Greetings, Austin! As we try to survive another sweltering summer, it can be a challenge to maintain a healthy yard. Here are your local lawn, landscape, and pest updates provided by our talented Austin branch manager, Cain Cooper, to help you manage a vibrant space all season long.
Lawn
Summer is leaving its impression as overall turf and soil health is suboptimal. We’re proud of our team members who continue to invest their talents and efforts to exceed expectations and deliver stunning results.
Austin customer lawn. Truly, a Texas survivor
Leaf Spot: Leaf spot is still active in St. Augustine lawns due to wetter-than-normal conditions. This fungal disease manifests as small brown or black lesions on grass blades that can coalesce into large patches, leading to thinning turf.
DIY Prevention & Control
- Water early in the day to allow grass to dry before evening.
- Avoid overhead watering as it can increase moisture on grass blades.
- Mow at the recommended height (4″ for St. Augustine) to reduce stress.
Lawn leaf spot disease
Helminthosporium: This fungus has arrived earlier this year in Bermuda lawns due to increased humidity. Helminthosporium manifests as dark brown or black lesions on grass blades, often with a yellow halo. Over time, these spots can cause the blades to die back, resulting in thinning areas of turf.
DIY Prevention & Control
- Avoid overwatering and ensure good drainage.
- Mow regularly at the recommended height (2″ for Bermuda) and remove clippings.
- Reduce thatch buildup by aerating your lawn.
Helminth lawn fungus
Despite the rain, water restrictions haven’t lifted, and the lakes are still quite low. We speculate that regulations will not lift this year. Check your local watering schedule here.
Encourage thick, vibrant turf by mowing regularly; every 1-2 weeks, or when grass exceeds optimal height. Check out our recommended mowing heights below:
- Bermuda: 2″
- Augustine: 4″
- Zoysia Grass: 3″
Mowing heights
Landscape
In contrast to turf health, landscapes are currently in a state of well-being, especially considering how hot and humid this summer has been.
Bark Scale: We’re spotting bark scale on Crepe Myrtles. This pest appears as white or gray, waxy scales on the bark of branches and trunks. They secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to black sooty mold growth. To prevent and control bark scale:
DIY Prevention & Control:
- Prune affected branches to improve air circulation.
- Wash off the scales with a strong stream of water.
- Apply horticultural oil during the dormant season to smother the scales.
Bark scale
Sick season applies to plants, too, and summer is a popular time for diseases to develop. Two of the top fungi we’re seeing are black spot on roses and leaf spot on photinias and hawthorns.
How to “Spot” These Diseases:
- Black Spot (Roses): Look for round, black spots with fringed edges on the leaves, which may turn yellow and drop off.
- Leaf Spot (Photinias & Hawthorns): Identify this disease by reddish-purple spots on the leaves, which can conjoin and cause premature leaf drop.
DIY Prevention & Control:
- Pruning: Prune affected areas to improve air circulation and reduce humidity around plants. Prune no more than 1/3 of the tree or shrub length and avoid overpruning to prevent stress.
Watering: Water at the base of plants, not on the foliage, to avoid wetting the leaves.
Black spot
Leaf spot
Overwatering: Too much watering can lead to root and trunk rot in trees and shrubs, as well as other symptoms like yellowing leaves, wilting, and stunted growth. Allow roots to dry out between waterings to prevent this.
Summer Landscape Watering Tips:
- Timing: Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
- Mulching: Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
- Deep Watering: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage roots to grow deeper and be more drought-resistant.
Pests
What’s creeping near (or in!) your home:
- Cockroaches: Mild
- Rodents: Mild
- Wasps & Hornets: Moderate
- Spiders: Considerable
- Mosquitoes: Extreme
- Fleas & Ticks: Moderate
- Fire Ants: Considerable
Mosquito Control Tips:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Keep mosquitoes from multiplying by emptying containers or bodies of water on a weekly basis. Gutters are a hidden spot that makes a great breeding ground for these pests.
- Repellents: Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors.
- Screening: Ensure windows and doors are properly screened to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Natural Solutions: Plant mosquito-repelling plants like citronella, lavender, or marigolds around your yard.
Aedes mosquito
