Gardening

County Pecan Show On Thursday, November 10

by Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

November 2, 2005

So, who has the best locally grown pecans? To find out, attend the 2005 Galveston County Pecan Show and Pecan Bake Show on Thursday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Walter Hall Pavilion in League City. Photo Credit: Herman Auer

It's pecan harvest season! So, who has the best pecans? To find out, attend the 2005 County Pecan Show on Thursday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. It will be held in the Walter Hall Pavilion which is located at Walter Hall Park, 807 Highway 3, in League City (about two-tenths mile north of the intersection of FM 518 and Highway 3).

Pecans grown by local homeowners will be on display. A question & answer session on the management of pecans will be also conducted to assist homeowners with any pecan growing problems. The general public is invited to attend.

Awards (ribbons, rosettes, and plaques) will be presented to the winning pecan entries. The class winners at the County Show will be entered into the Regional Show which will be held later this year.

Even if you do not enter pecans, plan to attend this year's Pecan Show to view a diverse array of pecan varieties grown in the area and to learn more about growing pecans.

Marilyn Simmons, my co-worker, will also conduct a Pecan Bake Show with youth and adult divisions. For additional information on entry rules, contact the Galveston County Extension Office. After the awards program, there will be a tasting session, which will be open to the general public.

The Galveston County Pecan Show & Pecan Bake Show is open to the public. For more information, contact the County Extension Office (281-534-3413, ext. 6).

November's Gardening Checklist

- If you’re interested in growing fruit trees, be sure to reserve a seat for the upcoming presentation entitled "The Basics of Growing Fruit Trees." It will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2005, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, at the Galveston County Extension Office (5115 Highway 3, Dickinson). A Power Point presentation will be provided by Master Gardener Herman Auer on the basics of growing fruit trees including soil preparation, space planning, the impact of tree height, size, and root system on surrounding areas, and how to care for young trees. His talk will cover pecans, stone fruit, citrus, and some exotic fruits grown in Galveston County. Pre-registration is required due to limited seat availability (phone 281-534-3413, ext. 6 or e-mail GALV3@wt.net).

- This is an ideal time to plant for cool-season color in the landscape as there are many types of annual flowers that bloom only in cooler weather. Pansies are a favorite choice as they are on the list of Texas' top-selling annual flowers. They're hardy, will bloom over a long season, and come in a wide array of colors. The old-fashioned face varieties have been steadily improved for better garden performance, and many new varieties with solid or bi-colors without a face are now available. Flower color selection is diverse, ranging from bold yellows, oranges, and reds, to pale pastels. Miniature pansies are also becoming popular.

- Other cool season annuals to plant include alyssum, flowering cabbage and kale, petunias and snapdragons.

- Mustard, English peas, radishes, spinach and turnips can be planted throughout November while garlic cloves and carrot seed should be planted by mid-November.

- Caladiums have started to decline so be sure to dig and store caladium bulbs—at least the more expensive ones. Otherwise, you will most likely lose most of the bulbs during winter due to wet rot and/or cold injury. Store bulbs in open-mesh sacks or panty hose in a dry, well-ventilated area that remains above freezing (such as a garage).

- Don't get in a hurry to prune woody plants. Late December through February is usually the best time to prune them.

- This is an excellent time for planting container-grown ground covers, shrubs and trees. Thanks to our mild winters, trees and shrubs planted now will have several relatively stress-free months to establish a good root system before hot, dry weather returns.

- In order to increase your stock of clumping perennials, divide spring and summer bloomers during the fall and winter. (Those which are fall bloomers can be divided in the spring, or season opposite to bloom time). Most perennials left in the ground in the same place for more than 3 years are likely to become overgrown and overcrowded. Passing favorite plants along to friends or trading for a prized plant is a favorite part of perennial gardening.

- Rake up and dispose of pecan leaves and shucks that fall from pecan trees. Heavy infestations of the larval stage of an insect known as the hickory shuckworm cause major damage annually to our county pecan crop. Since the insect overwinters inside shucks left on the ground, collection and disposal of the shucks will help reduce the overwintering insect population. Collection and disposal of leaves will also help reduce the overwintering population of the fungus that causes pecan scab.

- If you plan to fertilize the lawn, plan to do so by mid-November. A recommended fertilizer is 15-5-10 which is available under a wide variety of brand names.

- Apply horticultural oil if scales, mites, and other plant sucking insects have been a problem on woody ornamentals.

- Store pecans at 36-40 degrees Fahrenheit or place in a freezer. Unless you like onion-flavored pecans, be sure to keep stored nuts away from onions as pecans readily absorb odors.

- Clean and oil garden tools if you do not plan to use them during the winter season. Use linseed oil on the handles. Clean lawn equipment that will not be used until the spring gardening season.

- Don't immediately remove spent rose blooms. Instead, leave them on the plant until it goes dormant.

- Remember to take time to relax and enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday!

Dr. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County
Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm

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