Mulch all bare areas because it keeps moisture in, weeds
down and moderates soil temperatures. We recommend a depth of 3 to 4 inches of
shredded hardwood mulch or cypress mulch. Keep mulch away from plant trunks to
prevent disease from constant moisture.
P R U N E
Prune dead and diseased plants. Deadhead (remove faded flowers) annuals and
perennials to promote flowering which also keeps plants compact by inducing
branching. Early this month you can finish spring flowering shrubs. Don’t
prune Camellias as their buds have already set. Prune hedges so the top is a
little wider than the bottom to allow for sun and compaction.
W E E D
Hand weed all beds and lawns. It’s better to pull them out manually, roots and
all, rather than relying on herbicides which weaken the turf making it
susceptible to diseases. The fewer chemicals you use, the healthier you and
your surroundings will be. Keeping your lawn fed, watered and mowed can also
help limit weeds.
M O W
Mow
dry grass as wet will tear and clog your mower. Wear sturdy shoes and eye
protection.
Mow once a week except for Buffalo which can be mowed as needed. Cutting more
than one-third height of lawn at any one time can lead to heat stress in sunny
areas while shady areas need only one-fourth cut off. St. Augustine, Zoysia
and Buffalos grass do best at 2 inches, common Bermuda at 1 1/2/ inch and
hybrid Bermuda at 1 inch tall. Check lawn mower blade as stringy, ragged grass
ends may indicate a dull blade that makes for an unattractive appearance
especially Zoysia grass. We recommend using a mulching lawnmower which lets
clippings fall back into the grass nourishing the soil so you don’t need to
fertilize as much. Check spark plugs too. If you don’t have the time or energy
to keep up large expanses of turf, you might consider installing perennials
beds, ground cover or walkways on parts of your lawn.
G R O U N D C O V E R S
Keep vinca and liriope and Asian jasmine regularly watered. Asian jasmine
may need to be trimmed. Depending on location, we use weed eaters and/or lawn
mowers.
T U R F P E S T S
The Travis County Extension Office http://insets.tamu.edu/extension/fulletins/L1766.html
has free information on pests and remedies such as grubs (c-shaped caterpillar
looking bugs) and chinch bugs (black and white tiny bugs) which cause dry
circular brown patches in sunny areas next to a drive, curb or other masonry
features. Remember only to treat infected areas because wide spread
application is a waste of time and money.
F E R T I L I Z E
Common and hybrid Bermuda need to be fertilized this month and then again
for the last time this year in Sept. Also warm season grasses such as St.
Augustine could be fertilized if you didn’t do it earlier, however, it may be
best to wait until September along with Zoysia and Buffalograss. Fertilizing
produces top growth at the
expense of roots which may be attacked by insects and diseases. Be sure to
follow directions as too much fertilizer can burn the turf and water after
feeding. Avoid fertilizing cool season grasses like Fescue this month – wait
until October.
I R R I G A T I O N
Inspect your system for leaks and heights so you’re getting the proper
coverage. You might want to install an adjustable water sensor so if it rains,
your system will not turn on needlessly. There are wireless sensors available
now.
F L O W E R S
Pinch back old growth on newly planted annual and perennials plants to
encourage side shoots. This will encourage branching with more flowers. Plants
are always more dramatic grouped by variety rather than mixing them.
Your new flowering plants can be fertilized with a slow release product that
will produce blooms even longer. Make sure to water well after feeding.
Fertilize blooming plants every 3 weeks during the prime season with soluble
fertilizer.
Container plants and hanging baskets need to be fertilized and watered
frequently. If they’re heat sensitive, move them to a cooler, shaded location
and remove their faded flowers.
Cut flowers decorate any space and you can make your own floral preservative
using ½ tablespoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of vinegar and ½ crushed aspirin in 12
ounces of water.
In mid- July, stop pinching your Chrysanthemums to make them bushier and more
flower filled. It’s also a good idea to fertilize them with a complete
fertilizer for their fall display.
Trim wisteria, spirea and other spring flowering shrubs and vines in July.
Cutting now will encourage buds for next spring.
Prune roses that only bloom in the spring. Remove dead or weak wood. Deadhead
roses and other plants that don’t naturally cast their blooms to keep them
attractive and reblooming. Water twice a week and use a soaker hose or a drip
irrigation system to avoid wetting the foliage because the water could cause
black spot, a fungal disease. Fertilize roses twice a month in July and August
with a complete fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Sprays of water from a
garden hose or insecticidal soap will discourage spider mites on roses.
Shear back Salvias after a bloom cycle to encourage branching and flowers.
Avoid fertilizing day lilies this summer. The best time to feed them is the
spring and fall.
The first part of July is the time to plant gladiolas successfully for the
year. Set in sunny, well drained spot planted deep so the stalks stay upright.
Plant seeds for fall flowers at the end of month such as Zinnias, Portulaca
and Petunias.
 See Summer Flower Ideas
T R E E S A N D S H R U B S
Trees planted within the last 12 to 18 months need special attention and
should be hand watered every 5 to 7 days unless it rains.
This is not a good time to plant trees because of the heat but if you must be
sure to water young trees once a week and protect them from lawn mowers and
edgers.
Don’t prune or trim off the lower branches of newly planted trees. Light
frequent fertilizing can help young trees but don’t fertilize first growing
season trees. It’s better to let young trees become established before you
remove any limbs. Keep ligustrum hedges in shape by clipping back lightly
which encourages branching making the plant fuller. Cut back your wisteria now
to 2 or 3 buds so it forms more buds between now and next spring’s show. Let
Texas Mountain Laurels dry out between watering to get the best growth and
flowering and avoids root rot.
I N S E C T S / D I S E A S E
Powdery mildew can be found on roses and crape myrtles due to high humidity or
not enough sun exposure. Look for less toxic products to control this such as
neem oil, sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate. Black, soot like fungus
on the leaves of your azaleas, gardenias, or hollies is probably a sign of
sooty mold which is secreted by certain aphids and whiteflies. Try using
insecticidal soaps to control these insects.
Watch for red spider mites on marigolds, junipers, verbena, roses and other
narrow leafed evergreens now and in August. These misnamed insects (not really
spiders) can be seen on leaf undersides and by the fine ‘webs’ on new growth.
A garden hose water blast or insecticidal soap will usually eliminate them.
Products to control pests are numerous so choose the lowest toxicity and the
right blend for your particular pest problem.
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12140 Pecan Street
