Caring for the Gardener
Summer in southeast Texas can be challenging for even the most experienced gardener. With the National Weather Service’s Seasonal Temperature Outlook predicting unseasonably warm temperatures for June through August 2024, the most important strategy for any gardener is to care for yourself before caring for your plants.
Before beginning gardening tasks, dress in cool, sun-protective clothing. Remember to wear sunscreen and insect repellent – and don’t forget a hat! We recommend scheduling garden maintenance for early morning or late evening when both the sun and temperature are less intense. Be sure to bring water with you and take frequent breaks to rehydrate and rest. For more tips, watch nationally recognized gardening expert P. Allen Smith’s garden safety best practices.
Choosing Wisely for Your Landscape Garden
In planning your summer garden, opt for native plants and choose those that keep the landscape simple and reduce maintenance. Group plants with similar needs together; for example, keep plants that require moist soil in a location separate from those that prefer drier conditions. Additionally, assess your landscape to determine the best places for shade and sun plants, respectively. Simplify upkeep by placing higher maintenance plants near the house and lower maintenance plants further from the door.
For more guidance, the Texas Superstar Program offers a wealth of information on how to select the strongest, toughest plants for your home landscape. Texas Superstar plants include Texas native plants as well as plants that have been rigorously tested for their ability to adapt to the tough Texas climate conditions. Explore our native plant blogs for additional selection inspiration.
Effectively Watering Your Garden
Managing water resources is perhaps the most crucial task for a gardener. Watering deeply and infrequently is important for the development of long, deep roots that help keep plants hydrated during the height of Texas summer. Follow Woodlands Water’s defined irrigation schedule and apply no more than one inch of water each week for best results.
As you work to efficiently manage water for your garden, an irrigation system check is essential. Inspect sprinkler heads to be certain that your system is creating large drops – avoid fine mists or sprays that evaporate quickly. For the most efficient home irrigation system, consider converting to drip irrigation, which applies water directly on the roots of plants and saves you water!
If you are unsure how much to water, the number and size of leaves can be a great indicator of how much water a plant will need! Tropical plants with large leaves require more water than those with smaller leaves due to water loss through the leaf surfaces. Similarly, plants with unripe fruits and berries also require higher amounts of water. Don’t fret if ornamental grasses appear dead in the hottest part of summer and be sure to continue watering, as they will come back when weather conditions improve.
Make the Most of Your Mulch
When preparing for the rising heat, apply at least three inches of shredded hardwood mulch over the plants’ root systems for protection and to conserve water. This mulch will slowly decompose at the point where it meets the soil surface, creating humus that enriches and enhances the soil. Avoid inorganic mulches which do not decompose; in addition to a lack of nutrition, they also hold heat and poorly retain moisture. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides excellent information about mulching in this publication.
Delivering Nutrients to Your Yard in a Green and Clean Way
When caring for your lawn, follow Texas A&M’s recommendations for St. Augustine and Bermuda grass lawns. Rather than using chemical fertilizers, consider spreading one inch of compost on your lawn in the spring and fall. This prevents harmful chemicals from entering the stormwater and contaminating our watersheds. Avoid “weed and feed” products which can damage ornamental plants and trees and don’t provide either chemical at the optimal time for our climate. Additionally, mow at the highest recommended height, never removing more than one third of the grass blade. Mow over any fallen leaves and leave clippings on the lawn to provide organic matter, another easy method to deliver nutrients to your yard. Texas A&M’s Aggie Turf website provides a helpful checklist for home lawn care.
Take advantage of these tips to create easy landscape gardening practices and provide more time for your family to enjoy the sunshine! Stay tuned for our guide on how to beat the heat for your trees this summer and reach out to enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov with any questions.