Extension agent offers advice for gardeners, lawn care

With a focus on agriculture and natural resources, Robert Ferguson, Coryell County extension agent, concentrates on a broad area. During a May 17 meeting of the Gatesville Lions Club, he talked about specific gardening and lawn concerns that local residents might have.

"Agriculture and natural resources include feral hogs, fish, pond management — you name it," Ferguson told the Lions. "I'm a jack of all trades and master of none."

One of the issues that has been a big concern because of heavy rains this spring is an influx of fungus.

"With gardening locally, there have been a lot of questions about fungus on trees and vegetables because we've gotten a lot of rain and had cool nights and days," Ferguson said. "That has caused the fungus problem to explode. We can deal with it easily with fungicide. There's a tradeoff, and I'd rather have the rain."

Pests are also a recurring concern.

"There are cutworms and cabbage loopers which make loops in leaves, and aphids are a big problem this time of year," Ferguson said. "There is a sticky substance all over trees, and that's aphid excrement.

"As far as control methods, I'm not an organic grower. I believe in old-fashioned chemical (control) methods." He said in addition to chemical treatment — in which the label must be followed — there is also a mechanical method, in which pests can be brushed off plants.

Items such as Sevin Dust can be used on vegetables, but they must be washed thoroughly afterward, "which they should be anyway," Ferguson said.

Contact insecticides are also effective but must be reapplied after rain.

"We don't want anything that stays on soil a long time," Ferguson said. "Not only will it kill the bad bugs, it will also affect beneficials and pollinators as well. Be careful when you use insecticides that they do not mess with pollinators and beneficials."

Lawn care is another overriding issue people are concerned about. Ferguson said different lawns need different methods of care. He said property owners can get bags from the extension office and collect soil, which they mail to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office to be analyzed. To obtain these, call 254-865-2414 or visit the local extension office at 202 Veterans Memorial Loop in Gatesville.

Water conservation is a vital concern, Ferguson said.

"Last year when we were going through a bad drought you didn't want to see neighbors spraying hundreds of gallons of water on St. Augustine grass," he said. "Also, if it's raining, turn your sprinklers off. I've been past numerous houses that have their sprinklers on during the rain. It causes problems with the lawn. When you get too much moisture, the water can't evaporate."

When watering is needed, Ferguson said early morning is the best time to do so., adding that "it helps prevent problems such as brown patches."

"Half an inch a week of watering is good if we're going into a drought — you don't have to water every day," he said. "To measure the water, get a tuna can, cat food can, or chicken can and set it around the sprinkler. See how much water is collected and gauge how much water the lawn is getting."

While it is important for trees to get water, it is important not to overwater. Ferguson said if people are watering trees "all the time, the root system doesn't go deep. The deeper the roots go, the better the tree can withstand dry weather."

Concerns about fertilizer use "are a loaded question because there is no best," he said, adding that it depends on specific lawn conditions based on the health of the individual property owner's grass. He again recommended the soil samples be mailed to get the best indication. The cost of that service is currently $6 per bag.

"How much (fertilizer) to put out?" Ferguson asked. "You need to know how many square feet are in your lawn, by measuring it or you can use Google Earth to draw property lines. You might be buying a bag of fertilizer and putting it on your lawn and only need half a bag. I don't recommend fertilizing all year long because it can cause nitrogen burn. Early spring and six weeks before the last frost are the best times to fertilize. If you fertilize in the middle of the year, you are going to increase your mowing."

Ferguson said those who have specific concerns and who live in Coryell County can call the extension office at 254-865-2414 and ask their questions. They can also set up an appointment for Ferguson to come out to look at their property.

"It's a free service to all Coryell County residents," he said.

Weeds are another big concern for gardeners and property owners, and Ferguson defined these as "anything unwanted in the ecosystem. He said he recently had an article about weeds on the Coryell County Agriculture News and Events Facebook page and encouraged people to visit the extension office's Facebook page.

"A weed is what you perceive it to be," Ferguson said, adding that what bothers one person may not bother another.

He said there are chemical means to control weeds but those using them should be absolutely certain they are using the right items.

"You need to read the label any time you put a chemical down," Ferguson said. "The label is the law."

Ferguson was asked about the problem of grass spurs, which are painful for people and pets.

"Grass spurs are their own fickle nuisance," he said. "There are a couple of things you can do. One is to fertilize. Grass spurs don't like fertilized lawns. There is pre-emergent for crabgrass and grass spurs that can be used as a treatment in early spring and late summer. You need to get rid of the seed heads. You can remove the plants by the roots or remove the grass spurs mechanically.

"If your lawn is heavily infested with grass spurs you can smoke it with Roundup, which is a contact herbicide. But be careful. You spray that on anything, and it dies. Then you can replant that area with Bermuda grass.

"If you miss using pre-emergent, you'll regret it. I did, and I couldn't do anything about the grass spurs except to go out and start picking."

Ferguson was also asked about oak wilt.

"It's still a big problem," he said. "I get calls about it constantly throughout the year. It is a slow progressing disease. If you start seeing problems (with distressed oak trees), call me and we can set up an appointment. We also have someone in Hamilton County (a tree specialist) we can work with.

"The best time to prune trees is the hottest and coldest times of the year, typically June through August and November through January or February. That is when the beetle that causes oak wilt is in dormancy. Pruning releases a smell that attracts the beetle. You can also use tree paint to put on tree wounds."

Anyone with questions related to agriculture, local natural resources, gardening and lawn care can also reach Ferguson at [email protected] by email.

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