Water... Wise!!!

The drought has continued to take a toll on landscapes in our area. Want to learn more? Just click below and learn tips and techniques to help you and your landscape get through the tough times.

Drought

We are quickly approaching fall garden preparations. Stay tuned!!!

Hurricane Preparedness for Home Landscapes

Most of us are watching the tropics in anticipation of a developing storm. When and where it may strike, keeps us watching the weather. Distant memories of hurricane Katrina and hurricane Ike has makes us realize the importance of preparation. Routine maintenance around the yard can speed up last-minute preparations for a storm. So, how do we protect our assets and allow for better response times from emergency and cleanup crews in our community? A few weeks ago I was walking around the neighborhood, looking at landscapes, as usual, when I realized that most of the landscapes had many items that will become airborne during high winds. This short walk around the block became a good column to remind us how to prepare for the worst and to be proactive in the event of a storm. Walk around your neighborhood and ask yourself “Will that withstand 100mph winds and where will it land after it becomes airborne?”

Checklist for hurricane preparation in landscapes

Number 1: Trim out all dead wood from your trees and remove sick or diseased trees. These branches can break off during heavy winds and cause damage to your home. One thing I would like to mention. Carefully evaluate removal of limbs and trees. Your safety is very important and some jobs may appear easier than what they truly can be. It will be worth your time to get several estimates from different tree trimming companies. Keep in mind there are two questions that need to be asked when getting estimates. A. Do they utilize the three cut method? B. Is their company insured? The three cut method is utilized to minimize damage to the tree. C. Is the company insured? An insured tree trimming company protects its workers, rather than a mishap falling under your homeowner’s insurance. Diseased trees with decaying trunks or limbs are considered hazard trees and should be removed. Weak or diseased trees will uproot or break during high winds. Where do you think these trees will fall? Since winds from storms typically come from multiple directions, it is possible that the tree may end up in your home or your neighbors’ homes. Eliminating these trees will help keep homes intact and keep water penetration into your home at a minimum.

Number 2: Remove or secure all patio furniture and other yard art. Small potted plants and decorative garden pieces can become projectiles that will contribute to additional property damage. Garden art and patio furniture can be thrown around, especially in backyards and damage the home landscape. Limiting the amount of flying debris will also minimize damage to landscape plants, which will increase the chances of survival after a storm.

Number 3: Remove and secure other items around the home. So you ask, “What’s left?” (Small pieces of wood, wind chimes, trellises, bird houses, water features, BBQ pits, bird feeders, garden hoses, sprinklers and yard tools.) If you have children, let’s not forget all of the play equipment and toys that are around the yard. Even trampolines and pools need to be taken into consideration.

Regular maintenance around the home can save you time, when it comes to preparing for a storm. Periodic inspection and maintenance of the roof, fascia boards and siding will also decrease or minimize flying debris. Taking these steps will help give emergency and cleanup crews prompt access to our city in the event of a hurricane. This will also allow citizens quicker access their neighborhoods and homes. ARE YOU PREPARED? If you would like more information on preparing for disasters, here are several websites and phone numbers for references:

Preparing for the Unexpected - https://agrilifebookstore.org/

Texas AgriLife Extension and Texas Dept. of State Health Services sponsored publication for preparing for disasters.

2-1-1 Texas First Call For Help - www.211.org or Dial 2-1-1

For non-emergency information and referral. Information on evacuation routes and locations of food and shelter during a disaster will be available.

Texas Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) - http://texashelp.tamu.edu Provides access to resources on disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

Federal Emergency Management Agency - http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/ Provides resources for all types of disaster information, as well as information about different types of disasters.

American Humane Society Animal Emergency Service - www.americanhumane.org

Provides rescue and support services for pets and other animals during and after a disaster.

Texas Agrilife Extension Service Volunteerism at Commissioners Court.

Volunteerism is a major force in Texas AgriLife Extension programs. Master Gardeners are highly trained volunteers that deliver educational programs to adults and youth. Interns are recruited and trained on a yearly basis to help educate and disseminate research based information to the public.

Nueces Master Gardeners delivered the 2010 in-kind volunteer hour’s contribution check to Nueces County Commissioners on April 20^th. Ninety two Master Gardeners contributed 9,592 volunteer hours resulting in $204,000 of in-kind service.

“Now more than ever, there is a need to educate citizens on producing their own vegetables, saving money and promote nutrition.” says Stephanie Martin, Nueces Master Gardener President. Vegetables are not the only thing Master Gardeners can do. They can help homeowners save water, reduce fertilizer and pesticide use. Reducing the pollutants that ultimately end up in our bays and estuaries is a major educational goal of Texas Agrilife Extension Service.

