite common and unavoidable. St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a good variety and if the light is filtered during the day, this type of grass will spread. Some of the other grasses that have been adapted to lower light levels include: Floratine or Seville. If grass is not a necessity for you, try some of the border-type plantings such as beds of Boston fern or creeping fig.
Weeds are like a red flag that signals you have a turf problem. If the pH of the soil is unbalanced, weeds are more likely to invade your property. Check your pH and make sure you have the proper balance for your type of grass. The presence of spurge weed may indicate a nematode problem. Dead spots and brown patches may indicate that feeder roots have been damaged by mole crickets or fungus diseases. New lawns that have been thrown on top of old lawns without adequate sterilization often succumb to nematodes.
Watering should also be checked. Too much water can encourage dollar weeds; too little water and the grass will weaken, allowing beggar weed or creeping Charlie to take over. Lawns that are overly compacted are also more susceptible to weed infestation. Again, a healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds; but if you have a problem, here are some tips for getting rid of these uninvited guests.
MR. GREEN THUMB RULE
Never use a sprayer for weed killer and then reuse it for insecticides or fungicides. Mark the weed-killer sprayer for WEED KILLER ONLY! Even thorough washing may not get rid of these potent chemicals, so don’t risk contamination. Each chemical has its own special purpose; use them all
