Sirhornsalot
**The Official Horn Sports Landscaper and Landscap
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2013
- Messages
- 34,593
February – A Great Time To Plant A Tree!
I’d like to use this forum this month to spend some time talking about the importance of trees. For the most part, we see value in them in society for the things that we get from trees, such as paper and firewood. But their benefits to us extend way beyond that.
Those who track such things say that we’re losing approximately 25,000 square miles of rainforest each year. Those rain forests are not only vital to human life through their ability to replenish the atmosphere with oxygen, but they provide important habitat for the world’s animals.
Scores of species of animals have seen drastic reductions in their numbers over the last 100 years simply due to a loss of habitat, their natural homes. It even has effects on our all-important honey bee population, which is key to keeping the world food supply going.
There are a number of things that can be done, both as a society and as individuals. Plant trees on your property, its the easiest way each of us can help. And there are a number of benefits to having trees on your property and around your home.
Trees can help reduce heating and cooling costs, reduce wear and tear on a home, protects landscapes, provides curb appeal and adds value to your home and property.
Make it a “family thingâ€
Planting a tree can be made easier and fun. Just get your family involved! Start by picking out the type of tree you want, together. You can do this by googling “popular trees in the state of Texas†for example. Once you find a couple you like, the read the description for them to see which may grow best in your particular area. Then make note of the conditions the tree prefers to live in.
Next, go out into your lawn together and discuss what location would be best for your tree. Take in consideration the needs of your tree vs the location you’re considering. If the tree needs abundant sunshine, then select a spot that gets sunshine most of the day.
Now, you’re ready to either call a landscaper or go to the nursery and pick out your tree. Again, get the whole family involved in the selection.
Once the tree is transported home and is ready to plant, you’re ready to dig your hole. You’ll need to measure the distance from one side of the top of the root ball to the other. Then dig your hole twice that width. Next, measure your root ball’s depth. Make your hole slightly less deep than the root ball. You want the root ball to be slightly higher than the ground around it so that water/rain will drain away from the trunk base.
Once dug, place the tree’s root ball into the hole. Then fill the hole halfway full of water. Then begin adding your soil mix. Once the water has subsided, add more planting mix until filled.
Mulch to top at about 2-3 inches depth, making sure not to put mulch against the tree trunk base.
You will want to stake the tree for the first 6-8 months so that its not blown over. After those first 6-8 months, the roots have sunk into the surrounding soil and will hold the tree steady and firm.
Planting now or early spring gives your tree a good amount of time to become acclimated before the brunt of summer heat sets in. Go ahead and plan on supplemental watering for your new tree through its first summer.
Bed Fertilization
February is the month where you want to clip off the dead matter left behind by perennial plants that have gone dormant for the winter. A good bed clean up should accompany this to get rid of excess leaves, trash and plant debris. Installing mulch would give the beds a nice, fresh look after clean up.
Once finished, feed your bed plants (including the dormant perennials) using a time-released granular fertilizer that is mild, such as a 10-5-4 or similar formula. Doing so will put those valuable nutrients and minerals into the root zone by the time the plants begin actively growing again the following month (March).
If you have Azaleas or other acid loving plants such as dogwoods, hollies, roses, etc., make sure you provide them with a mild fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Below is one that’s available at Lowes and is a proven winner.
Crape Myrtles
This is the month that folks traditionally have their Crape Myrtles trimmed. Thankfully, we are seeing fewer and fewer people having their Crapes “hacked,†which is a word used to describe the way it’s been done for decades in the south.
Pruning a Crape Myrtle improperly this way will reduce the number of blooms it produces and also causes new branches to grow too long, creating limbs that droop and then break under press.
The below diagrams show the proper way to prune a Crape Myrtle. Generally, we make our cuts 3-4 inches above the knuckles. Figure C is the correctly pruned Crape.
Below is what a Crape will look like when trimmed incorrectly (hacked).
Spring Flowers
While we’re experiencing an unusually warm winter, do not be fooled into thinking this means you can get away with planting spring flowers early. I say this for the following reason – mother nature. She will often tease us this way in Texas, giving us early and prolonged glimpses of springtime. It lulls us into a sense of believing spring is here. Then just like that, a storm moves through and snow is on the ground.
Places such as Austin and points south should count on having spring flowers available by mid-March. DFW and NE Texas should expect them available by late March/early April.
If you planted Tulip bulbs in November, your Tulips will begin emerging this month. Be mindful of that when cleaning your beds, you won’t want to accidentally disturb them. Now would be a good time for them to get a high-phosphate fertilizer applied so their blooming will be even more impressive.
Lawn Fertlization
Every year I get asked about this, so I’ve decided to make mention of it every year in anticipation. And this year with the warm winter, I know it will come up.
“Can I put my weed and feed down now?â€
My answer is NO. Again, mother nature will have her say and putting it down when the turf really isn’t growing just doesn’t help anything. In fact, it can interrupt the emergence process and also cause turf fungus. Thats no way to start out the season!
In DFW and NE Texas, it’s wise to wait until April 1 to apply turf fertilizer, regardless of the turf type that you have. In Austin, Houston, San Antonio, you can start a week earlier.
Good luck in February! What you’re doing now to prepare for spring will make your growing season all the more successful and colorful!
