written by Linda Brinlee, Master Gardener Fannin County

By any other name, wildflowers could be called weeds. Native wildflowers are low maintenance, attract bees and hummingbirds, and can be very  fragrant. Seeds are usually the first way many gardeners try to introduce wildflowers, often without success. Aggie-Horticulture recommends the following for preparing the soil correctly and ensuring the seed has direct contact to the soil by pressing or rolling.

1. Select a well-drained site. Moist sites create too much competition for wildflowers.
2. Use an herbicide to eliminate competition (optional). However, clover and cool weather grasses are too aggressive to allow wildflowers to become established.
3. Mow vegetation as short as possible and remove clippings to expose the soil.
4. Rake or lightly till the area no deeper than 1 inch.
5. Mix 1 part seed with 4 parts inert material such as masonry sand, perlite, potting soil, etc. to help aid in seed distribution.
6. Broadcast one half of the seed as uniformly as possible. Sow the remaining half perpendicular to the initial sowing.
7. Press the seed into the soil by walking on it or rolling over the area. The seeds only need to be 1/16 of an inch deep. Many seeds will be visible. Seeds sown too deep will not germinate.
8. Thin as needed. Weed out the grasses. But wait before pulling up all the same kind of plant. Weeds and wildflowers look the same.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will host a Master Gardener training beginning in February to train new Master Gardeners.

The training is set to begin February 18, 2020 and will take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for nine consecutive weeks and conclude on April 14, 2020.  The training will cover cultural practices and environmental considerations in the cultivation and management of ornamental and flowering plants, vegetable gardens, fruits and nuts, turf and landscape plants.  The line-up of speakers and topics for this training is outstanding!  As a trainee, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from state and world renown horticulturist in the area of expertise.

The purpose of the Master Gardener Program is to support and assist the Extension office in providing information on proper gardening practices to the community.  While Master Gardeners benefit personally from participation, it should be understood, the principal criterion for acceptance into the program is the availability and willingness of the individual to volunteer to help county residents.

Upon completion of the training, the trainee will be asked to contribute a minimum of 50 hours of work through the county extension office during the 12 months following the instructional period.  After completing 50 hours of volunteer service, the trainee will then become a “Certified Master Gardener”.  It should also be understood that you are not limited to 50 hours of volunteer time.  Our interest in selecting individuals for this program goes far beyond the first year of training.  We need people who are willing to commit to continued participation as experienced Master Gardeners.

There are exciting projects that have taken and will be taking place over the next several years within Fannin County Extension.  To mention a few, in 2019, the Fannin County Master Gardeners designed and constructed a 2500 gallon rainwater collection unit at the Derrell Hall Education Center and hosted a workshop at the completion of the construction.  The “Backyard Project” is a demonstration project in the planning phase at the Derrell Hall Education Center that will heavily involve Master Gardeners.  Master Gardeners plan and host educational events throughout the year.  The largest event hosting over 400 people each year is the Home, Lawn and Garden Expo that takes place each spring and is one of the many educational efforts of the Fannin County Master Gardeners.

If you are interested in attending this training and being a part of this great organization that is under the direction of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, check out the event details here.  We also invite you to call 903-583-7453 or submit your application to cody.maxwell@ag.tamu.edu .

Summer in Texas can be very hot and dry. July, August and September are among the hottest months with the highest temperatures. Here are some lawn care management tips from AggieTurf to help your lawn stay healthy throughout the summer. Subscribe to the Texas Lawn Companion email newsletter for lawn care tips from AggieTurf specialists throughout the year.

Watering

When watering your lawn, be sure to water as efficiently as possible to conserve resources and to promote dense, healthy turfgrass growth. To improve water-use efficiency, see the AgriLife Extension Water-Wise checklist.

If warm season turfgrass undergoes a prolonged period of drought, it can go into summer dormancy. This means that it will cease growth, turn a tan golden-brown color and then recover when water becomes available in the late summer or early fall. Allowing your grass to go dormant is an option when you don’t want to water on a regular basis during the hottest and driest weeks of summer.

Summer dormancy is contingent on your lawn’s ability to develop deep, healthy roots during periods of active growth. The practices listed in the Water-Wise checklist help encourage deep rooting, deep water infiltration and healthy turfgrass growth. If you choose to do this, stop fertilizing because it’s best to apply fertilizer products when turfgrass is actively growing, not dormant.

