Garden Center Hours: Mon-Sat 9am - 5:30pm • Sun 10am - 5:30pm
Get Directions  2810 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi TX Contact Us ¡Hablamos Español!

Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.

Corpus Christi, TX Garden Center

(361) 992-9674
Contact Us
Subscribe
Join Our Team

veggie gardening

How is it almost June already?! It doesn’t feel like it! Mild temperatures and wonderful rainfall are making our transition into summer a breeze. Here are our top priorities in the garden this month, including what to plant, how to adjust watering, pests to watch out for, and how to keep plant roots cool and happy. Plus, we’re hosting lots of fun events throughout the month!

1. Water Low & Slow to Maintain Depth Moisture

Our goal this month is to maintain the depth moisture that recent rains have created. It’s much easier and takes far less water to maintain that depth moisture than it does to build it back up again if we let the soil get too dry. The key is  watering low, as in as in low to the ground to avoid evaporation, and slow as in not with your hose open full-blast. This helps decrease runoff and get more water down to the roots. Consider setting up your own automatic drip irrigation system – they’re easy to DIY and they operate on the low & slow principle. Also, be sure to use the cycle & soak method, which simply means water once, let it soak in for several minutes, then come back and water again. This makes sure you’re pushing water down deep. 

Pro tip:  Use a moisture meter in your landscape beds and pots! We carry them for around $10 and can show you how easy they are to use. They have a long soil probe that tells you whether you actually have good moisture (or too much) down deep where it’s needed. They’ve saved many plants!

2. Keep Soil Moist & Roots Cool with Mulch

A good mulch layer (2-3″ deep) has so many benefits. It looks amazing, keeps weeds down, helps retain moisture, adds organic matter to the soil, AND keeps plant roots nice and cool in the summer. Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories shared amazing results with us from a mulch study they conducted in San Antonio a few years back. Soil temperatures were measured at 6″ deep (where plant roots live) on a 105 F summer day. Bare soil, 6″ down was 102 F. Soil under grass was 92 F. Soil beneath a 3″ layer of mulch was only 76 F!! Mulch your beds! Mulch also makes a great placeholder while you’re still deciding what to plant. 

3. Plant Blooming Perennials for Summer!

So many of our favorite plants for South Texas don’t just tolerate warm weather, they only begin to thrive and look their best in the summer. Think of blooming perennials like Firebush, Esperanza, and Pride of Barbados for awesome summer impact. Think of big purslane hanging baskets, Gomphrena, and Periwinkles for bursts of bright color. And browse our Texas native plant section for plants and trees that have thrived through hundreds and even thousands of Texas summers. If you’re still wanting to plant food, you can do that too – okra, basil, eggplant, thyme, watermelon, peppers, black-eyed peas and more are great planted in June.

4. Watch for Summer Bugs, Critters, and Plant Disease

Yes, bad bugs will be around more during the Summer, but don’t treat unless there’s significant damage. We can help identify the pest and if/how to treat. You don’t want to kill too many good bugs while trying to take care of the bad bugs! If you see brown areas in the lawn that are easily pulled up, it’s usually a sign of grubs eating the roots of your grass. You can control grubs with Bonide Insect and Grub Control. Chinch bugs love hot dry areas in lawns. They make the lawn look dried out along sidewalks and pavement. Spot-treat those areas with Cyonara in easy ready-to-spray bottles. For organic control, use Spinosad or Diatomaceous Earth. We’ve also seen a lot more caterpillars than usual this spring munching on veggie gardens. Just a few caterpillars can be relocated, but if you have a lot destroying your plants, you can treat with organic Bt in liquid spray or powder form. 

5. Stay Tuned for Fun June Events at Gill’s!

We’ve been overwhelmed with the response to all our events this spring and we’re not stopping! We absolutely love hosting you all, not just for plant shopping, but for learning and building our wonderful local gardening community. We’ve got a big June planned starting with a Gulf Coast Humane Society pet adoption day on June 6th, then flower bingo, plant trivia night, our 2nd annual Father’s Day cookout, and another Nightbloom Market on June 25th! Stay tuned here for updates. 

 

 

Many of us at Gill’s have been talking about how spoiled our plants at home have become with all the wonderful rainfall we had in May and June. It seems now that we’ve been having some real summer weather in July, some plants are being dramatic and extra tired-looking. Fortunately, there’s a simple, natural tool that gardeners around the world have relied on for decades: liquid seaweed. Think of it as a wellness tonic rather than a meal. It won’t replace fertilizer or water, but it can help fortify plants against summer stress. Here’s how. 

Why Does Liquid Seaweed Work?

