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August tips for a beautiful
Waterwise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
The Sun City Water Ambassadors compaction by reducing soil crusting Winola is a Williamson County
and the Texas A&M Agrilife during natural rainfall or irrigation. Master Gardener, a member of
Extension offer the following info Mulching also reduces disease problems. the Sun City Garden Club and a
to help you get your garden through the Certain types of diseases live in the soil member of the Sun City Water Wise
summer heat. and spread when water splashes bits of Task Force.
infested soil onto a plant’s lower leaves.
The Sun City Water Matters Team Mulching and careful watering reduces Master Gardeners and other
encourages you to log on to www.sctexas. the spread of these diseases. Mulching also experienced gardeners are available
org. Click on NRO from the list of orange keeps fruit clean while reducing rot disease to answer questions a half hour
buttons on the right. Look for Water by preventing soil-fruit contact. before Sun City Garden Club
0DWWHUVIURPWKHOLVWRQWKHOHIW1RZÀQG meetings each month. The Garden
a link to a printable version of the Sun City SHRUBS AND TREES Club meets the second Wednesday
seasonal irrigation schedule. This chart of each month beginning with the
is a guide to setting seasonal watering Large trees require deep watering. question and answer period at
percentages during the watering season. Remember that watering, which is 12:30 p.m.
There are also links to instructional adequate for turf growing under trees, is
videos and controller manuals to aid in not adequate for actively growing trees. annuals and even crape myrtles to
programming your irrigation system (click In time of drought, save your trees, your encourage blooming.
on Instructional Materials). You will also biggest investment! – You can lightly trim unruly shrubs, but
ÀQGDOLVWRIUHFRPPHQGHGZDWHULQJWLPHV wait until late winter/early spring for
for various sprinkler nozzles and locations 7RZDWHUODUJHWUHHVOHWZDWHUÁRZVORZO\ major pruning.
in the landscape. Finally, for those who still onto an area under the dripline of the tree – Keep watch for insects to remove early.
need help setting their controller, there is a for several hours. The feeding root system Pick and stomp and/or use hard water
list of neighborhood Water Ambassadors. of a tree or shrub is located within the spray where possible.
top 12 inches of the soil at the dripline of ²,I\RXSODQWQHZÁRZHUEHGVWKLVIDOO
Here are survival tips for our hot Texas the plant. Apply water just inside and a prepare the soil now with 3-4 inches of
summers: little beyond the dripline, not at the trunk. compost and, if needed for additional
Simply lay a slowly running hose on the drainage, decomposed granite and/or
IRRIGATION ground and move it around the dripline as expanded shale.
each area becomes saturated to a depth of – Take care of yourself working in hot
– Make sure your irrigation system is eight to 10 inches. weather. If possible, work in early
in good working order. Find any leaks morning or in shade. Wear sunscreen,
and broken heads and repair. Water Use this time to look around the community a hat, and stay hydrated.
early in morning and avoid watering and notice what is surviving and providing
hardscape: sidewalks, driveways, color during this scorching period. Some Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
patios or streets. of the local favorites are lantana, zinnias, Service.
pony foot dichondra, esperanza, pride of
– Turn off automatic sprinkler settings Barbados and desert willow. Horticulture Questions:
and irrigate based on plant stress. Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
Be sure that you hand-water individual
– Rainwater harvesting systems can plants or small areas that need help rather Extension Office at 512-943-3300
provide supplemental water for than wasting water on a whole zone.
landscapes and pets.
AUGUST GARDENING TIPS
– Do not put debris, yard clippings or
leaves down storm drains. – Fertilize Bermuda grass, unless in
drought. In drought stress, do not
– Use low-volume drip irrigation for fertilize any type turf.
garden and bedding plants.Drip
irrigation reduces water loss, and water – Turf in shade is in stress, so use less
goes to the roots of plants. fertilizer.
GARDEN AND PLANTING BEDS – By Sept. 1, apply pre-emergent for
annual winter weeds.
Mulch reduces weed problems while
reducing evaporation of water vapor – Cut off old blooms on perennials,
from the soil surface. Mulching prevents
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG AUGUST 2017 SUNRAYS | 67
