Peach tree and blueberry bush maintenance 101

Can I cut back my peach tree and blueberry bush now? I had no peaches this year. The gypsy moths ate all the flowers. —Jim, Salem, Conn.

It is a good time now, but it would be safer after the second frost.

Infestation by insects can be alleviated now by making by flush cut. Take entire branches to the next branch. Current theory proposed by arborist suggest that you leave an inch before the next branch. This can allow for rotting and possible infec- tion later on. You can make a clean flush cut now if you are careful with a sharp lopper or saw and use a tree sealer on the cuts.

I have mushrooms in my lawn for the first time. I also have grubs. How can I get rid of the mushrooms? —Richard, Wheeling, W.V.

Your mushrooms are indirectly caused by the grubs.

Decayed organic matter and an acidic soil will foster the growth of mushrooms. Your soil PH can be raised with lime. You can apply 200 pounds per 10,000 square feet of limestone in the fall, or the same amount of hydrated lime early next spring. Grubs are eating the roots of your grass and the dying material is creating a haven for the mushrooms. A grubicide applied in the spring and/or the fall, when the temps are 65 degrees will kill the insects. A long-term solution would include applying BT.

This bacteria needs two or three years to establish itself to kill the grubs. Bacillus thuringiensis colonizes the lawn. You will find holes in the lawn as a result of the dying grass. You can top dress with new seed. It would be wise to start the grubicide program this fall.

I recently top dressed with loam and seed. We now have a lot of horsetail weeds. How can I get rid of them? —Shirley, Taylorville, Ill. I would continue to cut the lawn at an inch high and top dress- ing with more annual rye seed to help choke out the weeds. Keeping the height at one inch will prevent the horsetail from going to seed. Be sure to cart away the cuttings. Equiesetum arvense is very persistent. Your last cut of the year should be two inches.

You may have to continue to top dress next spring, as well. Another method if to spray all the plants with a target spray, like Round-Up or Finale. Be careful not to use this indiscriminately, these sprays will kill all they touch. They do not change to gold.

I have about 20 acres with half grass and the rest wooded. Can I prune now and should I leave the grass tall? —Robert, Taylorville, Ill.

Grass should be cut to three inches at this time of year. Mold and critters can survive in the winter in tall grass.

Trees can be cut now or later in the winter. Sap will probably run now on pines and maples.

You can cover the cut with spray or paste tar to prevent infestation of insect larvae this time of year.

Mort White is a nationally-renown gardening expert who contributes a weekly column to The Call and The Times. For more columns, visit themagicgarden.com, or visit and tune into his radio broadcast from 8:06 to 10 a.m. on Saturdays. For the best solutions for your lawn, tree and shrub problems, call the experts at SeaScape, 800-294.5296 or visit seascapeinc.com.

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