Calendar - Desiree Gardens

October Gardens – Not much rain this year, but cooler weather is coming!

Desiree Gardens October 6, 2024 October 6, 2024Calendar, Drought, Irrigation, October 0

After this long hot and dry summer, it’s so nice to see gardens starting to perk back up and show off a little. It’s not even close to time to put your garden to bed for the winter. Just like our North Texas spring gardens are ended by the heat and lack of rain, fall gardens are only ended by the first hard freeze that usually comes in late December or occasionally January. That means your fall garden is just as important, and can be just as vibrant as your spring garden.

Anyone who has a teenager even tangentially involved in high-school football knows that mums are a classic choice for fall color. What many people don’t realize is that this perennial can provide exceptional fall color to your garden. They come in various colors and sizes and can be used in beds, borders, or containers. Mums are one of the last flowers to go dormant in the cold of winter, and when they do they might look dead, but wait! You can trim back the dead and the next year your mums will return. Coral bells are another perennial that is available in nurseries right now. Many of these Heuchera varieties offer colorful foliage year-round, but their leaves can become especially vibrant in the cooler fall temperatures. Finally, some salvias, like Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha), bloom profusely in the fall with spikes of purple or white flowers.

While some people dislike spending the time and effort to put in annual color year after year, it is a surefire method to bring immediate life to your fall garden. What’s more, many of these flowers such as pansies and annual violas will continue to bloom throughout the winter. These small, cold-tolerant annuals provide a burst of color with their bright blooms. Finally, ornamental varieties of cabbage and kale have colorful and textured leaves that intensify in color as the temperatures drop. They make unique additions to fall flower beds.

Late season blooms are not the only way to bring interest to your fall garden. Japanese maples turn glorious colors as their autumn leaves drop. If you’re considering adding a tree to your garden, now is the time to start planning as the dormant winter season is the ideal time to plant or transplant trees and other woody plants. But there are other options for late-season color: Russian sage’s silver-gray foliage and blue-purple flower spikes provide late-season interest and are drought-tolerant once established. Stonecrop sedums like ‘Autumn Joy’ offer succulent leaves and late-season blooms that change color from pink to russet as the season progresses. Hardy Cyclamen is a perennial plant that has uniquely shaped, colorful flowers that bloom in the fall and early winter, often alongside their marbled foliage.

When planting these cool-weather-loving ornamental plants, ensure they have well-drained soil, and regular watering to establish strong root systems and vibrant growth. If you have an irrigation system in place, you should be able to modify the water duration and amount for each season. Modern ET (Evapo-Transpiration) “smart” systems such as Rachio, Hunter, and Irrigreen, just to name a few, can tap into various weather monitoring services on the internet and automatically adjust the amount of water your plants need. Systems like Irrigreen can also adjust to very precise levels and add the exact amount of water precisely where and when it is needed. This can amount to tens or even hundreds of thousands of gallons of water savings.
As always, you should consider incorporating mulch to help maintain soil moisture and protect against temperature fluctuations. With these choices, your North Texas garden can continue to thrive and provide visual interest well into the fall season.

No matter what time of year, there is always something to do in a North Texas garden. Don’t forget to refresh mulch on a regular basis, and add some compost or fertilizer from time to time. Fall doesn’t mean that your garden is done. Gardens in our area remain very active even up through December, and then we can start moving onto our winter color and activities. That means it’s a great time to start the planning process for any hardscapes or other projects you want to put in while many plants are dormant.

To learn more about the Irrigreen systems we can install for you, visit Irrigreen.com, or give us a call at 877-558-1496.

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Happy gardening and, as always, take time to play in the dirt!

September: The rains are back!

Desiree Gardens September 4, 2024 September 4, 2024Calendar, Irrigation, September, Weather 0

Finally, there is a hint of cooler weather, and the fall rains have returned to North Texas!. This means your garden is ready to explode back to life, and we can’t wait to see all that beautiful fall color!

