November: Winterize your lawn and plants to protect from disease.
Monthly Reminders by oscar on Friday, November 7, 2014
Here are a few things to keep in mind for this month.
WINTERIZING
Although your lawn’s root system will continue to develop during winter, most grasses become dormant and appear brown or at least less green. As the temperature becomes cooler and cooler it is important to continue to provide the root system with additional food to boost its development. Fertilizing with a good winterizer will give you the best chances of developing next year’s beautiful lawn. Ask us for recommendations on the best winterizer brands for your particular needs. Top dressing, for us is the best way to winterize your lawn and flower beds is the best way to protect your plants/grass from disease.
COLD SNAPS
Special considerations for those times when the mercury takes a nose dive. Now is the time to cut back on your watering schedule though you still need to water during the winter. Your irrigation system can be reduced to 1 to 2 times per week, depending on how established your landscape is. Some irrigation systems have a ‘seasonal adjust’ feature on their irrigation controllers which will cut the watering time down on each zone. However, be sure to keep an eye out for water run off. Not only is water runoff wasteful, lower tempertures mean that the rate of evaporation is greatly reduced and this can lead to fungal problems.
VEGETABLE GARDENS
Gardening in Central Texas can be challenging and a labor of love. Because of the hot sun, drought-prone summers and soils that tend to be comprised of heavy clay which are low in nutrients and don’t drain well, a lot of care and creativity are required. Most often, soil amendments need to be made using manure and/or nitrogen. Another solution is to lighten the soil by tilling in some sand. The best thing is to have us come out and take a sample of the soil in order to analyze what your specific needs are.
Another solution is to consider using containers. When you use containers, you don’t have worry about modifying your topsoil. Cucumbers, eggplants, herbs, tomatoes and peppers all do very well in containers. We can gladly come by for a free consultation if you’re interested in getting your own vegetable gardens started. The sooner you start after the last frost, the better the chances are that your plants will be ready before the sun starts beating down in mid-July.
PESTS/DISEASES
Watch the roots of removed annuals for nematodes. Nematodes are a very diverse species. About 20,000 exist. Some are beneficial and helpful in controlling grubs, fleas, fungus, gnats and over 200 other pests that develop in soil. Other nematodes are on the complete opposite end of spectrum and are harmful to plants and attack the roots, stem or foliage tissues. Depending on the plant, the effects of these harmful nematodes warrant concern. The damage done can range from merely stunted plants to all out plant death. Control and management is required asap, so keep an eye out for knots on the roots of removed annuals. Call us for assistance. Fungi problems will appear very clear at this time of the year. If you see any spots in your lawn please let us know so we can assess for you.
MULCH
With the plethora of fall foliage on the ground, the best way to reduce, reuse and recycle is to consider using your own leaves for a customized mulch. It fairly easy to do and all you would require from us to ground up your leaves and add some fertilizer to it.
If you have any other needs, information or questions, please don’t hesitate to give Oscar a call. He’s always happy to be of service and drop by for a chat and a quick assessment.
Again, thank you for sticking with us! We appreciate you!
and the crew
TAGS: aerating, best time to plan trees, fungi treatments, mulch, top dressing, treat for webworms, winterize
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July: Drip Irrigation, Mulch and Prune.
Monthly Reminders by oscar on Wednesday, July 9, 2014
As the summer heat grows more intense and relentless, the two most important things that you can establish for the health and success of your yard is use drip irrigation and apply mulch to your planting beds.
One of the best techniques for applying water to home landscapes is drip irrigation. This is controlled, slow application of water to the soil via low-pressure water flow through plastic pipe or hose laid along each row of plants. The water drops out into the soil from tiny holes which are either formed in the hose wall or in fittings called emitters that are plugged in to the hose wall at proper pacing. Drip irrigation can be used for vegetables, ornamental and fruit trees, shrubs, vines, and container grown plants outdoors. It is not recommended for lawn watering.
