Typically August and much of September are the driest and hottest months in North Texas. Though most plants have quit growing and putting out blooms for now, ensuring your landscape is receiving proper care is still critical during these months.
- Continue to check new plantings or plants, which are drought intolerant.
- Regular maintenance of your flowerbeds will keep everything under control.
- To minimize any stress during dry periods, water your trees adequately, mulching can also help moderate your tree's moisture level.
- Some trees that are more sensitive to drought and can even defoliate if over stressed. Deep watering during periods of extended drought will benefit your trees.
- Annuals need about an inch of water a week, either from rain or irrigation. Try watering once a week, soaking the soil to a depth of six to eight inches.
- Continue to watch for disease and harmful insects in lawn and plant beds and treat as necessary. Those pest don't stop eating when it's hot!
- Lightly prune and feed roses to encourage fall blooms.
- Spray horticultural oil or orange oil for spider mites, lace bugs, thrips, and scale.
- If you plan to put in new perennial beds this fall, have your soil tested and amend as recommended. Generally, soil should be amended a few months before planting begins.
- Select and purchase your spring-blooming bulbs by mid-September.