Garden Checklist (for all Southern states except Florida and Texas)
Texas Garden Checklist

Coleus
Thriving through summer heat and rain, coleus can brighten a shaded spot or create a show of color in full sun. Water new plants at least every other day for about a month until they are well established. For sunny spots, choose selections such as 'Alabama Sunset,' 'Gay's Delight,' 'Red Ruffles,' 'Amazon,' 'Solar Flare,' 'Burgundy Sun,' and 'Plum Parfait.' In shade, try 'Freckles,' 'Rustic Orange,' 'Cranberry Salad,' or Wizard Hybrids. Pinch the tops off the plants if they become too leggy or begin to flower. Coleus will provide easy, beautiful color until frost.

Entire State

• Mosquitoes--Get rid of these pests by using Mosquito Dunks. When placed in ponds, birdbaths, or other standing water, they release a bacteria that kills larvae. For immediate relief, use insect repellents such as Cutter Bug Free Backyard, Off! Skintastic, and Cutter Skinsations.
• Ornamental peppers--Colorful and sun-loving, they create a festive display when planted in pots or en masse in flowerbeds. Though these peppers can be eaten, they are often very hot and are best grown for their brilliant show. Good selections for your garden include 'Chilly Chili,' 'Medusa,' 'NuMex Twilight,' and 'Pretty Purple.'

North and Central

• Hummingbirds--Plants they love include butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.), firebush (Hamelia patens), Texas star (Hibiscus coccineus), firespike (Odontonema stricta), red buckeye (Aesculus pavia), shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana), coral bean (Erythrina herbacea), crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), anise-scented sage (Salvia guaranitica), Texas sage (S. coccinea), or pineapple sage (S. elegans).
• Centipede lawns--If grass looks yellow, don't fertilize. Try a product such as Safer Liquid Iron Plus or Ironite instead. Avoid applying near sidewalks and driveways to prevent staining. If you do get spray on these surfaces, rinse promptly.

Central and South

• St. Augustine grass--Dead patches in the sunniest, hottest parts of your lawn indicate chinch bugs--black insects with white patches on their backs. To check for these pests, press one end of a tin can that's open on both ends about 3 inches into the soil around the affected area. Fill the can with water, and wait five minutes. Any bugs will float to the surface. If you find a lot, use an insecticide such as Bayer Advanced Garden PowerForce Multi-Insect Killer or Spectracide Triazicide Soil & Turf Insect Killer.
• Palms--Nutritional deficiencies are common in palms. Use a fertilizer that has equal amounts of nitrogen and potassium, such as Vigoro Palm, Ixora & Ornamental Plant Food 9-4-9.