Rainy Days can cause problems in the garden

We are all glad to be getting the earth saturating rains this week but you need to be on the look out for problems that can occur because of excessive water and rain fall. Fungus, Snails & Powdery Mildew are potential plant destroying problems that may arise but can often be easily taken care of in the garden if you identify it early and treat appropriately.

Cleaning out your plants by removing dead and/or decaying leaves helps keep critters and fungus from taking over a plant. If you have potted containers, you should try to space out your pots so that the plants have plenty of air movement between them. If you find symptoms of fungus or insects on your lawns, trees, shrubs, roses & flowers we offer several products to help you below:

• High Yield's Turf Ranger and Bug Blaster are both economical insect control granules that can be broadcast now to maintain the landscape.


• Fertilome's Systemic Fungicide used on Roses, Flowers, Lawns, trees & shrubs can prevent many problems associated with the rainy season.


• Natural Guard's Copper Soap liquid and Organicide Insecticide & Fungal spray are great natural or organic frontline defense products that are effective on black spot, powderly mildew, aphids & white fly.

NEW ARRIVALS!
New in the garden center this week, these beautiful Episcia hanging baskets with pink or red flowers and velvet leaves are a wonderful indoor plant that are easy to care for even the beginning gardeners. $10.99 while supplies last!

HOLLY ALERT!
We've been getting a lot of phone calls this month about Witches Broom or Sphaeropsis gall (Sphaeropsis tumefaciens) killing our client's holly bushes & trees. There is no known treatment for this and a discussion with our local extension agent about the ineffectiveness of pruning it out leads us to believe the best thing you can do is to replace the plant. Palmer's Garden recommends the Japanese Blueberry which can reach 40 to 60 feet in height or a dwarf variety of the same like Monrovia's Little Emperor.

We've compiled extensive information about Witches Broom here:
http://palmersgarden.blogspot.com/2009/05/holly-witches-broom-gall.html

DON'T FORGET TO CLEAN YOUR TOOLS!
If you are doing any pruning this spring, don't forget to clean your garden tools before moving onto the next plant so that you don't spread disease from one to another. Landscaping companies often carry a bucket of bleach water and multiple cutting instruments so they can soak their tools for at least 30 seconds between cuttings.

growing together,
The Palmer's Team!