From the Desk of our Horticulture Manager
Greetings to my friends and Horticulture warriors!
As the summer drags on, the Texas heat wave remains relentless! I am with you during this time, and I can promise you that I look forward to my weekends spent at the pool. While I’ve been working diligently in your gardens, I’ve noticed a few common issues many homeowners face during the extreme heat and minimal rain days. I wanted to share my thoughts and helpful tips on what seasonal trends are coming up here in Texas.
Hot Summers, Harsh Winters, and Their Effect on Texas Trees
It’s safe to say your trees are undergoing heavy stress right now. Let’s take a look at what our trees and other native plants have been through just over the last 4 years. Beginning with “Snowmageddon,” the severe freeze from 2021, we experienced the coldest winter we’ve had in decades in Brazos County. The following summer, dry winds led us to a severe drought! Areas of Texas received very little significant rainfall for the better part of 5 months, paired with the triple-digit summer heat. While the following winter seemed mild, temperatures dropped to the mid-teens out of nowhere for 3-4 days, not allowing trees to go into dormancy. And here we are again, triple-digit temps are causing heat stress with no adequate rainfall in the forecast. I am not a native Texan; I have been stationed all around this great country and have visited many foreign ports. Central Texas is the toughest place I’ve ever had the pleasure to live in!
Texas Tree Care & Watering Schedule Tips
- If your tree is less than 8 -10 feet tall it will need watering every week. If it’s newly planted, it will need to be watered often.
How much water can depend on your situation, so I’ll give a formula: 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter at knee height. Another question I get is “how often,” which also depends.
- The soil a couple of inches below the surface needs to be moist, but not wet.
An easy test for soil moisture is that you should be able to crumble the soil in your hands without it turning to dust or balling up like clay. If you ball the soil up, it’s too wet.
Irrigation Systems and Overwatering
Another good habit to form, if possible, is to avoid letting your sprinklers hit the trunk with a direct stream. Understandably, the placement of your trees and irrigation system may be impossible to move or adjust. However, if possible, try to minimize the direct stream of water hitting the trunk of your tree, no matter what size it is. This can and eventually will create trunk rot.
How to Spot Signs of Stress in Your Trees
Finally, trees are much more like humans than we realize. If a tree needs to heal or protect itself, it will shut the affected area down to heal quicker. In high temperatures, look at the top of the tree. Usually, the top will start to dry out, become crispy, and lose leaves before the rest of the tree. In somewhat of survival mode, the tree is shutting down the water flow to the top in an effort to protect the rest and continue living. The main goal is to keep the root zone alive. This is similar to how a human body protects itself by shutting off everything but the heart. Just remember, your trees need proper watering during hot weather, not just your grass!
Deep Root Watering
If you would like any help or tips, feel free to call me! I will always help you protect your trees, as they are a vital part of your property and a home to many species! Our team at Aggieland Green is equipped with the equipment and products needed to help maintain the health of your trees and shrubs. Our deep root watering service consists of injecting the soil with water and micronutrients. This delivers water and nutrients 6-12 inches into the ground directly to the root zone rather than wetting the surface of the soil. Deep watering prevents runoff, overall waste, and loss due to evaporation, making this service especially helpful in keeping your tree hydrated during dry spells and droughts.
Garden Beds and Landscaping Set Up for Success
The next topic is flower gardens. Let us begin first by saying this, the most important thing for your flower garden beds and what you plant in them is location. Location, location, location. When choosing plants for your garden beds, these are some important things to take into consideration:
- How much direct sunlight does the area get? Is it morning sun, afternoon, evening, or all day?
- What side of the house will your garden bed be located?
- How will the winds during summer and winter affect my plants?
I know what you are thinking. And yes, after you complete your assigned homework for the evening, we will continue to discuss the species of native plants, the importance of their location, and soil acidity tolerance.
Why does it seem like we are sitting in the classroom of the great Texas A&M University with a sign on the door that reads HORT 101? I know this sounds like a lot and it is. There are so many variables that go into planting a successful garden, especially if you want things that are green or pretty year around.
Doing Your Research Before Starting Your Garden Beds
One thing I discourage homeowners from is looking at pictures on the internet and planting a considerable amount of money into a project without researching the various types of plants first. Some plants need a lot of water while others do not. Some plants thrive in a higher pH soil, while others do not. The most common issue I see is when plants with different needs are planted right next to each other, directly in front of a sprinkler head. Understanding how to water plants according to their specific needs is crucial. Researching your garden bed plants will save you money as well as additional landscaping duties in the long run.
Too Much Mulch
The next most common issue is mulch. Mulch is great! It is aesthetically pleasing, conserves soil moisture, acts as a weed deterrent, and breaks down and provides nutrients for your soil. However, as the saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing. If there is too much mulch, it can choke out the plants’ roots. The mold that it will create can seep into the root systems creating a fungus if not properly turned and will result in killing your plants. Sometimes, it will give off a false sense of where the soil is, leaving you to accidentally plant into a layer of mulch instead of soil.
Again, please feel free to contact us because that is what we are here for. Tell your friends and family. The learning curve that exists for a fantastic garden bed, in my opinion, is greater than that of your lawn. There are so many variables that come into play with a flower garden or landscape. Don’t be afraid to try new things, but it’s important to do your research to save yourself frustration and money. Good luck, friends. I will be here for you!
Michael “Zube” Zubillaga (Sue-Bee-Yaga)
Horticulture Manager
Aggieland Green
979-690-7300