Maintenance Recommendations for

Native Perennial Garden Beds and and Grass 

Sprinkler system:

-The battery should be changed periodically to keep from loosing the controller programming in the event of a power outage.

-The city of Austin (and I) recommend that the sprinkler be set for watering no more often than once every five days with a delay for rain events.  Once established, the flowerbeds may be placed on a 7-day interval schedule if further water conservation is desired.  Long deep watering will help establish deep roots and drought tolerant plants and grasses.

-Many plants in direct sun may look wilty in the afternoon and evening.  Examine these plants in the morning to see if they have recovered.  If still wilty, increase water for those plants only. 

-Remember that a plant that is getting too much water will look the same as one with too little water because of root rot in constantly moist soil.  A droughty plant will be wilted in the morning, the soil will be dry, but it should perk up quickly after a deep soak.  Test for root rot by feeling the soil next to the plant.  If it is moist in the morning and the plant is still wilty you may have root rot.  Increase the watering interval to allow the soil to dry out between watering.

Grass:

-Set your mower on its highest setting because long grass shades the roots and reduces the water needs.

-Water deeply but infrequently.

-Stop watering during periods of extended rain especially with cool temperatures because these conditions encourage fungal diseases.

-Fertilizers are rarely needed.  Compost is best.  Aerating the soil followed by an application of compost is excellent to feed the roots and discourage fungal and other diseases.

-Corn Gluten Meal promotes beneficial fungi that prevent weed seed germination (preemergent herbicide), reduces other noxious fungi (fungicide), and it acts as a slow fertilizer.  It is available at organic friendly nurseries (expensive) and feed stores (cheap).  Apply in the early winter (January or February).

Perennials:

-I usually prune things after the first hard freeze (or Feb 14th) and in the middle of the summer heat.  The winter pruning will encourage compact plants and remove freeze-damaged wood.  The summer pruning can encourage strong fall and winter flowering and help the plant with stand drought by removing water-using foliage. 

-Roses should be pruned February 14th and August 14th for optimal flower production and to reduce disease problems.

-Intense weeding in the spring and fall can remove undesirable weeds before they go to seed and reduce competition for your flowers and grasses.

-Weeding newly planted beds often and intensely will dramatically reduce future weeding requirements.

-If you pull a weed whenever you see one you may never need to "weed" a flowerbed.

-Leaving unplanted, bare areas between plants will encourage weeds because "Nature abhors a vacuum."

-The least amount of regular maintenance is to prune heavily sometime after the first freeze, and before new growth in the spring, but even this is not necessary, if you do not mind the new growth to intermixed with the old growth.

-Prune spent flowers before they go to seed to promote additional blooming and to help the plant direct its strength to growing more foliage and roots not seeds.

-Do not prune spent flowers if you want the flower to expand its area in the bed by seeding out.

-If you are not sure if a plant is a weed or flower, allow it to grow till it flowers.  If you like the flower, keep the plant possibly allowing it to reseed.  If you do not like the flower, pull the weed before it goes to seed.

-You may do anything to any plant at any time.  If it is in the way or crowding out another, feel free to prune it back or even move it entirely.

Trees:

-If you are reading this to learn how to prune a tree, do not prune it.  Have a knowledgeable friend, arborist, or nursery employee show you how.

-Oak trees in Central Texas require special care to prevent infection from the fungal disease Oak Wilt.  Find out from the City of Austin, the County Extension Agency, Tree Folks, or Texas A&M how to care for your Oaks.

-Only use pruning paint on Oaks or Fruit trees.

-You may prune ornamental or accent trees in your garden as if they were large Bonsai, but do not expect them to be a large healthy shade tree at a later date.

Further Questions:

John Barr

Owner, Native Cottage Gardens

Austin, TX  78746

(512) 469-0121