9 Check your irrigation coverage Run each sprinkler zone briefly and watch
9 Inspect brown areas before adding water Brown or thinning grass does not always
9 Refresh thin areas of mulch Maintain approximately two to three inches
9 Avoid heavy fertilizing and pruning Pushing new growth during extreme heat
9 Begin planning for fall planting Take note of bare areas, struggling plants
Landscaping Updates
Plant of the Month: Firebush
Late-Summer Care: Protect Now, Prepare for Fall
By August, Houston landscapes have endured weeks of intense heat. This month is about maintaining consistent care, catching problems early and preparing your yard for cooler fall conditions.
9 Check your irrigation coverage Run each sprinkler zone briefly and watch
for clogged, tilted or broken heads. Correct areas watering pavement or missing sections of lawn. Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
9 Inspect brown areas before adding water Brown or thinning grass does not always
mean the lawn is dry. Check the soil for moisture and look for signs of insects or disease before increasing your watering schedule.
9 Refresh thin areas of mulch Maintain approximately two to three inches
of mulch around shrubs and planting beds. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and limit weeds. Keep it several inches away from trunks and plant stems.
9 Avoid heavy fertilizing and pruning Pushing new growth during extreme heat
can place additional stress on plants. Remove dead or damaged material as needed, but save major pruning and fertilizing for more favorable conditions.
9 Begin planning for fall planting Take note of bare areas, struggling plants
and places that could use additional color. August is a good time to select Gulf Coast – adapted plants and prepare for fall installation once temperatures become milder.
A little attention in August can help your landscape finish summer stronger and make the transition into fall much easier.
Scientific Name: Hamelia patens Common Name: Firebush or Hummingbird Bush
Uses: Pollinator gardens, shrub borders, accent plantings and large containers
Soil: Adaptable to different soil types but performs best in welldrained soil
Watering: Water regularly until established. Once established, it is heat and drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during extended dry periods
Blooms: Late spring through the first frost, producing clusters of bright orange-red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; flowering is typically best in full sun
Growth Habits: Firebush is a fast-growing, heat-loving shrub that reaches approximately 4 – 6 feet tall and wide. Its orange-red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout summer. Established plants may die back after a hard freeze but often return from the roots in spring. Avoid heavy pruning during the blooming season to preserve its colorful flowers.
Lawn Bags & Green Waste
As the weather starts to warm up, we are seeing more and more people out working on their yards. While we love to see this work being done, please keep the FCCSA community guidelines in mind.
Trash cans, recycle bins, or lawn bags / green waste containers should not be placed at the curb in front of you property earlier than 6:00 PM on the evening before your scheduled pickup.
Lawn service companies must either place the clipping bags in the rear yard of the property or remove the bags from the property at the time of service.
For more information on city requirements – please click the links below: Sugar Land:
Visit www. sugarlandtx. gov / GreenWaste for more tips!
Confused on when your green waste day is? Go to www. sugarlandtx. gov / MyNeighborhood and type in your address.
Missouri City:
Visit www. missouricitytx. gov / 478 / Municipal-Solid-Waste- Program for more information! Visit https:// missouricitytx. maps. arcgis. com / apps / instant / basic / index. html? appid = 6abfd2e1b4964efaa0f60c 41c21b772a for an interactive map to determine your green waste day
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