If you are interested in becoming a Nueces County Master Gardener please contact our office at 361-767-5217. Orientation will be given in late July and classes will begin in August and continue until December.

Environmentally Sound Insect Control

Insect control plays a major role in the success of our plants this time of year. Just when our prized plants and landscapes start to excel, invariably, insects join the party and take their share.

Insect identification plays an important role in choosing the right method to control insects. Using the wrong insecticide can cause more damage than good. There are a few things to think about when selecting insecticides. If physical removal of the insect is not an option, choose insecticides that are either plant based or made from naturally occurring products. A few examples are Bt, spinosad and insecticidal soaps.

Bt is short for Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt is a soil dwelling bacterium that, when ingested by a larval stage worm, reacts with the cell lining in a insects gut and paralyzes the digestive system. Without the ability to digest and feed, insects will die within a day or two. This product is very effective but does have some limitations. Bt will degrade naturally with sunlight and is washed off the leaf surface by rain or watering. This will result in a shorter time frame between applications to ensure coverage and activity. However, the major advantage is that Bt is nontoxic to people, pets and wildlife. This is beneficial for use on food crops or in other sensitive sites where pesticide use can be a problem.

Spinosad (Saccharopolyspora spinosa) is also a soil dwelling bacterium. Spinosad is relatively fast acting. Once the bacterium is ingested, the nervous system of the insect is sent into overdrive and will thus cause death. Spinosad is both a nerve poison and a stomach poison, so it kills pests that it contacts and those that consume it on the foliage they eat. The insect dies within one to two days after ingesting the active ingredient. This product works on many different types of insects (caterpillars, flies, thrips and beetles) but most beneficial insects are spared. This means that you may need to spray less often if you use this type of material. The natural enemies will be preserved and should help moderate pest populations later in the season.

Insecticidal soaps work best on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. Insecticidal soaps work only on direct contact with insects. The fatty acids disrupt the structure and permeability of the cell membranes of the insect. Thus, the insects’ cell contents leak from the damaged cells and the insect quickly dies. The insecticidal soaps can be either purchased at home and garden centers or nurseries. However, if you like to do-it- yourself, you can make your own soap and water solution and save a little money in the process. Do not use soaps that contain a degreaser. The degreasers will damage the leaves of the plant. The degreaser may cause leaves to be deformed or discolored, or even die back. In addition, it is best to be mindful that soaps that advertise as a concentrate will need to be diluted much more than simple soaps. More than likely, the generic soaps are a good choice. Another good choice would be to use a soap that contains a citric acid. The acid benefits the effectiveness of the solution by increasing irritation of soft bodied insects. Regardless of what soap product is used, sprays are always applied diluted with water and typically at a concentration of 2 to 3 percent.

Insect control can leave you in dismay when you visit a local box store or nursery. The sheer number of chemicals that line the shelves can be discouraging. With a little research, you can choose a product that is going to have the desired result for your situation. Keep in mind to READ THE LABEL on products you purchase. The label states all the information that is needed to use the product safely. The label will also state the type of equipment that should be used and what insects are controlled with the particular product. The chemical world provides the tools we utilize to combat the issues we face with insects, however; with a little planning and education we can choose products that are just as effective and have less impact on the environment.

Irrigating for Water Conservation

There are many methods used to irrigate landscapes and turfgrass. Typically most homeowners utilize hose end irrigation tools to accomplish the task. Most importantly,watering early in the morning between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. reduces water loss and decreases the incidence of fungal problems. With that said, there are three important factors to consider when selecting which sprinkler to use for your landscape.

First of all, a very important consideration is evaporation. A large percentage of water applied to a landscape is lost in regards to time of application and drift due to windy conditions. Selecting a sprinkler that emits large drops or a steady stream of water is more efficient and will reduce the drift of smaller particles of water. Also, sprinklers that hurl water high into the air will drift away from the targeted area during windy conditions.

Secondly, the shape and size of your lawn and landscape dictates which sprinklers are most effective for your situation. For example, a large lawn that is rectangular can be watered effectively with fan type sprayers. (see image above) Most of the sprinklers sold today will have a label on the box that will show the available spray patterns or specify the distance or area that can be achieved. Smaller areas may utilize different spray patterns to achieve full coverage. If the area has curves or narrow areas, certain sprinklers have multiple spray pattern that can be selected for a particular situation.

The water pressure that is applied through a sprinkler head can have both positive and negative results. The higher the pressure, the more likely issues with off target water application occur. Small droplet sizes, from high pressure, will result in more evaporation and greater chance of movement due to wind. If the water pressure is too low, the water may not reach the targeted area or too much water may be applied in a smaller location. It is important to adjust the sprinkler at the faucet to achieve the desired droplet size and coverage.

