JULY 2013
SUNRAYS | 59
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
When we moved to Texas, we were told,
“There are two seasons here: Summer
and July/August. You will just have to
experience it to understand.” They were
so right!
Be sure you have protective mulch over
flowerbeds and around bushes and trees,
both to hold moisture and to keep roots
cooler. It is best not to have grass over
roots, since it competes with trees or
bushes for moisture and nutrients.
In this period of extreme heat when
water is often restricted, you have to
make choices. Your bushes and trees
are your biggest investment, so water
them with a deep soak. Your sprinkler
systemwill not water deeply enough, so
you need to use a slow drip from a water
hose, moving the hose every hour or two
to water a small area at a time, or use a
soaker hose. This will take 8-12 hours
for a large tree. For smaller trees, it will
take one to two hours, moving the hose
July Tips for a Beautiful
Water Wise Landscape
NEXT MONTH
:
Join me for ad-
ditional information surviving
summer heat/drought.
Winola is a Williamson County Mas-
ter Gardener, a member of the Sun
City Garden Club and a member of
the Sun City Water Wise Task Force.
Master Gardeners and other expe-
rienced gardeners are available to
answer questions a half hour before
Sun City Garden Club meetings
each month. The Garden Club
meets the second Wednesday of each
month beginning with the question/
answer period at 12:30 p.m.
By Winola VanArtsdalen
about every 30 minutes. The next day,
use a screwdriver to check if you have
watered deeply enough, 6-8” minimum.
This slow soaking is considered hand
watering and is permitted any time by
our water department.
The feeding root system of a tree or
shrub is located within the top 12 inches
of the soil at the “dripline” of the plant.
The dripline is the area directly below
the outermost reaches of the branches.
When the tree is first planted, the roots
may not be far from the trunk, but, as
the tree grows, they will grow out to an
area at the edge of the branches and a
little further. Apply water just inside
and a little beyond the dripline, not at
the trunk.
Soaking bushes and trees deeply requires
much time, but it is necessary to avoid
the tree drying out and having broken
branches or dying. (See photo.) You
cannot tell by just looking at it that
there is a problem―until it’s too late. If
you stop watering your lawn, Bermuda,
zoysia and Buffalograss will, in almost
all cases, come back; your bushes and
trees will not!
For lawn care in drought, see Texas
A&M publication: publications.tamu.edu/
TURF_LANDSCAPE/PUB_turf_Keep
Your Lawn Alive During Drought.pdf
GARDENING TIPS FOR JULY:
• Mulch, mulch, mulch!
• You may have to provide shade for some
plants to avoid sun scorching.
• Remove spent blooms. Trim back a few
inches to prompt re-blooming.
• Do not prune drastically or fertilize
during this heat. Let the plant rest!
• For spider mites, spray leaves with
hard spray, especially underneath.
• Raise mower height to 3 or 3 1/2” so
that the blades of grass can shade
roots.
• If you must treat for grubs, now is the
time! Treat only if you have three or
more grubs per sq. ft.
• Take care of yourself! Try to work early
in morning, and do stay hydrated!
• Spend those hours of afternoon heat
planning for fall, which is the best time
to plant!
Source: Texas A&MAgriLIFE Extension
Service, 512-943-3300.
To prevent trees from drying out or
breaking, make sure to soak them
deeply!
