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Lawn Care

Fertilize when the grass is actively growing

Treat organically with Medina Growin’ Green or Milorganite. Organic lawn food is best for long-term root and soil health.

Water in well (approximately 30 minutes per area).

Eliminate broadleaf weeds

Treat with Ortho Weed B Gon for Southern Lawns for broadleaf weeds, Image for grassy weeds and sticker burrs.

Water lawn 2 days prior to application.

If you treat for weeds, wait 3 weeks before you fertilize.

Read: Time to Fertilize and Get Rid of the Weeds!

Lay new sod

Lay new sod or plant Bermuda seed anytime this month.

Read: St. Augustine Turf Grass: Varieties We Sell and Their Characteristics

Watch: How to Repair Dead Patches in Your Lawn
Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

Water

Only water every 7 to 14 days if we don’t get rain.
Water deeply (1”per area.)
It’s best to water in the morning. This helps to reduce problems with fungus.

Set your sprinkler:

For best lawn health in clay soil, sprinklers should be run for short times but repeated several times in the same morning, so water can soak in before more water is added. Water deep to train roots to go deep.

Read: If You Have a Lawn Irrigation System

What To Plant

Late spring/summer blooming annuals and perennials:

For sunny areas:
Zinnias, periwinkles, moss rose, purslane, lantana, blue daze, false heather, salvia, ice plant, gomphrena, ruellia, coreopsis, and pentas.

Read: Create Your Own Butterfly Garden

For shady areas:
Shrimp plant, ageratum, agapanthus, caladiums, coleus, begonia

Vegetables

Seeds:
Okra, beans, black eyed peas, watermelon, ornamental gourds, cantaloupe

Transplants:
Peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, okra

Indoor Plants

Pro Tips for Houseplants

If your houseplant looks unhappy, think location first. It may need to be moved to a different spot with different lighting.
Keep them away from the AC vents (they like humidity and the AC dries them out)
General rule for watering; water well then re-water once the soil feels dry to the touch
Spring is time to start fertilizing your houseplants. Your plants will love organic Hasta Gro
If they are getting too big for their pots, bump up to a slightly larger pot. Watch video

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air, Pro Planting Tip: Not Too Deep

Fertilize

Established citrus trees

(3 years or older)

Fertilize organically with Citrus Tone, Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro, Plant Tone, or conventionally with Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0.

Azaleas, gardenias, and magnolias

Fertilize organically with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo, or Espoma Azalea Tone.

Annuals and perennials

Fertilize organically with Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro, Maestro Rose Glo, PlantTone, or conventionally with Hibiscus Food.

Established roses

Treat organically with Maestro Rose Glo, PlantTone, or conventionally with Hibiscus Food

Trees and shrubs

Fertilize trees organically with Medina Growin’ Green or Milorganite. Feed shrubs organically with Medina Growin’ Green, Plant Tone, or Liquid Hasta Gro.

Warm weather vegetables

Fertilize organically with Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro, Maestro Rose Glo, or Plant Tone.

Prune

Early spring bloomers:

Early spring bloomers: Including azaleas, indian hawthorn and caroline jessamine – wait to prune until AFTER they bloom

Hedges:

Trim hedges as needed to maintain good form.

Poinsettias:

Prune to approximately 12” tall.

Watch Out For

Watch out for pest outbreaks on everything from vegetables to trees. They should be out in full force and hungry. Watch for powdery mildew and blackspot on roses.

Read: With The Spring Flush Comes Insects

Caterpillars:

Treat organically with Spinosad or Thuricide, or conventionally with Cyonara.

Read: Caterpillar Alert!
Read: Are Your Bougainvilleas Being Chewed?

Scale:

Treat organically with Neem Oil Spray or Spinosad Soap, or conventionally with Cyonara.
Read: Does Your Hackberry Have Wooly Aphids?

Beetles, Aphids:

Treat organically with Spinosad Soap or Diatomaceous Earth, or conventionally with Cyonara.

Fungus, Powdery Mildew:

Treat organically with Neem Oil or Revitalize Fungicide 5, or conventionally with Fertilome Broad Spectrum Fungicide, Systemic Fungicide

White Fly:

Treat organically with Insecticidal Soap, Neem Oil or conventionally with Cyonara.

Mulch

Apply mulch around trees, flowerbeds and vegetable gardens to reduce weeds and help retain moisture.

