Page 67 - Sun Rays_February 2016
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February tips for a beautiful
Water-wise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
Here in Central Texas, we are older multi-stemmed shrubs/trees by Winola is a Williamson County
just moving into late winter/ removing old stems at crown. Master Gardener, a member of
early spring. Be sure to have all the Sun City Garden Club and a
trimming tools sharpened and ready to Trim evergreens late winter, before new member of the Sun City Water Wise
go, because it is a real challenge to get growth. Subshrubs like salvia greggii, Task Force.
all needed trimming done before new zexmenia and skeleton-leaf goldeneye
growth. may or may not die back. Even if they Master Gardeners and other
do not freeze, they need to be cut back. experienced gardeners are available
Texas Forest Service recommends we I have tried cutting them back halfway to answer questions a half hour
do not trim oak trees susceptible to oak as well as cutting down to six or eight before Sun City Garden Club
wilt February through June. Because inches. Cutting back drastically, they meetings each month. The Garden
nitudulid (sap-feeding) beetles that take a long time to grow and start Club meets the second Wednesday
spread oak wilt are never 100% inactive, blooming, but look much neater. You of each month beginning with
you must always paint wounds on may choose to wait to trim in early the question/answer period at
oak trees immediately any size, spring so dead branches can give some 12:30 p.m.
any season, but especially during the protection if there is a hard freeze.
months of February through June. Sap Watch the weather and plant’s location save problems later!
is moving at this time, making beetles to determine. Just be sure you have • Plan to aerate and spread one-half
particularly active and wounds more mulched at least two inches, but that
susceptible to disease. the mulch is not touching the stem as to one-inch organics (fine compost)
this can cause disease. over your turf, then water in for
Let’s stop a moment to consider the better health and moisture retention.
rationale behind this gardening practice. The common saying is to trim roses on You can spread top dressing any
The terminal bud on a shoot produces a Valentine’s Day, but that is early. That time except during hot weather.
hormone inhibiting the development of was the saying when I lived halfway If you aerate, spread top dressing
lateral buds along the shoot. When we between Houston and Galveston, and immediately after.
remove that terminal bud, the lateral their spring arrived a month to six weeks • Do not fertilize until after second
buds near the cut become active and earlier than here! Watch the weather. mowing. If you spread top dressing,
grow. When pruning, cut back to a bud, You may want to trim in mid-February do not fertilize, as this would be too
making a slightly angled cut. A branch or wait until later in the month or even much nitrogen.
cut back to the main trunk or to a lateral into March. Remember that old roses
branch or bud will heal quicker. A stub do not want severe pruning, otherwise Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
left is not only ugly, but slower to heal they will “pout.” Service.
as well.
Wait to trim spring-blooming plants like Horticulture Questions:
Correct pruning is the selective removal viburnum and lorapetalum until April Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
of branches, not shearing where all the or May, after spring bloom.
ends of branches are removed. Unless Extension Office at
you desire a hedge, it is better to trim FEBRUARY GARDENING TIPS 512-943-3300
bushes for a natural shape. Before
starting, stand back and consider • If you have planted any shrubs or F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 SUNRAYS | 65
the natural form of the plant - try to trees within last year, check to be sure
maintain this. A good pruning job should tags/tape have been removed, not left
not be conspicuous. to eventually strangle the plant.
If you have not already trimmed vitex, TURF
crape myrtles and other shrubs or
trees that have summer bloom on this • Apply pre-emergent before February
year’s growth, do so now. Rejuvenate 15.
• Digging weeds now while they are
easier to see with grass dormant will
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
