August 19 2006 Timely Tips

GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY

BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

August 19, 2006

  • There is still time to establish a new lawn, but don’t wait much longer. If we have an early freeze, it could kill it or at least put a major hurt on it. It might be best to wait till next spring.
  • Remember when laying new sod; roll the turf to insure good soil-root contact and water thoroughly on a daily basis until the grass is established. Bermuda grass can be seeded (August is the last chance to plant Bermuda grass seed) now; use some of the hybrid Bermuda grass seed such as Sahara or Cheyenne.
  • If your watering bill is getting you down, it’s the lawn watering that’s doing it. You may want to consider removing several plots of grass and replace them with low-water-use ground covers or just plain organic mulch. Later you can plant shrubs or trees in the mulched areas.
  • When you see your footprints in the grass, it’s time to water. Do it early in the morning and water deeply. Shallow watering cases shallow roots which are easy to damage.
  • Grub worms eat the roots of grass plants. If you can lift a piece of sod and if you can see 3 or more grub worms in a square foot, you’ve got a problem. Treat with a good registered grub worm pesticide.

David Rodriguez is County Extension Agent-Horticulture with Texas Cooperative Extension in Bexar County. For more information, call the Master Gardener “Hotline” (210) 467-6575 or visit our County Extension website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu

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