Lawn care program for North Texas   Established Bermuda Lawn February 15th-March 1st Fertilome Weed & Feed Special Natural Guard Soil Activator April 1st-April 15th Fertilome Weed-Out May 15th-June 1st Lawn Food Plus Iron Hi-Yield Kill-A-Grub July 1st-July 15th Natural Guard Soil Activator Fertilome Southwest Greenmaker September 15th-October 1st Fertilome Winterizer & Weed Preventer  Established St. Augustine Lawn February 15th-March 1st Fertilome Weed & Feed Special Natural Guard Soil Activator May1st- May 15th Fertilome Southwest Greenmaker Fertilome F-stop Hi-Yield Kill-A-Grub July 1st-July 15th Natural Guard Soil Activator Fertilome Southwest Greenmaker September 15th-October 1st Fertilome Winterizer & Weed Preventer Fertilome F-stop Newly Seeded & Soded Grass Fertilome New Lawn Starter Natural Guard Soil Activator When lawn or sod is planted.  Then 6 to 8 weeks from Prev. application reapply Fertilome New Lawn Starter. 6-8 weeks from prev. application apply Hi-Yield Kill-A-Grub. In the Fall around September 15th until October 15th apply Fertilome Winterizer. ___________________                                      PRUNING Reasons:      A.)  To improve chance of survival at transplanting time.      B.)  To direct or correct growth in shade trees or avoid later problems.      C.)  To maintain the natural shade of the tree.      D.)  To Maintain or limit size of a plant so that it doesn't grow out of bounds.      E.)  To remove undesirable growth that detracts from the plant.      F.)  To remove broken, unslighly, diseased or insect-damaged growth.      G.)  To remove suckers or water sprouts.      H.)  Improve future flowering and/or  fruiting by removing olf flowers and fruit.      I.)  To remove rubbing branches.      To remove compact growth and prevent legginess.      K.)  To rejuvenate old and declining plants by removing older wood so new growth can develop. PLAN APPROACH      A.)  Consider reason or purpose before cutting begins.      B.)  First remove all dead, broken, diseased or problem limbs.      C.)  Are there any corrective pruning cuts necessary. WHEN TO PRUNE:      A.)  Generally the best time to prune is during late winter or early spring before growth begins (December thru March).      B.)  Least desirable times are immediately after new growth develops in spring or in late summer when growth may be encouraged and then not have enough time to harden off before winter.      C.)  Prune damaged limbs as soon as possible to avoid additional insect and disease problems that may develop.      D.)  Spring blooming plants that bloom on last season's wood need to be pruned after they flower.      E.)  Summer blooming plants that bloom on wood formed during the spring need to be pruned in early spring. ___________________                                                          RATES OF SEED APPLICATION Bermuda                        2lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. Fescue*                         10lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. Ryegrass*                     10lbs. per 1000 sq ft. Buffalo                           2-10lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. St. Augustine                Sod Only *  Should be seeded in September when temperature is above 40.  Should be watered 2 times daily until the grass has grown to the point of covering the ground. ___________________                                          Tree Care                                 New Trees                                  (First year after planting) Watering:      a.)  Depending upon weather, water frequently enough to keep root ball moist but not overly wet.  Turn water on all the way and give the tree a drink (approx. 1 minute).  In the summer this could be daily to every second to third day.  Be careful not to over-water.  You can check your watering by using the stick test.  Push a wooden stick into the ground next to the root ball, if the stick comes totally dry, the tree is dry.      b.)  Do not soak or tickle water the tree, our clay soil will not quickly enough. FERTILIZING:      a.)  Root stimulator three times the first month.      b.)  Root stimulator once a month for the first year.      c.)  Additional organic fertilizer may be used such as NSB, Gardenville, Milorganite, etc., or slow release fertilizers such as Fertilome start-n-frow or Nutristar. PRUNING:      a.)  Light pruning when necessary.      b.)  No Major Braches. INSECTICIDES & FUNGICIDES:      a.)  Spray Dormant Oil in the winter months (1 Time).      b.)  Summer spraying only as necessary.      c.)  Fruit trees require a regular spray schedule.                    ESTABLISHED TREES: WATERING:      a.)  Water less often and more deep as the tree matures.      b.)  Large trees benefits from soaking or trickle watering. FERTILIZER:      a.)  Fertilome Tree & Shrub Food twice a year in March and then again in late August or September.      b.)  Supplemental water soluble feeding is also beneficial. PRUNING:      a.)  During winter months      b.)  Prune lower branches, thinning is not recommended.      c.)  Fruit trees are the only trees we ever recommend topping. INSECTICIDES & FUNGICIDES:      a.)  Dormant oil in the winter as a preventative.      b.)  Summer sprayings only as necessary.      c.)  Fruit trees require a regular spray schedule ___________________        QUICK REFERENCE MOWING GUIDE LAWN     MOWER SETTING     HT' AT MOWING Bermuda               1 1/2"                    2 1/4" Hybrid  Bermuda                1"                         1 1/2" St.  Augustine               2"                         3" Tall  Fescue                  2 1/2"                     3 1/2" *You should mow when or before grass is at indicated height ___________________                                       Soil Amendments Earth Kindtm Environmental Soil Amendment Recommendation for clay soil(1) with poor aeration.* 1.  Clear away unwanted vegetation and turn native soil. 2.  Next, add 3 inches of Expanded Shale2) , till in to a depth of 8-10 inches. 3.  Next, add 3 inches of Vital Earth Compost(3) (finished compost), till in to a depth of 8-10 inches. 4.  Then, add the appropriate slow release fertilizer(4), till in to a depth of 8-10 inches. 5.  Mulch bed after planting with 3 inches of organic mulch of your choice(5). FOOT NOTES: (*)  If you live in the North Texas area this is probably your physical soil type. (1)  Clay soil holds too much water, which leads to poor aeration with the final result being rotted roots. (2)  Expanded Shale aerates the soil, loosens clay, and helps guard against overwatering. (3)  Vital Earth Compost is our most finished (not hot) compost; therefore, it will not tie up nitrogen of which our soils are most deficient. (4)  We have many choices of fertilizers, our nursery consultants can help you choose the one that's best for your needs. (5)  For annuals, vegetables, and other beds you will be reworking use Vital Earth Shredded Hardwood.  For groundcover beds use Jemasco Pine Bark Mulch.  For permanent planting (i.e. trees & shrubs) use Cedar, Cypress or Hardwood mulch.