One of the greatest sources of pride for a homeowner is the landscape that surrounds his or her home. In addition to providing aesthetic qualities, a well-maintained landscape raises property values, and if the homeowner were to sell, it can help the home sell faster.
Whether its landscape beds full of blooming flowers or an outdoor patio surrounded by carefully trimmed ornamental plants, homeowners invest heavily in the exterior appearance of their homes.
Protecting that investment, especially when California is in the midst of severe drought conditions and watering restrictions, can be challenging – but not impossible.
The Clark Man, in addition to preventing and eliminating pests from gaining entry to your home, also can help protect your lawn, ornamental plants and trees from destructive insects and diseases.
The three items homeowners should be most aware of when protecting their ornamental plants and trees from harmful pests and disease are:
- Proper fertilization
- Insect control
- Irrigation
Fertilize: It’s not just your lawn that needs regular fertilization; the shrubs and trees in your yard need to be fertilized to keep them healthy and make them less susceptible to disease and pests. There are two types of fertilization – deep root using a liquid, or surface using a granular – that will help promote a healthy shrub or tree.
Control insects: Aphids are a threat to ornamental plants and trees because they siphon off sap and deny proper nutrients. Plants will not bloom as strongly and their energy dissipates, making them more susceptible to disease and insects. The Clark Man recommends soil injections to treat for aphids in combination with regular fertilization.
Irrigate: Many homeowners shut off their irrigation systems over the winter and forget that plants and trees need to be irrigated. Tree and plant roots are buried beneath the surface and need to receive regular deep-watering sessions to maintain their health. With watering restrictions in place across California, the Clark Man recommends homeowners start conditioning their plants and trees to twice-a-week deep-watering sessions. This will help plants and trees acclimate to receiving less water, and help them better endure the blistering summer heat.
Signs of trouble: When a plant turns yellow from its normal green, it can be a sign it isn’t receiving proper nutrients. As mentioned earlier, aphids are a problem in California, and if you notice a sticky sap (called honeydew) coming from a tree, it indicates that aphidsare present. The sweet and sticky honeydew is also a favorite food of ants, and homeowners can get hit with a double whammy – ants and aphids – when this happens.
The Clark Man can make recommendations on proper irrigation practices for your lawn, plants, and trees, and also can recommend a fertilization program that will meet your yard’s specific needs. If pests and disease are present, the Clark Man can offer you options to eliminate the threat for good.
Should you have questions on how to keep your lawn, shrubs, and trees looking good all year long, call (800) 936-3339, drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com, or visit our residential tree services page.
Until next time, I’m the Clark Man – and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.