Unlike fertilizers, liquid seaweed contains relatively low levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Instead, its magic lies in an incredible collection of naturally occurring compounds. Seaweed contains natural plant growth regulators (including compounds similar to cytokinins and auxins) as well as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds that help plants respond more effectively to environmental stress.

Plants under heat stress produce excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), often called “free radicals.” These unstable molecules damage plant cells, slow photosynthesis, and accelerate aging. Seaweed strengthens cell walls and helps plants by increasing antioxidant activity that helps neutralize damaging free radicals. Liquid seaweed also promotes root branching and fine root development, helping plants access water more efficiently during dry periods.

How to Apply Liquid Seaweed

Spray directly onto the leaves as a foliar spray to allow plants to absorb all the beneficial compounds quickly. Aim to coat both the tops and undersides of leaves without causing runoff. Or use as a soil drench:  pour diluted seaweed around the root zone to encourage healthy root growth and support beneficial soil microbes. Many gardeners alternate between foliar sprays and soil drenches throughout the summer about every 2-4 weeks. Spray in the early morning or late evening – avoid applying during the hottest part of the day.

Most garden and landscape plants respond well to liquid seaweed, including veggies, herbs, blooming perennials, houseplants, annual flowers, fruit trees, shrubs, and even lawns. Avoid applying seaweed to agaves, cacti, succulents, and tender new seedlings. 

Pair Liquid Seaweed With Mulch for Maximum Protection

A winning combination for summer is to pair regular liquid seaweed applications with a good 2-4 inch layer of natural mulch. Together, these help reduce water loss, encourage deep roots, and allow plants to remain productive through prolonged hot weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperatures don’t feel like it yet, but it’s time to start making the transition into an exciting new fall planting season! There’s a lot to do in August to set yourself up for big garden success this fall and beyond. Here are our top must-do’s!

1. Pick Out Your Fall Veggie and Flower Seeds!

August is the time to start your fall veggie seeds! Next week, we’ll receive the new 2025-2026 seeds from our favorite seed suppliers, including heirloom vegetables, brand new releases, and wildflower seeds. Try Cow Pots (cattle manure pots) or seed starting trays to start seeds indoors this month, move to a covered patio once they sprout, then into your garden beds once they’re robust enough to live outside. This will protect the seedlings and slowly acclimate them to outdoor temps. Our Fall Vegetable Planting Guide provides the specific seed-planting dates to help plan your fall garden. Remember – if you want bountiful fall veggies, you need to get an early start! 

2. Start Planting Now for Fall Pollinators!

Don’t wait until fall arrives to start planting for fall pollinators – start cooking now so their meal will be ready when they arrive! Important fact: birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food worldwide. Plants attract and provide food for them to keep the cycle going. For example – plant Zinnia and sunflower seeds now, and they’ll be ready to feed migrating birds this fall. Plant salvias now, get roots established, and they’ll be gorgeous this fall and covered in hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. If you want to provide the best benefits for the most pollinators, plant Texas natives! 

3. Prep Your Garden Beds

August is the time to start prepping fall veggie beds! Finish your Summer harvesting, clean out your beds, and pull weeds. To get your soil ready, we recommend mixing Nature’s Blend Compost or Cotton Burr Compost into your soil to replenish nutrients and loosen the soil before planting. About 1 bag per 12 sq. ft. is good. Once prepped, add a thick layer of pine straw or hardwood mulch, which will help retain moisture, keep weeds from sprouting, and keep the soil cooler until you’re ready to plant. As you plan your space, think crop rotation – don’t plant the same veggies in the exact same place you planted them last season, or you encourage pests and diseases. 

4. Water to Maintain Depth Moisture!

We’ve been lucky to have some well-timed rain showers this summer, which has created some depth moisture in the soil. Our goal with watering this month should be to maintain it. For lawns and established plants and trees, this means watering less frequently, but watering deeply when you water. New plantings will require water every day for the first couple weeks to get the roots established, but again, think deep drinks so the roots dive deeper. Use a water wand with a cut-off valve to make it easy on you and conserve water. Pro tip: Conserve water by watering at ground level, not spraying from above. This way, water soaks down to the roots rather than evaporating off the leaves. 

5. Mulch = Cool Roots, Dude!

Proper mulching using natural Hardwood or Pine Straw mulch has big benefits, especially during hot weather. A good 3” deep layer of mulch will keep your plants and the soil moist and cool for longer after you water or after it rains. Not just a little cooler – we’re talking more than 25 degrees cooler!! Cooler soil temps allow plant roots and beneficial microorganisms in the soil to flourish. When mulching, give the main trunks or stems of your plants a little space – mulch 3” deep throughout the bed, but no more than 1” deep right up against the main trunks/stems of plants.

