In the Weeds – November 2024

October in review

October or August 3.0 …. I am not sure which month we just turned the page on but it was not our normally pleasant weather for October. Furthermore, after a year of generous rainfall, we fell in to a mini drought. Even though it was only 45 days without rain the heat really burned up the unirrigated turf. The most frustrating part of the past month was that we were all teased by some nice cool fall weather back in September. The cooler nights and then dry weather put a halt to most of the growth of our turf grasses, but it also made the weeds go reproductive. So every time a lawn was mowed you where mostly just knocking down seed heads and very little else, but then the seed heads came back within days.

What to expect in November

Last month I said you “you can depend on a reprieve from the heat of our summers” about October and that turned out to be a lie. So, I will just say I hope November is cooler and it’s already starting out wetter than the preceding month.

Home gardeners, again I led you astray about getting fall/winter crops in last month. The good thing is you can try again since most of those plants are directly sown from seed into the garden. If you did get some plants started in October hopefully, they made it through to November

Normally, November would be the month we expect to see mowing frequency reduce. The growing season for our warm season grasses close with this month. Nighttime temps below 65 degrees F will shut down the Bermuda and St. Augustine lawn grass.

Also, this month it is time to switch out your seasonal color in your landscape beds and freshen up the mulch while you are at it. While we are talking about mulch, lets discuss tree volcanos.

  • Use a hardwood mulch, as it breaks down and decays it adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil.
  • Think donut instead of volcano when spreading mulch around the tree. Keep mulch away from the trunk by a few inches at the least, larger trees go up to a foot. Do not cover the flare of the trunk if it is exposed, and avoid covering roots that are visible on the surface.
  • Mulch should be 2-3” thick total, adding 2-3” of mulch twice a year will create the dreaded “tree volcano” that suffocates the roots and prevents water from infiltrating. Stirring existing mulch around will keep it from forming a crust that is resistant to water infiltration. You can do this a few times a year and it gives you a freshly mulched look.

Image credit: Texas A&M Forest Service

Action items for this month- repeats from last month but November is the new October

  • Fertilization- We need to feed our grass to support root and plant health as the turf prepares for winter dormancy. It is very important we use the correct fertilizer currently. Using some leftover summer fertilizer will cause excess growth and stress the grass when it is trying to store nutrients for the winner. Below is my one and only recommendation.
    • Nitro-Phos- Brown bag- Fall Special fertilizer
  • Weeds- This month we need to get down an application of pre-emergent herbicide. Barricade, Dimension or Pendimethlin are the chemicals that you are looking for, I use “Nitro Phos Barricade”
  • Roses- Monthly feedings for roses are still important. Your roses should continue to bloom until the frost. In our area the First frost could be 30-90 days away, but keep feeding until then.
    • A fall pruning of your roses is generally a good idea. Do it before putting down fresh mulch to make the clean up easier. Follow the steps here for best results.

Municipal Drainage Happenings

October was the driest month I we have seen this year, and historically it is the second wettest. Turf conditions have rebounded well this year following 3 high stress years with droughts and hard freezes. The past 2 months have put a strain on turf, but I think this year has been 5 steps forward 1 step back at the worst.

Fall fertilization and herbicide are nearing completion for us.

Mowing schedules for most districts will drop back to monthly service on tractor-maintained areas and from weekly to every other week for shortgrass. However we will keep an eye on this, with a good shot of rain at the beginning of November we could see turf growth take off especially if the weather remains in the 80s during the day and above 65 at night.

Hunter Soape

In the Weeds – October 2024

September in review

I am a little late getting this out but I was waiting on September weather to leave and October to arrive. We did have a weird but wonderful week in September of fall weather. Rainfall was in short supply last month; I am pretty sure that is the first time I have said that in 2024.

What to expect in October

October is always the month I am looking forward to in the heat of the summer. Weather is pleasant. Rainfall is usually present but not overwhelming. It is the first month you can depend on a reprieve from the heat of our summers.

Home gardeners be thinking about your cool season crops and before the end of the month they need to be in. Most of all for us is being able to have home grown lettuce again. If you haven’t grown your own lettuce for salads, it will make you throw rocks at the stuff in the grocery store. It is extremely easy to grow and quick from germination to harvest.

