Well, there’s no doubt about it... summer is here. What happened to spring?

For weeks the soil didn’t get warm enough to promote germination and then, 99 to 100 degrees. Only mulch and proper watering will be the saving grace. We plan to begin a heavy mulching program in the park. Nathan and his crew will provide the mulch.

Fertilize, water, and then lay down several sheets of newspaper and apply two to four inches of mulch. You may want to install a drip irrigation soaker hose beneath the mulch. You can use a slow drip hose, laying under the mulch. It’s difficult to water through the mulch. When using the paper, don’t use the colored and slick, but use the black and white. The colored isn’t great for the soil. The secret is water deeply and not too often.

If you are having a problem with the lawn being dug up and new flowers turned upside down, it is most likely our Texas state small mammal, the armadillo. The unofficial name is Roadkillibus Texanis (Leroy Williamson). They are looking for grubs, ants, and other insects. Everyone will have a different solution to your problem.

Chinch bugs may be chewing holes in your lawn near the sidewalks and driveway. Check the shelves in your favorite nursery for an approved insecticide.

Fertilize all blooming plants with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. Rose Glow mixed with Medina’s Growin’ Green (equal parts) make a good organic plant food for all vegetables, flowers and shrubs.

Watch out for blossom end rot on new tomatoes. The end nearest the ground will be black and look rotten; these should be discarded. Moisture imbalance is the cause of the problem. When you plant tomatoes, take a handful of Epsom salts and sprinkle it over the garden area, where you are planting the tomatoes. If the plants are already growing, add one tablespoon of Epsom salt to one gallon of water and pour it over the plant.

Tip of the day: Keep tomatoes evenly watered to avoid blossom end rot and cracking.