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Winterizing Your Potted Deciduous Trees

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dwarf oak treeThere’s nothing like a few potted plants to make your patios, decks and porches come alive.  Unfortunately, this type of vegetation is also susceptible to extremes of weather than those planted in the ground.

You can protect smaller potted plants by bringing them indoors when the temperatures start to dip.  But for potted deciduous trees, you’ll need to winterize them just after the tree has lost most of its leaves.  In Austin, this usually happens around the end of November/early December.

Prep the tree and pot

Tie the branches of your potted tree together gently with some twine or other light but sturdy cord.  Water the tree thoroughly and then cover the top of the soil with 2 to 3 inches of mulch, straw or leaves.

Make a chicken wire “tree cage”

 Take enough chicken wire to build a cylinder around the prepped potted tree.  The structure should be tall enough to cover the entire tree without crowding the branches. Secure the cylinder with zip ties or wire.  Then stuff the cage from top to bottom with straw or leaves.

Wrap everything up

Wrap the cage with burlap sacking to prevent the stuffing from falling out of the cage.  Then secure the burlap to the cage with twine or cord.  When finished, cover the top of the cage with a plastic bag.  You can unwrap your tree-cage as soon as spring arrives and reuse the mulch/leaves/straw around your garden.

Tending trees and plants of any kind is a job that never ends.  That’s why South Austin Irrigation is here: to help you maintain your lawn and garden no matter the season.  We offer irrigation system inspection and repair services.

For the service more Austinites trust, contact us today!

 

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Fall Lawn Maintenance Tips

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Autumn lawnYou may think that autumn is a time that’s just for raking up leaves and clearing away dead branches.  But when it comes to your lawn, it’s the time when you should be making preparations to help grass survive the winter and prepare for the spring growing season.

General care tips

(1) Fertilize lawns in October so that grass roots can continue to store food over the winter.

(2) Continue to mow your lawn until the grass stops growing around November.

(3) Apply herbicide to avoid damaging nearby garden plants and to eliminate weeds that continue to grow in the fall.

(4) Remove thatch from warm-season grasses to help foster new growth in the spring.

(5) Gather up leaves to prevent the smothering of grass plants.

Warm season grasses used in Austin (and other areas here in the South) tend to turn brown when cooler temperatures arrive.  That’s why it’s wise to overseed your lawn with cool season grasses, like ryegrass, to provide a bit of color over the winter months.

The one thing to remember about overseeding, though, is that timing is absolutely crucial to success.  Here in Austin, it’s wise to lay down cool weather grass seeds between October and early November.

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Nipping Early Spring Lawn Weeds in the Bud

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Spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20.  But now is the perfect time to start pre-weeding your lawn. Most summer annual weeds germinate in spring and before a lawn has completely recovered from winter dormancy. So killing them before they have a chance to get established will mean less maintenance work for you over the summer months.

STEP #1: Apply a pre-emergent herbicide

A pre-emergent herbicide kills weed seeds before they germinate. If you begin to use it when you see actual weed growth, you’ll be out of luck. These types of herbicides do not affect existing weeds.

STEP #2: Get ready to mow

Once the grass reaches 4 inches, you’ll need to mow it. Be sure to remove no more than one-third the height. Afterward, keep the lawn at between 2 ½ and 3 inches tall. This will ensure that individual blades will be long enough to block out sunlight and kill most weed plants.

STEP #3: Fertilize as needed

You can use a lawn fertilizer as the grass begins growing. Experts recommend that you try to choose a time in mid-late spring, right around Memorial Day. Follow product recommendation and resist the temptation to over-fertilize. This can lead to a nutrient build-up in the soil that will encourage the growth of more weeds.

STEP #4: Follow up with a post-emergent herbicide

Later in the spring, be sure to also treat your lawn with a post-emergent herbicide. Doing so will kill the weeds that have germinated and begun to grow.

Following these four easy steps will help ensure that your lawn will be as beautiful and easy-care as it is weed-free. And who doesn’t want extra time to enjoy all the pleasures of spring and summer in Austin?

For all your irrigation system repair needs, call South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449.

 

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How to Create a Low-Maintenance Landscape

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cactus gardenAustin is still facing stage two water restrictions, which will likely continue into the year.  If you’re considering a lawn and garden makeover, South Austin Irrigation has three ideas to help you create a low maintenance landscape you’ll love.

1. Try clover

Instead of grass, try planting clover.  It’s an easy-care groundcover that:

  • needs very little water
  • rarely has to be mowed
  • remains relatively free of weeds
  • doesn’t get discolored from pet urine
  • is soft to walk on
  • improves existing soil condition

What’s more, when clover blooms, the flowers offer a nice aesthetic touch.  The best time to start growing clover is spring to give enough time to grow before winter.

2. Consider adding a rock garden

Rock gardens – which you can make with pebbles, gravel, rocks or sea glass – are good for outdoor spaces of all sizes.  The best thing about one is that you never have to worry about watering.  You can accentuate them with decorative figurines, birdbaths and/or succulents.  For a more dramatic look, you can use large boulders.

3. Plant drought-resistant perennials

Like clover, this type of vegetation requires very little watering.  You also have an enormous variety to choose from, including rock cress, lavender, ice plants and foxglove.  Plant your perennials on loose soil that drains well and use fertilizer when you see brown spots.  Be sure to also mulch wherever possible.

At South Austin Irrigation, we know just how much your landscape means to you.  But we also understand that saving money and water are also important.  Our experts are here to offer you the irrigation repair information you need.  Contact us today!

 

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3 Backyard Landscape Design Ideas

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Pecans on a tree branch with leavesAre you trying to figure out new landscaping schemes for your backyard?  Summer is the perfect time to do it.  If you need ideas, here are three you may want to consider:

1. Plant a “centerpiece” tree

The Texas state tree is the pecan: not only is it beautiful, it also produces delicious nuts.  If you have room in your yard, this tree can reach up to 100 feet tall, you may want to consider putting a pecan in place.  This would be an especially good idea if you would like to have one large shade tree in your backyard with a presence that commands attention.

2. Create miniature hills

To do this, you’ll need to order dirt from a landscaping company.  Pack the dirt to create slopes and hills, then plant grass seed in the dirt.  You can dress up your mini-hills with Texas native flowers like the bluebonnet, but other non-native species like the daisy also do well.

3. Border with small trees

Plant native or non-native Texas trees along the borders of your property.  If you already have a fence, they can add extra privacy.  Some good choices include the Texas ebony, which reaches a height of 15 to 20 feet; the vitex, grows to approximately the same height as a Texas ebony but also produces purple flowers; or the crapemyrtle, which is smaller than the other two trees, but produces lovely red flowers.  Make sure to plant your choices in moist, well-drained soil and be sure to space each tree at least 5 feet apart.

The experts at South Austin Irrigation specialize in irrigation system repair and service.  Contact us today for your irrigation system needs!

 

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Our sprinkler repair service areas include:

  • Austin, TX
  • Lakeway, TX
  • Spicewood, TX
  • Horseshoe Bay, TX
  • Dripping Springs, TX
  • Wimberly, TX

Give us a call for sprinkler repair and service in your area: (512) 534-7449

We Service Many Irrigation Brands:

  • Toro
  • Nelson Turf
  • KRain
  • HydroRain
  • Berkeley
  • Irritrol
  • Rain Bird
  • Rachio
  • Hunter

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