Adult Programs : Storm Clean-Up Gardening TIps

Storm Clean-Up Gardening Tips 

Agave & Cacti

Agave and cacti, some burning may have occurred to the plants, others may have gone mushy. Whole plant mortalities may be removed.   If the plant has only some burning, it may survive.  Resist extreme trimming if you can; agaves grow more slowly. The remaining living portions of the plant will be working to create carbohydrates to fuel new growth.  Each plant is unique and may recover differently.  If you don’t see change by June, the plant may not have been able to make enough energy to add new growth. How To Prune Agaves 

Live Oaks

Live oaks these trees had extensive leaf burn as the leaves froze; many lost many leaves.  They were just about to start their leaf exchange.  They each individually lose a different percentage of leaves each year in Feb/March.  Here’s to hoping they leaf out well over the next month.  This process would be helped by fertilizer application, compost, and mulch.  Use organic fertilizer and apply it under the canopy at the rate listed on the bag.  Make sure it is organic and not weed and feed.  Weed and feed will be harmful to your tree (the weed or herbicide portion of the weed and feed targets new root development to broadleaf plants, including trees.)  Add compost and mulch over the leaves of the tree shed, if possible.  Think of these shed leaves as free mulch/fertilizer.  This will help build the soil for the tree and return the nitrogen stored in the leaves back into the soil. Trees - Storm Damage

All Trees

All tree damage, if you had branch breakage in your yard and you have not cut off the break portion of the branch, make a clean cut behind the break.  If you cannot reach these areas, it is recommended that you speak with a certified arborist on pricing to prune your trees correctly.  Continue to observe trees throughout the spring, especially after rainstorms or wind.  The weight of ice and snow on the trees may have created damage to branches that are not currently showing up. Tree Care

Pond Plants

For pond plants above the waterline (bog plants and marginal plants), remove the dead plant material back to the plant's base to remove it from potentially adding to the pond's nitrogen cycle.  Plants below the waterline, such as hardy water lilies and lotus, typically start growing in March as the temperatures warm.  As the water warms up and you can get back in your pond, check these plants for new baby leaves through March and into April.  Some may need to be replaced if they don’t come back.  The underwater grasses that froze in the water will need to be replaced soon as they become back in stock from at nurseries; for now, an aerator may be added if you can’t get any plant life back in the pond to provide more oxygen for fish and aquatic life. Pond Care

Turfgrass

In mid-March, turfgrass should begin to grow. If you observe spots that are not coming back after dormancy, check the lawn problems flowchart for diagnostic assistance and recommended treatments. After mowing twice, turfgrass is typically provided its first fertilization of the year.  To assist in fertilization and lawn care visit here. 

Irrigation

Irrigation if you haven’t already done, so it’s a good time to check your irrigation for any repairs or adjustments needed.  Turn on the system zone by zone and check the heads for function and correct water distribution pattern. Check which days your controller is set to water and the duration of each zone. A rain sensor is a great feature to have on your system to help the controller determine if sufficient rain has occurred to turn off the next watering cycle controller.  If you need a professional, contact a licensed irrigator or technician to help with your system. For more recommendations, visit here. 

House Plants

Some house plants inside may have suffered from the cold if they were touching a window or if temperatures inside the house dipped below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the wide variety of houseplants, it is best to search the plant by its name for recommendations. Here are two general guide: here and here. 

Wildflowers

The rainbow after the storm is that wildflower season is right around the corner. Treat yourself and stop and smell the wildflowers when you see them. 2021 Wildflower Season