 

 

 

Join us Saturday, September 19th at 10:00 AM here at Gill’s for an informative talk all about fall veggie gardening! Our gardening experts, DeAnna Baumgartner and Wyatt Page, will cover everything you need to know for a successful fall harvest, from early fall favorites like tomatoes, peppers, and squash to cool-season crops like broccoli, greens, cauliflower, and more. Bring your veggie gardening questions and stick around for some fun gift card giveaways!

FREE event – 10-11am – No RSVP required.

Start your engines…fall planting season is here!! September is the best time to plant almost everything – veggies, trees, shrubs, natives, hummingbird plants, and more. Here are our top 7 must-do’s in September as we head into fall, our favorite South Texas gardening season!

1. Ready, Set, PLANT Veggies, Herbs, Citrus, and Fruits!

It’s time! Tomatoes, peppers, & warm weather edibles should be planted early in September at the latest. Plant cool weather veggies & herbs anytime in September and remember to shelter them from still-intense sun and keep watered. When planting, you can’t go wrong with organic BioTone starter fertilizer + a good handful of Earthworm Castings. Neither of these require precise measurement, and they make an incredible combo for building stronger, deeper roots, preventing pests, and creating an active soil environment for plants to thrive.

Here’s our Fall veggie planting schedule. And save space for citrus trees, figs, and other fruit trees to round off your garden grocery store! They’ll all be arriving before or right around mid-September. 

2. Make Way for New Growth with Light Pruning and Clean-up

Chances are you have established plants that could benefit from a clean-up after working so hard all summer. Wait until about September 15th and give them a light pruning to make way for new growth this fall. A good rule of thumb for most plants is to prune up to 1/3 (not more) in the fall, then wait until January to do a heavy pruning/cutback. If you have questions about how to prune specific plants, you know who to call! 

3. Plant Trees and Shrubs for the BEST Start

Plants that are cold hardy (trees and woody shrubs) will benefit greatly by planting during our fall season. They’re under less heat stress, and they grow more roots through the fall and winter, making them stronger and ready to take off next spring. More roots, stronger plants, and less watering! Oak trees, Crape Myrtles, Hawthorns, Yaupon Holly, Plumbago, Boxwoods and a host of other trees and shrubs should be planted starting this month for the best possible start.

4. Plant to Support Pollinators!

We’re bringing in lots of new plants this month with our pollinator friends in mind! While you’re choosing what to plant, consider adding Texas Natives like Turk’s Cap and Lantana that birds and bees love. If you want to attract and support butterflies, try native butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Gregg’s mist flower, and lots of different blooming salvias. So many gorgeous options! Bring in some pictures of your outdoor space and we can help you plan the perfect pollinator garden – big or small. You can DIY or we can plant it for you!

5. YES You Can & SHOULD Water!

We’re in such a better water situation than we were last summer/fall! You can and should be watering regularly. Under current Stage 1 rules, you can use spray irrigation or hose end sprinklers once a week on your trash day. This is a great schedule for lawns for the month of September. Just be sure you’re applying about 1″ of water each time. As we move into October, cut back lawn watering to once every other week, depending on rain. Hold off on fertilizing lawns until October. For landscape beds and gardens, drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and long watering wands are great – you get water right down to the roots with almost no evaporation. Under current watering rules, you can run drip irrigation systems any day before 10 and after 6. But keep in mind, a good deep drink once a week is better than short durations every day. One more thing – if you want to make the most of your water, be sure to mulch! A good 2-3″ layer of fresh mulch this month will look great and be very effective for retaining moisture when you water. 

6. Set the Table for the Fall Hummingbird Migration!

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will soon make their way through for the fall migration! These tiny birds are BIG eaters. They stop here in the Coastal Bend to fuel up before their non-stop flight across the Gulf of Mexico. Host them in your yard by planting some of their favorite foods! Hummingbirds find plants using their excellent vision and are attracted to bright colored blooms, which indicate a high-sugar food source. Some of our favs for South Texas are Flame Acanthus (aka hummingbird bush), Salvias (like native Salvia greggii and Salvia leucantha), Cape Honeysuckle, Firebush, Firecracker plant, Coral bean – the list goes on! Plant a few of these and hummingbirds will find them. And don’t forget to visit the Rockport-Fulton HummerBird Celebration September 17-20!

7. You’re Invited! Fall Garden Talks and Events at Gill’s!

Gill Garden Talks and Events are back this Fall! We’re kicking it off with DeAnna and Wyatt’s Fall Veggie Gardening Talk on Saturday, September 19th!  We’ve got all kinds of fun planned including a houseplant propagation workshop on September 24th and our 2nd Annual Fall Plant Fest on October 10th, . Stay tuned on our events page and on Instagram and Facebook for details of each event. We can’t wait!

march-garden-guide

What To Plant

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.