This summer’s heat and lack of rain have seriously tested most irrigation systems. Some of you may have gardens and lawns that look like they have been blasted by the summer heat. If there are areas of your sprinkler system that are broken, or where perhaps it simply didn’t get enough water in the right places, it should be patently obvious now. Take the time to address any problems with your irrigation now so that your plants will have a fighting chance to recover in time for winter. Here are Desiree Gardens, we’ve partnered with Irrigreen, the cutting edge of sprinkler technology. We can make sure your lawn is getting exactly the amount of water you need and save you money on your water bill at the same time! It’s an irrigation system that will literally pay for itself in water savings, and it’s compatible with your existing drip or spray systems for your flower beds.

Towards the end of the month, start planning and purchasing fall bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths for planting later in the fall. Add compost or organic matter to your garden beds to enrich the soil and improve its structure. This can be done before planting your fall garden. Don’t forget to deadhead summer blooms that are coming to an end so that plants kept for their flowers do not pour extra energy into creating seeds. Many varieties will continue to produce bloom after beautiful bloom in this manner, including your fall-flowering plants just about to come into season. If vegetables and other crops are your thing, it’s not too late to start your cool-season crops. Decorative crops such as kale, cabbage, mustard greens, and Swiss chard can also find spots among your fall-flowering plants.

Refresh the soil in your containers with new potting soil. Any potted plants that do not need new soil should at a minimum be treated with an appropriate fertilizer, such as a water-soluble (liquid) fertilizer bedding formula (10-10-10) for flowering plants and a blend with a bit more potassium (the middle number) like a 10-15-10 blend. Consider replanting them with cool-season flowers or ornamental cabbage and kale for fall color. Any pure tropical plants should start to get a little extra attention: these varieties, such as bougainvillea, cannot tolerate nighttime temperatures below around 45°F. If we get a welcome cold snap, these tropicals will need to be moved inside.

While we don’t focus on lawns here at Desiree Gardens, we certainly can help you grow lush, thick grass in your yard. For our area of North Texas, all-nitrogen (21-0-0) in slow-release form should be applied in early to mid-September. To control cool-season weeds, you can apply a pre-emergent this month and a second round of pre-emergent 90 days later. You’ll want to repeat this process for spring weeds. For other weeds, a broadleaf weed killer is your choice. Any local nursery can help you find one; just make sure to follow the directions. We recommend any brands that have at least 1% of 2,4-D in the formulation. What we never recommend is a combination weed-and-feed. Just be careful with the application and use broadleaf weed killers on a day with no wind so that it won’t drift from your lawn to your garden beds where it can damage them.

To learn more about the Irrigreen systems we can install for you, visit Irrigreen.com, or give us a call at 877-558-1496.

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Happy gardening and, as always, take time to play in the dirt!

August: Time to start planning your fall garden!

Desiree Gardens August 8, 2024 August 8, 2024August, Calendar, Extreme Heat, Irrigation, Trees 0

The heat is still here, and the rains haven’t been consistent for quite some time. But the good news is that fall rains and cooler weather are right around the corner. Now is the time to get your garden ready for its fall glory.

If you’ve been waiting to trim and prune your oak trees, the end of August is the perfect time when it is safe to do so. Unlike most other trees and woody shrubs, oaks in North Texas should be pruned in the heat of summer. This is due to the prevalence of the oak wilt fungus, which is transmitted to open cuts by the nitidulid beetle, also known as the sap beetle. These beetles are attracted to the sap that is released from wounds on oak trees, but the fungus that these beetles transmit is much less active here in North Texas during the hot summer days of July and August. After pruning your oaks, all wounds and cuts should immediately be painted with a dedicated tree wound paint or, absent that, a latex based paint.

