Chemical Labels
Although there may not be many landscape chores in January, it’s the perfect time to get ready for the spring season. Keep reading for our helpful tips on getting your ‘toolbox’ ready, including tips regarding chemical labels.
Getting Tools Spring Ready
There is a good chance some of your landscape materials will need pruning or shaping in February. Here is a link to our gardening calendar for more details on gardening chores for each month. If you have any questions about what to prune when, call or email us before you cut. We want to help you avoid damaging the plant or losing blooms. For example, pruning azaleas this time of year would reduce their spring bloom.
Walk through your garage or shed and inspect your tools. Having the proper, well-maintained tool will make pruning chores easier. If you have a pair of Felco pruners that need sharpening, bring them in to us. We will sharpen them for you. If the blades are too far gone, we also have new blades available for purchase.
Tips for Chemicals
Many of us have garage or shed shelves filled with various insect, disease or weed control products. We suggest taking a picture of each one so you know what you have. That way, when you come into the garden center with an issue, we can see what you already have in your ‘toolbox’ and see if anything you have will work for your current issue. This will keep you from purchasing a product you don’t need.
Although chemicals don’t have an expiration date on them, they don’t last forever. For best effectiveness, try to use a chemical within two years of opening. The chemical will begin losing effectiveness after this amount of time. Write the open date on the container with a permanent marker to keep track of the products’ age.
Always read the label carefully, and follow all instructions. Don’t try to do your own experiment. These have already been done and the mixing ratios listed will give you the best results. Follow safety precautions and instructions.
Store chemicals in an area that stays above freezing. Freezing can also lessen effectiveness.