We recommend: Cypress, hardwood, black velvet, and pine straw mulch. These reduce weeds well and will not float away.

Lawn Care

Apply Medina Growin’ Green or Milorganite to your lawn. Water in well approximately 30 minutes per area to begin working. These feed the soil and your lawn.

Prevent broadleaf weeds

Use Hi-Yield Crabgrass & Weed Preventer

Plant new grass

Lay new sod or Bermuda seed anytime this month – plan to make time for watering!

Follow city watering guidelines

Continue watering established lawns if we don’t have rain.

Visit: City Watering Guidelines

Fix yellow spots

Apply Nature’s Blend Compost to yellow spots in lawn.

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

Plant

Sunny areas:

Zinnias, Periwinkles, Moss Rose, Purslane, Lantana, Blue Daze, False Heather, Salvia, Ice Plant, Gomphrena, Ruellia, Coreopsis, Pentas

Shady areas:

Caladiums, Coleus, Begonias, Ageratum, Shrimp Plant, Torenia, Agapanthus, Snowbush

Seeds:

Morning Glory, Moonflower, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Gomphrena

All container grown hardy and tropical trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, groundcover, and citrus trees

Read: Fruit Trees and Citrus in Your Own Backyard

Indoor Plants

Warm temps allow you to take your indoor plants outdoors for some fresh air. Just be sure to keep them protected from the sun. Shady patios are perfect for a short stay. Wash off the dust and bring them back in nice and clean.

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air, Pro Planting Tip: Not Too Deep

Pro Tips for Houseplants

If your houseplant looks unhappy, think location first. It may need to be moved to a different spot with different lighting.
Keep them away from the AC vents (they like humidity and the AC dries them out)
General rule for watering; water well then re-water once the soil feels dry to the touch
Spring is time to start fertilizing your houseplants. Your plants will love organic Hasta Gro
If they are getting too big for their pots, bump up to a slightly larger pot.

Fertilize

All granular fertilizer should be watered in well.

Tomato & Pepper Plants

Fertilize regularly with organic Rose Glo or Hasta Gro, Plant Tone, or Medina Growin' Green, or conventionally with High Yield 21-0-0 (ammonium sulfate).

Annuals & Perennials

Use organic Medina Growin' Green, Rose Glo or Plant Tone, or Hasta Gro.

Azaleas, Magnolias, Gardenias

Fertilize organically with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo, or Espoma Azalea Food.

Roses

Fertilize organically with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo.

Hibiscus & Tropical Bloomers

Use organic Maestro Gro-Rose Glo, or conventional Hibiscus Food.

Trees & Shrubs

Fertilize organically with Milorganite, Medina Growin' Green.

Prune

All early spring bloomers if not already done, such as Azaleas, Indian Hawthorn and Carolina Jessamine.
Trim hedges as needed to maintain good form.
Poinsettias to approximately 12” tall.

Watch Out For

Fungus, Powdery Mildew

Treat organically with Neem Oil. Use Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide on ornamentals.

Grub Worms

Use organic Spinosad Soap, or conventional Season Long Grub Control.

Spider Mites

Treat organically with Spinosad Soap or conventionally with Cyonara, Bonide Systemic.

Lace Bugs on Lantana

Use Cyonara.

Read: Lacebugs on Lantana

Chinch Bugs

Use organic Diatomaceous Earth, or Spinosad, or conventional Cyonara.

Read: Check For Chinch Bugs If Your Lawn Looks Dry Even Though You Know It’s Not!

Mealy Bugs

Treat organically with Neem Oil, or Insecticidal Soap, or conventionally with Bonide Systemic.

Read: Mealy Bugs are Here

Fleas & Ticks

Treat organically with Spinosad, Diatomaceous Earth, or conventionally with Cyonara.

Read: Got Fleas?

Water

When watering during periods of windy dry conditions, it’s important to water slow and deep. Be sure to watch the spray of your sprinkler 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.

Mulch

Apply mulch around trees, flowerbeds and vegetable gardens to reduce weeds and help retain moisture. We like cypress, hardwood and pinestraw mulch. These reduce weeds well and will not float away.

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.

Comfort for Summer: Shade Cloth

Lawn Care

Fertilize early in the month, if not already done

Fertilize organically with Milorganite or Medina Growin’ Green to your lawn and water in well, approximately 30 minutes per area.

