JOHN BEGNAUD: In dry times, plant in containers
Increased restrictions on outdoor water use and the desire to conserve water have directed many gardeners to incorporate more container plantings in the landscape.
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Frequent mowing at correct height should deter weeds
General rains and relatively moderate summer temperatures have stimulated landscapes as well as weeds. Controlling weeds in landscape beds and gardens always is a good idea, but killing weeds in...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Water now to protect plant extremities
Temperatures above 100 are hot and nobody disagrees. Imagine being a leaf hanging out in full sun all day when it’s this hot. Some plants handle it better than others, just like some people handle...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Now is time to plan changes
In the Concho Valley, gardening in August is all about watering and very little planting, fertilizing, pruning, etc. There is no better time to plan landscape changes to improve water efficiency, plant...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Fall fertilizing promotes growth
September signals the start of the big cool-down for summer 2013. It is not unusual to see days near 100 degrees until mid-September, but shorter days and the more southern track of the sun eventually...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Curb appeal possible in dry times
Landscapes that enhance the look of homes, businesses and professional buildings are valuable for many reasons. There is no doubt that water resources can be a major contributor to landscape design and...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Think drought-hardy when planting
Recent rains across much of West Texas haven’t changed limited water supplies for many municipalities and some restricted water wells. Nonetheless, this is considered the best time of year to plant...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Pruning, watering vital to tree health
It’s no surprise that local trees have suffered amid the extreme heat and inadequate rain of these past few years. Many older trees have dead branches that may be hazardous to humans and adjacent...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Get your plants ready for winter
The recent cool front was a signal to prepare plants for winter. It is a ritual for those of us with tropical container plants to find a place to move them in for winter.
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Cold temps reduce irrigation needs
The first killing freeze arrived this past week in the Concho Valley and covered a wide surrounding area. After a hard, hot summer followed by average fall moisture, most of us were ready for the cold....
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Plants around San Angelo could have damage from early freeze
Ice on plants does occur in our area, but not every winter. Ice covered some landscape shrubs, turf and trees in and around San Angelo.
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Make resolution to use less water
Let’s keep this New Year’s resolution to use less water. It is our nature to consider change or improvement at the completion of an event and the start of a new one. New Year’s resolutions are such an...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Tilling now helps make spring planting easier
It’s hard to get fired up about anything outdoors when it’s cold, but planning for spring now can make gardening much more enjoyable when spring arrives.
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Privets tough evergreens that withstand cold
This winter’s cold temperatures browned some usually green landscape plants. Asian jasmine ground cover, perennial plumbago and even cold hardy palms are brown this year. Any landscape plant that...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Watering trees now will pay off later
We use much less water for landscape plants in winter than in summer, because plants generally require less water to maintain their presence now than in spring or summer. However, most of us haven’t...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Proper fertilization key to good spring growth
The recent warm days have sap flowing and early bloomers swelling buds. Plants such as redbuds, forsythia, winter jasmine, flowering quince and some fruit trees have begun to bloom in areas close to...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Yo-yo weather tough on plants
Just when we begin thinking of spring, winter returns. These warm-cold-warm-cold spells are just as confusing to many plants as they are to us. Some plants were caught with their buds pushing new...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Water supply a life and death matter for trees
Green leaves and flowers are popping out of many dormant plants. It is amazing how even wild or native pasture plants can bud out despite the dry soils. The next 60-80 days are critical to growing...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Water plans share basic tenet: stewardship
With the water challenges all across the globe and the many recommendations and restrictions being implemented by those involved, water conservation can be somewhat confusing. Terms such as xeriscape,...
View ArticleJOHN BEGNAUD: Plant new trees that are able to withstand drought
It is not difficult to find native or wild growing plants that are the bane of farmers and ranchers but that are beneficial when used in landscapes. The often maligned honey mesquite sure fits this...
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