THE LANDSCAPE REPORTER

JULY 2012
JULY WEATHER SUMMARY The average monthly rainfall for July is .99 inches. The average high is 107
degrees and the average low is 81 degrees. With the highest average temperature and second highest rainfall, July will be as hot and humid as it gets in the Valley.

DID YOU KNOW?

TREE SUCKERS

TURF TALK
with Jay Pock, ValleyCrest Turf & Irrigation Manager The higher overnight temperatures this month will make Bermuda grow 24 hours a day, which helps it to ll in where it was struggling before. July is the prime growing season for Bermuda grass so fertilizer is not recommended, although an organic fertilizer may be used as a soil amendment if your turf is yellow or if it is struggling to ll in. If you still have any rye grass hanging on in shady or wet spots, Julys humidity may cause disease that will kill it. Water approximately 9-12 minutes per night, every night, depending on the humidity. Watch for runo from the soil as well as sagging, drooping, or yellowing leaves; these are all signs that your plants and soil are getting too much water. Always turn o irrigation while its raining (or install a rain sensor to turn it o for you) and remember you can leave your irrigation o for 1-2 days after a monsoon rain. For more tips for summer watering, visit our blog: h t t p : // w w w . v a l l e y c r e s t t a k e s o n . c o m / watermanagement.

Suckers can grow o of the underground roots of trees, looking like weeds or small trees growing near the trunk. Certain species are more prone to suckers, including sweet acacia and willow acacia. Although they may appear to be weeds growing up from the soil, do not spray suckers with the same weed killer you use for other weeds in your yard. The weed killer you buy at your local home improvement store can negatively a ect the health of the tree if sprayed onto the suckers. The best solution is to manually tear the suckers o by hand or use a pair of hand pruners to cut the suckers o just below the soil line.

The leaves on suckers will look just like the leaves of the tree they grew from, so look closely before applying a weed killer.

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WEED CONTROL: MONSOON RAINS DONT JUST HELP YOUR PLANTS GROW, THEY ALSO MAKE WEEDS FLOURISH. TO KILL WEEDS IN YOUR GRANITE OR FLOWER BEDS, SPRAY THEM WITH A POST-EMERGENT HERBICIDE. THIS CAUSES THE WEED TO YELLOW AND DIE AND WILL PREVENT ANOTHER WEED FROM GROWING IN ITS PLACE.
Additional Resources:
http://www.amwua.org/landscape_watering_brochure.html http://extension.arizona.edu/maricopa

PLANT CARE
Avoid rejuvenating or hard pruning shrubs this month; plants may not recover due to the high temperatures. Faster growing plants or vines you may have already rejuvenated in the spring can quickly outgrow their space. Selectively prune these plants by removing o shoots or vigorous growth at the base of the plant or cut branches and stems back to buds or laterals. (see below) For ground cover (e.g., lantana, prostrate acacia, yellow dot) outgrowing its space, dont shear with a power hedge trimmer as this will create an unnatural look. Instead, cut a stem as near as possible to a junction of two branches about 2-3 feet back and cut the stems level and close to the ground. This eliminates unsightly, bare stems and encourages a more bushy, natural appearance.
Shearing lantana creates an unsightly straight edge.

BEFORE

AFTER

Using hand pruners, cut the branch close to the junction of two branches and just in front of a leaf.

Lift the top of the plant and selectively prune branches underneath so freshly pruned branches are covered by top foliage.

TREE TALK

with Nick Gaitano, ValleyCrest Tree Care Services Manager ISA Certied Arborist Prepare your trees for monsoons by thinning out heavy crowns and heavy branches on any type of tree, to prevent loss of limbs or entire trees. The crown or canopy of a tree will act as a wind sail if not properly thinned to allow for air ow through the canopy. Monsoon season brings Palo Verde Borer Beetles, which feed on the root systems of the Palo Verde. Beetles attack unhealthy trees, so keep your trees watered and fertilized to prevent damage. For more information visit http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/bugs/palo-bor.htm July is a great time to prune any species of palm.

2902 E. Illini St. Phoenix, AZ 85040 P: (602) 276-5900 | F: (602) 276-8191 www.Facebook.com/ValleyCrestArizona www.TreeCareServices.com/Phoenix

The Landscape Reporter is published monthly to help property managers educate residents on sustainable and horticulturally sound landscape practices.