Keep it Green, by Michael Womack
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Saturday, November 3, 2001

Fall calls for prudent pruning

With temperatures starting to drop, many gardeners are thinking about spending time in their yard for major landscape projects and a good fall cleaning. If you're getting the gardening bug, think about these helpful hints when maintaining your yard this fall.
   Prune with care
   Heavy growth during the summer makes fall pruning very tempting to clean up the area. Light shaping of hardy, evergreen shrubs is fine; however, avoid cutting those tropicals during the fall. Pruning will encourage new tender shoots to form that will be susceptible to freezing weather.
   Don't let the pruning bug get the best of you. Just hold off for a few months on these plants, remembering that the best time to prune tropicals like hibiscus and bougainvillea is in late February or early March.
   Tree pruning is encouraged during cooler months for most species except palms. Wait for deciduous trees to drop their leaves before you prune. During the winter, the sap and stored carbohydrates are moved to the root system. Pruning too early will reduce their stored food supply.
   Another one here
   Waiting for leaves to drop will also allow you to see the branch structure of the tree better. Take time to examine the branches to see what needs to be cut for the best tree shape. Always remember to work from the outside in to get a better concept of the overall shape of the tree.
   Always use the three-cut method when removing limbs with any form of saw.
   First make an undercut about 8-10 inches beyond the branch collar, the raised area where the branch meets the trunk of the tree. This cut should only be about one-fourth of the way through the limb and is only used to prevent the bark from peeling.
   Next cut just beyond the first cut to relieve the weight of the limb.
   Then make your third and final cut at the base of the limb, saving the branch collar because it's the natural healing portion of the tree.
   Whenever you trim any plants, always use the right tools and make sure they are sharp. That's important not just to make the job easier, but to provide a clean cut that can heal faster. Also remember that safety should come first. Use protective eyewear and never use a chainsaw on a ladder.
   Fertilize now
   Besides tree trimming, don't forget to fertilize that grass before it gets too late in November. Applying a slow release form of nitrogen fertilizer and little if any phosphorus in the formulation will help your grass to develop a good root system during the cooler months. That makes it more resistant to fungal problems and provides better growth next spring.
   Be on the lookout for take-all root rot or take-all patch; this fungal disease can quickly devastate your lawn.
   Fall's cooler temperatures provide the prime conditions for its growth. If you see brown spots appearing in your St. Augustine, rake out and bag the dead grass immediately to increase air circulation. Also reduce your watering and only water in the morning to keep your grass drier and reduce fungal growth. Fungicides are only effective control measures if they are used at the first signs of the disease.
   Also be aware that your irrigation needs are going to decrease as temperatures decrease. Automatic watering systems need to be readjusted or turned to manual during the winter months.
   Most people don't realize that our turf grasses in South Texas are warm-season varieties. As winter sets in, expect them to go dormant and not look as green. Adding extra water and fertilizer to try to keep them green all through the winter is the worst thing you can do. You'll actually be increasing your risk of fungal diseases with those practice.
   These simple garden tips will help you reevaluate your garden chores this fall and use this prime gardening time to your best advantage.
  
  

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Michael Womack is a horticulturist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Got a question? Michael Womack will answer landscape and gardening questions. Call 886-4648, category 3025 to record your question. Write Keep It Green, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, TX 78469 or email wm-womack@tamu.edu

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