• Borer Control

  

  It is a good time of year to start thinking about borer protection. Borers are insects that tunnel through the wood of trees causing severe damage or death. Certain trees are more prone to borers but any tree can be infested. Trees that are stressed for any reason are the most likely to be attacked. Prevent damage by using Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Drench for season long prevention. Just mix with water and pour around the base of the tree. Or treat the trunk using Hi-yield 38+ with Permethrin at 3 to 4 week intervals during the summer. If you are unsure if you have a borer infestation, contact Tree Top and let us help you decide! Or come on in with a photo on your phone, we do a great job diagnosing borers!

• Planting Tomatoes

  

  Here are a few tips for growing the best tomatoes.

  1. Before planting, improve your soil by mixing Cotton Boll compost into your existing soil.

  2. Set the plant slightly deeper than the container.

  3. Water with a starter solution immediately after planting.

  4. We recommend Ferti-lome blooming and rooting.

  5. Apply a layer of organic mulch 2-3 weeks after planting. Use shallow cultivation near the plants to scrape away any small weeds.

  6. Fertilize when the first fruit on the plant is about the size of a walnut. This will usually will improve yields and lengthen the harvest period.

  7. Cold nights early in the growth period or hot, dry windy weather may cause blossom damage or blossom drop. Irregular shaped fruit may develop from early cold periods.

  Yum, I can taste that first bite of homegrown delicious-ness! Nothing beats a Tree Top homegrown tomato...imagine that slice of red juicy goodness!

• Dandelions

  

  No lawn weed is more recognized than the Dandelion. These weeds are relatively easy to control as long as they are treated at the right time.

  You will get the best control by spraying in October or November the next best time is spring when they are flowering.

  Here are a few tips for the best results.

  Spray in the middle of the mowing cycle.

  Spray while they are growing well. Water the week before if needed.

  The temperature should be above 50 degrees but below 80 degrees.

  Spray when there is no rain or irrigation for 24 hours.

  We recommend Ferti-lome Weed Free Zone.

• Herb Gardens

  

  A beginning gardener can be very successful growing herbs, as they are inexpensive and easy to maintain. Herbs can be broken down into 3 different groupings; 1. Culinary herbs 2. Medicinal herbs and 3. Ornamental herbs. Most people are familiar with the culinary herbs; basil, rosemary, parsley, oregano, etc. Use these fresh in cooking, as most are easy to grow. Everyone can grow them from window boxes and container gardens to borders and raised beds. The next group, the medicinals include garlic, gingko, hypericum, lavender, mint, etc. Although some of these are being used for aromatherapies to ease stress, realistically extracting the medicinal parts is difficult. The last group of ornamental herbs is valued for their aesthetics. An informal jumble of pots by the kitchen door can bring valuable visual benefits with very little fuss. Easy access and rewarding harvests make this a fun hobby for gardeners of all skill levels. Visit Tree Top's vegetable greenhouse for a wonderful selection of herbs and get started today!

• Butterfly Garden

  

  When planning to attract butterflies to your garden, it is important to remember the following requirements:

  1. Butterflies linger in sunny places! They are "cold blooded" and require warmth to be active.

  2. Butterflies linger in places protected from the wind. They are more wings then body and are affected by gusts of wind.

  3. Butterflies linger where moisture and minerals are provided. They don't drink like most animals; they must "lick" water from moist surfaces. Add ordinary table salt to provide necessary nutrients.

  4. Butterflies linger where there is a source of nectar. Research plant varieties for providing season long sources of nectar. Another helpful hint is knowing that butterflies are insects that have a life cycle with two feeding stages; the caterpillar and the mature stage. Caterpillars require adequate leaf materials to chew before the adults require nectar.

  5. People linger in the butterfly garden to relax and watch the fun. Be sure and provide a bench, gazebo, swing or other lawn furniture to enjoy the entire experience. The folks at Tree Top Nursery can assist you in everything you need to create your very own butterfly garden!

• Cedar Apple Rust

  

  Last summer you may have noticed rust colored spots on the leaves of your crabapples. The most likely cause is a fungal disease called Cedar Apple Rust. While Cedar Apple Rust doesn't kill a tree it can make it look unsightly and put it under stress. The best defense is to plant varieties of crabapples that are naturally resistant to rust. We sell only varieties that have good resistance. If you have a variety that is not resistant to cedar apple rust, spray your crabapples with Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide when leaf buds open. Spray again when 75% of the flower blossoms have fallen and again 10-14 days later.

More Garden Tips

• Tree & Shrub Planting Guide
• Overseeding Fescue Lawns
• Lawn Renovation
• Attracting Butterflies
• Attracting Hummingbirds
• Fruit Tree Pollination

• Growing Clematis
• Growing Herbs
• Growing Strawberries
• Planting Rhubarb
• Planting potatoes

• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Sweet Corn
• Peppers
• Asparagus