Plant New Grass

Lay new sod or Bermuda seed anytime this month.

Fix Yellow Spots in Your Lawn

Treat organically with Nature’s Blend, or conventionally with Hi-Yield Iron Plus.

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.

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

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

Late 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

Seeds

Sunflowers, Morning Glory, Zinnias, and Gomphrena.

Caladium Bulbs

Caladium bulbs planted now will come up quickly for instant color.

Indoor Plants

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air

Fertilize

TOMATO & PEPPER PLANTS

Fertilize tomato and pepper plants regularly. Use organic Rose Glo,
Hasta Gro, Plant Tone, or Medina Growin Green.

Read: My Ugly Tomato Plant

ROSES

All roses with organic Maestro Gro Rose Glo

TREES & SHRUBS

Fertilize all trees and shrubs with organic Milorganite or Medina Growin’ Green.

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS

Use organic Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro, or conventional Osmocote Time Release Granules

AZALEAS, GARDENIAS, AND MAGNOLIAS

Use organic Maestro Gro-Rose Glo or Medina Growin’ Green, or conventional Espoma Azalea Food.

HIBISCUS AND TROPICAL BLOOMERS

Fertilize all tropical bloomers with organic Rose Glo or Hasta Gro, or conventional Hibiscus Food

CITRUS AND PECAN TREES

Use organic Espoma Citrus Tone, or conventional Pecan, Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer

Read: How do I keep My Plants Looking Healthy Through Our Summers? Read: Organic Fertilizers 101

Prune

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

CATERPILLARS

Watch for caterpillars or their damage (chewed leaves). Use organic Thuricide, Spinosad, or conventional Cyonara.

Read: Texas Sage Eaten by Caterpillars?

FUNGUS, POWDERY MILDEW

Use organic Neem Oil, or conventional Systemic Fungicide

GRUB WORMS

Treat conventionally with Bonide Insect and Grub Control

Read: It's Grubworm Time Again!

CHINCH BUGS

Watch for Chinch bugs in lawns. Treat organically with Diatomaceous Earth, Spinosad, or conventionally with Cyonara RTS

Read: Check For Chinch Bugs If Your Lawn Looks Dry Even Though You Know It’s Not!

MEALY BUGS

Use organic Neem Oil, Bee Safe 3 in 1 Spray or Insecticidal Soap, Spinosad Soap, or conventional Cyonara, or Bonide Systemic

Read: Mealy Bugs are Here

SPIDER MITES

Treat organically with Neem Oil, Bee Safe 3 in 1 Spray or Spinosad Soap. Seaweed extract helps prevent them. Or, treat conventionally with Cyonara

FLEAS AND TICKS

Treat lawns with organic Spinosad, Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, or conventional Cyonara.

BORERS

Borers in mesquites, ash, and yucca. Treat organically with Spinosad, or conventionally with Tree and Shrub Drench.

Water

– 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.

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

Lawn Care

FERTILIZE

Organic fertilizers such as Milorganite and Medina Growin Green are excellent fertilizers that feed plants and soil and are the best choice during hot, dry periods.

LAY NEW SOD

Lay new sod anytime, and Bermuda seed anytime this month.

FIX YELLOW SPOTS

Apply organic Nature’s Blend, or conventional Hi Yield Iron Plus to yellow spots in lawn.

MOW

Mow as required. Keep St. Augustine cut to about 3”, Bermuda at 1”– 2”.

WATER

Water well every 7 days.

Read: Summer is Here, Time to Resume Watering

WATCH OUT FOR PESTS

Watch for Chinch Bugs and Grub Worms.

Read: Check for Chinch Bugs if Your Lawn Looks Dry Even Though You Know It’s Not!

Plant

All container grown trees, shrubs, and vines

It’s prime time to plant tropicals such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, ginger and palms.

Late spring and summer color

Zinnias, periwinkles, purslane, moss rose, gomphrena, lantana, ruellia, penta, caladiums, coleus, and more

Seeds

Sunflowers, morning glory, zinnias, and gomphrena.

Pepper and Tomato Seeds

Start seeds of peppers and tomatoes in containers to transplant in the garden in August.

Indoor Plants

Add plants to your indoor spaces to create a fresh air relaxing atmosphere.

