If you’re an early riser, there are a few odds and ends you can tackle in your landscape — even during these sizzling summer days. Even during the hottest times of the summer, South Texas gardeners have lots to do in the garden. As long as you start early in the morning, stay hydrated and …

Plant fall tomatoes now. Select varieties that are determinate or semi-determinate, so they grow their foliage quickly and then concentrate on maturing their fruit before the cold weather arrives. To extend the bloom period cut off the spent blooms or new seed pods on poinciana, vitex, crape myrtle, and zinnia if it is practical. Removing …

One summer color plant that we are sure is not eaten by the deer is vinca (also called periwinkle). This annual flower is available at area nurseries in white, red, pink, and lavender. Vinca was once the best-selling annual flower but its popularity declined because its severe susceptibility to the disease, aerial phytophera.  It got …

It is time to fertilize the lawn. With the freezes this winter and the generally cool weather the lawn weeds have prospered but the lawn grass has been slow to begin growth.  It is most efficient and environmentally appropriate to delay fertilization until the regular grass has grown enough to be mowed twice.  That growth …

If you make an effort to attract and observe the birds in your landscape this has been an exciting winter, and the action continues this spring. The American goldfinches are in town in large numbers. Earlier in the winter they joined the flocks of lesser goldfinches in salvaging the remnants of the seeds in the …

The Texas mountain laurel is among the most noticeable plant that is blooming now. It is noticeable for the purple blooms that decorate the evergreen foliage, but it is also noticeable for the fragrance of those blooms. I have always described the fragrance as the same as that of grape bubble gum we used to …

Roses are the overall favorite flower of gardeners and non-gardeners. The blooms are beautiful. Have you ever thought of roses as a Xeriscape plant? You can, because there is a group of old-fashioned and tough modern roses that can survive and even bloom over a long period of time without irrigation. They also prosper without …

It is still a good time to plant the recommended shade trees. They will shade the house and reduce your air conditioning coats. CPS customers can receive a $50 rebate for the shade trees they plant. Visit the CPS website or your favorite nursery for the list of eligible species. Begin the weekly insect and …

Some things that you can do now to take advantage of South Texas’ early spring weather. It is still a good time to plant the recommended shade trees. They will shade the house and reduce your air conditioning coats. CPS customers can receive a $50 rebate for the shade trees they plant. Visit the CPS …

Temperatures at night will become cooler as the month progresses encouraging the germination of the winter weeds. To reduce the quantity of weeds such as bedstraw, dandelions, thistle, henbit, beggars’ lice and chickweed in the lawn apply a preemergent such as Amaze, XL, or Dimension early in the month. The fall tomatoes will also respond …