When do I start fertlizing my lawn.

This one question I get all the time. Especially during the late winter season.  Most folks think they have to fertlize now or during cold weather.  This is not true but it also depends on the type of grass you have.

Fertilizing your lawn is of utmost importance if you want your lawn to be the talk of the neighborhood.  Lush green lawns are what all home owners want. 

But when why and how should we fertlizer our lawns during the late winter season.  Bermuda grasses will go dormant in most zone areas including the lower elevations of the Southwest.  Soutwestern California and Arizona rarely have freezing temperatures therefore Bermuda grass does not go completley dormant.

We play, exercise, sit, and walk around our lawn sometimes barefooted.  Without  good regular fertlizing our grass will look dry, dead and could be over taken by weeds! 

Bermuda grass is a warm season grass and is used in ballparks,  sports fields and gold courses.  It is very hardy and can tolerate lots of traffic.  It should be fertilized in early spring mid summer and late fall.  Do not fertlize during the cold months.  You will be bascially wasting your hard earned money if you do.

St. Augustine is another grass that thrives in hot climates but does not like colder temperatures.  Follow bermuda grass fertlizing. 

Year round cold weather grasses such as Kentucky blue and Fescue grasses need to be fertilized all year long but only sparingly during winter.  

Most folks are always asking me for the best tips on keeping a beautiful lawn. Here are my best tips.

1. Water according to your zone area.  Overwatering can lead to serious fungus problems. 
2. Fertlize once a month during the spring, summer and fall months for warm weather grasses.
3. Do the same for cold weather grasses but only once or twice during December through February.
4. Always use a grass winterizer in early winter for good rooth growth.  This is not a fertlizer but a vitamin for your grass roots.
5. Observe your lawn consistently for any signs of dry or hazing looking spots.  This could mean grubs or disease.
6. Mow your lawn at least twice per month and go up one notch as the season progesses.  Keep you blades sharp to prevent that brownish at the top look.

Following the above tips could have folks saying…this is the greenest grass I’ve seen since the sixties.

Thanks Paul Guzman

If you have any questions please let us know what they are by commenting below.

I really like the rose of sharon plant.  You can actually use it as a tree or plant.  They are easy care and can tolerate poor soils but will bloom more often with well drained mulched soil.  They can also tolerate drought conditions.  This makes them ideal for the southwest.

There numerous varieties and one of them is the  “althaea” (althea) Hibiscus syriacus.

Generally they will usually bloom late spring and continue blooming till late fall. It is a deciduous plant and once established is drought tolerant. They have large tropical like blooms. It should be fertilized in late spring, summer and fall.

You can prune the bottom suckers to make it into a one trunk small tree. It loves full sun and well drained organic type soil. They can get up to 10′ tall but their are some cultivars that stay much shorter.

Color Your World nurseries will usually have these type of shrubs in stock. They are a good choice for a stand alone shrub specimen. If you have questions regarding your shrubs please contact us.

Other types are the:

1.  Ardens Rose of Sharon
2. Chiffon White Rose of Sharon
3. Paeonyflorus Rose of Sharon

You can see photos and descriptions of these plants at: Rose of sharon plants

House plants that are very popular in today’s home and garden market are air plants.  These plants are being purchased by people who are looking to purify the air in their homes or businesses. 

There are many pollutants in the air that cause humans big time problems. These are benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene and are present in almost all homes and or office buildings. 

So…what can most people do that will help clean up their breathable air space?  You could purchase expensive air purifiers that will do it non-organically.  You could even move to Cheyenne Wyoming where the air is very clean and almost non pollutant.

I am sure most folks have read articles about NASA’s how to rid the world from pollutants that are noxious to what humans and animals breathe.  Air plants are what they talking about.  But many do not know which plants they need to purchase for this reason.

Here are the top air plants that will help you get rid of pollutants in the air they we breathe.

Spathiphyllum: Most good retail nurseries will have this plant available.  They are also called “Peace Lilly”.  They actually will thrive in a dark corner perfect for the office or room with little light.  This is a very attractive plant with dark green foliage and a white bloom in the middle.

Chrysanthemums: Or just plain old Mums.  There are hundreds of varieties but they are a little hard to keep blooming.  Fertilize about once per month to help with blooms and water about 2-3 times per week.

Aloe: Many varieties to choose from be sure to ask your nursery professional if they have them available. It does not like fertilizer and only water about 2 times per  This plant can be used to heal wounds or burns.  Just break the frond off in the middle and apply the clear substance on.  It really does work…look it up. 