Feed your houseplants to keep them healthy and looking their best. Hasta Gro works wonders. So does Plant Tone. And Worm Castings provide an amazing boost for houseplants too!

Houseplants that are happy & healthy will produce baby plants that are easily removed and transplanted to another container. A great way to increase your collection and share with your friends.

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air

Read: Indoor Gardening: EZ as a ZZ!

Fertilize

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS

Organic: Medina Growin Green, Hasta Gro or Plant Tone

Conventional: Miracle Gro or Osmocote Time Release Granules

HIBISCUS AND TROPICAL BLOOMERS

Organic: Maestro Gro-Rose Glo

Conventional: Hibiscus Food

TREES AND SHRUBS

Organic: Milorganite, or Medina Growin Green

All granular fertilizer should be watered in well.

Read: A Few More Summer Tips

Prune

Dead wood from trees and shrubs

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

CATERPILLARS

Watch for caterpillars or their damage (chewed leaves).

Organic: Thuricide, Spinosad

Conventional: Cyonara

FUNGUS, POWDERY MILDEW

Organic: Neem Oil, BeeSafe 3-in-1

Conventional: Broad Spectrum Fungicide, Fertilome Systemic

WHITEFLIES

Organic: Spinosad Soap, Bee Safe 3-in-1

Conventional: Cyonara

CHINCH BUGS IN LAWNS

Organic: Diatomaceous Earth, Spinosad

Conventional: Cyonara

MEALY BUGS

Organic: Neem Oil, Insecticidal Soap, BeeSafe 3-in-1

Conventional: Cyonara, Bonide Systemic

Read: Mealy Bugs are Here

SPIDER MITES

Organic: Neem Oil, Spinosad Soap, BeeSafe 3-in-1

Conventional: Bonide Systemic, Cyonara

FLEAS AND TICKS

Organic: Spinosad, Diatomaceous Earth

Conventional: Cyonara

BORERS

Watch for Borers in mesquites, ash, and yucca.

Organic: Spinosad

Conventional: Fertilome Tree & Shrub Drench

Water-wise Gardening

MULCH

Mulch all landscape areas with at least 2-4 inches of shredded mulch.

ADJUST MOWING

Cut your grass higher so it will not dry out as quickly.

TRIMMING & CLEANUP

Trim overgrown plants with excessive foliage so they use less water.
Remove old or unsightly plants you plan to get rid of anyway.
Repot root bound patio plants.

ADJUST IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Use your irrigation system or sprinklers once a week. You can water anytime before 10:00am or after 6:00pm. Use the Cycle Soak Method found on our website. Be sure not to let water run off onto the streets and sidewalks.

FERTILIZE

Top dress lawns with Nature Blend.
Use organic fertilizers to keep plants healthy.

WATER

Install drip irrigation around your foundation and plants for slow soaking and less water waste.

You can water anytime with a hand held hose, soaker hose or drip irrigation hose provided it is equipped with a positive shut off nozzle.

Read: Comfort for Summer: Shade Cloth

Read: Two Sprinklers, One Faucet

Prepare Your Garden Spaces for Fall Planting

Clean areas of unwanted weeds and debris.
Break up the soil and add organic matter like Cotton Burr Compost, and turn or till it in.
Mix in dried molasses and organic fertilizer like Medina Growin’ Green.
Water and let it rest until you are ready to plant.
Keep it watered to encourage beneficial microbes in the soil.

Read: Organic Gardening

Read: Comfort for Summer: Shade Cloth

Watch: A Great Trick to Green Up Your Lawn & Garden!

Read: Fall’s Around the Corner – it’s Garden Time!

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

What To Plant

Late Summer Vegetable Transplants

Plant tomato, eggplant, and pepper transplants after August 10th. Be sure to keep watered well and evenly shaded from the hot afternoon sun.

Read: Homegrown Tastes Best
Garden Guide: Fall Tomatoes

Fall Vegetable Seeds

Seeds of beans, cabbage, peas, winter squash, and turnips. Start in pots and then transplant to garden. Protect from intense heat and sun.

Pumpkin Seeds

If you want pumpkins by Halloween, plant your seeds by August 10th.

Bluebonnet Seeds

Sow bluebonnet seeds now for spring bloom.

Tropicals

All tropicals including allamandas, mandevillas, palms, pentas, blue daze, hamelia, hibiscus, esperanza, and plumbago will continue growing and blooming.