Your summer annuals and hot weather perennials are likely done or nearing the end of their bloom cycle. For your flowering annuals, you can let them go to seed in hopes that they reseed themselves for you next year. Zinnias, amaranth, and marigolds are very reliable in this fashion. With other flowering annuals, you should dead-head species such as coleus, begonias, and impatiens as the petals fall off. This spurs them into creating more flowers instead of devoting their energy to creating seeds. The same can be done for your flowering perennials like roses. Additionally, roses should be pruned to stimulate new growth. Climbing roses are famous for their blooms throughout the season, and don’t usually need much attention other than a good bloom fertilizer.

The most exciting part is that your fall garden is ready to be put into the soil now. Many of the cool weather perennials are now becoming available for purchase and you can place those fall asters or Mexican bush sage now. Other perennial shrubs and ground covers should be planted now, just remember to water all of these fall plants deeply until the cooler weather and autumn rains arrives. If you have a shade garden, you can start planting coral bells, autumn ferns, and hardy begonia.

If vegetables are your thing, those seeds are ready to be planted. Squash, beans, and cucumbers should be planted now. In a few weeks we can add broccoli and cauliflower, along with kales and cabbages. Start your vegetables from seed indoors or in a greenhouse, or pick them up as small plugs from a nursery. If you want to start your vegetables outside from seed, be sure they get some protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Whatever your needs are, Desiree Gardens is always here to help. Whether you need plant installation, irrigation installation, repair, or maintenance, trimming, pruning, or maybe just a weekly or monthly maintenance plan we have what you need. Learn more at DesireeGardens.com

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July Gardens: Lantanas, Crape Myrtles, and LOTS of water!

Desiree Gardens July 11, 2024 July 11, 2024Calendar, Drought, Insects and Pest Control, Irrigation, July 0

It’s hot. The rains have pretty much stopped for the summer. Hurrican Beryl brought some rain to the eastern portions of North Texas, but most of the DFW metroplex and points west missed out on that drenching. What’s left to do in the garden? Well there’s plenty to do, including planting some of our favorite heat-loving perennials and annual color. It’s time to pay close attention to your irrigation system if you have one and, if you don’t, make sure that you are hand watering at least every other day.

This is a wonderful time to select and plant your crape myrtles. They should be in bloom at your local nursery so it’s easy to pick out your favorite colors. The same applies to lantanas and other small blooming perennial shrubs. When planting these new additions it is absolutely crucial that they are deeply watered in, and that they continue to be deeply watered on a regular basis until they begin to become established. The worst thing you can do, and we see this a lot, is to spend a ton of money on pricey specimens like crape myrtles only to plop them into a hole in the ground and expect them to survive with little water and no support! Adding annual color such as purple fountain grass, purslane, and moss rose are a great way to get that additional “pop” of color to your garden beds.

July is the time for a second application of a pre-emergent to prevent weed growth. Along those same lines it is time to add another round of fertilizer. With more frequent watering, nutrients crucial to a healthy lawn can be diluted and washed away. For our most common clay soils we recommend an all nitrogen slow release granular fertilizer. Do NOT use a “weed and feed” as they can damage trees and shrubs. If new sod is what you need, this is prime time for installing bermuda, zoysia, st. augustine, and buffalo grass. When having new sod installed make absolutely sure to water it deeply twice a day for the next 2-3 weeks so that the roots can become established. Desiree Gardens can help program a proper watering schedule for your sprinkler system after we install your new lawn.

Speaking of sprinkler and irrigation systems, it seems every year around this time we begin to have severe watering restrictions that can be devastating to both lawns and gardens. For this reason we highly recommend drip irrigation which can be retrofit and installed in almost any garden or raised bed, or installed prior to the installation of new lawns. Drip systems are usually exempt from watering restrictions because they apply water directly to the soil and are much less susceptible to waste from evaporation or runoff. Drip systems are by far the most efficient way to water your garden, and can actually lower your water bill every month. When combined with a modern ET (evapotranspiration) controller such as a Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, or even Irrigreen, we have seen customers reporting savings on their water bill of 50% to 70% compared to older controllers equipped with just a rain sensor and standard spray heads.

