My message this week is a reminder of last week's. I know that lots of people got busy in their yards last weekend, but if you procrastinated, consider yourself fortunate, because Tuesday's severe weather created a "good news/bad news" scenario.
The good news: We needed the rain, and what we got will actually benefit the plants we pruned or planted, especially newly laid sod.
The bad news: If you put down the pre-emergent herbicide and early green-up fertilizer called for in my schedule — and you got a massive amount of rain — you may want to consider re-applying, but at half strength.
I believe the majority of GardenLine listeners enjoyed only supplemental benefit from the rains. Whether you need to re-apply depends on how much rain you received between 6 a.m. and noon on Tuesday. It's important to determine how much rain you got in that six-hour period to avoid wasting time, money and effort.
Here are the general rules:
If you believe you got less than three inches, you shouldn't have to worry about a thing.
If you got more than three inches, you probably should apply another half dose. That's especially true for those who got five inches or more.
Now, this is all assuming you followed my spreader-settings protocols. If you didn't follow my suggested settings, try to remember the settings you used, and cut them in half.
Even if you only got two inches of rain or less, you should evaluate how much "run-off" you may have had. Lawns that are in poor shape — more dirt and weeds than lawn — most likely lost a lot of what was applied, and they should probably get another half treatment.
Healthy lawns probably didn't experience significant run-off because of their deep roots and enriched soil. You have to be the judge of whether your lawn is "healthy" or not. But if you've been faithfully following the schedule, and didn't endure four or more inches of rain on Tuesday, you are probably in great shape and don't have to re-apply anything.
If you did your applications more than a week ago, and don't have a poorly cared-for yard, you too should not have to reapply, no matter how much rain you got, period. Those products are already broken down and been doing their thing.
Just remember that any re-applications must be done at half the previous dose.
If you did nothing to your lawn last week or the week before, then please get busy this weekend!
As always, you can call me during this weekend's radio program if you need clarification on any rules of re-application. Or you could ask me in person this Saturday!
Cy-Fair Home & Garden Show, Saturday at the Berry Center
This Saturday, I will be broadcasting live and doing a book-signing at the Cy-Fair Home & Garden Show at the Berry Center. The home show is both Saturday and Sunday, but I can only be there on Saturday. There are actually two different home and garden shows in the area this weekend, and I'll only be at Cy-Fair.
The doors open at 9 a.m., and that's when you can purchase copies of my new book, "Texas Tough Gardening." From 10-10:30, I'll be available for one-on-one discussions. Then, I'll head off to the seminar room for a detailed Q&A with the audience. Next, from 11:30 until at least 3 p.m., I will be back at the KTRH table for more one-on-ones and book-signings.
I have often scheduled two-day garden show appearances, but I have a family commitment immediately after Sunday's broadcast. So, if you want my book or want me to be that "pair of eyes" on something, you need to be at the Berry Center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Saturday. Tune in at 6 a.m. to find out what great products we'll be giving away. And here's Saturday's book deal: One copy is $15, two for $25, 3 for $35 and so on! So, the more copies you get, the better the price per book. And I'm sure you know a family member, friend or neighbor who needs the sage lawn and landscape advice in this book.
By the way, this is the final home and garden show I will broadcasting from this spring. I have some appearances and Sunday book-signings set for the next three months, but the next home and garden show where you can catch me is The Woodlands Home & Garden Show in June.