Summer Annuals

Annuals such as zinnias, moss rose, gomphrena, purslane, periwinkles, caladium and coleus will continue to flourish.

“House” Plants

Don’t forget that “house plants” are generally tropical in nature and love a nice shady or semi shady patio to put on the best show. Ficus, schefflera, corn plants, dracaenas, ivies, ponytail palms, and bromeliads all like heat and humidity.

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air

All container grown trees, shrubs, and vines.

Garden Guide: Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcovers
Read: Crape Myrtle Season

Prune

Continue removing faded flowers from annuals and perennials to encourage new blooms.

Faded blooms and seed pods from crape myrtle to promote additional blooming
Dead wood from trees and shrubs
Trim plants as needed to maintain size and shape.
Palms as needed
Poinsettias early in month – last pruning for December color

Water

Check all newly planted material for water every day.
Check pots, containers and hanging baskets often, as they dry out quickly and need more water.
Apply mulch as needed to help conserve moisture.
Make arrangements for someone to water if leaving for more than 2 days, especially with new plants.
Follow City Water Restriction Guidelines.

Fertilize

All trees and shrubs

Fertilize organically with Milorganite, Medina Growin Green, or Plant Tone.

Annuals and perennials

Fertilize organically with Medina Growin Green, or Hasta Gro, or conventionally with Osmocote Time Release Granules.

All hibiscus and tropical bloomers

Fertilize organically with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo, or conventionally with Hibiscus Food.

All granular fertilizer should be watered in well

Lawn Care

Organic fertilizers such as Milorganite, and Medina Growin Green are excellent fertilizers that feed plants and soil and are the best choice during hot, dry periods.
Lay new sod anytime, and Bermuda seed anytime this month.
Apply organic Nature’s Blend, or conventional Hi Yield Iron Plus to yellow spots in lawn.
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.

Read: Use the Cycle Soak Method
Garden Guide: Lawn Care

Watch Out For

Mealy bugs

Treat organically with Neem Oil, Spinosad Soap, or Bee Safe 3-in-1 or conventionally with Cyonara or Bonide Systemic.

Read: Mealy Bugs are Here!

Chinch bugs in lawns

Treat organically with Spinosad or Diatomaceous Earth, or conventionally with Cyonara.

Spider mites

Treat organically with Neem Oil, Spinosad Soap, or Bee Safe 3-in-1 or conventionally with Cyonara or Bonide Systemic.

Note: Spraying your plants with seaweed extract helps repel spider mites, and it’s good for your plants too!

Fleas and ticks

Treat lawns organically with Spinosad, or Diatomaceous Earth, or conventionally with Cyonara.

Borers in mesquites, ash, and yucca

Treat organically with Spinosad.

Fungus, Powdery Mildew

Treat organically with Fungicide 5, Neem Oil, or Bee Safe 3 in 1, or with Fertilome Broad Spectrum Fungicide, or Systemic Fungicide.

Unwanted caterpillars – remember that many caterpillars turn into the butterflies that we love and enjoy!

If necessary, treat organically with Thuricide or Spinosad.

Read: Darn Those Summer Bugs!

Plant

September is vegetable and seed month.

There are numerous selections of vegetables to be started in the garden or in containers. Come in and pick up our fall vegetable guide.

Tomatoes & Peppers

Tomatoes and peppers can be planted through the middle of the month.

Planting Guide: Our Tomato Varieties
Read: New! Grape Tomato ‘Ruby Crush’
Read: Fall Tomatoes

Herbs

A large selection of herbs will be ready to add spice to your garden.
Garden Guide: Herbs

Bluebonnets & Other Wildflowers, Nasturtiums & Fall Marigolds

Plant by seed or transplants.

Read: Fall is Wildflower Time!, Benefits of Marigolds in Your Veggie Garden, Nasturtiums – Super Pretty & Easy (Yummy Too!)

Don’t plant pansies or snapdragons until temperatures have cooled down!

There is still time to add quick summer color such as zinnias, coleus, purslane, moss rose and periwinkles.
Read: Success with Fall Flowers, Best Tips of Planting Trees This Fall, Organic Gardening, Fuel For Your Hungry Hummers

Fertilize

Tropicals

We recommend organic Maestro Rose Glo, or conventional Hibiscus Food

Vegetables

We recommend organic Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro, Maestro Rose Glo or Plant Tone, or conventional Hi Yield Ammonium Sulphate.

