June Gardens: Oaks, Annuals, and Irrigation

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…

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May flowers are here!

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…

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April is an exciting time for gardeners!

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….

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

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…

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