QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Can I leave diseased grass clippings on my lawn?
Answer:
When we mow, we want to leave the clippings on the lawn. They return a significant amount of nutrients to the growing grass.
You can even leave the clippings if you have a disease problem like take-all patch or another leaf spot disease. They don’t add to the problem in any significant way. In fact, in our warm weather, they’ll decompose quite rapidly, and naturally provide nutrients to keep your lawn healthy.
They also cover the surface and help reduce weed competition. In a diseased lawn one of the things that happens is we start to see more weeds as the lawn gets thinner. Remember, mow high, follow proper watering procedures, avoid broadleaf weed killers, fertilize sparingly, and leave your clippings! You’ll be well on the way to a disease-free lawn.
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PLANT OF THE WEEK
Thryallis
Thryallis is one of my favorite plants that is spreading in popularity throughout Central Texas. One bonus for this sun-loving perennial is that it is somewhat deer resistant.
Then, beautiful yellow blooms start in spring and continue on through summer and even on through fall until we get a good frost on the plant. It’s fairly cold hardy to mid-Central Texas.
It can be sheared into a shrubby shape. Or, you can let it grow on its own as a great screening shrubs to about 5-6’. You can even shear it quite low.
It likes full sun but accepts bright light shade. It’s drought tolerant once established, grows quickly, and doesn’t have disease and insect problems. Can’t beat a combination like that!
past Plants of the Week →
PLANTING TIPS OF THE WEEK
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Trim spring flowers, including bulbs that have yellowed.
- Avoid broadleaf weed killers at this time. Once the weather warms to 85°, these products can damage your lawn.
- Plant warm season vegetables.
- Be sure to mulch new vegetable gardens and flower beds. Mulch helps hold soil moisture and it prevents the soil from eroding away or from crusting up. Mulching can double your water savings! Every time you water a plant that is not mulched, you’re probably watering twice as often as a plant that has been mulched.
more Planting Tips →
THIS WEEK'S FEATURE
Designer Patrick Kirwin picks structural plants for sun and shade.
- Needle palm
- Mediterranean fan palm
- Mazari palm
- Agave bracteosa ‘Calamar’
- Dyckias
- Dioon edule
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