July and August are the times that it is safe to trim your oak trees. Unlike most other trees and woody shrubs, oaks in North Texas should be pruned in the heat of summer. This is due to the prevalence of the oak wilt fungus, which is transmitted to open cuts by the nitidulid beetle, also known as the sap beetle. These beetles are attracted to the sap that is released from wounds on oak trees, but the fungus that these beetles transmit is much less active here in North Texas during the hot summer days of July and August. After pruning your oaks, all wounds and cuts should immediately be painted with a dedicated tree wound paint or, absent that, a latex based paint.

Another tree pest to keep an eye out for is the emerald ash borer. This invasive pest is quite deadly to ash trees and there is no known treatment or cure once a tree is infested. Recently they have been discovered in Collin, Franklin, Red River, Grayson, Hill, Hood, McLennan, and Palo Pinto counties. This deadly pest has the potential to wipe out ash trees completely in North America. Transportation of any ash wood, whether firewood or trimmings is restricted from these counties, in addition to Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Parker counties which are already under quarantine.

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As always, don’t forget to play in the dirt!

June Gardens: Oaks, Annuals, and Irrigation

Desiree Gardens June 8, 2024 June 8, 2024Annuals, Irrigation, June 0

The summer heat has set in, and it looks like it’s here to stay for a few months. Luckily we’ve had a very wet and rainy spring, and the beginning of summer looks to be no different. The El Niño system that has been working the Pacific Ocean has brought us the blessing of all this rain, but there is a 60% chance that this could change between the end of this month and August. Hopefully the transition from El Niño to La Niña will occur later rather than sooner and we’ll continue to have a mild wet summer. Additionally, forecasts are currently calling for an increase in the number of hurricanes and tropical storms in the Gulf and Atlantic this year. While nobody hopes for hurricanes, increased tropical moisture streaming north into Texas can help provide an incease in rainfall through the end of summer and autumn.

That being said, we’re still going to be dealing with traditional North Texas summer heat. This means that, with the exception of annual color such as petunias, zinnias, marigolds, and cosmos, it’s time to begin to hold off planting most other perennial plants. Some exceptions are lantanas, which love the heat and are incredibly drought tolerant, as well as coneflowers, certain salvias, and of course new sod. Most other plants should wait until we get the first hints of cooler autumn air before you plant them in the ground.

If you’ve been waiting to trim and prune your oak trees, the end of June marks the beginning of the time that it is safe to do so. Unlike most other trees and woody shrubs, oaks in North Texas should be pruned in the heat of summer. This is due to the prevalence of the oak wilt fungus, which is transmitted to open cuts by the nitidulid beetle, also known as the sap beetle. These beetles are attracted to the sap that is released from wounds on oak trees, but the fungus that these beetles transmit is much less active here in North Texas during the hot summer days of July and August. After pruning your oaks, all wounds and cuts should immediately be painted with a dedicated tree wound paint or, absent that, a latex based paint.

As we progress into the heat of the summer it is more important than ever that your irrigation system is functioning properly. Desiree Gardens offers irrigation audits where we run through your entire system and help ensure that all zones and all spray and drip areas are functioning properly with no leaks. Of course, you can perform this task yourself by manually running through each station one by one. As you do so, check for clogged spray heads and make sure that all of the areas you want to receive water are, and that there is minimal overspray on concrete paths, patios, and driveways.

With the heavy clay soils we have here in North Texas, and with the increased plant and lawn requirements for water, it is more important than ever to perform deep watering. Unfortunately these clay soils take time to absorb that amount of water, so we recommend a cycle and soak method. If you have a modern ET (evapotranspiration) controller such as a Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise you have this function already built in and ready to be implemented through an app on your phone. These modern systems also have the ability to tap into weather information from the National Weather Service and adjust how much water is applied to your lawn and garden. With the wet spring we’ve had some of our customers have reported savings on their water bill of 50% to 70% compared to older controllers equipped with just a rain sensor.

