• If not done in February, mow cool season lawns short: 1 ½ - 2" one time only. For zoysia, bermuda, and buffalograss wait until April 15.

• See Toby's Tips for spring fertilization program for cool season grasses.

• Warm season grasses (zoysia, bermuda, buffalo grass); Check for broadleaf weeds: clover, dandelion, chickweed, etc. If found use Gordon’s Speed Zone or Bonide Weed Beater Ultra and Spreader Sticker. Broadleaf weed controls do not prevent weeds. They control only the weeds that are actively growing at the time of spraying. Use a 2 gal. tank sprayer and spot spray the weeds.

• Apply no fertilizer on warm season grasses until May.

• Remove tree wrap from trees and check mulch. Mulch 2" - 3" high and keep mulch 4" - 6" away from trunks.

• Finish tree pruning before they start leafing out.

• Don't prune spring flowering trees and shrubs until they have finished blooming.

• Trees and shrubs can be planted as soon as they can be found at your favorite nursery. After planting, water in with Mushroom Stuff. Check my video for the proper planting procedure.

• March 1st: ASAP or two weeks before planting in your garden, use Earth Right Soil Conditioner. Apply double rate the first application: 1 qt. to 5,000 sq. ft. This will crumble clay two to two and a half feet deep. Then normal rate once in the spring and fall: 1 qt. to 10,000 sq. ft. Earth Right will make a huge difference in your vegetable crops.

• Outdoor planting dates:

• Remove weeds and old stalks from asparagus bed before new growth appears.

• Asparagus and rhubarb roots: Plant as soon as the ground can be worked.

• March 15 – 20: Start tomato, pepper, and other warm season vegetable seeds inside.

• If not done in February, spray peach trees with lime sulfur to prevent peach leaf curl. The temperature needs to be above 40 degrees for at least 6 hours.

• If fruit plants had a scale or mite problem last year apply dormant oil.

• Remove mulch from strawberries when new growth starts. When frost is predicted recover overnight.

• Plant cool season annuals: pansies, snapdragons, ornamental kale, and cabbage, etc. as soon as they are available.

• Start your favorite annual seeds indoors: salvia, marigolds, ageratum, petunias, zinnias, periwinkle, coleus, etc.

• Clean perennial beds removing all weeds and dead foliage. Divide and plant perennials mid-March on. Remove winter mulch, but remulch plants at night if hard frost predicted.

• To control iris borer and iris leaf spot, clean up and destroy the old leaves before new growth starts.

• Fertilize spring flowering bulbs: tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths with Zoom Fertilizer when new growth emerges from the ground.

• Cut back ornamental grasses 3 - 4 inches from the ground. Divide every 3 to 5 years. Dig the entire clump out of the ground. Replant the outside of the clump throwing the center of the plant away.

• Check air pressure in tires for better gas mileage.

• Clean or replace furnace filter.

• Clean gutters and down spouts.

• Remove storm windows.

• Clean and inspect window screens.

• Inspect roof for winter damage.

• Have the house inspected for termites.

Call John Washburn
Washburn Pest Control
816-761-2233

• Toby's Favorite Window Cleaner

To 1 qt. of warm water add ¼ cup vinegar and 1 Tablespoon cornstarch.
Stir occasionally.

• Fertilize houseplants when new growth starts.

• Now is a good time to repot houseplants that are root bound. Measure the diameter of the old pot and move to a new pot 2 inches larger in diameter.

• Prune back and fertilize plants that are leggy.