The Annuals Are In

A plant bed of annuals,Impatience and Marigold.

With out the chance of a frost, all of the annuals are in the grown now. I like to do a general mix of Marigold,Impatience, Begonia,New Guinea Impatience, Petunias and Dusty Millers. Also as a accent plant or in big groups together we have been using Coleus. A very attractive plant with tremendous foliage. Annual plant beds need constant attention in terms of cultivation, dead heading and weeding. In a previous post we showed how to prepare for annuals, but the constant attention will show far true in the plants and in the colors that come forth through the whole season. Many this year have been a little critical of plant selection and the general expense of planting so many annuals in different locations. Yes I might agree that we can get more for the money over a long term by planting perennials instead of annuals. But when done right you simply can not replace the constant color and variety pedals,carnations and bloom. A perfect accent to summer I say. I see many people add just a coupe of items a year to their own home and it brightens up the whole yard or deck area. I like to call most of our plant beds seasonal, and the annuals is what is required in all of them right now. In the picture here you can see the yellow marigolds in the back round. And already it needs dead heading. Removing the one dead flower here will create 3 more in it's place and make for a more healthier plant.  As for plant selection, the art of flora display is just that Art. And knowing what works where. Make sure you read the cards in your plants before purchase to make sure you are getting what will thrive in your location.

Red Thread

Red Thread has been abundant in turf locations. It primarily attacks Fine fescue but can be seen in rye grass as well as Kentucky Blue Grass. Some people call it pink patch. Often times the disease will show up disguised as drought  conditions. And before you know it sprinklers are going out and just feeding the problem. Cool wet conditions that may have existed several days earlier causing the problem to begin with. The red part of the fungus usually shows up last and by then there is no sense of treating. Changing weather will hopefully cure and dry out the conditions. Also a half a shot of Nitrogen will help the grass grow out of the disease. If trying to maintain a strong stand of turf grass, try and not treat every disease. The turf will become stronger and more tolerable over time to the condition. Good cultural practices are also crucial, thatching and aeration are key in defense of all things fungal while also helping to keep weed production down.

If I"ll Have Another is to pull off the Triple Crown feat it will be incredible. Can the horse do it? At this time I would say no. But how special would that be. To win the Triple Crown is hard for a three year old horse given the schedule it has to endure to pull it off. Which makes it seem impossible over the last 34 years. So yes I would be a little surprised if he pulls it off. And with the recent history of possible Triple Crown history being made, both were failures that made me think was it even worth it. ( See Smarty Jones and Big Brown, ) So I will be looking at three horses who I think all have a legitimate chance to win the Belmont Stakes. First I still Like El Padrinio, a big horse who I think can go this distance well. Also Dullihan has a will to win and I see this horse as a competitor that could place. And finally Union Rags. 2 year old Champion. The cream rises to the top. This could be his race. But really the only perdition I truly hope I get right. This will be a great race, may-be on of the greatest of our lifetime.

Future posts include The Black Tupelo, Man's Best Friend, Local Politics and our First Restaurant Review.

                                            Good Luck,
                                         Your Certified Grounds Manager
                                               Eddie Pags.

P.S. Italian Lemon Ice from Albanos is more refreshing then any pool I've been in.