To Do This Week

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Week of April 16th, 2011

• It's time to begin regular lawn maintenance. You may have already had to mow several times and now you should begin mowing regularly. But don't scalp it. Mow high on a regular basis, especially if you still have weeds going to seed. Don't let it grow tall and then scalp it. Just give it a light haircut and let it stay long now that hot days are on the way. If it's completely green at this point, you may go ahead and fertilize it if you wish or you may wait and fertilize it once in the fall. There's no need to over fertilize your grass, it encourages faster growth so you'll have to mow more and water more. Do watch the rainfall patterns! It is time to start irrigating but don't over water or water too sporadically. You do need to water at least an inch a week if you are watering your grass to keep it healthy but don't over water.
• Dead head roses.
• Cut back spring bulbs once the foliage is brown.
• Fertilize and mulch perennials.
• Keep a vigilant eye on vegetable pests before they get out of hand.
• Plant warm weather annuals like cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers.
• Plant basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and other herbs. It's too late for cilantro so let it bolt and go to seed to collect seeds for next year or to use as cumin.
• Plant okra, southern peas, beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumber, eggplant, peppers, squash, and watermelons.
• Add summer-blooming native perennials like turks cap and Texas betony to attract hummingbirds this summer.
• Continue pruning evergreen shrubs to shape them and encourage new growth.

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