Dormant oil

A lot of the problems we are seeing with Crepe Myrtles right now could have been greatly lessened by applying dormant oil in the winter or fall.                                                                                                               Well here we are December 30, 2012. One task that gets skipped by most people is applying dormant oil. It is inexpensive and does so much good for your plants. The oil is applied to the trunks and stems of trees and shrubs, coating overwintering insects. I have seen it used to do the same with certain fungus, but I'm not certain of the results although it came from someone I respect a great deal. Steve Robinson of Bruce Miller Nursery in Richardson Texas.
      This next week I will begin applying dormant oil at about one once per gallon. Coating trunks and limbs of plants the harbor aphids, mites and scale. The most important things is to use it on Crepe Myrtles and fruit trees. Happy New Year.
    Something to remember, never apply when it may freeze within 24 hours.

Chinch bugs

If you or your friends have St Augustine turf you have to start looking for Chinch bugs around mid June. These b.b. size insects can devour a lawn in a matter of days. Infected areas will look dry.  If the lawn still looks dry or even dryer after you increase the water you may have Chinch bugs. Look at the affected area just where it meets the normal turf to find the insects. Bifen is the control I've used.

   Merit can be used as suppression but not as a preventative. After you have them under control recheck the turf in 10 days. Eggs will hatch and need to be killed.

Crepe Myrtles

This year has seen it's share of infested Crepes. Between the scale and the aphids this year has been somewhat challenging. We have been treating with Bifen and Asephate. Spray down the tree, then drench the root zone. You may have to repeat

Controling winter grassy weeds

In North Texas dealing with grasses growing in turf is a real challenge. There are many products available to the Certified Applicator to choose from. Personally I've been using an old stand by Atrazine. Used correctly nothing works better. Just remember to put the jug away when the Bermuda starts needing cut.
 Another great tool I rely on is Reward. It controls a lot of annual weeds and gives a quick burn down on all the others. When you want some t urf clean in a hurry nothing works better.
 Last but not least Glyphosate.At two quarts per acre it can be applied to dormant Bermuda. That rate will not control Dallis grass but just about everything else.