Gardening Advice

No, you should not rely solely on an automatic system during the first growing season. The root zone is still limited to the original container size and may only receive around 13% of the water other established plants get. Supplement with direct hand-watering at the base of the plant, particularly during the hot Mid-South summer. Memphis clay can look moist on the surface while the root ball itself is dry, so check the soil near the trunk directly rather than judging by the surrounding ground.

Follow the "twice as wide, plant high" rule: dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep. Always set the plant slightly above the ground grade and berm the soil up to it to ensure proper drainage in clay soil.

You should always start with a soil test to understand your soil's specific needs, as this is where all gardening begins. The ideal pH for Mid-South lawns — Bermuda, Zoysia, and Fescue — is between 6.2 and 6.8.

No, you should never pile mulch against the trunk, a practice known as "volcano mulching". This encourages roots to grow upward into the decomposing mulch, which can eventually girdle and kill the tree. Instead, spread mulch out to the drip line and keep it away from the trunk itself.

No, you should adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by treating only specific issues as they arise rather than broadcast spraying the whole yard. To protect beneficial pollinators like bees, try to apply insecticides early in the morning or late at dusk when these insects are less active.

Raise the wheels on your mower to keep the grass taller — roughly 2 to 3 inches for Zoysia and Bermuda. Taller grass shades the soil, reduces water evaporation, and helps the lawn resist sunburn and weeds.

No, you must strictly follow the recommended amounts on the product label. Over-applying can burn plants or cause them to "grow themselves to death" by forcing growth faster than the plant can handle.

Complete heavy pruning of evergreens by July 1st. Pruning later in the season stimulates a burst of new growth that may not have enough time to "harden off" before the first freeze. In the Mid-South, where the first freeze typically arrives in November, growth stimulated after July is especially vulnerable to winter damage.

Use an iron phosphate bait, which is extremely safe for pets and children. This bait effectively kills slugs and snails and actually adds beneficial iron to the soil as it breaks down.

Match the variety to the available light. Paniculata varieties like Limelights need plenty of sun to bloom well, while Macrophylla varieties — the old-fashioned pinks and blues — require shade to thrive in the heat.