If you have any questions, fire away!
I’d like to use this forum this month to spend some time talking about the importance of trees. For the most part, we see value in them in society for the things that we get from trees, such as paper and firewood. But their benefits to us extend way beyond that.
Those who track such things say that we’re losing approximately 25,000 square miles of rainforest each year. Those rain forests are not only vital to human life through their ability to replenish the atmosphere with oxygen, but they provide important habitat for the world’s animals.
Scores of species of animals have seen drastic reductions in their numbers over the last 100 years simply due to a loss of habitat, their natural homes. It even has effects on our all-important honey bee population, which is key to keeping the world food supply going.
There are a number of things that can be done, both as a society and as individuals. Plant trees on your property, its the easiest way each of us can help. And there are a number of benefits to having trees on your property and around your home.
Trees can help reduce heating and cooling costs, reduce wear and tear on a home, protects landscapes, provides curb appeal and adds value to your home and property.
Make it a “family thingâ€
Planting a tree can be made easier and fun. Just get your family involved! Start by picking out the type of tree you want, together. You can do this by googling “popular trees in the state of Texas†for example. Once you find a couple you like, the read the description for them to see which may grow best in your particular area. Then make note of the conditions the tree prefers to live in.
Next, go out into your lawn together and discuss what location would be best for your tree. Take in consideration the needs of your tree vs the location you’re considering. If the tree needs abundant sunshine, then select a spot that gets sunshine most of the day.
Now, you’re ready to either call a landscaper or go to the nursery and pick out your tree. Again, get the whole family involved in the selection.
Once the tree is transported home and is ready to plant, you’re ready to dig your hole. You’ll need to measure the distance from one side of the top of the root ball to the other. Then dig your hole twice that width. Next, measure your root ball’s depth. Make your hole slightly less deep than the root ball. You want the root ball to be slightly higher than the ground around it so that water/rain will drain away from the trunk base.
Once dug, place the tree’s root ball into the hole. Then fill the hole halfway full of water. Then begin adding your soil mix. Once the water has subsided, add more planting mix until filled.
Mulch to top at about 2-3 inches depth, making sure not to put mulch against the tree trunk base.
You will want to stake the tree for the first 6-8 months so that its not blown over. After those first 6-8 months, the roots have sunk into the surrounding soil and will hold the tree steady and firm.
Planting now or early spring gives your tree a good amount of time to become acclimated before the brunt of summer heat sets in. Go ahead and plan on supplemental watering for your new tree through its first summer.
Bed Fertilization
February is the month where you want to clip off the dead matter left behind by perennial plants that have gone dormant for the winter. A good bed clean up should accompany this to get rid of excess leaves, trash and plant debris. Installing mulch would give the beds a nice, fresh look after clean up.
Once finished, feed your bed plants (including the dormant perennials) using a time-released granular fertilizer that is mild, such as a 10-5-4 or similar formula. Doing so will put those valuable nutrients and minerals into the root zone by the time the plants begin actively growing again the following month (March).
If you have Azaleas or other acid loving plants such as dogwoods, hollies, roses, etc., make sure you provide them with a mild fertilizer for acid-loving plants. Below is one that’s available at Lowes and is a proven winner.
Crape Myrtles
This is the month that folks traditionally have their Crape Myrtles trimmed. Thankfully, we are seeing fewer and fewer people having their Crapes “hacked,†which is a word used to describe the way it’s been done for decades in the south.
Pruning a Crape Myrtle improperly this way will reduce the number of blooms it produces and also causes new branches to grow too long, creating limbs that droop and then break under press.
The below diagrams show the proper way to prune a Crape Myrtle. Generally, we make our cuts 3-4 inches above the knuckles. Figure C is the correctly pruned Crape.
Below is what a Crape will look like when trimmed incorrectly (hacked).
Spring Flowers
While we’re experiencing an unusually warm winter, do not be fooled into thinking this means you can get away with planting spring flowers early. I say this for the following reason – mother nature. She will often tease us this way in Texas, giving us early and prolonged glimpses of springtime. It lulls us into a sense of believing spring is here. Then just like that, a storm moves through and snow is on the ground.
Places such as Austin and points south should count on having spring flowers available by mid-March. DFW and NE Texas should expect them available by late March/early April.
If you planted Tulip bulbs in November, your Tulips will begin emerging this month. Be mindful of that when cleaning your beds, you won’t want to accidentally disturb them. Now would be a good time for them to get a high-phosphate fertilizer applied so their blooming will be even more impressive.
Lawn Fertlization
Every year I get asked about this, so I’ve decided to make mention of it every year in anticipation. And this year with the warm winter, I know it will come up.
“Can I put my weed and feed down now?â€
My answer is NO. Again, mother nature will have her say and putting it down when the turf really isn’t growing just doesn’t help anything. In fact, it can interrupt the emergence process and also cause turf fungus. Thats no way to start out the season!
In DFW and NE Texas, it’s wise to wait until April 1 to apply turf fertilizer, regardless of the turf type that you have. In Austin, Houston, San Antonio, you can start a week earlier.
Good luck in February! What you’re doing now to prepare for spring will make your growing season all the more successful and colorful!
If you have any questions, fire away!
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