Bill Lamson-Scribner

Another dry spring. Do you have mites trying to come into your house for some water? I did a little shopping on the broken bag pallet at Possum's and have been putting out organics to bring my grass out of dormancy — Perk, SeaHume, Organic Dethatcher, 04-04-04, and dolomitic lime (based on soil test). I also used a broken bag of fungicide, insecticide and pre-emergent. The one thing that probably saves me the most time is something I put on my shrubs called Cutless Growth Regulator — no pruning or picking up after pruning!

We finally got some rain! Last week after the air show was cancelled, I went to plant some native pollinator attracting plant seeds that I picked up from the Native Plant Society at MUSC's Greenest Day celebration, and just below the mulch the ground was still bone dry! I love walking this time of year and getting to smell the wonderful magnolias. What a Lowcountry signature tree! Here is a quick list of questions about events in the yard.

I still hear that we are 6.5 to 8 inches in deficit for rain in the Lowcountry, depending on where you are located. Not good! Extreme Drought conditions! I'm seeing some trees that are weakened and being attacked by secondary invaders.

Depending on where you live in the Lowcountry, you might have had some rain. Others like me, still dry as a bone. The high tides have provided a place for mosquitoes to breed, and they are out — and hungry (Mosquito Pro)! Summer is here and that means the kids are out of school, maybe time to look at colleges and summer vacation. The talk of bed bugs is not in the news like it used to be, but if you saw our sales of bedbug control products at Possum's, you would be amazed. Whether you live South of Broad or in “affordable” housing, we have helped you with your bedbug situation. We have learned that is not necessarily the homeowner that brings in the bed bugs, but often it is a guest that is traveling from place to place. We all know people like to visit Charleston!

Depending on where you live in the Lowcountry, you might have had some rain. Others like me, still dry as a bone. The high tides have provided a place for mosquitoes to breed, and they are out — and hungry (Mosquito Pro)! Summer is here and that means the kids are out of school, maybe time to look at colleges and summer vacation. The talk of bed bugs is not in the news like it used to be, but if you saw our sales of bedbug control products at Possum’s, you would be amazed. Whether you live South of Broad or in “affordable” housing, we have helped you with your bedbug situation. We have learned that is not necessarily the homeowner that brings in the bed bugs, but often it is a guest that is traveling from place to place. We all know people like to visit Charleston!

The dry and windy spring kept the mosquitoes at bay, but after that little bit of heavy rain that flooded low areas and ditches, regular rains and high tides, they are out in full force. Last night I was talking to a neighbor while she was pushing her 18-month daughter around in a stroller, and the mosquitoes were attacking the young girl. The mother, with child again, had five mosquitoes on her immediately. We cut our conversation short and headed to our air-conditioned houses. B^ST#$%S!

The summer is going by at record speed (and record heat)! Football, volleyball, fall soccer and deer seasons have started. Soon we will be enjoying cooler weather. Soon your grass will not need mowing every 3 days. For now, we are fighting chinch bugs, mosquitoes, fire ants, lace bugs, mice, rats, fleas, roaches, flies (all kinds), biting/stinging insects, gray leaf spot and many other Lowcountry critters. Love the Possum and let them cross the road!

The summer is going by at record speed (and record heat)! Football, volleyball, fall soccer and deer seasons have started. Soon we will be enjoying cooler weather. Soon your grass will not need mowing every 3 days. For now, we are fighting chinch bugs, mosquitoes, fire ants, lace bugs, mice, rats, fleas, roaches, flies (all kinds), biting/stinging insects, gray leaf spot and many other Lowcountry critters. Love the Possum and let them cross the road!

For the new readers of the Horticulture Hotline, my to-do lists are designed to help you target a few activities in your yard and in your home that will benefit you in the future, giving you more free time. These lists are not designed to interfere with high school, college or professional football games, soccer, baseball, fishing, shrimping, hunting, golfing, eating chicken wings at a local sports bar, oyster roasts or watching NASCAR on the couch with closed eyes! This is not designed to be a “honey-do” list.

The summer is going by at record speed (and record heat)! Football, volleyball, fall soccer and deer seasons have started. Soon we will be enjoying cooler weather. Soon your grass will not need mowing every 3 days. For now, we are fighting chinch bugs, mosquitoes, fire ants, lace bugs, mice, rats, fleas, roaches, flies (all kinds), biting/stinging insects, gray leaf spot and many other Lowcountry critters. Love the Possum and let them cross the road!