近距离内射合集

Q: I have watered my grass lawn more because of the hot, dry, windy days. Yet I have many brown spots and dying areas. I have spread insecticide in case I have cutworms. I just bought grass seed to bring back many dead spots in both front and back yards. So, I need directions on when to start the seeding, how to prepare and seed the bare or browned-out spots, and how often to water without overdoing it. 鈥� M.M., Albuquerque

A: First I鈥檓 going to ask if you have automatic sprinklers in these areas. If so, have you done a simple test to be sure the water is covering the whole of the lawns?

I suggest that you set out several same-sized tuna cans, shallow pet food cans or butter tubs throughout the space. Run the system as usual and then check to be sure all of the cans are collecting water. In other words, you need to be sure the lawns are receiving the water you are offering all over.

You say you treated for cutworms. Did you dig up any of the spots and find any insect larva? You are looking for gross-looking, fat, chubby, white-grey, worm-like creatures. Trust me, they are horrid to look at.

If you don鈥檛 find any in any of the spots, then check that off the troubles list and go on.

My next question is, is there a dog using the lawn as its potty? If so, that could be the major reason for the spots. 

So you鈥檝e checked on the water application, treated for soil-living lawn pests, and if there is no dog 鈥� next you might think to reseed. To do that, you'll need some topsoil and a stiff-tined hand rake along with your seed.

But wait! I truly believe it鈥檚 far too warm to start the seeding process just yet if the grass you are aiming to seed is fescue or bluegrass. If you are wanting to seed with Bermuda or any of the more native grasses, like blue gramma or buffalo grass, then now is the time for them.

I鈥檓 thinking your concern is more fescue/bluegrass, so I鈥檓 going to suggest you wait until we come out of this 90- to 100-degree weather. I believe you should wait until we鈥檙e in the mid-70 to the low 80s as daytime highs before doing the seeding.

For the time being, you could go ahead and prepare. In the spots, especially after investigating whether or not you have grubs, go ahead and gently but thoroughly remove all the dead grass in the spots.

If the soil level needs to be brought up to level, so to speak, you can nearly fill the spots with the topsoil. Use the hand rake to give the soil a bit of a rough-up so it鈥檒l want to stay in place better and then start watching the weather.

Once it cools enough, get out there and rough up the soil spots again. Dampen it and sprinkle your grass seed fairly liberally and then cover it with a light covering of the topsoil, making sure the seed is covered completely and not buried too deep.

You will then offer a gentle sprinkling to settle both the soil and the seed. You鈥檒l want to keep the spots dampened but not soggy. A watering in the morning, one late midday and again in the early evening could be adequate. A lot of how often you will need to water will depend on the wind.

If it gets really windy, you might need to water the spots more often. It鈥檚 kind of a crapshoot, and the weather will be in charge. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 suggesting you wait until the weather is a lot milder.

It鈥檚 just a matter of keeping the seed dampened and covered. If the fates are with you, you鈥檒l have filled spots in no time.  

Q: We purchased two semi-dwarf apricot trees three years ago. The first two seasons we got few, if any, fruit. We think late frosts got the blooms. Well, this year we got apricots out the kazoo. Now we鈥檙e seeing branches that are going to grow in the way and need to know when to prune the apricot trees. 鈥� H.H, Albuquerque 

A: Truly, I was amazed 鈥� absolutely amazed when I did a bit of research.

You know how I鈥檓 always harping about pruning blooming shrubs just after they bloom? Well, I鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 best if you prune apricot trees just after harvest. So for you, that鈥檚 now.

Evidently apricot trees prefer to seal the cuts while the sap is still flowing to get healthier closure. Amazing!

Get busy and tidy up your trees 鈥� not waiting for the dormant season 鈥� and keep them adequately watered. They should settle down perfectly this coming winter season.

Happy Diggin' In! 

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Diggin鈥� In, 近距离内射合集, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.