Mark Jordan, natural resources leader at Westfield Country Club, recently answered questions about caring for your landscaping. Do you have a question for Mark? Post your question in the comments section below!
Q. I have a yard full of blue spruce and white pine planted about 8 years ago. Most are growing very well, although the white pine are subject to borers and I've trimmed the tops on several. Two of the blue spruce, located on the northeast side of the house, do poorly compared to the others. They are shorter, narrower and thinner. At points during the summer some of the branches show a bluish green fungus and needles turn brown. I've sprayed repeatedly with fungicide and insecticide. But the problem comes back every year. Any suggestions?
A. Trees can be weakened by being planted in an unfavorable site or by environmental stresses such as drought. This may make them more susceptible to canker diseases. Pruning out diseased branches is the primary means of treating the trees. Prune 4-6" below any visible cankers, prune only in dry weather. Fungicide sprays are generally not effective in controlling canker diseases.
Q. This past summer I had a colony of voles start to take over the landscape beds around the back and sides of my house. I've dropped mole/vole killer into their tracks repeatedly to no avail. The colony continued to grow. I've tried the products recommended by garden centers.
A. Trapping or repellents are the only effective ways in controlling voles. Animal repellants containing Thiram has shown to be effective. When trapping be sure to place it in a dark/shaded location at 10 foot intervals throughout the damaged landscape.
Q. I have three small oak trees (approx. 12 feet) in the front yard of my home (I think scarlet oak). One of the three is thinner than the others, and the smaller branches tend to be brittle and easily broken. I've used fertilizer spikes and disease control (Bayer), but really haven't seen any improvement. Any suggestions?
A. Make sure they are all receiving the same amount of sunlight and moisture. Also, check for soil compaction or physical damage. The most successful way to fertilize established trees are soil injections, small holes are drilled into the soil every 3' to the drip line to a 12" depth, then a granular or liquid 30-10-7 (or a similar analysis) fertilizer is placed in the holes.
Q. I have a large (nearly 2-acre) lawn, and the grubs/Japanese beetles seem to get worse every year. What is the most effective and most economical way to control them?
A. Apply a fertilizer with Merit 14 days before July 4th.
Q.When is it best to aerate your lawn, Spring or Fall?
A. Fall is the best time to aerate your lawn.
Q. When is the best time to trim rose bushes & decorative grasses?
A. The best time to prune roses is early spring just before they leaf out. Late fall is the best time to cut down ornamental grasses.
Q. I have ants destroying my flower beds and my flowers. Do you have any solutions? I have tried different dry poisons but none seem to really get rid of them. Also they are building large hills near the edge of the lawn near the woods.
A. Spray them with an insecticide that targets ants (the label will state the target pests).
Q. How do I get rid of thistles in my flower beds? They are coming up along the foundation of my house. I have dug the dirt out and dumped weed killer along the foundation. It helps for a month or so, but then they are back.
A. Spray weed killer such as round up on them as soon as you see them beginning to grow. You may have to do this repeatedly throughout the growing season; they are very difficult to get rid off but possible to control.
Q. We have a hill on our property that is a forest area going down to a stream. In the past, the stream has eroded underneath two trees. There are exposed roots. Can you suggest a way to fill-in and protect the roots? I would hate to lose the trees. I have moved rocks between the stream and the tree roots. I have added soil around the roots. I might have lost the soil after the heavy rain last night. What else can I do?
A. Gabions is one of the only solutions, here is a website with information http://www.terraaqua.com/
Q. What is the best product/way to kill thistle weeds from my mulch beds and grass? I've tried to pull them, but the roots are so deep they just grow back.
A. Spray weed killer such as round up on them as soon as you see them beginning to grow. You may have to do this repeatedly throughout the growing season; they are very difficult to get rid off but possible to control. If you are pulling them by hand, grasp them at the base and pull slowly to remove the roots with the weed.
Q. My front yard is "sinking" in different areas. It is very noticeable right now due to the snow melting so quickly and the rain, which has made ponds in my front yard. What do I need to do to correct this situation?
A. If you have drain tile, make sure there are no breaks in the tile. If you do not have drainage, then add topsoil to the low areas, tamp it down and add more soil so that it is level, then spread grass seed over the topsoil.
Q. I have low spots in my lawn. I want to use topsoil to fill in the low spots. Will I have to put seed these areas or will the existing grass grow through?
A. You will have to spread seed and starter fertilizer (high in phosphorus) over the topsoil, then put a light covering over the seed (peat moss or straw).
Q. Moles - What do I do?
A. Trapping or repellents are the only effective ways in controlling moles. Animal repellants containing Thiram have shown to be effective. When trapping, be sure to follow directions on the manufacturer's label and place in the deepest tunnel possible.
Q. If I want to plant tulips in containers for spring, what time should I plant the bulbs, and where should I keep them?
A. You will need to purchase spring bulbs in the fall, store the bulbs in a dry cool place over the winter (12-16 weeks). Choose a container with good drainage, fill the container with soil, plant the bulbs with the tips at soil level. Then place the container in a cool, dark place. Water lightly once a week, once leaves appear, place containers in a place where they will get bright indirect light. The bulds should flower 2-3 weeks after being in the light.
Q. My landscape around my house receives very low amounts of direct sunlight, could you suggest some shade perennials that I can add to accent my beds and flower longer throughout the season?
A. Bleeding Heart, Yellow Corydalis, Lamium, Brunnera, Astilbe and Monkshood.
Mark Jordan is the natural resource leader at Westfield Group Country Club and has worked in various positions at Westfield for nearly 22 years. He is responsible for managing human, financial, natural and mechanical resources associated with golf course and clubhouse grounds operation at Westfield Group Country Club. Mark earned his associate’s degree in applied science and turfgrass management, and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and agronomy, from The Ohio State University. He was also awarded the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Scholarship and Trans Mississippi Golf Association Scholarship. Mark has served as a board member of the Northern Ohio Superintendent’s Association and the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, and has participated in the Governmental Relations Committee of the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America and the Strategic Communications Committee for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
