Most Houston yards took a beating in 2011 as most of the country was hit with some form of bizarre weather this year. Houston was no exception. With tornadoes, unseasonably warm temperatures and drought conditions, most of our lawns aren’t looking as nice as they have in the past. Below, the Plant Master at Calloway’s Nursery offers some great tips for recovering your lawn and other landscaping!
LAWN
Fertilize – In light of extended high temperatures, drought and water restrictions, providing your lawn with nutrients can ensure that it will recover completely next Spring. Most lawngrasses have survival mechanisms that help it to withstand dry periods and usually bounce back once water is provided. Applying fertilizer will help the grass to emerge and prepare for Fall and Winter. If your neighborhood is under water regulations and you have only limited access to irrigation, then apply the fertilizer in sections just prior to watering that section, and then make sure to water that section thoroughly. Follow up prior to your next scheduled watering opportunity by fertilizing the next section beforehand and then water it thoroughly.
Water – Often, if you’ll water problem sections briefly before the actual irrigation schedule, this will help the water to penetrate more deeply when its irrigation time arrives. Even if you can only water once or twice per week, you can choose which sections to “double-up”, and rotate these regularly to ensure deep watering.
Control Weeds – Lawngrass that has undergone stress from heat and drought will be more susceptible to weed invasion. Applying pre-emergent weed killers will help to control annual weeds that use water and nutrients that your lawngrass needs.
TREES
Stress Symptoms – After a Summer such as we’ve experienced, many trees in our landscape are showing signs of stress like brown, burned and scorched leaves, leaves that have yellowed and fallen, and dead branches. Most trees are capable of surviving these sorts of weather extremes and will shut down many of their processes to conserve energy. Your trees will also progress into dormancy earlier than usual, so don’t overreact by over-feeding or over-watering.
Fertilize – Feeding trees, especially mature shade trees, requires that you apply the fertilizer to the drip line around the tree, not next to the tree’s trunk. It is also helpful to drill holes into the soil about 8-10 inches deep and place the fertilizer in these holes, then fill in the holes with the removed soil. Space holes around the drip line in a zigzag pattern approximately 18-24 inches apart. Using fertilizers like slow-release types and organic types will ensure that your trees receive nutrients over an extended period of time, as well as not encouraging rapid growth just prior to the arrival of Fall and Winter.
Water – Deep watering of trees that show stress symptoms will help trees enter into Winter dormancy fully hydrated and able to withstand the oncoming cold months. Consider setting slow soakers around the drip line of your trees, or run slow sprinklers for extended periods as your local water restrictions allow. It has also been recommended that where possible, removing all weeds and grass from around the trunk out to about 10 feet from the trunk and covering this with mulch will reduce water competition and allow what water is provided to penetrate fully into the root zone.
SHRUBS
Check for Damage – Now is the time to check your shrubs for any permanent damage by lightly scraping the stems that have brown leaves with a sharp knife. You will be looking for fresh, green tissue just beneath the surface of the stem tissue. If you see this green tissue, then that stem is alive even if the leaves have scorched or browned. While it may not be attractive, drastically pruning these shrubs at this time is not recommended. Instead, you can remove any stems that have failed the scratch test and revealed brown, dry tissue. Cut them back to where they meet the next living stem.
Remove and Replace – We have received many inquiries about removing dead shrubs and replacing them. If a shrub in your landscape has failed the scratch test to the point that it is mostly or completely dead, then of course you can remove it. Choosing to replace it now is a good decision because our temperatures usually cool down and the possibility of rain increases during the Fall and Winter. This period after planting durable plants like trees and shrubs allows these plants to establish a good root system prior to Spring emergence. And because our Texas soils don’t freeze, roots continue to grow throughout the Winter providing nutrients and moisture.
Fertilize – Lightly feed shrubs that have passed the scratch test and any others that still look good. Use a slow-release fertilizer or organic alternative that provides nutrients over an extended period. This will not only prevent rapid new growth but will also prepare your shrubs for the arrival of Winter.
Water – Deep watering is what our shrubs and landscapes need now. And while this time of year is the usual time for increased rainfall, we should prepare our gardens for the likelihood of extended drought. Mulch your shrub beds with a minimum of 3-4 inches of mulch, something like Cedar or Hardwood mulch, and even consider applying compost prior to applying a new layer of mulch.
If you’re planning to sell your home, having a well maintained yard is key to curb appeal and a higher final sales price. Call our experts today at 281-583-9393 to find out what other things can help your listing stand out above the rest. Or visit our website.
