Sod Webworm Damage in Kingwood, TX
Sod webworms are rampant across the Houston area right now and many customers have asked us how to permanently get rid of these pests. Not sure what sod webworms are or what trouble they might cause your lawn?
Planting: When planting your bare root Daylily, dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots. Spread out the roots in the hole and place the plant so the crown – where the leaves meet the roots – is 1 in below the surface of the soil. Holding the crown of the plant, push soil into the hole, working soil around the roots. Firm the soil around the crown.
Light/Watering: Daylilies will grow in full sun in Houston with sufficient moisture. Plants grow well in partial shade, which is preferred for varieties with pastel flowers. Daylilies are drought-tolerant once established, but perform best with consistent moisture.
Fertilizer/Soil: These perennials prefer a well-drained soil, rich in organic matter to encourage profuse blooming, although many of the older hybrids will grow well even in a sandy situation. Fertilize lightly once the plants are established, but avoid using mixes high in nitrogen. A summer mulch is essential, as it will help soils retain moisture and buffer soil temperatures.
Pests/Diseases: Daylilies rank high on the list of plants resistant to insects and diseases. Thrips occasionally feed on buds or flowers, distorting the blooms and causing lesions on the flower spikes, which may then break at the affected area. Use insecticidal soap to discourage these tiny pests, and remove and destroy any infested buds or flowers. Spider mites can infest the foliage during hot, dry weather; wash them off with a forceful water spray regularly, or use an appropriate insecticide. Yellowing leaves and brown leaf tips may occur after flowering; regular grooming will keep plants looking fresh. If foliage becomes unsightly, cut it back to the ground, water well, and in time new foliage will appear.
Reflowering: Many reblooming varieties are now available; these require regular removal of old flowers to perform at their best. On all types of Daylilies, spent flowers should be snapped ff daily and the entire flower scape should be cut off after all buds have passed.
Dividing/Transplanting: Daylilies should be divided every 3 to 5 years, and repeat-bloomers every two years since new growth supports the re bloom. Two spading forks held back-to-back and pried apart makes this chore easy. Transplant anytime the soil is workable, watering well after planting in the new location.
End of Season Care: Simply remove old foliage by cutting back to the ground or pulling off.
Early Spring: Apply a light application of balance or slow-release fertilizer low in nitrogen or side-dress with compost and organic amendments when new growth appears. Divide or transplant as necessary, watering well afterwards.
Mid-Spring: Water well if it is unseasonably dry, as plants prefer evenly moist soil.
Late Spring: Remove spent flowers daily. Watch for flower thrips and treat accordingly.
Summer: Continue to deadhead as needed, and cut away flower scapes after all buds have opened. Groom plants by removing yellow or dead leaves. Supplement natural rainfall to provide an inch of water a week, and apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants, keeping it an inch or so away from the crowns. Monitor plants for spider mites and spray if needed.
Fall: Remove old foliage by cutting back to the ground.
https://www.pinterest.com/warrenssoutherngardens/daylilies-and-summer-flowering-bulbs/
Plant your tree/shrub using a mixture of native soil, compost, and expanded shale. Then, water with a root stimulator.
Set the tree in a hole with the root collar (area just above the roots) flush or slightly above natural grade. Planting too deeply is the leading cause of unsuccessful new tree plantings. Always handle the tree by the root ball instead of the tree trunk.
Your tree/shrub should be planted a little higher than the natural grade to allow for settling. Check the root ball of your tree to make sure the root flare is exposed and at the proper planting height. [Read more…]
Cyclamen bloom late fall to spring in many colors: red, rose, burgundy, purple, and white. The downward-nodding flowers are large and showy on 6- to 8-inch stems above kidney-shaped, dark green leaves. Some varieties have silvery marbling on their leaves with frilly or serrated flowers. This fall/winter bedding plant prefers rich, well-drained soil. [Read more…]
Pansies (Viola X Wittrockiana) come in variety of sizes, colors, and types. There are solid colors without faces, or bi-colors with contrasting faces, to blended colors that provide a mix of colors in each bloom. Pansies thrive in cool weather and will bloom from early fall until hot weather causes them to decline. They will grow in full sun to partial shade. Pansies are heavy feeders, so to encourage continuous blooms throughout the fall and winter, add a granulated fertilizer such as Color X-Press with 14-14-14 blend to the soil in at time of planting. To give your flowers an extra boost, you can also add Bone Meal to fortify the plants through the winter and apply a water-soluble fertilizer every four to six weeks. [Read more…]
In the garden, amaryllis bloom in March, April, or May, depending on the variety. Some may produce bloom spikes again in the fall. Container-grown amaryllis will bloom indoors six to eight weeks after potting. Keep the potted bulb in a warm, bright location. You can speed up the bloom time by watering with warm water and keeping the potted bulb in an even warmer place. To slow blooms, move the pot to a cooler location.
You can select the bloom time to give an amaryllis as a gift for a special occasion. Wrap the amaryllis bulb in soft paper towels and refrigerate. Remove and pot six to eight weeks before you would like the amaryllis to bloom.
Cut off the flower stem about 2 inches above the bulb. Apply a slow-release fertilizer or bone meal at this time. Do not cut off the leaves after blooming as they produce the food necessary for subsequent blooming. Let them die back naturally. [Read more…]
Healthy soil is essential for a successful garden! It’s disheartening to spend valuable time and money on plants that don’t thrive. But it’s often the quality of the soil, or lack thereof, that’s to blame for gardening woes.
Achieve healthy soil by addressing these basic necessities:
For spring color, bulbs must be planted in the fall. Check out the tips below for purchasing, storage, and planting bulbs that will offer a surprise show of colorful blooms in the springtime! For more information about growing bulbs, please visit our experts at Warren’s Southern Gardens. [Read more…]
The evolution of farming and gardening is not something we consider often. But, the trials and tribulations of generations of farmers tell the tale of growing edible crops. Of course, the landscape of agriculture has changed tremendously in recent history. Thanks to the manufacturing industry, technology, and changes within our society, significant changes have occurred just in the last 50 years or so. [Read more…]
The annual migration of monarch butterflies occurs each year in the fall. No one knows for sure how millions of monarchs instinctively know when to depart and where to go. But it seems to be triggered by the autumn equinox and related to the Earth’s magnetic field.
Butterflies are important contributors to the world’s ecosystem. In fact, they not only pollinate flowers, but serve as a food source for birds, small animals, and other insects. The epic migration of monarchs is one reason they are so essential to the environment. These resilient insects travel all the way from Canada to Mexico across the United States each year, pollinating plants the entire way. They spend their winter hibernation in Mexico or Southern California. [Read more…]