We have made it halfway through summer and if your garden is still holding up in this heat, give yourself a high-five! July in North Texas is no joke, but a little mid-season maintenance can go a long way in keeping your plants happy and healthy.
Here is a checklist to help your landscape thrive through the rest of the summer:
Check & Adjust your Watering Routine
Water Early in the Morning
Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation if possible
Watch for signs of under-watering
Prune & Dead-head Overgrown Plants
Clean pruners or shears
Remove Weeds
Refresh your Mulch
3 inches of mulch around shrubs and flowers
Fertilize Reasonably
Use a Slow-Release fertilizer
Identify Pests & Diseases
Watch for discolored, wilting or sticky leaves
Take pictures of affected area and pests
Ask Color Crop Nursery to help ID and solve the problem
Check & Adjust your Watering Routine
Water Early in the Morning
Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation if possible
Watch for signs of under-watering
Prune & Dead-head Overgrown Plants
Clean pruners or shears
Remove Weeds
Refresh your Mulch
3 inches of mulch around shrubs and flowers
Fertilize Reasonably
Use a Slow-Release fertilizer
Identify Pests & Diseases
Watch for discolored, wilting or sticky leaves
Take pictures of affected area and pests
Ask Color Crop Nursery to help ID and solve the problem
Check and Adjust your Watering Routine
Most plants need deep, consistent watering this time of year, especially any new or potted plants. “Shallow Watering” can cause roots to grow at surface-level, which creates a weak plant that dries out quickly.
We recommend using a reliable soaker hose or drip irrigation to minimize your hands-on time and keep water where it belongs. The best time to water is early in the morning, this allows the water to soak into the soil and not evaporate so quickly. If watering by hand be sure to water an area heavily, then let it rest for a moment and water another area before returning to water again. Ideally you should make three passes on each area. This method allows the water to permeate the soil (dry soil doesn't absorb water quickly).
Keep an eye out for wilting or browning plants and address accordingly. Slimy and brown foliage can indicate over-watering or a pest issue, while crispy and brown usually indicates under-watering.
We recommend using a reliable soaker hose or drip irrigation to minimize your hands-on time and keep water where it belongs. The best time to water is early in the morning, this allows the water to soak into the soil and not evaporate so quickly. If watering by hand be sure to water an area heavily, then let it rest for a moment and water another area before returning to water again. Ideally you should make three passes on each area. This method allows the water to permeate the soil (dry soil doesn't absorb water quickly).
Keep an eye out for wilting or browning plants and address accordingly. Slimy and brown foliage can indicate over-watering or a pest issue, while crispy and brown usually indicates under-watering.
Prune and Dead-Head Overgrown Plants
Plants are more resilient than you may think, a lot of them will actually benefit from a good pruning. Annuals, perennials and shrubs, while not always necessary, will appreciate the removal of spent blooms. This encourages the plant to focus its energy into producing new growth and flowers. The removal of dead material and overgrown foliage will also reduce the stress placed on the plant.
Coleus is a fantastic example of these practices, removing their blooms or even trimming the plant back will allow the plant to branch out and start new growth. Just remember to always use clean pruners, as dirty ones can spread disease.
Coleus is a fantastic example of these practices, removing their blooms or even trimming the plant back will allow the plant to branch out and start new growth. Just remember to always use clean pruners, as dirty ones can spread disease.
Remove Weeds
Weeds compete with their surrounding plants for resources, such as water, nutrients, sunlight and space. Plus, most weeds are unsightly and many harbor pests and diseases, so the removal of them is a no-brainer.
Refresh your Mulch
A three-inch layer of mulch around plants will help regulate soil temperatures, retain moisture and suppress weeds, all while adding curb-appeal. Avoid hilling mulch around the base of stems and tree trunks, which traps moisture and causes rot.
Fertilize Reasonably
Especially during summer, avoid fertilizing during the heat of the day and be sure none is left sitting on the plant’s foliage. If you are using a granular fertilizer, be sure to water after you apply it. Slow-release fertilizers are generally not as harsh on plants roots and won’t stress your plants as much as a high-nitrogen fertilizer that can cause excessive plant growth.
We recommend Nelson’s Color Star Fertilizer for your flowering plants, a slow-release fertilizer that we keep in stock at the nursery. Focus on potted plants and annuals, they typically require more frequent applications (not more quantity) of fertilizer than established plants in the flower bed.
We recommend Nelson’s Color Star Fertilizer for your flowering plants, a slow-release fertilizer that we keep in stock at the nursery. Focus on potted plants and annuals, they typically require more frequent applications (not more quantity) of fertilizer than established plants in the flower bed.
Identify Pests and Diseases
Prevention is key. Pests and disease can get out of control really quick, so be sure to always be on the look-out for sticky, discolored or eaten foliage or webs on plants. Pests like to hide underneath leaves in the shade, where they are most protected.
If you do see signs of insect activity or suspect disease, take pictures and bring them up to the nursery. A close-up of the affected area and a picture of the whole plant is very useful with identifying the problem and a solution.
If you do see signs of insect activity or suspect disease, take pictures and bring them up to the nursery. A close-up of the affected area and a picture of the whole plant is very useful with identifying the problem and a solution.
