We all know how hard you’ve worked to have a beautiful landscape. Now how do you keep it thriving and surviving the summer heat? Check out our Top Tips for Summer Success.
Lawn Care
Fertilize early in the month, if not already done.
Apply a slow release fertilizer (Green Diamond 21-7-14, Gill Lawn & Garden 13-1-3) to your lawn and water in well, approximately 30 minutes per area. Organic: Milorganite, Medina Growin’ Green
Plant New Grass
Lay new sod or Bermuda seed anytime this month.
Fix Yellow Spots
Apply Hi-Yield Iron Plus to yellow spots in lawn. Organic: Texas Green Sand
Mow as required.
Keep St. Augustine cut to about 3”, Bermuda at 1” – 2”.
Watch for Chinch Bugs and Grub Worms.
Water well every 7 to 10 days.
Plant
All container grown trees, shrubs, vines.
It’s prime time to plant tropicals such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, ginger and palms.
Garden Guide: Water Wise Landscaping
Bougainvillea
Hibiscus
GingerLate spring and summer color:
Zinnias, periwinkles, purslane, moss rose, gomphrena, lantana, ruellia, penta, caladiums, coleus, angelonia and more.
Read: Easy Gardening with Garden Troughs
Garden Guide: Annuals for Spring and Summer
Zinnias
Moss Rose
Gomphrena
LantanaSeeds
Sunflowers, morning glory, zinnias, and gomphrena.
Caladium Bulbs
Caladium bulbs planted now will come up quickly for instant color.
Indoor Plants
Fertilize
Tomato & pepper plants
Fertilize tomato and pepper plants regularly. Use Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 or Miracle Gro for Tomatoes Organic: Rose Glo, Hasta Gro, Plant Tone Read: My Ugly Tomato PlantRoses
All roses with Rose Food or Bayer Rose & Flower Care Organic: Maestro Gro Rose GloTREES & SHRUBS
Fertilize all trees and shrubs with Gill Lawn and Garden Fertilizer, Green Diamond Supreme Lawn Food Organic: Milorganite, Medina Growin’ GreenAnnuals and perennials
Use Miracle Gro or Osmocote Time Release Granules Organic: Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro.Azaleas, gardenias, and magnolias
Use Espoma Azalea Food or Miracle Gro ACR for acid loving plants Organic: with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo or Medina Growin’ GreenHibiscus and tropical bloomers
Fertilize all tropical bloomers with Hibiscus Food Organic: Rose Glo or Hasta GroCitrus and Pecan trees
Use Pecan, Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer Organic: Espoma Citrus TonePrune
- – Faded blooms to encourage new blooms – especially important on perennials, tropicals, and crape myrtles
- – Shrubs to maintain good form
- – Palms, if needed
Watch Out For
Chinch Bugs
Caterpillars
Watch for caterpillars or their damage (chewed leaves). Use Cyonara. Organic: Thuricide, Spinosad Read: Texas Sage Eaten by Caterpillars?Fungus, Powdery Mildew
Use Broad Spectrum Fungicide, Systemic Fungicide Organic: Neem Oil, SerenadeGRUB WORMS
Treat with Bayer Complete, Spectracide Trazicide, Season Long Grub Control Organic: Nematodes Read: It's Grubworm Time Again!CHINCH BUGS
Watch for Chinch bugs in lawns. Use Cyonara RTS, Spectracide Triazicide liquid or granules Organic: Diatomaceous Earth, Spinosad Read: Check For Chinch Bugs If Your Lawn Looks Dry Even Though You Know It’s Not!MEALY BUGS
Use Spectracide Triazicide, Cyonara, or Bonide Systemic Organic: Neem Oil, or Insecticidal Soap Read: Mealy Bugs are HereSPIDER MITES
Use Spectracide Triazicide or Bonide Systemic Organic: Neem Oil, Spinosad Seaweed extract helps prevent them.FLEAS and TICKS
Treat lawns with Spectracide Triazicide, Cyonara Organic: Spinosad, Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect KillerBorers
Borers in mesquites, ash, and yucca. Organic: SpinosadWater
– When watering during periods of windy dry conditions, it’s important to water slowly and deeply. Be sure to watch the spray of sprinklers and adjust accordingly with the wind.
– Water all plants well after planting and regularly through the first year. Plants will begin to use more water as they grow and bloom. Outdoor potted plants dry out quickly as do hanging baskets and small annuals. Check new plants daily for water needs, many will need water every day.
– Mulch around trees and flowerbeds to conserve moisture.
– Make arrangements for someone to water if leaving for more than 2 days (especially new plants).
– Watch your perennials. Check soil moisture before watering. Many plants can die from over watering. Use a moisture meter when in doubt.