SAWS: San Antonio Landscape Care Guide

Spring flowering trees like Redbud and Mountain Laurel can be pruned now that they are done blooming.
Water trees only when needed. First year transplants may need watering once a week at a rate of two gallons per inch diameter of the trunk at chest height.
Established trees will rarely need watering. Trees adapted for our area manage well without water for up to two months. To water an established tree, spread a soaker hose around the outermost area where branches grow. (see diagram below) This is the "drip line." Leave the soaker hose on a slow seeping (about a quarter turn on the hose bib) for several hours. Don't forget to turn it off.
Leaf-eating insects often infest trees in early summer. Native and adapted trees can survive minor insect attacks without harm. Excessive caterpillars can be controlled using organic products such as Bacillus threngiensis (Bt) or spinosad.
Frequent irrigation of turf or beds beneath tree canopies may make leaf diseases worse. Be sure to irrigate at proper times.

Frequent irrigation of turf or beds beneath tree canopies may make leaf diseases worse. Be sure to irrigate at proper times.
Continue to mow your lawn regularly. Mow St. Augustine at 3 inches, Zoysia at 2 inches, Bermuda at 1.5 inches or less and Buffalo at 4 inches or higher.
Zoysia, Buffalo and Bermuda Grass can be allowed to go dormant in the summer without permanent damage. They will green up when the rain returns.
Apply a labeled insecticide for grubs and/or chinch bugs in June if you had diagnosed damage from them last year or if you see a large number of the insects. A “large number” of insects means at least three grubs per square foot. Just a few insects should be ignored. If you are unsure of what is causing your lawn to look bad, call the Bexar County Cooperative Extension Office at 210-467-6575 to discuss the problem and get a diagnosis.

Prune herbs often to keep them full and compact. The essential oils in herbs are highest in the morning, so prune in the morning for the best flavor or aroma. Keep a calendar of blooming dates. Plan to prune after blooming.
Water with drip irrigation to prevent wilting and excessive water evaporation.
Once they bloom, many culinary herbs are finished for the season. Cutting off buds will extend use.

Insect attacks: Native and welladapted plants should survive pest attacks. Consider organic solutions for severe infections. See the Garden Problem Solver section for treatment options.
Remove spent flowers and seed pods to prolong blooms or for repeated blooming. Large perennials, such as salvias, can be cut back by a third and will rebloom later in the summer.
If plants show signs of yellow leaves, consider a summer application of slow-release or organic fertilizer around affected plants.

Old-fashioned roses will survive without supplemental irrigation, but they bloom best if they receive one deep watering every two weeks when we do not receive rain.
Many roses decline noticeably in the summer and perk up again when temperatures cool in the autumn.
Three inches of mulch applied over the root system helps conserve water and maintain the plant.


Cosmos	Zinnia	Periwinkle Vinca

A source of water is an important element in your wildscape. Keep your bird bath or bowl clean and filled. Consider adding "mosquito dunks" which contain an organic Bt solution that will keep mosquitoes from breeding in the water. The Bt solution will not harm visiting birds.
Your wildscape should require about a quarter as much water as you would use on turfgrass. In fact, once your wildscape plants are over a year old you have the option of doing no supplemental watering.
To encourage blooming plants to maintain blooms, water once per month in the absence of rain.

If you have a drip irrigation system, check it often for breaks or for drip lines that pop off the water connection. As soils dry drip lines move and lines are pulled and can be broken or pop off the water connections.
Check your automatic sprinkler system for broken or mis-aligned spray heads and dirty spray head filters.
Watch for swampy areas or very green areas where underground leaks may have developed in the irrigation system.
Keep your automatic sprinkler system in the "OFF" or "MANUAL" setting to conserve water.
Do not follow the same watering schedule for bedding areas as for your turf. To do so can cost you a lot in wasted water. You can cut back watering by half to save time and money if you are willing to let the grass go dormant in the hottest part of the summer.
Xeriscape plants can survive the summer without irrigation. They will bloom best if they get a deep watering with a soaker hose once each month.
Don’t use a lot of water trying to bring back your spring blooming plants to their early season glory. Instead, enjoy your heat-loving summer seasonal stars that need almost no water to keep blooming!

Pant Type		Pruning Directions
Fall blooming flowers		Fall blooming flowers (Maximillian, Sunflowers, Mums and Asters)

Roses		Trim back roses that are in summer wilt so they will look good in the fall.

Trees		Summer is a good time to prune oaks to avoid infection from oak wilt. It is still a good idea to paint any cut more than one inch diameter.

Perennials (Salvia Greggi, Mexican Oregano and Salvias)		After peak bloom ends, shear off the top 1/3 of summer blooming perennials to encourage a re-bloom. It is okay to cut off a few flowers in the process.

Palms		Remove brown palm fronds if desired.


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