Older systems often have multiple programs available, such as program A, B, C, etc. In most cases you can enable all of the programs to run on the same day at different times so that program A runs through all the stations, waits a bit for the water to soak in, and then runs program B immediately after to add additional water without excess runoff.

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May flowers are here!

Desiree Gardens May 1, 2024 May 1, 2024Irrigation, May, Natural Gardens, Uncategorized 0

The heat of summer is finally setting in, but with all the rain we’ve had in April plants everywhere are just absolutely exploding. Now is the time to start setting in your annual color. For annuals, you’ll want to get “hardened” plants and not something just out of the greenhouse. They will need time to acclimate to the heat we’re just now experiencing.

For perennials if you’re a fan of coneflowers (Echinacia) now is the time to plant them. Lantanas are another great choice for heat loving perennials and they are definitely in stock at your local garden center. Lantanas are often mistaken for annuals, but don’t be discouraged if they seem to die completely away in the winter. They will die back to the ground and come back with the first heat of summer. Of course there are many other options for annual colors, such as pentas and violas as well.

For your lawn, if you’re considering adding sod, now is the ideal time. St. Augustine is a fantastic choice for full sun and heavy clay soils, but bermuda and zoysia will also work. For shady areas, Titan fescue is a fantastic option. Additionally, now is the perfect time to fertilize your lawn. We recommend an all nitrogen fertilizer along the lines of a 15-0-0. That being said, we highly advise against any “weed and feed” additives. They can severely hurt woody shrubs and trees.

While we’re discussing lawns, this is the time to inspect your St. Augustine for Take All Root Rot (TARR) which is a fungus that can decimate your lawn. You can identify this through a general “yellowing” of the grass, or if it is farther advanced you will notice bald spots and a general lack of structure of the root system which will appear dry and brittle. Acidification through a peat moss treatment, or chemicals such as aluminum sulfate will help your turf beat back the fungus. We recommend a minimum of 1” of peat moss well raked in so that the grass is poking through the layer.

Mulch seems to be a common topic that we discuss here, but it’s importance cannot be over emphasized. In addition to weed suppression, it plays a major role in helping the soil to retain moisture. That may not yet be a problem now, but once we get into June and July you’ll want all the help that you can get with soil moisture. If your existing mulch is more than a couple of years old you may consider raking out the old mulch and replacing it.

Along those same lines, if your irrigation system is not functioning properly this is the time to address repairs. The El Nino system that has blessed us with abundant rain this spring seems to be changing to a La Nina system, which means that natural rainfall will decrease through the end of the summer and into autumn and winter. It may just mean a little adjustment is needed for some spray heads, or perhaps a valve just needs to be rebuilt. Regardless, now is the time to address any irrigation problems before the Texas heat hits us in full force.

It certainly is an exciting time of year, and Desiree Gardens is always here to help. Need help with your irrigation or sprinkler system? Does your garden need an overhaul or just a general checkup? Give us a call at 817-202-4808, or drop us a line and contact us here, to find out how Desiree can help you create a wonderful garden with a budget you can afford.

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And remember, don’t forget to play in the dirt!

April is an exciting time for gardeners!

Desiree Gardens April 1, 2024 April 1, 2024Annuals, April, Irrigation, Natural Gardens, Perennials 0

The warm weather is here at last, and it’s here to stay for a while. We’re completely free of any risk of frost, and if you haven’t gotten your spring planting done yet now is the time! Many of you have already seen the trees, shrubs, and other perennials begin to bud, bloom, and leaf out. Our late bloomers aren’t far behind. So, what do we need to focus on in April?