We are changing gears in our lawns and landscapes as well. The growing season for our warm season grasses close with this month. Nighttime temps below 65 degrees F will shut down the Bermuda and St. Augustine lawn grass.

Also, this month it is time to switch out your seasonal color in your landscape beds and freshen up the mulch while you’re at it.

Action items for this month

  • Fertilization- We need to feed our grass to support root and plant health as the turf prepares for winter dormancy. It is very important we use the correct fertilizer currently. Using some leftover summer fertilizer will cause excess growth and stress the grass when it is trying to store nutrients for the winner. Below is my one and only recommendation.
    • Nitro-Phos- Brown bag- Fall Special fertilizer
  • Weeds- This month we need to get down an application of pre-emergent herbicide. Barricade, Dimension or Pendimethlin are the chemicals that you are looking for, I use “Nitro Phos Barricade”
  • Fungal problems – Gray Leaf Spot and Brown patch will could be present this month, but with our dry weather pattern and low humidity early in the month I do not see it being prevalent. Just make sure your irrigation is not overwatering
  • Landscape pest pressure is reduced this month. Caterpillars are the biggest culprits we will see and most likely it will be web worms in your oak trees.
    • BT Worm killer and caterpillar killer is an organic option that is highly effective on smaller caterpillars. Keep it on hand and follow directions. It can be used in the garden as well against tomato hornworms and to some degree Squash vine borers. It does not last long once applied so may
  • Roses- Monthly feedings for roses are still important. Your roses should continue to bloom until the frost. In our area the First frost could be 30-90 days away, but keep feeding until then.

Municipal Drainage Happenings

September was the driest month I think we have seen this year. Turf conditions have rebounded well this year following 3 high stress years with droughts and hard freezes.

We are starting up fall fertilization and herbicide this month. Much like I discussed above. We want drainage turf to be healthy and reduce competition for nutrients and sunlight.

Hunter Soape

In the Weeds – September 2024: Gardening and Maintenance Tips

August in review

August lived up to all expectations of being the most brutal month in our area. But it was one of the better August in the past several years. Most areas received some rain, and the last week of the month was unusually pleasant.

What to expect in September

If you are a home gardener this is the month we start getting active again. Heat will subside this month and it gives us a window for lots of vegetables again. Within another month we will be working toward cool season crops as well.

Continue to watch out for insect and fungal problems.

I would expect this month to stay wetter than normal following the trend for this year.

Action items for this month

  • Fertilization – If you have fertilized in the last 45 days I certainly would hold off. If you have not fertilized since Hurricane Beryl. The only reason to fertilize currently is if you are observing stress. In October we will want to apply a fall/winter fertilizer, more to come on that.
  • Weeds – you may be seeing some weeds popping up still as we discussed from last month. Sedge is one of the most prevalent problems I am seeing right now. “Sedge Hammer” is the go to product to treat with. Spot spray applications of your weeds with a pump up sprayer is the best bet at this time. Next month we will move to put down a granular pre-emergent herbicide again.
  • Fungal problems – Gray Leaf Spot and Brown patch will continue to be the prevalent problems here through October. Managing your irrigation so that the top of your soil layer is drying out between irrigation days will make a big difference. I have linked to more resources on identifying and treating these two problems.
  • Landscape pest pressure will continue this month. Aphids and caterpillars are the biggest culprits we will see. Ants are really active after all the rain as well.
    • BT Worm killer and caterpillar killer is an organic option that is highly effective on smaller caterpillars. Keep it on hand and follow directions. It can be used in the garden as well against tomato hornworms and to some degree Squash vine borers. It does not last long once applied so may need to be used every few days and after rains.
    • Cyonara is a broad range insecticide that will treat most of your insect problems from aphids to ants and caterpillars.
    • You may consider reapplying a granular insecticide if you applied one early in the growing season and are now seeing lots of fire ants. Something like Over N Out we work well.
  • Roses – Monthly feedings for roses are still imperative, if you have been on our program, you should be reaping the rewards.

Municipal Drainage Happenings

August was back to regular business just with more ground moisture than we have seen for the month in many years. We worked with our districts that where most susceptible to Johnson grass problems and used a targeted herbicide to treat the invasive grass. This treatment was very successful in controlling Johnson grass and most importantly reducing resident complaints about high grass. Currently we are seeing the best grass stand we have seen in many years in our districts.

Warm weather and green grass,

Hunter Soape