Question THE Pro

Question: Is it far too late to use a weedkiller to kill weeds in my garden? I experienced all types of weeds this summer season, which include dandelions, that I under no circumstances acquired all-around to managing.
Answer: Fall can be a excellent time to use garden herbicides relying on the weeds you have to have to handle.
Dandelions and other perennial broadleaf weeds that arise in spring and summer months, such as ground ivy, plantains and clovers, can be managed in the drop with selected herbicides. As an extra reward, the very same herbicides will also give management of winter season annual weeds these kinds of as purple deadnettle, chickweed, henbit and some others that will quickly start off to emerge in thin locations of the garden.
Specific herbicides get the job done better when used in tumble because they translocate by the vascular system of the crops and to the roots far more correctly than in spring. These herbicides can be used in the drop until the soil temperature drops to 45 levels or we expertise nighttime ambient temperatures of 32 levels or beneath.
Herbicides that include ester formulations of 2, 4 -D (not amine formulations) will offer great weed regulate when used in the slide. Be guaranteed to check with the backyard centre for an ester formulation of 2,4 -D and observe all label instructions for mixing and software.
Q: I have a lilac that is obtaining also large.Can I prune it securely at this time of the calendar year?
A: Lilacs ought to be pruned only ideal just after they cease flowering, since they established next season’s flower buds right away following flowering. By pruning now, you will sacrifice future season’s bouquets.
If you want to do major pruning, it is finest to eliminate no more than a person-third of the outdated wooden every 12 months straight away following flowering.
You will not eliminate the lilac by pruning it now, you just won’t have the stunning bouquets and fragrance which lilacs are identified for.
Q: My peonies experienced gorgeous flowers this spring but, lately, a lot of brown and black spots appeared all about the leaves and stems. Is there something I must do to take care of these crops?
A: Your peonies very likely have a very popular ailment identified as peony leaf blotch, which is prompted by the fungus Graphiopsis chlorocephala.
The very good news is that this disorder will not kill the plants. The most effective treatment method is to prune the peonies down to floor level now and dispose of this plant product in domestic trash.
Be positive to take away any fallen leaves on the ground close to the crops. Thinning out more mature plantings of peonies up coming 12 months will make improvements to airflow through the crops, which will boost leaf and stem drying and minimize the possible for the pathogen to produce.