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Aphids come with warm weather! Keep a watch on roses and vegetable crops. Wash with soapy water first and if this is not effective enough apply a pesticide. Ladybugs can be purchased this time of year and can be effective if given a chance. Most aphids do their dirty work under the leaves and might be missed until the population is large. On roses, aphids appear usually on the flower buds first. It seems to be their habit to dine on the newest growth because that is the location of the most moisture and nutrition. Azaleas and rhododendrons need attention in May. Feed with a fertilizer containing iron, prune azaleas if leggy or sparse. Prune both if necessary as flowers fade and before new growth begins. If you prune these plants after mid summer, you will remove potential flowers for next year and this should be avoided. Roses will need fertilizer this month. Watch for black spot and mildew. Early detection is the key. Avoid over head watering on roses because this practice will cause these diseases to spread from branch to branch.. It also harms the flowers. Fungicide sprays might be necessary. It is usually safe to plant annuals like petunias, marigolds and impatiens in the later part of May. A chance of frost is usually gone by then. Vegetables that prefer warm weather can be planted late this month. This means tomatoes, squash, and peppers. Onion sets and seed potatoes can be still be planted also. Lawn aeration is usually successful this month because the soil is moist but not soggy. This opens the soil for oxygen, irrigation and fertilizer if needed. Lane Forest Lawn Base Mix is an excellent product for placement in the holes created. This is a good method of lawn renovation without starting over. Rake up the soil cores that you pull out. Avoid thatching because this usually causes more harm than good. Prevent root maggots in cabbage, potatoes and onions with row covers. Warm soil invites underground pests.
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