Roses

We recommend organic Maestro Rose Glo.

Poinsettias

We recommend organic Maestro Rose Glo or Hasta Gro.

Blooming Annuals and Perennials

We recommend Organic: Medina Growin Green, Hasta Gro or Maestro Rose Glo, or conventional Hibiscus Food.

All plants that are especially stressed, or recently transplated

We recommend organic Hasta Gro Organic Fertilizer or Super Thrive

Christmas Cactus

We recommend organic Hasta Gro.

Read: How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom!
Read: It's Time to Fertilize For Fall!

Prune

Continue removing faded flowers from annuals and perennials to encourage new blooms.
Faded blooms and seedpods from crape myrtles to promote additional blooming.
Rule of thumb for fall pruning is no more than 1/3. Wait until January for heavy cutbacks.

Read: Sharp Tools for Fall Pruning!

Lawns

Apply organic Nature's Blend or Peat Moss for lawns, or conventional F-Stop granules as a preventative to brown patch fungus, which shows up as temperatures drop during fall and winter months.

Watch: Brown Patch Fungus

Apply organic Nature's Blend, Peat Moss or conventional Hi Yield Iron Plus to yellowing lawns.

Apply Nature’s Blend, Peat Moss, or Scotts Disease Ex to lawns prone to Take All Patch Fungus.

Continue to water deeply every 1 to 2 weeks if little rainfall.

Wait to apply fall fertilizer until October!

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

Water

Check all newly planted material for water every day.
Check pots, containers and hanging baskets often as they dry out quickly and need more water.
Apply mulch as needed to help conserve moisture.
Make arrangements for someone to water if leaving for more than 2 days, especially with new plants.
Follow City Guidelines.

Read: Summer Watering 101

Weed Control

Spray only growing weeds with Captain Jacks Deadweed Brew or Horticultural Vinegar. These products kill all vegetation; so protect plants from drift or over spray.

Apply organic Corn Gluten meal, or Weed and Grass Stopper with Dimension in the fall and spring to prevent seeds from sprouting. It will not control already growing weeds.

Weed B Gon or Image can be applied once we cool down into the 80’s temps. An organic option is Captain Jack’s Lawn Weed Brew.

Watch For

Masses of worms eating your oak tree.

Treat with organic Spinosad or Thuricide, or conventional Cyonara. Read: Oak Tree Caterpillars

White Flies on tropicals and perennials, especially lantana and hibiscus.

Treat with organic Insecticidal Soap, Neem Oil, Spinosad Soap, Bee Safe 3-in-1 Spray, or conventional Cyonara or a long acting drench like Fertilome Tree & Shrub

Watch: Yucky Whitefly

Fleas and Ticks

Treat lawns with organic Spinosad, or Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, or conventional Cyonara

Mealy Bugs

Treat with organic Bee Safe 3-in-1 Spray or Insecticidal Soap or Spinosad Soap, or conventional Cyonara, or Bonide Systemic Liquid or Granule

Read: Mealy Bugs are Here!

Caterpillars or their damage (chewed leaves).

Spray organically with Spinosad or Thuricide.

Read: Not All Caterpillars are Bad!

Mosquitoes

Use Mosquito Beater Liquid for quick kill or Mosquito Beater Granules to repel.

Read: Mosquito Solutions

Note: Please, Please, Please, don’t kill the bees!

They are one of the best sources we have to pollinate our fruits, vegetables, flowers, and shrubs.

Planting Season!

Fall is Our Best Planting Season!

Trees, shrubs, and perennials get a great bonus when planted in fall. South Texas enjoys relatively warm soil temperatures through fall and winter, and cooler air temperatures direct the new plant to grow roots all through this time. So, a plant put into the ground in fall will grow twice as fast the following spring as one planted in spring due to having developed twice the root system, and it will also suffer much less stress in its first South Texas summer. We are lucky that we can garden year round here, but fall is our best season for planting!

Plant

Vegetable Seeds

Beet, carrot, cilantro, collards, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, radish, Swiss chard, spinach, and turnip.

Read: Best Timing for Popular Fall Veggies, Keith’s Swiss Chard Success Story

Flower Seeds

Bluebonnets and other wildflowers, larkspur, sweet peas, nasturtiums.

