Gardening in South Texas

I (Elizabeth) bought my first home a two years ago. Since then I have been amazed at the knowledge that has slowly come from home ownership. I am not handy and therefore claim no expert knowledge on anything but my "novicness". That's right, I am an expert novice home owner. I think the one thing I am having the most fun learning is about lawn maintenance. I never thought I would enjoy (probably not the best descriptive I could use) yard work, but the more I actually see the fruits of my labor the more I enjoy it. Making things grow...ok, planting the seeds and GOD making them grow...has been fun.

Despite my ability to make my front yard beautiful, I have a finicky backyard. It is patchy, with multiple kinds of grass, bare spots, way too many trees and loads of tree roots. The previous owners, bless their hearts, planted TEN (that's right TEN) trees in my small back yard. I have given away three but I have two more that need to be passed along to another yard less, um, crowded, than mine. (If you want them you are welcome to come dig them up).  In addition, I need to remove a tree that has roots bee-lining to my foundation. Already my a/c is tilting...a no, no for a/cs.  Last year, in an attempt to try and make the St. Augustine more abundant, I laid the sod all by my lonesome. I was very hard work and the grass actually died despite being watered regularly. I treat my front yard the same as I treat my back and still the results vary. My front yard has turned into a full, thick and green lawn and my back is scraggily.

This spring I am declaring war! I have learn some lessons through my failures, properly researched grass, and have printed out Randy Lemmon’s fertilization schedule and attached it to my garage wall! I will win the battle and my sparse lawn will be lush and green by the end of the year!!!

I recommend you doing the same. The condition of your lawn impacts the value of your home, the condition of your foundation and your mental attitude towards your house…not to mention your neighbors attitude toward you.  I recommend doing some research for yourself. My dad recommended that I use Randy Lemmon (KTRH 740's Gardenline) as a guide. He specifically discusses Houston/ South Texas lawns, so it is specific to our climate and grass types. Did I mention he is an Aggie (WHOOP)!!! I will soon be a Lemmonhead!

I would like to know from my thousands of readers (one can hope can't they?) what solutions you have found to lawn growth and maintenance?

 

Posted by, Elizabeth Rozier

Buyer Specialist for The RozierTeam

Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy

22762 Westheimer Parkway, Ste 430

Katy, TX 77450

http://www.rozierteam.com/

281-395-0680