The Garden Post

By Kim Bius

Gardening in Monsoon Season

Texas has a new “first” for 2021, the monsoon season. If there was a silver lining to the rare winter blizzard and near zero temperatures, the intense May rains would be it. The heavy moisture has saturated the ground, “saving” many winter damaged plants and reviving damaged tissue with heavy oxygen for new growth and quicker recovery. Be very slow in removing large trees and shrubs to ensure the plants are truly unsalvageable.

Many of you are questioning my logic and looking at failed gardens, fruits trees, and shrubs dying in place due to over saturated beds. There is definitely good with the bad; here are a few tips to help!

Newly planted fruit trees and woody-stemmed shrubs, (especially peach trees, and azaleas) will wilt when the root system sits in standing water for more than 2 days. Black tips will appear on the ends of the leaves, and the leaves will droop before defoliating. These plants will need to be removed and either planted “higher” in a 12” ant hill or removed to a new site with good drainage. Pot plants easily get plugged drainage holes and may need to be turned on their side and have the drainage hole reopened if roots or debris have decreased the pots drainage ability. Bedding plants such as vinca, marigolds, and zinnia quickly develop downy mildew and should be sprayed with fungicide weekly. If the plants are in a saturated bed, they will need to be removed to a pot where water can be controlled (place under the eave or covered patio to control water adsorption). Same with succulents and cacti exposed to the elements.

What plants thrive in wet, soggy, poorly drained soil? More than you think! Fern - This family of plants will survive and thrive in wet soil. If your area is sunny, consider asparagus, foxtail (not true ferns, but for practical purposes), holly fern and wood fern. For half a day’s sun to shade, all other varieties of ferns, plus the sun lovers.

Sedge – King tut, papyrus and lit tut sedges make excellent bog plants

Trees – Weeping Willow, Bald Cypress, River Birch, Sweetgum, and Red Maple are all great choices for low-lying areas that tend to hold water. Remember, during drought conditions, these trees will need ample water to survive… we do not get it both ways!

Perennials -- think elephant ears, alocasia, philodendron, iris, hardy hibiscus, creeping jenny.

With heavy rain come mosquitos. Empty every pot, lid, container, or vessel that has even a tablespoon of water in it. One tablespoon can hatch 1000 mosquitos! Plants such as citronella, lemongrass and garlic will act as a deterrent for 10 sq’. If lining your patio with citronella is not an option, try Mosquito Beater by Bonide. This is an excellent product, granular, organic, easy to use and last 5-10 days per application (package says 3 weeks, but that’s more hope than reality).

Summer will be arriving shortly, so enjoy and prep now for July 4th entertaining. Happy Gardening.

Service Area

Magnolia Conroe Montgomery North Houston New Waverly Huntsville Willis Spring Tomball Pinehurst The Woodlands Shenandoah Cypress Klein