For your lawns, it’s too late now to apply a pre-emergent to prevent weeds, but you’ll have another opportunity in June. If you do have pesky weeds in your lawn you can still use a broadleaf weed killer with at least 1% 2,4-D but make sure to apply it only where needed early in the morning when there is little or no wind. Remember that it can damage or kill other plants and flowers in your garden beds. Now is also the time to apply an all-nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn to encourage growth and give it lush green leaves. When mowing, do not mow too low. If you lowered your mower to scalp your lawn last month remember to raise it up. Taller lawns create healthier grass and encourage better root growth.

This is the perfect time to plant all of your heat loving annual varieties from 4″ or 6″ pots, or from seedlings you started indoors earlier this year. Perennials should be started from quart or gallon pots. Annual varieties include purslane, lantana, pentas, purple fountain grass for your full sun gardens. In the shade you can add coleus, caladiums, and begonias. If you’re wanting to add a rose or two to your garden this is also a great time for that as well. We recommend varieties such as Earth-Kind, but other brands such as Knockout roses are also a good choice. For climbing roses it’s hard to go wrong with the stunning Joseph’s Coat or Peggy Martin, just remember that your climbers will need a trellis or some other support. Keep a close eye out for rose-rosette, also known as witches broom, which is an incurable virus that can quickly spread among rose plantings.

Once your spring flowering trees and shrubs are done for the season you can start pruning and shaping them. Wisteria, redbud, and dogwood trees should be pruned when the flowers drop. Wisteria should be pruned by hand to help it maintain a more natural look. For your trees you should remove any low hanging branches, water sprouts, hanging branches, or crossed branches. On your stone fruit trees such as peaches or plums you should keep the previous advice in mind but pay close attention to where fruit is setting. Judicious pruning will help the tree direct resources to the fruit that remains and produce larger fruits on those remaining.

As we noted earlier, weeds are returning along with the warm weather. Make sure to keep on top of weeds in any of your garden beds. Adding a layer of mulch after removing weeds helps immensely in weed suppression. Mulch also aids in moisture retention and soil temperature. This will become critically important as we move into the summer months when the hot Texas sun can dry everything while raising surface soil temperatures well above 130° in some cases. Along those same lines it is critically important to make sure your lawn and plants are receiving adequate water. New growth in the spring is heavily dependent on spring rains supplemented by your irrigation system. Modern sprinkler systems using ET (Evapotranspiration) controllers are one of the best ways to keep your plants properly hydrated. They tap into the internet and pull rainfall totals, humidity information, and more to precisely apply the amount of water needed. This not only helps your garden but can save you from a hefty water bill later this year. These modern systems can also be monitored and controlled from handy phone-based apps so that you can keep an eye on things no matter where you are.

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March is here! Is it too early to start planting?

Desiree Gardens March 6, 2024 March 6, 2024Irrigation, March, Shrubs, Trees 0

The first Texas bluebonnets are beginning to appear, and that can mean only one thing: The early spring has finally arrived. This is the time of year that we can begin planting frost hardy plants.

There is always a chance of a late spring frost, especially prior to Easter weekend. With each passing week however, the chance of a killing frost drops. For most areas of North Texas the chance of a killing frost drops to 50% by March 15th. By the first week of April the chance of a killing frost drops to 10%. February and March this year have been unseasonably warm however, meaning that in all likelihood we will be safe to plant within the first two weeks of March, but there is always that slim chance.

That being said, there are a number of plants that you can plant secure in the knowledge that they will continue to thrive even through another freeze. Perennials like gladiolas, mallows such as turks cap, cannas, and salvias are always a safe bet this time of year. Annual color examples include foxgloves, larkspur, and sweet alyssum. These should be planted as soon as possible to ensure that they have a long growing season before the Texas heat of summer takes hold. Any seeds that were started inside over the winter can begin to be moved outside so that they can adjust to the sun and temperature, but make sure to bring them back in if temperatures threaten to fall below 32°. The same applies to any container plants that have been overwintered indoors: the soil in containers gets much cooler much faster than your average ground soil, so keep a close eye on the weather. Better yet, head to DesireeGardens.com and sign up for our newsletter: we send out warnings any time the weather looks like it will take a turn for the worst.

