Question: My problem has to do with a decline in my Seville lawn. The lawn used to look like a green carpet. I recently changed lawn-service companies, and about mid-July I noticed what appeared to be sod webworms, although it was a little early in the season to have them. The service company applied insecticide. The lawn continued to decline. The lawn started to turn yellow with numerous bare spots. They continued to spray insecticide and fungicide nearly every week. The lawn now has an iridescent yellow color and bare spots, and you can pull the grass out of the ground as though the roots are gone. Any suggestions?
Richard
DeLand
Answer: When lawns are stressed because of drought or excessive rain, St. Augustine can become susceptible to a soil-borne fungus called “take-all root-rot disease.” We are seeing a fair amount of it this year, especially in west Volusia. It may be what you have, or it may be chinch bugs. However, the key clue is that the roots are gone. The fungus will cease with less rain in the fall and through the cold of winter. Until then, Banner, Bayleton or Daconil can be used to slow or curb the disease. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may have to plug or resod in the spring with Seville or similar dwarf-type St. Augustine grass.
Q. Thanks for suggesting using Volck Oil for my sago plant three times, a week apart. I am reading the back of the directions, and it mentions active versus dormant growth. What do I use at this time?
Frank
Daytona Beach
A. Florida is active most of the year. We don’t really have a true dormant season through winter in Central Florida. Follow the “active growth” directions, which use more oil per water in mixture all year round. Glad you’re following directions on the label.
Q. I think now is the best time of the year to plant trees. If that’s true, can you suggest some sources in my area? I don’t want to buy a lime tree from a large chain store. I’ve called several nurseries without luck.
Terry
DeBary
The great thing about Florida is that you can garden and plant trees all year.
The main thing is to consider is watering your tree for root establishment.
It is true that less growth occurs in the winter, allowing trees to concentrate on root development. But it’s still important to keep watering every day for at least a month. Fertilizer is not recommended until spring.
It’s always fun to get everyone involved in planting a tree and checking on it years later.
It’s important to buy trees that have been established in Central Florida. Because they are more adapted to this area, locally grown trees are healthier in the long run.
For a local source for trees, try DeBary Nursery or the Lindley’s Nursery in New Smyrna Beach. There are many smaller nurseries with great customer service waiting to be discovered. Some also can be found in the phone book.
