July: Drip Irrigation, Mulch and Prune.

Monthly Reminders by oscar on Wednesday, July 9, 2014

July Tips for your Yard 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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June: Pest Management, Fertilize and Planning.

Monthly Reminders by oscar on Tuesday, June 10, 2014

photo of Texas native, Turk's Cap Less than 3% of all insects are considered pests; the rest are either considered beneficial or harmless. Insects are an important part of our complex and interrelated environment, pollinating fruits and vegetables, providing food for birds, fish, and other wildlife, producing useful products like honey, silk, shellac and wax, helping decompose yard materials into soil-enriching humus, and feeding on other insects considered pests to man. A spray applied to destroy a “pest” may well be killing off beneficial insects. The best pest control is you! Set your hose to its strongest spray and use water to dislodge unwelcome visitors or hand pick off unwelcome visitors. Encourage beneficial inspects and birds in your yard by providing appropriate habitat. Protect bees – use pesticides as a last resort.

Integrates Pest Management (IPM) – uses four key approaches to control pests damage while fostering environmental awareness:

Proper plant selection (choose plants with genetic resistance to pests and disease).
Biological control (use one organism to control another).
Environmental and cultural controls (encourage conditions that are favorable for the plant and unfavorable for the pest).
Chemical control (the last resort).

Water planted areas deeply and infrequently. Water outdoor potted plants daily.

Mow every 5 – 7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn and raising the mower setting to reduce turf stress in summer heat. Water during the cool, early morning. Avoid weed killers now that temperatures are above 85 degrees.

Remove spent flower. Remove fruiting canes from blackberries after harvest and prune tips of new canes at 4′ to promote branching. Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs as needed. Do NOT prune oak trees at this time because the beetled that carries oak wilt is active and may be attracted to cuts that you make.

Fertilize with organic options such as rich compost, manure tea, or fish emulsion. Treat plants with yellowing leaves near the tips with an iron supplement. Feed roses and young fruit trees with a nitrogen fertilizer. Feed established annuals and perennials with a high nitrogen/lo phosphorus fertilizer such as 8-2-4.

Start planning and preparing fall garden beds.