rain
01-27-2012 06:08 by Jeff Price
The rain yesterday 1/25/2012 will certainly help but we are still in drought. There will be new legislation & new rules . How many and how effective only time can tell. But for sure the lakes and aquifers will have more demands put on them as the areas population grows and there will be more years with heavy water restrictions.
New plantings should reflect that. Mostly just think more about drought survivability than before , that does not mean only cactus & yuccas , I saw a lot boxwoods & pittosporums struggle to stay healthy last summer in full sun or on the western side of houses . But they did fine in shade and on the northern side of the house, they tolerate shade well & their water requirements are far less than in the direct sun. You do not have to make major changes just always keep in mind we will have more summers with water restriction in the future when planting new things.
winter pruning
01-14-2012 20:13 by Jeff Price
As i drive around I see work that can be done in the yard now, most leave until spring. Pruning dead canes or limbs off perinials, treating for weeds in the grass, Pruning roses around mid February. raking leaves of course. But do not put down lawn fertilizer until mid March putting it down now will only promte weed growth , the turf will not grow until it gets warm enough. Tree pruning for most trees is a winter job , less chance of infection on open wounds from pruning. Get some of this out of the way now, and some of those nice spring days you have less to do in the yard.
planting in winter
01-07-2012 18:09 by Jeff Price
As long as it is not one of our few winter cold spells planting in winter is is not only possible it is better than planting in the summer. Most people plant in the spring but anything not established enough by June suffers in the brutal central Texas heat. In the winter trees & shrubs only need to be watered once a week to get a good start and are on their way to being established before the annual summer inferno. There are some things it is best not install in winter:
sod is better left to early spring , of course annuals would die first freeze (a few exceptions dianthus, sweet allysium, snap dragon, pansies) . You can plant perenials but of course they freeze to the ground next cold spell. Most perinals still will come up anyway in the spring just like they were planted the spring before, but it takes a little more plant knowledge to know which ones. So if you find it is a warn winter day take advantage of it.
Cold Weather
12-28-2011 20:52 by Jeff Price
Raining weeds
12-16-2011 18:30 by Jeff Price
WE are getting much needed rain this week 12/16/2011. It has not been enough to fill the lakes yet but it will do wonders for weed growth . The grass has thinned in many yards so weeds will have a better chance of germination .
If you start to handle the weeds in january rather than waiting until March like most people results will be better.