There’s Plenty of Water Everywhere – Just not Here and There
By Bob Dailey There’s plenty of water in the world…just not where we want and need it. The massive Oglala Aquifer, the largest in North America, furnishes water to our nation’s breadbasket, irrigating millions of acres of corn, wheat and other foods. That aquifer is currently 50% depleted – and this has happened in the […]
Where do those weeds come from and how do we control them?
By Bob Dailey Every winter and early spring along the Upper Gulf Coast, weeds begin appearing in even the best-maintained lawns. Chickweed, henbit, burweed, dandelion and other weeds, carried in by the wind, by birds, or merely lying in the soil for years until sprouting, begin their annual blight across our landscapes. Whatever way they […]
4-18 Spring Lawn Care
It’s been a long, wet, relatively cold winter in The Woodlands, with three snowfalls. Now, our yards are greening up, flowers are blooming, insects are buzzing and we are all attacked by the same debilitating disorder – spring fever. As we walk out shoeless on our lawns, blades of St. Augustine tickling our toes, we […]
Installing drip irrigation
By Bob Dailey Most of the landscapes in The Woodlands are irrigated by sprinkler systems. A significant amount of this water evaporates before it gets to the roots of the plants, or it stays on leaves, making them susceptible to fungal infections. Because of varying heights of landscape plants, the water from some sprinklers is […]
The basics of Water-Wise landscaping
Photo by Cliff Roe PhotographyBy Bob Dailey Water-wise gardening simply means using good common sense. It reduces irrigation needs, lowers water bills, lowers maintenance and provides a much higher quality and worry-free landscape. Here are some general guidelines for establishing one: Planning and design- Take some time to look at your yard. You may even […]
New Years Resolutions to make your yard more lovely in the spring
By Bob Dailey Follow the Integrated Pest Management program promoted by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. IPM integrates best practices for control of pests and diseases. It includes preventive cultural practices, monitoring, mechanical controls, biological controls, and finally chemical controls if all else fails. For more complete information, call the Montgomery County Master Gardeners Hotline at […]
Rebates abound from your water service
By Bob Dailey Customers of Woodlands Water have a lifetime $150.00 rebate (50% of $300.00) on a wide variety of water savings devices. Here are rebate categories available to residents: Native Plants A new initiative, begun in 2018, is the rebate program for native plants. Woodlands Water has chosen 100 drought-tolerant plants native to Southeast […]
Don’t guess, SOIL TEST
Now here’s a test you want to take. Soil Testing – the key to a lush, green lawn and landscape – tells you if your soil has imbalances in nutrients (like iron) or conditions (like pH). The results then guide your fertilizing, telling you specifically what to add and what not to add (did you know too […]
Feed your lawn the right way
11 fertilizing tips for a lush and healthy lawn. 1. Get a Soil Test This one’s first on the list for a reason: soil testing is the only way to really know what your lawn needs to reach its healthiest, lushest potential. It tells you if your soil has imbalances in nutrients (like iron) or […]
Compost – The Secret to a Beautiful Lawn
by John Geiger Hands down, the most critical component to a healthy, lush, green lawn is healthy soil – loose, full of air, full of microbes and rich in organic matter. It’s a place where roots can spread deeply, and organisms thrive. And what’s the most efficient way to achieve healthy soil? Compost! Why Compost? […]