Cinco Ranch 1 April 2017

April Gardening Tips
Mulch - If possible, buy Bagged Mulch. Bagging helps eliminate a great many
pests that die from various causes while in the bag. When you buy ‘loose’
mulch that is trucked to your home, you are also buying ants, roaches,
termites, etc… Spend a little more on bagged material and save lots of future
pest problems. Keep your mulch at least 4” - 6” below the top of your homes
exposed foundation edge/side. This will aid in minimizing pests in your home
and allow for quick and accurate termite inspections.
Shrubs, Flowers and groundcovers - Trim all shrubs/plants at least 12” - 18”
back from your home. Do your best to create a plant free zone that is 18” - 24”
wide around your home. The exception is your lawn - it can grow up next to
the slab as long as you keep it 4” - 6” below the top of the slab. The most
conducive to termite infestation are groundcover plantings, growing high
against your homes exterior or (especially) ivy that grows on your walls.
Trees - Spray your trees at least twice annually. The spring spray eliminates
overwintering pests and fungi while preparing trees to resist the pest
onslaught of summer with residual pesticides. The fall spray also kills pests
from the summer, prevents most fungi from occurring over the winter and
puts your valuable asset off to a healthy winter’s dormancy.
Lawn - Spring is the perfect time to do a fungicide treatment to stop brown
patch in its tracks along with other fungi. If your lawn is thin and weak in
some areas, here are some important fundamentals: a) lawn aeration b)
fertilization c) weed control.
Most important is proper watering:
• Water once per week (unless you get a 1/2” rain or more - then do not water.)
• Water heavily (1” - 2”) for total lawn coverage.
• In severe drought, water every 5 th day.
• Water from 5 AM to 7 AM in the morning - NOT AT NIGHT.
• A heavy deep weekly watering makes the turf grow deeper, stronger and
more drought resistant roots.
• Less watering also saves you money!!