October 21, 2025 – Last week the Hopkins County Extension Office received a phone call from a Sulphur Springs resident who was concerned about the condition of the lawn, as well as information on how to move and re-plant a shrub that had overgrown its space.
Mario Villarino called me and asked if I could go by and talk with the homeowner, so my wife Charlotte and I did just that. The homeowner had moved to Sulphur Springs about 3 years ago from out-of- state, and from a climate that is humid, receives regular rainfall, and is similar to the climate in Houston. The Hopkins County climate is very different than Houston’s, and can be challenging to our newcomers!
Upon driving up to the property, it was obvious to us both that the lawn needed water. This is not surprising, since there has been a lack of meaningful rainfall in Hopkins County for several weeks. We recommended a morning watering program of at least 1 inch per week until the fall rains arrive. The landscape also included a couple of flowerbeds that also would benefit from a good soaking of water.
Along with our recommendation for watering, we strongly recommended mulching these flowerbeds, as bare soil (and the accompanying weeds) was visible. We then explained what mulch is and how it works to benefit both the soil and the plants.
There was a large lilac (Texas??) that had grown so large that it completely blocked the window next to the front door. The resident wanted to move the shrub to a different location where it could grow and flourish. We recommended not moving the plant at this time, but wait until January when the plant would be dormant. With our first frosts and freezes coming soon, pruning, digging, and transplanting now would probably not be successful, as the plant will not have time to develop a root system strong enough for surviving the winter’s cold temperatures.Before we left, I gave the homeowner a soil test bag along with the printed instructions, as well as an invitation to come sample a Master Gardener meeting. The Texas A&M Extension Master Gardener program is about education (both for MGs and the public), and sharing knowledge with those people interested in gardening. Our meetings are the 4th Thursday of each month at 10am at the Extension Office, 1200B Houston St.