If you have been putting off tree and shrub pruning, this is pretty much your last chance to perform this chore before leaves and buds start to appear. The exception to this is any spring flowering trees and shrubs. If you have dogwoods, wisterias, or fruit trees in your garden you should wait until after the blossoms have dropped. Early spring flowering plants set their buds in the autumn and should be pruned in late spring or early summer. This helps to ensure a glorious bloom next year. Any other trees and shrubs should be pruned over winter, with March being your last chance until next winter. Remove any low hanging branches to raise the canopy, and trim inside growth where the leaves of the plant are less productive, but do not trim oaks yet. Texas oaks should be trimmed in late summer when the chance of oak wilt fungal infection is at a minimum. Finally, if you have transplanted any woody shrubs or trees, cut back the canopy by around 40% in order to compensate for roots that were lost during the digging process.

For those with an irrigation system, now is the time to switch over to a spring watering schedule. The increased sunlight and the new growth of plants that have been recently added, or those coming out of dormancy, means that their watering needs are drastically increasing. Now is also the time for an irrigation audit. Run each zone one by one and check for leaks, poor water flow from spray heads, clogs, and breaks in drip line. Repair or replace these as necessary.

Lawns are also beginning to perk back up as the soil temperatures increase and they receive more sunlight. Take time early this month to scalp your lawn. We don’t need to get down to the thatch for a proper scalp. Scalping your lawn can dramatically improve the appearance of your spring lawn as it grows in. Simply drop your mower by no more than two notches when performing this task. Apply a pre-emergent weed killer early this month. Once it warms up and you begin to see weeds in your lawn, it is already too late. We do not recommend using any weed and feed product whatsoever. Many if not all weed and feed products can damage your trees and shrubs. Later this month you can add an all-nitrogen fertilizer. This will promote vigorous growth and a lush green color.

Finally, this is a fine time to make any changes to your hardscape and irrigation system. If you are putting in a retaining wall, pavers or pathways, patios or pergolas, do it now. Desiree Gardens offers a full suite of planning, consultation, irrigation design and installation services to help you create a wonderful garden this year, but don’t wait too long to book your appointment. Our spring schedule is filling up fast.

Need help with your irrigation or sprinkler system? Does your garden need an overhaul or just a general checkup? Maybe you just need a helping hand to protect sensitive plants from freeze and frost. Give us a call at 817-202-4808, or drop us a line and contact us here, to find out how Desiree can help you create a wonderful garden with a budget you can afford.

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February is here, and it’s time to get ready for spring!

Desiree Gardens February 3, 2024 February 4, 2024Annuals, Calendar, February, Freezes, Natural Gardens, Perennials, Plants, Weather 0

February begins to herald the change to spring here in North Texas, and while we often get some of our hardest freezes in February it’s also the time when your garden will begin to wake up. Most plants use a combination of available sunlight, as the days grow longer, as well as soil temperature to decide when to come out of dormancy. Now is also the time to begin planning your spring garden. But what needs to be done now?

This is the perfect time to prune woody trees and shrubs, except for oaks, while they are still dormant. Any remaining ornamental grasses and perennials should also get a trim to be ready for spring, although there are some exceptions: plants like wisteria set their buds in the fall and should not be trimmed until later in the spring after flowering. If there are any deadfall, loose brush, or annuals that have run their course, it is time to do a deep cleaning in your garden and pull all that out. It’s not too late to plant new trees and shrubs, but it’s wise to prune by as much as 50% (depending on species) them when they are planted. Nandinas, for example, whether new or existing should be severely pruned back with the tallest canes taken back all the way to ground level. This will encourage more bushy growth and prevent them from becoming too leggy.

If you are starting anything from seed they should be planted indoors for now so that they are ready for planting when the soil temperature warms up a bit. Certain perennials should also be planted, or at least get them ready to be planted, such as mallows, gloriosas, fall asters and salvias. Cool season annuals can also be swapped out for iceland poppies, larkspur, and sweet alyssum.

