Plants, trees and shrubs may be looking a little overgrown or unkept and you may be wondering if it is time to start trimming them. Pruning can be done anytime of the year with proper precautions, but there are recommendations to keep plants healthy and protect them from disease. Since the heat of summer has some protective qualities, there are things we can do now that will prepare your garden for the grown of the second spring of autumn. Here…
It’s not too hot to add color and keep things healthy Gardening in Texas in July may seem like an oxymoron, but there are easy steps to take now to keep your garden healthy, colorful and ready for the fall. Don your sunhat and sunglasses for these summer gardening tips. Some plants like it hot Do not despair at empty flowerpots or lifeless spots in your garden, there are plants and flowers that thrive in the heat. Here are a…
As the days heat up, the summer dangers of snakes and scorpions return. The crew has been noticing rattlers lately, so we wish to remind you of the steps to take to protect yourself. There are four keys to a snake and scorpion free yard: 1. cleanup your landscape, 2. seal entry points, 3. eliminate food sources and 4. keep your path visually clear to see threats. About snakes and scorpionsHot temperatures inspire snakes and scorpions to move about to look for…
Is your garden a refuge, a place that brings you peace and relaxation? If not, perhaps it is time to try slow gardening. Inspired by the slow food movement, slow gardening embraces patience and connection with nature by appreciating that good things take time. We all know that nature makes us happy https://superavitservices.com/2020/04/nature-makes-us-happy-are-you-getting-a-weekly-dose/ by relieving stress and reducing depression. Step away from the world and technology and spend time in your garden with the these four slow gardening principles and enjoy the healthful…
There is no such thing as normal weather in Austin, which means we have to be prepared for everything. We do know, however, that colder weather is here which means frost damaged plants, fallen tree limbs and sprinkler leaks if we are not prepared. Prepare now for the worst the winter season can bring and enjoy a worry-free winter. 1 Insulate with mulch Mulch is probably the most important thing you can do to winterize your garden. During a Texas…
Cooler temperatures and a bit of rain are returning green to the landscape, just in time for winter to return everything to a dormant, grayish state – unless you plant some guaranteed winter-proof green now. Here are some great tips to bring green and a pop of color to your lawn and garden for the entire winter. Green lawn all winter long – overseeding with rye The largest patch of green for most is the lawn. Overseeding with rye as the temperatures…
After summer’s extreme heat and drought, crisp brown lawns and gardens are the only things looking abundant. Fortunately, we are entering the perfect season to fill our lawn and garden with vibrant new growth, from trees, shrubs, and perennials to edibles. This is also a good time to consider cover crops like rye to prevent weeds and help to improve the soil through the winter months. And if you are tired of looking at plants and grasses that were not…
Trees are valuable to us in many ways, increasing not only curb appeal but property values. But the greatest gift of trees is experienced in the heat of summer when their shady canopy prevents your home and garden from turning into a heat island. Trees reduce surrounding temperatures from 10 to 25 degrees! Stress from weather extremes, however, is cumulative for trees. Signs of stress seen this year may reflect several hot summers and winter cold snaps. To protect your trees, your…
It is hot outside! That means your plants need water. To keep your lawn and garden healthy in the heat despite watering restrictions and save money, follow these four tips. Less is more when it comes to watering. That is good news if you have strict watering restrictions. Make the most of the times you water by watering deeply. A deep drink of water develops healthy roots, which better survive times of drought. 1-1/2 inches of water every 5-7 days…
Like us, grass cannot live on water alone and right now, before the stress of summer arrives, is the perfect time to fortify your lawn with fertilizer. If your lawn is showing areas of weakness, like weeds, fertilizer will strengthen your lawn and crowd out weeds before they take root. Knowing how and when to fertilize varies depending upon many variables like soil quality, type of grass, and weather conditions, but these general rules apply to most lawns. The right…