Read: Fall is Wildflower Planting Time!

Vegetable Transplants

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, strawberries, parsley, cilantro, and other herbs.

Read: How to Keep Your Vegetable Garden Healthy This Fall, Get Your Greens! Sally’s Kale Smoothie Recipe

Flower Transplants

Alyssum, begonias, bluebonnet, calendula, chrysanthemum, dianthus (pinks) dusty miller, flowering cabbage and kale, geraniums, gerbera daisy, impatiens, lobelia, marigolds, pansies, petunias, phlox, salvia, snapdragons, stock, verbenas, and viola.

Read: Success with Fall Flowers, Marigolds & Mums!

Flower Bulbs

Begin refrigerating bulbs that require chilling such as paperwhites. Amaryllis can be planted now.

Read: Amaryllis & Paperwhites

All container grown trees and shrubs

Read: Burr Oak – an Awesome South Texas Tree
Read: Best Tips of Planting Trees This Fall

Indoor Plants

Check the window lighting for your indoor plants. The sun is moving with the change of the season and may bring more or less light indoors.
Heater vents can cause blemished foliage and dry plants out more quickly. Watch your placement of any new plants coming indoors.
With cold fronts coming, plan to move your house plants indoors, if you have moved any outside during warmer weather. Provide adequate lighting & adjust watering.
Let this be your last feeding for your outdoor tropical plants that are becoming houseplants for the winter. They need to rest.
Keep watch for any tagalong critters or insects & move them back outdoors. Treat if needed.

Fertilize

Read: Organic Gardening

Winterize Your Lawn

Winterize your lawn with organic Milorganite or Medina Growin’ Green.

Tropicals

We recommend: Organic Maestro Rose Glo, Hasta Gro, or conventional Hibiscus Food

Roses

Organic: Maestro Rose Glo

Poinsettias

Organic: with Maestro Rose Glo

Blooming Annuals and Perennials

Organic: Medina Growin Green, Hasta Gro or Maestro Rose Glo

Conventional: Hibiscus Food, or Osmocote 14-14-14 Time Release

Read: Success with Fall Flowers

Vegetables

Organic: Hasta Gro, Medina Growin Green, Maestro Rose Glo, or Plant Tone

Conventional: Hi Yield Ammonium Sulphate, or Osmocote 14-4-14 Time Release Granules

Christmas Cactus

Organic: Hasta Gro

Read: How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom!

All plants that are especially stressed, or recently transplanted

We recommend organic Hasta Gro.

Read: It’s Time to Fertilize for Fall!

Lawn Care

Apply conventional Fertilome F-Stop as a preventative to brown patch fungus, which shows up as temperatures drop during fall and winter months.

Apply organic Nature’s Blend or Peat Moss to lawns prone to Take All Patch Fungus, or conventional Scotts Disease X.

Read: Protect Your Lawn: Recent Take All Root Rot Sightings (TARR)

Continue to water deeply every 1 to 2 weeks if little rainfall.

Read: Top Five Tips for a Beautiful Fall Lawn, Fall and Winter Lawn Care

Watch Out For

Masses of worms eating your oak tree.

Treat with organic Spinosad or Thuricide or conventional Cyonara

Read: Oak Tree Caterpillars

Grub Worms in Lawns

Treat with Bayer 24 hour Grub Control Granules

White Flies on tropicals and perennials, especially lantana and hibiscus.

Treat with organic Spinosad Soap, Bee Safe 3-in-1, Neem Oil, or conventional Eight Garden Spray Tree & Shrub drench, or Bonide Systemic Garanules.

Chinch Bugs in Lawns

Treat with organic Diatomaceous Earth, Spinosad or conventional Cyonara

Mealy Bugs

Treat with organic Neem Oil, Spinosad Soap, or Bee Safe 3-in-1, or conventional Cyonara, or Bonide Systemic Liquid or Granule

Read: Mealy Bugs are Here!

Mosquitoes

Use Mosquito Beater Liquid for quick kill or Mosquito Beater Granules to repel

Read: Mosquito Solutions

Fleas and Ticks

Treat lawns with organic Spinosad, or Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer or conventional Cyonara

Powdery Mildew on Crape Myrtles & Roses

Use organic Neem Oil or conventional Fertilome Systemic Fungicide

Note: Please, Please, Please, don’t kill the bees!

