Spot treat existing weeds growing now with natural horticultural vinegar or Captain Jack's Deadweed Brew. Both will burn any foliage so take care to not spray your plants or lawn.
To prevent weeds, apply Hi Yield Grass and Weed Stopper or Weed Beater Complete to help control existing weeds and prevent new ones.
Apply Weed-B-Gon for Southern Lawns or Image to kill the existing weeds once our weather warms up to 70-80 degrees with no rain for about 5 days. They are safe for Floratam & Raleigh St. Augustine and Bermuda. Give them 2 weeks to fully work and then it should be time to fertilize the lawn.
Fertilize
Fertilize when the grass is actively growing. Apply organic Medina Growin Green or Milorganite to your lawn. Water in well (approximately 30 minutes per area). These organic fertilizers will feed your lawn and soil with minimal watering. Lay new sod anytime, bermuda seed anytime this month.
Most annuals and perennials can now be purchased as transplants this month. Here is a list of some of our favorites: (L-R) caladiums (plants and bulbs), larkspur, petunias, salvia, gerbera daisy, alyssum, false heather, celosia, lantana, coleus.
All hardy and tropical trees, shrubs, vines and grasses. I can’t think of one that can’t be planted now!
Bulbs & Caladiums
Late spring and summer bulbs such as caladiums, and elephant ears
Houseplants
March is a great time to clean, trim, and feed your houseplants. As the sun becomes stronger, plants may require more waterings. Check more often. Consider repotting in Spring. Over Winter, houseplant roots can outgrow their existing pots.
Fertilize
AZALEAS, GARDENIAS, MAGNOLIAS
Fertilize organically with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo or Espoma Azalea Tone.
HIBISCUS & TROPICAL BLOOMERS
Fertilize all hibiscus and tropical bloomers organically with Maestro Gro-Rose Glo, or conventionally with Hibiscus Food.
ALL TREES & SHRUBS
Fertilize organically with Milorganite,Medina Growin Green, Plant Tone, or Hasta Gro.
ANNUALS & PERENNIALS
Fertilize organically with Medina Growing Green,Hasta Gro, Maestro Rose Glo, or Plant Tone, or conventionally with Osmocote Time Release Granules.
ESTABLISHED ROSES
Fertilize organically with Maestro Rose Glo or Plant Tone.
All granular fertilizer should be watered in well.
Prune
All dead and freeze damaged wood from hardy and tropical trees, shrubs, vines and perennials
Wait to prune early spring bloomers like Azaleas, Carolina Jessamine, climbing roses, Texas Mountain Laurels, and Indian Hawthorn until after they finish their bloom.
Water
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.
Live oaks are following their natural pattern of dropping old leaves before the new leaves come on. Now it’s time to get those oak leaves off your lawn before it suffocates the grass. Under large oaks, since the grass is often thin and stressed anyway because of shade, using a blower is less stressful on the weak turf than a rake.
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.
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.
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.
Treat organically with Spinosad Soapor 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.
Hardwood Mulch
Cypress Mulch
Pine Straw Mulch
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.
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.
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.
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?
Sunflowers, Morning Glory, Zinnias, and Gomphrena.
Caladium Bulbs
Caladium bulbs planted now will come up quickly for instant color.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.