June is an ideal time to check our gardens for signs of pests and to find out if fertilizing is needed. The American Beauty Garden Center, in Charlotte, offers a vast selection of natural solutions for pest control and fertilizing along with a knowledgeable staff to advise on these and other maintenance needs, so that one’s hard work in planting a garden will lead to a bountiful growing season.

Some common garden pests in the Charlotte area are aphids (oval shaped on underside of leaves), thrips (small, yellow-orange), flea beetles (dark, shiny, oval-shaped), spider mites (small moving dots) and whiteflies (tiny white with wings). Ways to naturally deal with them include introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings as well as planting flowers/herbs that attract ladybugs/lacewings, using Neem Oil, insecticidal soap, a blend of garlic, hot peppers, water and dish soap in a spray and Diatomaceous Earth.

“It's easy to remember to fertilize early on when you’re planting your garden, but you may need to fertilize several times during the growing season, too,” says Alan Corder, owner of ABGC. “Vegetables are heavy feeders and do tend to need more than one fertilizer application. Visual signs to help identify the need to fertilize are yellowing or deformed leaves, stunted growth or a lack of blooms or fruit. Compost is a great natural fertilizer option, too.”

Location: 4400 E. Independence Blvd., in Charlotte. For more information, call 704-334-8651 or visit ABGardenCenter.com. 

American Beauty Garden Center - 4400 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, NC

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