Keep an eye on potatoes’ growth
: As a new resident of Las Vegas, I'm curious about the best time of year to fertilize my tall fescue.
A: I usually suggest fertilizing fescue lawns right about now if a late fall application of fertilizer was not applied. Use a complete fertilizer high in nitrogen. Organic fertilizers are best, but not necessary.
The best ratio to use is usually a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 fertilizer; 21-7-14 and 20-5-10 are examples of those two types of ratios. The ratio is more important than the numbers.
For fescue that is being fertilized on a regular basis I usually recommend fertilizing on Labor Day, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving.
Fescue is not a heavy fertilizer user, unlike some other turfgrasses, so frequent fertilizer application is not necessary. Half of the nitrogen in the fertilizer bag should be the slow release type. I also recommend not bagging the clippings but returning them to the lawn using a mulching mower.
Q: I live in Anthem in Henderson. When can we start pruning? I'm speaking specifically about lantana and a mimosa tree. We also have some ground cover that has some green and some dead spots, so it looks pretty ratty.
A: You can begin pruning anytime but it should be soon. You also should fertilize now. As soon as you finish fertilizing, give your plants an extra shot of water and stand back if the weather is warm.
Be sure to clean, sterilize, sharpen and adjust your pruning instruments before you use them.
Bob Morris is an associate professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Direct gardening questions to the master gardener hot line at 257-5555 or contact Morris by e-mail at morrisr@unce.unr.edu.
