July 2007

Edible

Watch for blossom-end rot on tomatoes.  The blossom ends of tomatoes turn brown to black. Peppers and summer squash can also have this problem.  This is not a disease. The condition results because of a calcium deficiency caused by wide fluctuations in soil moisture. Maintain even levels of soil moisture to control blossom-end rot. Applying mulch around tomato plants will help.

Watch for sunscald on tomatoes during hot weather. Sunscald most often appears as whitish spots on green and ripening tomatoes. Plants that have been defoliated by leaf diseases and tomato varieties with sparse foliage are most susceptible. To prevent sunscald, maintain a healthy foliage cover and watch for diseases and pests that can cause foliage loss. Also avoid over pruning tomatoes.

Ornamental 

Lawns need about 11/2 inches of water per week to maintain green color. Decide whether or not to let your lawn go dormant during hot, dry summer weather. Do not let the lawn go dormant and then start watering it again to green it up. This practice uses large amounts of the grass’s food reserves. Water lawns early in the day. Avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is the hottest part of the day and you will lose 50 precent of water applied. Watering in the evening will increase chances of disease problems. If watering with a sprinkler, place coffee cans in the area to measure water application rates.

During the growing season, mow lawns at a height between two and three inches. During the summer when grass growth slows, mow the lawn at the three inch height. Lawns mowed at a higher height during the summer will have fewer weed problems and deeper roots. Mowing too close just invites weeds. Don’t mow the grass when it is wet and never remove more than one-third of the grass leaf in any one cutting. If you mow your lawn on a regular basis, you do not need to collect the clippings. Clippings are 75 to 80 percent water and will decompose down into the lawn. Clippings have some nitrogen content, so less fertilizer is necessary.

Watch for grubs to hatch in your lawn in late July. It takes about 12 grubs per square foot to cause browning of grass in your lawn. Browning occurs in August and September. Patches of brown grass that can be pulled up like a rug have most likely been damaged by root eating grubs. Control grubs as they hatch. Use insecticides like Grub X or Merit. Apply in early-July and water in. Remember, if there is a lack of rain during the egg laying period, and if you water your lawn and your neighbor doesn’t, the grubs will lay more eggs in your nice soft moist soil. So you might think about reducing your watering during egg laying time. For a fact sheet on grub control, call 773-233-0476.

Reduce favorable breeding sites for mosquitoes that cause West Nile Virus. Keep your gutters free of debris, because clogged roof gutters make great breeding sites. Clean and freshen water in pet dishes, wading pools and birdbaths. Cut back tall weeds and grass, because they can be hiding places for mosquitoes during the day. For more information about mosquito and West Nile Virus prevention call 773-233-0476 for free fact sheets.