Read: Fuel For Your Hungry Hummers

 

Vegetable Seeds

Beans, okra, radish, pumpkins, and watermelons, squash, cantaloupe, basil, corn

Vegetable Transplants

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, and strawberries
Garden Guide: Vegetable Planting Dates

Hardy Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Grasses

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.

ESTABLISHED CITRUS TREES

Fertilize organically with Citrus Tone.
Read: Fertilize Your Citrus Now

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

  • During current drought restrictions, you CAN hand water everything except for your turfgrass lawn. You CAN use drip irrigation on your watering day every other week. And you CAN still apply for a temporary watering rules exemption to get new plantings established.
  • Keep in mind - outdoor potted plants dry out quickly, as do hanging baskets and small annuals.
  • Mulch all plants and trees to help hold moisture. Don't mulch right up to the trunks/main stems of plants - give them a little breathing room. And never create a "mulch volcano" against tree trunks!
  • Catch rainwater and A/C condensate to help conserve water - plants love both!

Garden Guide: Good Water Practice for Established Trees, Shrubs, and Lawns

What to Watch Out For

Protect your Lawn from Oak Leaves

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.

Control Aphids, Pillbugs, & Caterpillars in Your Veggie Garden

Keep organic Spinosad soap handy for Aphids and Pillbugs, or release some ladybugs. Caterpillars can be controlled organically using Bt (Thuricide spray or Dipel dust). Inspect your veggies every day and you'll catch most pests before they become a problem. 

 

Lawn Care

Rethink Lawn Spaces

Given our drought situation/lawn watering restrictions, many of us are deciding to reduce lawn space. Traditional turfgrass lawns require lots of water and they don't provide much, if any, benefit to pollinators. Plus, much of our lawn space sits unused. Does every square foot need to be turfgrass, or could you create new beds for blooming perennials? Could you convert areas to native groundcovers like Frogfruit? Could you add some nice pathways or seating areas with a nice firepit? So many options!

Weed Control

Given our drought situation/lawn watering restrictions, decide whether you really want to control weeds. Weeds are green and they don't need much water! Plus they'll help keep the ground cooler. Many of us are choosing to mow the weeds down to keep them from reseeding rather than spraying or removing them. 

If you do need to spray/control, 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. 

If you want to prevent weeds, apply Hi Yield Grass and Weed Stopper or Weed Beater Complete to help control existing weeds and prevent new ones.

If you want to kill existing weeds, apply Weed-B-Gon for Southern Lawns or Image 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. This is why we don't recommend or sell "weed & feed" type products. Take care of weeds first, then fertilize. 

Fertilize

Fertilize when the grass is actively growing. You can't be too late, you can only be too early in spring. Apply organic Medina Growin Green or Milorganite and water in well (approximately 30 minutes per area). Normally, we wouldn't recommend trying to time your fertilizing with rainfall, since heavy rains can wash away the fertilizer. However, given current watering restrictions, try to take advantage of a light/moderate rain. Lay new sod anytime, bermuda seed anytime this month.

Read: Treat For Take-All Patch in Lawns

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

may-garden-guide

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.

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.

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

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.

 

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. Or conventionally with Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide on ornamentals.

Grub Worms

Use organic Spinosad Soap, or conventional BioAdvanced 24-hour Grub Control or Season-Long Bonide Insect and 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?

Mulch

Apply mulch around trees, flowerbeds and vegetable gardens to reduce weeds and help retain moisture. We recommend natural mulches like hardwood, cedar, black velvet, and pinestraw mulch. These reduce weeds well and will not float away.

Lawn Care

Fertilize when the grass is actively growing

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

Eliminate broadleaf weeds

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

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

*While turfgrass lawn watering with city water is prohibited during current watering restrictions, residents can use free reclaimed water from the Oso Wastewater Treatment Plant. Apply for a permit here. Residents can also hand water trees, which should be done at the drip line, therefore lawns can get some benefit from good tree watering. 

 

july-garden-guide

Watch: How to Collect a Grass Sample

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

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.

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.

Catch water from your A/C - plants love it! Indoor dehumidifiers too! 

Consider adding a rainwater collection system connected to your gutters - we can help. 

Read: Comfort for Summer: Shade Cloth

 

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.

FIX YELLOW SPOTS

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

MOW

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

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!

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, and Organic Fungicide 5

Conventional:  Bonide Fung-onil ready-to-use, Fertilome Systemic ready-to-spray

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

Copyright © 2026 Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co.  |  Website & Local SEO by Ramblin Jackson   |   Privacy Policy