Hold off on fertilizing and pruning during drought - Houston Chronicle

Harris County Master Gardeners will present an online lecture on fall vegetable gardening this month.
Q: A friend thinks she should fertilize shrubs now to help them out in the drought and heat conditions. Is this advised?
A: Do not fertilize shrubs or trees right now. It will do more harm than good.
Fertilizers are soluble salt compounds that are used to improve plant growth or fix a nutrient deficiency by adding one or more essential nutrients to the soil. However, plants need water to dissolve these nutrients before they can take them up. Without water, fertilizer salts build up in the soil and can lead to burned roots and/or leaves. This will only add another layer of stress.
During normal precipitation times, fertilizer should not be applied to mature shrubs and trees, unless a soil test states there is a deficiency.
If drought stress is observed, give supplemental water — but not the type of watering where you stand there and spray your hose at it for a couple of minutes until you get bored. If you do not have drip irrigation, provide a slower, deeper watering with a trickling hose lying under the shrub for 10-20 minutes. If the water runs off right away, the water stream is too high.
The only exceptions to this fertilizer advice are annuals and perennials that get adequate water from drip irrigation or watering by hand.
Reduce weeds, since they are competing for water, and avoid applying herbicides and pesticides.
Q: I read that I should not prune trees during the drought. What if there are issues that need to be addressed for hurricane season? I’ve consulted with an arborist to prune this month.
A: Courtney Blevins, Texas A&M Forest Service Urban Forester, says: “What you’re trying to do is reduce stress to the tree, so pruning, even when you have to, is adding stress because you are wounding the tree. If you’re pruning out live branches or live leaf areas of the tree, you’re removing food and the site where the tree’s root growth hormone is developed, affecting root growth and further stressing the tree at a time where it’s already too stressed.”
The exception is if the limbs and branches in question are dead or a hazard, then do what you must.
Since you have consulted with an arborist, they will be aware of the risks. It could be a two-phase pruning where the bare minimum is removed now and more removed later in the year, when rain and cooler temperatures return. If drought conditions persist, monitor the pruned tree and add supplemental water.
Garden calendar
OPEN GARDEN DAY: Harris County Master Gardeners host Open Garden Day the third Monday of each month. Tour a variety of plant exhibits, meet and talk with Master Gardeners, and purchase perennials and herb plants available in the greenhouse. 8:30-11 a.m. July 19. Free. Genoa Friendship Gardens, 1201 Genoa Red Bluff. For more info: hcmga.tamu.edu
CANNING 101: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present a hands-on class where participants learn the basics of food preservation safety and supplies needed for home canning. They will leave with a canned item to take home. Presented by Brazoria County AgriLife Extension. 6 p.m. July 19. $20. Register at brazoria.agrilife.org.
FALL VEGETABLE GARDENING: Harris County Master Gardeners will present an online lecture. Attendees will learn how to prepare your garden, prep the soil, use fertilizer, and discover which vegetable are best to grow for the fall season. Presented by the Harris County Public Library and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension via Facebook Live. 11 a.m. July 19. Free. No registration required. Visit harris.agrilife.org for link.
BUILD AN HERB GARDEN: Mercer Botanic Gardens will present a hands-on class for children and teens ages 6 to 17. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants will plant basil, cilantro, dill and fennel seeds in a miniature take-home greenhouse. One kit per child. Multiple start times. July 20. Register at pct3.com/MBG.
CULTIVATING SCHOOL GARDENS: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present a full day virtual gardening conference for school gardens, community gardens, or anyone wanting to learn more about maintaining a collaborative garden. Topics covered: layout design, soil, seeds, spring and fall vegetable gardening, irrigation, beneficial insects, maintenance, volunteer support, funding, health and wellness, and curriculum. 8 a.m. July 20. $30. Register at tx.ag/CSGC22Reg.
Brandi Keller is a Harris County Horticulture Agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
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