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July Landscape Tips - ECOSystems Landscape Services

This wetter than normal spring has put us in a great position for successful plant material. But, the hot, dry weather is starting to build. So, you may have to reevalute how you care for your plants throughout the summer.

Irrigation
If you have an irrigation system, make sure it is as efficient as possible to prevent water waste. Be certain to set the controller for correct time and day settings based on your water utility restrictions. Make sure to check every head and nozzle and adjust them for proper coverage. Remember long watering cycles waste a lot of water.

It is highly recommended to utilize multiple start times with shorter run times. Doing this can greatly improve the appearance of the landscape during a drought. For example: if you run your irrigation systems for 4 cycles per day, (basically sprays for 7 minutes and rotors for 20 minutes) instead of once per day this wastes less water by using shorter cycles more often and you get less run off and more saturation. This works much better than running all the zones for hours at a time.

Also, as soon as you notice excessive runoff or pooling of the water, then you have reached the maximum run time for that area. In other words, if you reach pooling in 4 minutes, then shorten your run time to that (4 min) time and then add the additional time using another start time.

Turf
Adjust the mowing height of your lawn mower based on your turf type. Mow your St. Augustine as high as you can about 4”– 6”. Cutting St. Augustine too low can stress your turf and make it susceptible to drought, insects, and disease. Bermuda and Zoysia can be successfully maintained at a lower height. But, keep in mind that if the height is taken too low too soon, the turf could brown out and during this extreme heat it may be difficult to reestablish it.

Remember to mulch the clippings as this is best for your turf by putting much needed nutrients back into the earth. Increasing your mowing height will reduce water need and develop deeper roots. Keep your blades sharp on your mower and try to never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade at a time.

Trees
If your trees need water, make sure to water the drip line of the trees as this is where the roots take in the water best. Running a slow drip hose works wonders as it too will allow for better water depth. If you have not gotten all the dead wood out of your trees yet, now is the time.

Plants
Make sure to keep your plants mulched to help make better use of the water. Because of water restrictions, you may have to utilize a bucket or a hose if you do not have drip irrigation.

If you would like more information on your landscape please contact ECOSystems at 512-977-0052 or E-mail at [email protected].

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July Landscape Tips Email from ECOSystems Landscape Services     July Landscape Tips Reevaluating Landscape Maintenance by Kim Goyette Business Development Manager This wetter than normal spring has put us in a great pos

June Landscape Tips - ECOSystems Landscape Services
We have been enjoying the gift of a real spring in Texas! The recent, consistent rain has set a great foundation for plants to root and thrive. Get ready for more heat and dry conditions in the upcoming months.

Here are some things you can do:
-Hand water newly installed plants 2 or 3 times per week to soak the soil encouraging better, deeper roots.
-Check your irrigation, unclog nozzles, fix leaks, adjust heads. Set timers correctly. -Avoid water run-off.
-Remove or cut down struggling plants so you do not waste water trying to keep them alive.
-Mulch. This is the #1 water and plant conservation tool that can be done. Mulch not only insulates the soil from the heat, it holds in moisture, defines the bed and prevents w**ds. Keep a good layer on beds and tree rings through the heat. This could be the difference between success and failure of your plants.

Water Wise Plants
The plants in the City of Austin Native and Adaptive Plant Guide are selected for their heat and drought tolerance, resistance to pests and disease and their low water use. Some of them can survive even with very little water once they are established.

Irrigation
During the heat of summer, you generally need 1 inch of water per week to keep plants healthy. This of course depends on your plant selections. Refer to your irrigation manufacturer’s literature or their website for guidelines for “precipitation rate”. The typical spray head puts out 1 inch of water in 60 minutes. That would have to be split up between multiple days to prevent run off. Think about setting up 2 start times per night, 2 nights, 6 minutes each.

Always use the run-soak-run technique. This means short, repeated cycles on your watering day. The cycle should be short enough to prevent runoff. Many older irrigation systems have the old-style “rain shut-off” devices. Newer wireless and advanced devices are available that are less likely to fail or allow watering when you do not need it.

There are also advanced models of irrigation controllers that assure that the system waters only when the weather dictates. They link to weather stations near your home and make the most of your water use and prevent waste better than ever.

Some are even programmable from your smart phone. See your irrigation service dealer for more information.

Turf
Do not let your turf dry out, just because it got a lot of water this spring does not mean it won’t need watering all summer long. Try not to use w**d controls in the heat of summer as they can do more harm than good if done incorrectly.

If you would like more information on your landscape please contact ECOSystems at 512-977-0052 or E-mail at [email protected].

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June Landscape Tips Email from ECOSystems Landscape Services     June Landscape Tips A Real Texas Spring! by Kim Goyette Business Development Manager We have been enjoying the gift of a real spring in Texas! The recent,

November Landscape Tips - ECOSystems Landscape Services

These cooler temperatures in Central Texas are the perfect time to start planting, so lets get going!

1. Planting trees and hardy shrubs should start now. With our cooler/wetter weather, plants have 8 months to put down roots to prepare for our hot summer of 2025. Be sure to know and understand the light and watering requirements of all your plants, and the best time of the year to plant them. Do not mix plants in a bed that have different water and light requirements.

2. After planting, cover all bare areas with mulch. This will keep the ground cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and will break down to form organic matter in the soil. This mulch will save you much work watering and removing w**ds.

3. If you have not done your fall pre-emergent and fall fertilizer do it this weekend! The weather should be great!

4. Time to have your trees professionally pruned if not done yet! Keep those limbs pruned back from your buildings and lights.

5. Keep the thick piles of leaves from accumulating in your turf. It might save you time now but will do damage in the long run.

6. Remember unless you are doing water averaging to keep from paying absorbent fees, remember to run your system during the winter. You do not need as much water, but you want to ensure that the system is working properly and running it helps keep all the parts working. Don’t let your landscaping dry out too much as all plants and grass need water to live.

If you would like more information on your landscape please contact ECOSystems at 512-977-0052 or E-mail at [email protected].

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November Landscape Tips Email from ECOSystems Landscape Services     November Landscape Tips Cooler Weather is Finally Here! by Kim Goyette Business Development Manager These cooler temperatures in Central Texas are the perf