We have identified Amy Worms in hundreds of lawn over the last two weeks. Army Worms are most common in Bermuda lawns, however we have see them in Fescue and Zoysia lawns. Army Worms can completely defoliate a lawn in a short amount of time. http://commodities.caes.uga.edu/turfgrass/georgiaturf/LandscapeAlert/Fall%20Armyworms%20(8-09).html
Follow this link for information about the current outdoor watering rules effective June 1st 2010:
http://www.maltalandscape.com/cgi-bin/MySQLdb?VIEW=%2Fevents%2Fviewone.txt&eventid=366
Follow this link for more information:
http://www.maltalandscape.com/cgi-bin/MySQLdb?VIEW=/events/viewone.txt&eventid=210
Current watering restrictions (Note that watering-in of pesticide/herbicide applications is prohibited):
http://www.urbanagcouncil.com/docs/2008%20Outdoor%20Watering%20Restrictions.pdf
To sign up for the outdoor water use registration program go to:
Some pests, such as many of the wood-boring insects and canker-causing fungi, are opportunistic and become serious problems on trees and shrubs that are under stress. Inadequate moisture, excessive moisture, extreme temperature, unfavorable soils, improper plant placement, improper planting, and mechanical injury are all factors that can lead to insect and disease problems with many trees and shrubs. Most ornamental landscape plants require professional care to stay healthy and attractive. Regular fertilization, pruning, mulching and pest control are all part of a good landscape management program.
Fertilization: Fertilization is a very important component of plant health care. It is necessary to use fertilizers to maintain an optimum supply of nutrient and micro nutrients in the soil for optimal plant growth. There are a couple of effective methods to fertilize landscape plants: liquid soil injections, and granular applications.
Pruning: Pruning is an important tool for developing and maintaining healthy plants. Developing solid pruning objectives is important. By combining these objectives with a basic understanding of pruning and how plants respond, you can derive maximum benefit from the effort.
Mulching: Mulch is a vital part of the landscape. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, minimizes weeds, and helps insulate the roots of plants from extreme temperatures during the summer and winter months. A thick layer of mulch (2 to 3 inches deep) not only improves the aesthetics of your landscape, but also greatly benefits plant material during periods of dry weather by retaining soil moisture, especially if watering is prohibited.
Pest Control: Landscape plants that are routinely inspected for insect and disease problems are less likely to be damaged. Preventive insect and disease control applications will also lower the risk of plant damage. Proper fertilization will help to combat pests by keeping your plants healthy and supplying the nutrients necessary for improved growth and strength.