I cannot express how important water conservation is for our area. Doing a little hands on irrigation audit is a great way to limit water misuse. An irrigation audit can be conducted on just about any type of sprinkler and even a in-ground irrigation system. Simply gather some rain gauges or empty tuna or cat food cans and place them in the area that will be watered. Turn on the water and let the cans or rain gauges capture the water. Take into account the different water requirements for turf and landscape areas. Turf for example generally requires 1inch of water per week. Landscape plants generally have larger root systems and do not require as much water as a turgrass needs. With this in mind, let the sprinkler run for 15 minutes and measure the water captured in the cans or rain gauge (built in measuring scale) with a ruler or other measuring device of your choice. If you have captured 0.25 inches of water, then it can be assumed that you will have to water 4 times within a week to capture the 1 inch of water required for turfgrass.

Landscape Renovation

This is a great time of year to do your landscape renovations. This may include pruning, relocating or even replanting your landscape. Here are several suggestions to help your landscape flourish.

• Trim dead, unsightly or unwanted growth. Train your plants to grow where and how you want them to grow. Of course, this must be within reason, it depends on the growth pattern of the plant. If a plant has outgrown its welcome, consider replanting with a plant that will reach full growth and will not exceed the selected location.
• When transplanting, take into consideration the amount of root system that will be lost during removal. Damaging a large amount of root system will result in die-back or total loss. It is also recommended, when relocating plants, that proper locations are identified. It would not be wise to relocate a plant that requires full sun to a location that has full or part shade. Also, make sure that the plants are grouped by watering needs. Planting a cactus in an area with tropical plants would be a challenge to water. It will leave plants over or under watered, especially if an irrigation system is used.
  
• Replacing plants in the landscape can offer many benefits. Primarily, this allows for better plant selection. Selecting plants that require less fertilization and less water is a must for our area. In addition, selecting plants for the landscape can be a daunting task. Just visit any nursery and your mind will overload with the possibilities. With a little research and some forethought, plant selection can be a breeze. Select the right plant for the right place. Take into consideration the amount of sun and water a plant will require given a certain location. Select plants that are adapted to your area and your lifestyle. If you are not one to have the gumption to do regular yard work, consider plants that are easy to maintain or require little or no maintenance. It is equally important to select plants that are healthy and full of life. Selecting plant that have been neglected will only cost more money in the future. Once a plant has been abused either temporarily or routinely, it is likely the plants will struggle to maintain healthy growth throughout its life. Replacing plants can also lead into the addition of herbs or plants that attract birds and butterflies.
• Lastly, mulching is a great procedure that will save water and decrease weed problems. Mulch applied at 3 to 4 inches will readily reduce weed growth. In addition, utilizing weed mats will also reduce weed and keep maintenance down to a minimum. The moisture benefit is the biggest saver. Less is more!.. Less water saves more for the future.
  

These are just a few things I have contemplated while renovating some of my landscape.
Happy Landscaping!

Springing Into Green

Plants and grasses have started to grow and bud throughout the county. This is always a great indicator that plants are ready to pampered by the owner. There are some beneficial landscape maintenance chores that can be done to improve the quality of life of our plants.
First of all, turf can now be fertilized to assist in a healthy growing pattern. Nitrogen is the key nutrient that promotes leaf growth. A general recommendation of 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen per year is used for most lawns. However, a soil test is still recommended to get an idea of the nutrient levels that are stored in the soil. A soil test will give the recommended fertilization for any given part of your landscape (ex. Lawn, Garden, Landscape).
In order to accomplish a 1-2 pounds of nitrogen, it is important to get the square footage of your lawn area and also understand the numbers on a fertilizer bag. The first number on a fertilizer bag is the % Nitrogen in the total weight of the bag. The second number is % Phosphorus, and the third number is % Potassium. This is typically referred to as N-P-K.
Typical recommendations for Nueces County, from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory, indicated that Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0) should be applied. If you need to have your soil tested, you can get the forms and information online at http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/. Also, a good site to help figure out how much of a particular fertilizer needs to be applied can be found at http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/calculators/fertsheet.html. You can also find information to help you calibrate spreader equipment at http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/calibration/calibration.html. In addition, information on how to take soil samples. http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/soilsample/soilsample1.html These are great tools to help you save some money on fertilization and deter over application of fertilizers which negatively impacts our bays and estuaries.
In addition, this a great time to trim dead or damaged foliage and branches from trees and shrubs. The new growth and developing buds can assist with shaping and retraining plants to grow in the form that we choose. There is also a great publication that will assist and inform homeowners of best practices and techniques used for trimming at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/landscape/pruning/pruning.html.