Mulch is a layer of material covering the soil surface around plants. The benefits of mulching include moderating soil temperatures, thus promoting greater root development, conserving moisture by reducing evaporation of water vapor from the soil surface, preventing compaction by reducing soil crusting during natural rainfall o irrigation, reducing disease problems, keeping fruit clean while reducing rot disease by preventing soil-fruit contact, and reducing weed problems by 90 % or more. Research suggests that mulching does more to help newly planting trees and shrubs become established than any other factor except regular watering.
• Fertilize annuals, roses, and young fruit trees. Water well before and after application.
• Water planted areas deeply and infrequently. Water outdoor potted plants daily. Consider landscaping with drought tolerant native plants.
• Mow every 5 – 7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn and raising the mower setting to reduce turf stress in summer heat. Raising the mower in shady areas will also help promote denser turf. Avoid weed killers now that temperatures are above 85 degrees.
• Mulch all bare soil.
• Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs as needed.
• Watch for any diseases or pests in your yard. Practice Integrated Pest Management skills. Remove any diseased leaves from plants or beds and dispose of them; do NOT add them to the compost pile.
• Start planning and preparing fall garden beds.
and the crew Tips
Source: Garden Guide for Austin and Vicinity – Travis County Master Gardeners Association.
TAGS: drip irrigation, mulch, prune, summer heat
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May Tips: Transplant and Fertilize.
Monthly Reminders by oscar on Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Container grown plants can be transplanted in the ground now.
Fertilize all spring-blooming shrubs after they have bloomed.
Mow every 5 – 7 days and leave the grass clippings on the lawn so that they will break down and add valuable nutrients to your soil. Apply 1/2″ to 1″ of water every 5 days to deeply wet the soil and develop a stronger, healthier turf. Daily lawn sprinkling encourages shallow roots and can promote disease, so evaluate your turf watering habits. Watering turf less often for longer periods of time is better! Consider better suited turf varieties such as Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Habiturf, Bermuda grass, Buffalo grass, or Zoysia. Topdress your lawn and landscape with compost. Just half-inch over the lawn and a half-inch to one inch in flower beds and around shrubs and trees gives plants the nutrients, organic matter, and microorganisms they need and helps the soil to retain water better. Prune your spring-flowering plants, such as climbing roses, shrubs, and trees, after they’ve flowered. Prune any frost-damaged trees and shrubs as well. Remove sucker shoots from tomato plants to get the earliest and largest fruit possible. Mulch all bare soil areas. Using two to three inches of mulch will help with weed suppression, moisture retention, and cooler soil. In weedy areas, get control by pulling weeds first or use a natural weed killer. Check your plants for signs of pest* problems. If a pest is causing damage to your plant: 1. Identify the problem/pest correctly. 2. Choose the least toxic strategy. Watch for symptoms of disease*, especially during warm, wet weather. High humidity and damp soil can lead to diseases. Fungal and bacterial spores can be spread by splashing water. *If you are unable to identify pests or diseases on your own, collect a sample in a closed container and take it to your local nursery or the county extension office for proper identification. CONSIDER THIS (Source: Natural Gardener Website)
“The average daily temperature in Austin in May is 85°F, and we typically get about 4.5” of rain. Sound great, doesn’t it? If only we could have an “average year” every year! Collect rain water! Even in a dry year, we typically get at least a little rain in May, so why not save it for later in the summer? An average home uses over 50% of its water to maintain its landscape. A rain barrel can very quickly pay for itself – and plants love rainwater”
and the crew Tips Sources: Travis County Master Gardeners Association Garden Guide, 4th Edition Natural Gardener Website
TAGS: 2nd fertilization St. Augustine grass, apply turf builder, mulch, treat for fleas and mosquitoes
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(English) March: Conquering a weedy lawn.
Monthly Reminders by oscar on Thursday, March 6, 2014
Disculpa, pero esta entrada está disponible sólo en English.
TAGS: ants, fungi, irrigation, lawn, molds, mulch, weeds
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