You can begin to fertilize your trees and shrubs right now, but hold off a little bit on any cold-sensitive plants. They should wait until late March or just before Easter before being fertilized. By the same token your lawns should be scalped, fertilized (depending on the species, it’s still to early to fertilize your warm weather lawns such as St. Augustine) and possibly amend with peat moss towards the end of this month. If possible, make sure to bag the clippings and use it in your compost or as mulch. Remove any winter seeds and start looking to use a pre-emergent weed killer later this month or in early March depending on the weather. If you need to aerate your lawn to help reduce soil compaction this is a good time for that as well.

Remember that we can get hard freezes even through late March and early April, so try not to get overeager and be prepared to use frost cloth to protect your sensitive plants from early spring cold snaps. This is an exciting time of year for gardeners as the warmth of spring is just barely in sight. Consult your local nursery to see what plants are in stock and appropriate to be planted right now, and don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call for a consultation specific to your garden goals.

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After a hard freeze, don’t panic! How to evaluate damage.

Desiree Gardens January 22, 2024 January 23, 2024Calendar, Extreme Heat, February, Freezes, January, Weather 0

Well, we’ve finally emerged from the frigid ice-box that was North Texas these past few days. Hopefully you’ve been able to shelter your most sensitive plants through cleverly designed micro-climates, deep watering, and judicious use of frost cloth. Frost cloth is remarkably effective in the day time when properly applied: it provides a 5°F to as much as 10° rise in temperatures during the day time. That’s more than adequate for most plants as it brings our lows in the teens up to 25° plus. The danger comes at night when their effectiveness dwindles, leaving plants to rely on adequate water and ground temperature to help them weather the storm.

The most important thing when evaluating frost or freeze damage is not to panic. Some damage is easy to find: black or mushy leaves and stems are easy to find on non-woody plants and can be removed straight away, but don’t just start pulling out plants. While some damage is normal, many many plants will be able to recover with the first warmup of spring. Some plants will die completely back to the ground only to recover from their ground insulated roots. Other plants will look damaged with curled leaves, some discoloration, and branches that appear dry and dead. For woody plants, shrubs and trees, patience is key. Certain palms, waxleaf ligustrums, oleanders, and gardenias are some example of woody plants that cannot tolerate the cold. Still, give these guys time and wait until spring to give them a fair chance for a proper evaluation.

January is often one of our driest months, but we’ve been blessed with an abundance of precipitation both during and after our most recent hard freeze. As mentioned in a previous article, water is one of the best defenses against freeze damage. Moist soil and mulch hold an immense amount of water, and that water resists changing into ice until it has lost a significant amount of energy. Liquid water will remain at 32°F for quite some time before freezing. This is also why well watered and hydrated plants suffer less damage than dry plants. Additionally, water features and swimming pools will contribute heat and atmospheric moisture (humidity) to the surrounding plants.

Your frost cloth provides wind protection as well and prevents wind burn on sensitive leaves. Plant location also plays a huge factor here. We mentioned creating a micro-climate for your garden earlier. This means that your most sensitive plants should be on the south side of a structure like a fence or house where they not only get wind protection but also benefit from the direct sun in the daylight. Hardier plants can be placed on the north side of houses, fences, or other structures. The hardiest evergreens can be placed so that they provide shelter from biting north winds for more sensitive plants that are south of this wind block. Finally, brick, stone, and rock, including large boulders, absorb a significant amount of solar radiation during the day that is then released back as heat during the night.

To recap, if you are using some or all of these tactics your plants will stand a much better chance of surviving cold snaps. But after things warm up don’t panic! Some damage is to be expected but many plants are much hardier than people give them credit for. They may look a little sad for a while, but give them a chance until spring to see how well they actually fared before you start cutting limbs and branches or digging them out.

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