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Water Wise gardening tips
Yards, pets need special care in summer
By Winola VanArtsdalen
It’s August! Those dog days of summer
are here again! It’s time to just rest and
take care of ourselves, our families, our
pets and our landscape. First, take a
good look to be sure your general health
precautions are up to date for you,
your family, and your pets: checkups
scheduled and vaccinations up to date.
Plan your outside activities for the coolest pets to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
time of day whether sports, yardwork or
exercise, including walking your pet. If
you cannot work and play outdoors early
in the morning or in evening, prepare
for any outside activity with sunscreen
on yourself and your dog’s snout. Some
dogs like to lie on their back and sun
themselves just like people do, and, if
so, they need sun protection on the area
between their hind legs and belly. The
ASPCA advises that only sunscreens
and insecticides labeled that they are
approved for pets should be used because
some sunscreens are toxic to pets.
We are further advised by the ASPCA to
always avoid leaving alcoholic beverages
where pets can reach them, as they can
be poisonous, and to not put glow jewelry
on pets or allow them to play with it.
If you are like me, it’s time for a shorter
haircut to be cool in our summer
temperatures, but this may not be
appropriate for your pet. Most vets
suggest leaving the coat alone, as the
long heavy coat actually serves to protect
the skin from the effects of heat. There
are a few exceptions: a shaggy-coated
dog who spends a lot of time in the water,
or a dog who is really not ideally suited
for Texas summers such as a Husky,
Bernese Mountain Dog or St. Bernard.
If you do feel the need to shave your dog,
leave at least one inch of hair on him.
Better yet, talk to your vet first and
follow his advice as it applies to your
specific dog.
Be sure your yard is people and pet
friendly. Check that there are no easy
ways for a pet to escape. Fencing needs
a barrier that extends below the bottom
of the fence about a foot to keep a dog
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from digging out. Be sure that you do
not have poisonous plants in your yard.
Go to www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-
poison-control/17-poisonous-plants for
a list of common yard plants that are
poisonous to your pets. Some of them
will surprise you!
Create shady spots for both you and your
Perhaps you can add native shrubs
and small trees with benches to create
additional resting places, preferably
with a fresh water source, as well as
shade. Look for a place where the
sprinkler system may be wasting extra
water and convert turf in this area to
groundcover or add mulch. You might
have a garden ornament with some
sentimental object or just a large stone.
For new landscape ideas, drive around
different neighborhoods and be sure to
look at the community landscapes. There
are many beautiful and practical ideas
to be found right here in Sun City Texas.
AUGUST GARDENING TIPS
• You can trim oaks now, but paint all
wounds on oaks any size, any season,
immediately!
• Mulch to keep plants moist, cool, and
prevent weeds. Keep mulch away from
stems of plants, including trees!
• Stop pinching blooms or pruning
plants getting ready for fall show
such as asters, Mexican bush sage and
Mexican mint marigold.
• Begin planning and preparing beds
for fall planting (minimum 3” compost
mixed in for new beds then cover with
mulch). It is better to prepare early
and give microorganisms time to
have nutrients ready for plants. When
weather begins to cool mid-September,
you will be ready to pull back mulch
and plant.
• Keep mower set high. Watch for signs
of stress in all plants: footprints left
in turf after walking on it, breaking
branches in trees or plants still wilting
in the morning.
Winola is a Williamson County
Master Gardener, a member of
the Sun City Garden Club and a
member of the Sun City Water Wise
Task Force.
Master Gardeners and other
experienced 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.
• Remember that one inch of water per
week for landscape is recommended,
but native and adapted plants can
survive in time of drought with ½ inch.
• Though fertilization is usually
recommended in August for Bermuda
grass, do not fertilize during drought,
as it causes more leaf growth at the
expense of roots.
• Keep checking your watering system
monthly and give someone access to
your watering system when you are
away for an extended time.
Sources: Texas AgriLIFE Extension
Service and Tom Olsen, president Sun
City Pet Club.
Horticulture Questions:
Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
Extension Office at
512-943-3300
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