Summer is on it’s way!
Can you believe it? It’s nearly summer and North Texas is starting to heat up just like clockwork. The rain this spring so far has left most of the Dallas / Fort Worth region with a lot of green and overgrown yards, trees that need to be trimmed, flowers that need to be planted and other general landscaping needs.

More than that, it’s time to celebrate another year and another summer with family and friends outdoors. It’s the perfect time of year to get started on the patio extension you’ve wanted for years. We’ve got tons of experience designing and installing patios, outdoor living spaces and backyard fireplaces and kitchens.

Give us a call, we’re Paradise Landscaping and we’re your Dallas landscaping, North Texas landscaping and DFW landscaping and patio experts.

What’s special about Bermuda Grass?
It’s advantages? It can be used as it takes heavy wear very well. It will last for decades with very little care and can be overseeded with perennial ryegrass to provide a wintergreen lawn.

Generally, it has a long green season, becomming green in the late spring and holding it’s color until the first frost hits. It can also survive periodic droughts of us to a few weeks. It also responds extrememly well to regular fertilization and it will knit itself into a very strong turf.

Does not grow well in shade – minimal care when well-established
One drawback is that bermuda grass does need full sun in order for tight turf to form. Too much shade will leave it fairly thin and this allows weeds to pop-up. However, once it is established, a little food and water will go a long way to a green lawn.

Maintaining and Restoring St. Augustine

Late Winter / Early Spring: Start in the late winter or early spring with a crabgrass preventer and do not fertilizer. Check your local nursery for stock and specific directions, or ask your lawn care professional. Prep for the first mowing to grass-cycle/mulch, which Bermuda does respond to very well.

Late Spring / Early Summer: A first dose of Lawn Fertilizer should be lightly applied. Check for insects and apply control if needed. Check soil levels to make certain it’s not too wet or dry and has a balanced pH that is not acidic. Start edging early to keep grass from getting out of control and moving into flower beds and walkways.

Mid to Late Summer: A second dose of Fertilizer designed should be applied. Again, look for insects and apply control if needed. Make certain grass is growing properly and not in danger of a full drought lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks.

Early Fall: Begin to prep the grass for the winter. Consider applying Bermuda Winterizer or Winter Conditioner. Trim grass back. Add lime is the pH level needs to be raised to avoid acidic soil.

Dallas Bermuda Grass & Texas Bermuda Grass
Bermuds grass is a favorite and does very well in Dallas and all over North Texas.

What’s special about St. Augustine Grass?
First, it’s got a rich bluish-green color that lasts longer into the fall than other warm-season grasses do. Also, due to the nature of the grass it can handle periodic droughts, for up to a week with no ill-effects at all, even though it does respond best to regular watering and it definately responds well to frequent feedings. When it is fertilized properly, it will knit itself together into tight groupings of turf. This is one of the best weed-preventing grasses around.

Grows well in shade – minimal care when well-established
Perhaps St. Augustine is known (and loved) best for being a warm-season grass that can easily handle partial shade and there are some varieties that will even grow in heavy shade (Seville and Bitterblue). Moreover, it responds well to mulching / grass-cycling and will form a dense matte which requires less watering and mowing over time.

How does St. Augustine grass grow?
If you’ve been around St. Augustine at all you will notice that it grows above-ground with a series of stems that “knits” itself together. These are called stolons, and they are stems runners that seek out new soil to dig into. This process can take some time, but eventually it can take over and kill other grasses growing in the same spot. Be careful not to let the grass take over your flower beds, it can and will if left untrimmed.

Maintaining and Restoring St. Augustine

Late Winter / Early Spring: Start in the late winter or early spring with a special St. Augustine Weed and Feed. Check your local nursery for stock and specific directions, or ask your lawn care professional. Prep first mowing to grass-cycle/mulch, which St. Augustine responds to very well.

Late Spring / Early Summer: A first dose of Lawn Fertilizer designed specifically for St. Augustine. Check for insects and apply control if needed. Check soil levels to make certain it’s not too wet or dry. Start edging early to keep grass runners from getting out of control and moving into flower beds and walkways.

Mid to Late Summer: A second dose of Lawn Fertilizer designed specifically for St. Augustine should be applied. Again, look for insects and apply control if needed. Make certain grass is growing properly and not in danger of a full drought lasting more than 1 week.

Early Fall: Back to the Weed and Feed and begin to prep the grass for the winter. Consider applying a St. Augustine Winter Conditioner. Trim grass back

Dallas St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is a favorite and does very well in Dallas and all over North Texas.

Daniel: Hey, Aaron, thanks for joining us.
Aaron: No problem. Glad to help.

Daniel: Let’s get right to it. What types of plants are okay to plant at the beginning of summer?
Aaron: Typically the plants that are currently available at the nursery will work well for the summer. And if you happen to be an idiot savant like I am at times, you can find little tags attached to each plant by the farmers/gardeners. These tags will tell you where and when the plants will do well. Throughout Texas, you should be able to find dozens of plants that do well in full sun.

Daniel: What are some of your favorites?
Aaron: I love Crepe Myrtles. I’m a big fan of Oleander, but it needs lots of room for growth. It’s great to use for a privacy fence or on estate properties. Knock out rose bushes are great for the backyard. Begonias are an awesome summer flower. Canna lillies (though not actually lillies) are gorgeous. They’re great for tropical landscape themes and around pools. Texas Sage is a beautiful grayish leaf with a purple bloom. It’s a drought resistant plant – great for accents and popular for commercial properties.

Daniel: Is there a special type of fertilizer and/or weed killer we should use during the Texas heat?
Aaron: With inconsistent Texas weather, that’s tough to say. The two most common grasses I deal with are Bermuda and Saint Augustine. Right now, I’m using Lesco 50-10-31 for all my yards. If you’re doing it yourself, it’s best to consult with a professional landscaper who is familiar with Texas turf. It varies depending on your grass.

Daniel: When is the best time of day to water my yard during a Texas summer?
Aaron: It’s my experience that optimum time is 5:30am. Let your sprinkler system run for 20 minutes daily in each area until the yard is covered. Same for the beds.

Daniel: How often do I need to water my grass to keep it healthy during summer?
Aaron: Every day is best, but you can get away with every other day.

Daniel: Do you have any other quick tips for lawn care and flower beds during summer?
Aaron: Regular maintenance, watering, and fertilizing will keep things under control. Fresh mulch is great for flower beds. It helps to keep out weeds and keeps the beds looking fresh.

Thanks, Aaron. If you’re reading this and have further questions about maintenance for your yard or property, contact Paradise Landscaping today.