Scindapsus Chlorophytum: Most folks call them “Pothos”.  Very easy plant to grow you just water and fertilize about 4 times per year.  Water about 2 times per week. It grows very fast and can be used a decorative hanging plant.  Use them throughout the home or office.

There are actually many more but these are the most popular.

Paul Guzman

It is best to pre plan for the up-coming spring. You should still water most plants, trees and lawns at least once or twice during this month.  You should have pulled existing weeds to help reduce the number of seeds that may germinate or lie in the ground until ready to germinate.

Prune most dormant trees, shrubs, and roses now. In the Southwest area or the lower elevations of the southwest you should take your yard trimmings and waste to a solid waste transfer station. If you can separate it please do so. All this waste is mulched and then recycled if it is pre-separated from any trash.

You may also apply a pre-emergent herbicide to help keep any existing weed seeds from germinating. Some weeds may germinate very early in the season so be prepared. Pre-emergent herbicides are available in liquid or granular form, and will last from 2-3 months up to 6 months, depending upon application rates. If you get a jump start on this it will really save a lot of time and money in late spring.

Remember for cold weather gardening color you can plant, pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, calendula, and stock will bloom thru winter, especially if they are planted next to a building or house.

Paul Guzman

Garden Scoot for gardening

Recommended by the folks at Color Your World Nurseries. There is an accessory tray and basket mount under and behind the seat great to hold tools, seeds, plants or car accessories.

This garden scooter is adjustable and can swivels 360 degrees. The tires are pnuematic and can travel smoothly on grass, cement or landscaping rocks. Steering handle guides cart around corners and eliminates the need to get up!  Great for the elderly gardener.

You can do alot of easy gardening with this gardening scoot.  Image this you can actually sit while you garden, and steer around the garden beds and plant or harvest almost any type of vegetables or flowers.

This comfortable style seat is adjustable in height, and swivels a full 360 degrees. It is a great gift and can used to harvest almost any low lying vegetables or just about anything else in your garden. It can even be used to detail your vehicle…no bending down or getting your clothes wet.   Get one today before the Christmas Holidays.

Paul Guzman – Get yours today right here – Garden Scoot

Cut Christmas Trees: Are trees that are usually grown and farmed for retail at Nurseries.

Cut Christmas Trees

Try your best to locate a nursery with trees that are stored in water. This type of tree will last much longer that those that are stacked or have wooden flats for upright support.
Always ask for a fresh cut after purchasing one. This will make it absorb water when displayed at home…which will help in freshness throughout the holiday season.

The Noble Fir is a deep green in color. You can easily make boughs out of this tree. Good strong branches for those ornaments that you and your family will enjoy decorating.

The Fraser Fir has a deep dark green color. It has soft needles, long lasting fragrance, and strong branches for heavy type ornament.

The Douglas Fir is thick in density and is more of a traditional type of tree. Branches and overall weight is much lighter. Usually less expensive than the Noble Trees.

Scotch Pine Tree – Is one of the most common xmas trees it has dark green needles. It holds needles for up to four weeks. It has a strong forest type aroma.

Live Christmas trees : You can enjoy them indoors then plant them outdoors. You should purchase live trees at your local nursery. Be sure to water often and use ice on top of container to help with temperature changes. Be sure to plant asap after the Holidays….the sooner the better.

Visit: http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com/new-mexico-christmas-trees.htm for photos of these trees.

Live Christmas Trees

Eldrica Pine Live Tree – This is a good live tree and an excellent choice for that large living area. Once the holidays are over plant it outdoors in full sun. Grows fast and is drought tolerant once established. About 50ft tall and 10ft wide.

Pinon tree – This is an excellent southwestern type of live tree. The pinon does not get large about 15′ in height and width. Use it for an indoor live tree then plant outdoors for a beautiful drought tolerant ornamental tree.

If these trees are not at the local nursery…ask the manager to have them around next year.

Shrubs and or trees for privacy from the neighbors.

I hate looking at my neighbors junk! What can I plant that will block my view? Those comments are frequently asked almost on a daily basis working at Guzman’s Greenhouse.

Folks hate to look at dirty trash cans, old junk cars, dog houses, junked out sheds and a slew of other unslightly items that your neighbor may have piling up in their yard. Following are some great shrubs/trees that will grow quickly and help eliminate that unsightly view.

Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’ (L. texanum) or commonly known as Waxlef Privet. This shrub will grow very fast and is an evergreen. They have small white blooms during spring. The can grow up to 10′ tall and almost 6′ wide. They can tolerate heat and will do well in shady areas. Cold hardiness is
0 to 10 F. These are not drought tolerant plants and they like to be watered reguarly. This is an excellent hedge plant and can block that view in no time. 1 ga. containers will take about 3-5 years to do the job. Very little maintenance.

Golden Bamboo or Phyllostachys aurea. This type of bamboo grows very fast and has dense branches of dark green foliage on stiff cane like limbs or trunks. Can grow up to 10′ tall, they are evergeen in the southwest. They spread by underground runners. This bamboo is ideal if you have a large space that needs covering quickly. However caution needs to be taken because they can get invasive. There are other varities but this is one of the more common ones and most nurseries should have them. Some maintenance during the peak summer months. Oh by the way no blooms whatsoever.

Afghan Pines or Eldrica Pinus. This type of evergreen pine tree is also called a Mondell pine and a desert pine. They grow very fast if watered frequently during it’s first 2-3 years after planting. They grow to about 80′ tall and about 5-6′ wide. Do not trim the bottom limbs if you need additional lower blockage. These pine trees are very drought tolerant once established. They do require quite a bit of maintenance as they will drop numerous pine cones and pine needles. Plant them about 7-10′ apart for a good evergreen hedge. These trees will get large but will do the job rather quickly.

Oleanders or Nerium oleander. These shrubs are an exellent border privacy type plant. The red variety can grow up to 20′ tall and about 10′ft wide. They are a profilic growing type of shrub. They can take lots of water or very little water. They bloom all summer long and provide excellent hedge privacy. However they do not like temperatures lower than 20 degrees f. They do get stressed out during the cold southwestern winters. However they are very hardy and can be trimmed back during the winter months and they will bounce back even stronger than the year before.

There you have it! Plants for privacy above are an excellent choice for covering your neighbors yard from their unsightly trash.

Remember if your neighbor has recently started to plant the plants above you might want to take a look at whats in your backyard!

More free gardening information at coloryourworldllc.com

Drip Irrigation System

The best way to keep your garden watered without wasting much time and money, you’ve probably gone through a lot of options in your mind. Maybe you’ve considered a sprinkler, a hose, or a good old-fashioned watering can.

All of these methods might be convenient, but most of the time you will end up wasting water on plants that don’t need any more. If you live in a drought stricken area like I do, you know that every bit of water counts. I ended up getting a drip irrigation system. I haven’t regretted this decision at all.

 When you install a drip irrigation system, you can choose one of two varieties: above ground and below ground. The above ground version drips small amounts of water continuously onto the ground, and allows it to soak in. It is all regulated from a pressure controller, which ensures that the water just comes out at a drip instead of a spray or a stream. These pressure regulators are very inexpensive. The whole drip system can be set up with a pressure regulator and a garden hose with holes poked in it (although it is ideal for you to get a pipe designed for this type of use, I’ve found that the hose method works acceptably). 

The underground system is a bit more of a pain to install and maintain. But if you’re really into the aesthetic aspect of your garden and don’twant any visible watering system, then you might consider it worth it.

It’s essentially the same as the above ground version, only a small trench is dug for the hose or pipe prior to any planting. This allows the water direct access to the roots for the most watering efficiency. Plus, you can impress your neighbors by having a beautiful garden without ever going outside to water it! They’ll be baffled.

Choosing  between the two systems, you need to take several things into account.  Do you have the same plant layout year round? If it is always changing, you probably won’t want to bury your hose. It can be a pain to dig it up and re-align it with all your new plants every year or so.

Even if your plant layout never changes, you need to consider how much you really mind seeing a hose in your garden. If it really bothers you to the extent that you’re willing to work for a few hours to get rid of it, then by all means bury it.  I highly recommend staying above ground if for nothing else than the convenience of repairing and rearranging.

 The main advantages of a drip irrigation system is its efficiency. Instead of spraying large amounts of water all over the place like a hose does, it makes the most of your precious water by putting it exactly where it is needed. It can also provide your garden with constant watering, instead of just having to go thirsty whenever you’re not around to water it.

So if you’re looking for an easy, cheap, convenient, and efficient alternative watering method, you should go out to the gardening store today and purchase the necessary items to install a drip irrigation system. You will be surprised at how much easier it is to maintain a garden after you have it.