Page 76 - August Sun Rays_Flipbook
P. 76
August tips for a beautiful
Water-wise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
If you hate the heat and just cannot Bugs avoid certain plants like salvia. Winola is a Williamson County
stand another month of summer, Master Gardener, a member of
remember what it was like to shovel bounce back when conditions improve. the Sun City Garden Club and a
snow up north! The cold season is also member of the Sun City Water Wise
much longer in winter climates, stretching – Cutting off dead blooms, called Task Force.
from around Labor Day until late April. So “deadheading,” prolongs the blooming
hold on just a while longer – cooler weather period, but stop trimming fall bloomers Master Gardeners and other
should arrive around mid-September. now. experienced gardeners are available
to answer questions a half hour
Continue checking that your irrigation – Be sure to mow with a sharp mower before Sun City Garden Club
system is working efficiently, and water blade for a clean cut. Turf heights can meetings each month. The Garden
deeply to a depth of the plant roots. With be a little higher in summer stress, so Club meets the second Wednesday
a moisture sensor or screwdriver, check blades can shade roots better. of each month beginning with the
moisture depth a few hours or the next day question and answer period at
after watering. Especially check that trees – Chemical fertilizers are not 12:30 p.m.
and bushes - your biggest investments - recommended during summer
are being watered deeply enough. Some months; leaving clippings on your can open the webbing with a stick or jet
of you may remember when Bob Whitney, lawn restores nutrients. of water to allow beneficial critters like
then county agent, speaking at one of our wasps to get in to eat the caterpillars.
town hall meetings, said watering a tree – How do you know if your lawn needs
at the trunk was like watering your foot: watering? According to Aggie turf – Toward the end of the month, you can
The water was not going where needed! experts, symptoms include grass plant iris rhizomes.
I always remember that with a chuckle leaves turning a dull, bluish color, leaf
when watering trees in summer. When blades rolling or folding and footprints – Look around the community for
planting trees, shape a basin to hold water persisting for an extended period of summer survivors you may want
with the rim just outside the feeder roots time after walking across the lawn. to add to your landscape. If you
at the dripline, the outside edge of foliage. are considering adding a rainwater
As the tree grows, extend that rim. The – Watch for pests and diseases. Catching system, look for information at
place where water is most helpful to issues early on allows for safer rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu. Be
the tree is near the dripline and a little controls, such as hard water blasts sure to also check Sun City Texas
beyond. If your trees have been recently and/or hand picking. The easiest Design Guidelines as well.
planted, be sure to remove any staking prevention of insect damage is to
ties or they will damage trees as they choose plants that bugs will not touch – Try to work early in the morning or
grow. such as catnip, columbine, rosemary, in shade. Remember to stay hydrated,
sedums, wormwoods, mahonias, and protect yourself with sunhat,
If the glare of summer heat has you cosmos and salvias. sunscreen and mosquito repellant.
planning to put in more trees this fall,
remember that we have an oak wilt – Watch for fall webworms in trees such Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
problem in this area. Choose a type as pecan, redbud and sweetgum. You Service.
other than an oak or choose an oak
wilt resistant variety such as lacey oak, Horticulture Questions:
Monterey oak, chinquapin or burr oak. Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
Choose a burr oak only if you have an
exceptionally large space. Extension Office at
AUGUST GARDENING TIPS 512-943-3300
– Give watering priority to trees and A U G U S T 2 0 1 6 SUNRAYS | 75
bushes over lawns in time of drought.
Healthy lawns can go dormant and
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