They are one of the best sources we have to pollinate our fruits, vegetables, flowers, and shrubs.

Read: Best for Bees!

Water

Water your newly planted vegetables and bedding plants regularly, but take care not to overwater with cooler nighttime temperatures.

Cut back on watering your established plants and lawn as temperatures cool down, since they use less water. If you are unsure when to water, use a moisture meter to take out the guesswork.

Prune

Your hardy, woody ornamentals and tropicals only to shape, not severely.

Summer perennials.

Plant

Vegetable Seeds

Beets, carrot, garlic, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, radish, Swiss chard, spinach, turnips, herbs

Read: Best Timing for Popular Fall Veggies

Flower Seeds

Alyssum, bluebonnets, dianthus, delphinium, hollyhocks, larkspur, nasturtium, pansies, petunias, phlox, snapdragons, stock, sweet peas, and violas

Read: Success with Fall Flowers

Flower Transplants

All cool season annuals Alyssum, begonias, bluebonnets, calendulas, dianthus, flowering cabbage and kale, geraniums, lobelia, pansies, petunias, phlox, shasta daisy, snapdragons, stock, violas and dusty miller

Garden Guide: Annuals for Fall and Winter

Fall Bulbs

Fall bulbs like paper whites and amaryllis, will make a spectacular show this winter and spring, and now is the time to buy them. Paper whites need to be chilled for 4 to 6 weeks in your refrigerator then planted in pots or in the ground. They can make beautiful gifts for the holidays. Be sure to get a free instruction sheet on their planting and care.

Read: Amaryllis and Paperwhite Narcissus

Herbs

If you’re cooking for the holidays, you can still plant herbs for that “fresh from the garden” flavor. Even if you’re not cooking, they’re still fun to grow.

Read: Tips for Preserving Herbs

All container grown trees and shrubs.

Garden Guide: Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcovers

Read: Burr Oak – an Awesome South Texas Tree

Indoor Plants

Add foliage plants to your indoors for a fresh look and to help keep air clean.
Clean indoor plants by removing dust with a damp cloth.
Check where plants are set so that heater vents will not blow on foliage.
Stop fertilizing until February to let your indoor plants rest.

Read: Plants, the Perfect Rx for Clean Air

Fertilize

Lawns

Fertilize your lawn with organic Medina Growin’ Green or Milorganite

Read: Top Five Tips for Beautiful Fall Lawn, Protect Your Lawn: Recent Take All Root Rot Sightings (TARR)

Roses

We recommend: Organic Maestro Rose Glo

Blooming Annuals and Perennials

Use organic Medina Growin’ Green, Hasta Gro, Maestro Rose Glo, or Plant Tone

Vegetables

We recommend organic Hasta Gro, Maestro Rose Glo, or Plant Tone

Read: How to Keep Your Vegetable Garden Healthy This Fall

All plants that are especially stressed, or recently transplanted

We recommend organic Hasta Gro or Plant Tone

Water

Water your newly planted vegetables and bedding plants regularly, but take care not to overwater with cooler nighttime temperatures.
Cut back on watering your established plants and lawn as temperatures cool down, since they use less water. If you are unsure when to water, use a moisture meter to take out the guesswork.

Prune

Woody Ornamentals

Your hardy woody ornamentals to shape, not severely, so as not to encourage new tender growth.

Read: To Prune or Not to Prune?

Fall Bloomers

Your fall blooming plants, like asters and mums, that have finished their bloom. Remove spent blooms from annuals, like petunias, snapdragons and dianthus to encourage more bloom.

Read: How to Trim Your Mums for a Second Bloom

Watch Out For

Read: What's Bugging You Now?

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

Caterpillars

Caterpillars or their damage (chewed leaves). Spray with organic Thuricide, Dipel Dust, or Spinosad

Read: Oak Tree Caterpillars

Powdery Mildew on Crape Myrtles and Roses

Use organic Fungicide 5 or Neem Oil or conventional Fertilome Broad Spectrum or Fertilome Systemic Fungicide

Fleas and Ticks

Treat lawns with organic Spinosad, or conventional Cyonara

Mosquitoes

Use Mosquito Beater granules to repel and Mosquito Beater liquid to kill.

Note: Please, Please, don’t kill the bees!

They are one of the best sources we have to pollinate our fruits, vegetables, flowers and shrubs.

Read: Best for Bees