As fall approaches, remember that watering your lawn can have a significant impact on turfgrass diseases. As a rule of thumb, water early in the morning. Evening watering can prolong periods of leaf wetness and promote conditions for disease. Turfgrass growth starts to slow in the fall which means that less water and fertilizer are required.

Mowing

During the hottest parts of summer, your lawn may not need to be mowed as often, especially if it is struggling with heat and drought stress. However, many summer weeds are flowering and producing seed. Take steps now to reduce seed populations in your landscape and reduce weed numbers in the spring. Frequent mowing and removal of clippings during this time can be helpful in managing weed populations.

For information on mowing heights, frequency, clipping return and more, see: Mowing Recommendations for Warm-Season Turfgrasses.

Fertilization

Continue to fertilize your lawn as needed to support health turfgrass growth. When there isn’t as much water to support growth, consider reducing or suspending the amount of fertilizer applications. Nutrient rates including phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) should be determined by a soil test. Soil tests will also help to identify important soil properties like pH, which will influence nutrient availability.

For information about soil testing, please visit the Texas A&M Soil Testing Lab website.

Urban Soil Submittal Form

Insects

Three common lawn insects to be aware of during summer months are bermudagrass mites, grubs and chinch bugs.

Bermudagrass mites will thrive in hot temperatures and be very active during the summer. They are not visible to the naked eye. When severe infestation occurs, they will cause turfgrass to thin out and will create a tufted “witch’s broom” appearance.

There are several insecticide options for severe cases, but one effective tactic is to scalp the infested area and remove the grass clippings, physically displacing many of the mites.

Learn more about bermudagrass mites »

Damage from turf-feeding grubs is most visible during summer and early fall. Grub damage appears as irregularly shaped patches resembling drought stress. When grub infestations are severe, turfgrass can often be pulled up and rolled back as if it were new sod. Another sign is that animals (skunks, armadillos, possums) will start to dig up areas of your lawn. Timing is important for treating grubs. Waiting too long can drastically reduce the effectiveness of lawn insecticides.

Learn more about turf-feeding grubs »

Chinch bugs are common summer pests in southern lawns. They cause the most damage to St. Augustine grass but can also affect other types of turfgrass. Chinch bug damage shows up as irregular-shaped patches that spread outward. If your yard has bermudagrass mixed in, you may notice tufts of bermudagrass still standing in the middle of dead or thinning St. Augustine. Chinch bugs are visible without magnification, but still somewhat small and sometimes hard to spot without help.

Learn more about chinch bugs »

Diseases

Two common turfgrass diseases during summer are Take-All Root Rot (TARR) and Gray Leaf Spot (GLS). For assistance with proper identification, contact your AgriLife Extension county agent or the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab. Be sure to properly identify a turfgrass problem before applying treatments.

Take-all Root Rot is usually the most active during spring and early summer but can be visible at any point during the growing season when turfgrass is under stress. Temperature extremes, poor water quality, drought, compaction, and even herbicide injury can all increase the likelihood that Take-all Root Rot will appear. Good cultural practices are especially important in preventing this disease.

Learn more about Take-all Root Rot »

Gray Leaf Spot is a foliar disease found on St. Augustine grass lawns during this point in the growing season. It is commonly found in shady, moist areas of a lawn. Control this disease by keeping the area mowed and aired out. Some St. Augustine grass varieties will be more sensitive, and in severe cases fungicides may be required.

Learn more about Gray Leaf Spot »

Weeds

There are many products available at local stores to treat weeds. However, the number of active ingredients used in those products is limited. Learn more about the ingredients to become more aware about what you need to buy.

Things to remember when choosing herbicides:

• Not all lawn products are safe to use on all lawns. What might be safe in your Bermudagrass lawn could significantly injure or even kill your St. Augustine grass lawn.
• Different active ingredients will target different types of weeds. Proper weed identification and thorough label reading will usually help you choose the right product.
• Incorporate preemergence herbicides into your program if you are dealing with bluegrass, crabgrass, goosegrass, or other annual weeds.
• Be mindful of your other landscape plants. Wind, rain, and irrigation water will move herbicide treatments to undesirable areas. Take time to read all cautionary statements on product labels.
• Timing is everything. Most herbicide products must be applied before weeds mature.

For more information about herbicide selection, please see the publication: A Homeowner’s Guide to Herbicide Selection for Warm-Season Turfgrass Lawns.

The information in this featured solution was adapted from lawn related articles written by Dr. Becky Grubbs in the Texas Lawn Companion email newsletter.