Gardening

Gardeners' calendar for August

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

August 3, 2006

For most species of palms, the outline of the plant canopy should be about a 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock position. As a rule of thumb, only prune brown or half-brown fronds.

Photo credit: William M. Johnson

Upcoming Program * Square Foot Gardening Seminar * Saturday, Aug. 19 9 - 11 a.m. Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson No fee but reservation required (281-534-3413, Ext. 6 or GALV3@wt.net).

No need to remind you that August is the peak of the heat season in Galveston County. The good news is that we have received ample rainfall over the last few weeks in most areas of the county and temperatures have yet to break the 100-degree mark thus far.

Plants in the landscape and garden will require attention if they are to remain vigorous and provide us with many desirable benefits including color, shade, beauty, etc. Working outside this month tends to be more tolerable during early morning or late evening hours but some plants do need attention.

The gardeners' calendar of activities for August includes the following:

• No room in your yard to grow tomatoes or cucumbers? Is your vegetable garden taking up too much space? Then try a different approach.

  Certified Master Gardener John Jons will provide a seminar on Square Foot Gardening on Saturday, August 19, 2006 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. There is no registration fee but seating is limited and reservations are required (281-534-3413, Ext. 6 or GALV3@wt.net).

  Square Foot Gardening has been around for a long time and is a tried and true method for intensive gardening in a small area. "This popular award winning program teaches you a proven method on how to successfully grow vegetables, flowers or herbs in a four foot-by-four foot area," says John Jons. "It’s an ideal way of gardening for novice and experienced gardeners who have a limited amount of space and/or time."

• Looking for ideas on landscaping or what plants do well in the area? A visit to our Horticulture Demonstration Garden located next to the County Extension Office (5115 highway 3, Dickinson) can provide ideas.

  We have several plants that have performed well in the summer heat. The water garden also provides a refreshing spot to relax.The Horticulture Demonstration Garden was constructed and is maintained by the Master Gardener volunteers. You are welcome to visit during daylight hours, seven days a week.

• The Gulf of Mexico has been relatively quiet thus far but we should be on the alert for tropical storms and hurricanes as August and September can be rather active months in this regard. The high winds and driving rain accompanying severe tropical weather conditions can be quite destructive.

  This is a good time to survey your landscape for weak limbs and overhanging branches that may cause damage in the event of violent weather. It is wise to consider calling a professional for help with big jobs who have the know-how and equipment to avoid injury.

• It is common practice to see folks pruning off all but a few of the upper fronds of palms in hopes of reducing wind damage from severe tropical storms. This practice is very harmful to the tree as most palms produce only a few dozen leaves or less per year. The removal of even a few green fronds can significantly reduce a plantÕs capacity to produce energy or food needed for proper growth and overall health.

  Continued removal of green fronds over time will often result in a condition known as pencil-pointing. This condition is characterized by a marked reduction in the diameter of the upper trunk and the overall trunk takes on the shape of a sharpened pencil.Most palms are native to the tropics and have evolved modifications that enable them to successfully weather most storms. The open feather-like structure of their leaves allows wind to pass through them easily and their trunks are strong but flexible allowing them to bend but not break.

• Many spring-flowering shrubs form next year's flower buds in late July and August. Our summer rainfall has been fairly ample thus far. However, if weather conditions during August revert to the dry side, low soil moisture can reduce both the quantity and quality of spring flowers. This is true of azaleas, camellias, and other similar plants and even peaches, pears and others. Don't allow them to suffer drought stress.

• When extended periods of rainfall occur in the summer, a bright yellow slimy blob is commonly seen on mulched flower beds. The slimy blob is a type of slime mold. It is not pretty (even if you like yellow) and it soon gets uglier. The yellow blob turns gray, becomes hard, then breaks down into a brown powder. Slime molds may be ugly to some, but they are not harmful.

• Mid to late August is a good time to cut back your repeat blooming roses. Cut them back about 1/3 and fertilize them to improve their upcoming show of fall blossoms. Spray with fungicides such as Funginex to protect foliage from blackspot and powdery mildew which can significantly stress bushes during this time of the year.

• If you'll remove the faded blooms of the colorful crape myrtle, this versatile plant will reward you with a second bloom. Flower buds are waiting to come forth if the gardener will simply prune out the old blooms.
  
  This is also an ideal time to select crape myrtle varieties for the landscape while they are in bloom for planting now or later this fall. This popular small flowering tree is available in a number of exciting colors known by just as many exciting names. For example, there is the pale pink "Near East" variety, or the red "Dixie Brilliant," and the deep red "Fire Bird." The "New Snow" variety is a white, and "Pink Lace" is a clear pink, while "Twilight" is a deep purple.

The sultry, sweaty days of August have arrived. So, carry an extra large glass of iced tea or water and make sure to wear a hat for protection from the sun.

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

Gardening: Scale insects and pampas grass - July 17, 2004 article

Gardening: Bananas - August 1, 2004 article

Gardening: August Gardening Calendar - August 16, 2004 article

Gardening: Trio Of Extension Programs Includes Pear Tasting, Master Naturalist Class & Rose Seminar - August 20, 2004 article

Gardening: Prepare Now For Fall Gardens - August 26, 2004 article

Gardening: September's Garden Calendar Includes Fall Pecan Field Day - September 2, 2004 article

Gardening: Ornamental Grasses - September 8, 2004 article

Gardening: Don't Let Landscape Become A High-Maintenance Nightmare - September 22, 2004 article

Gardening: Oct. 10 Plant Sale & Seminar To Feature Butterfly Gardening - Butterflies Bring Color, Motion to Garden - October 2, 2004 article

Gardening: Plant It And They Will Come: Getting the Butterflies of Galveston County to Grace Your Yard - October 2, 2004 article

Gardening: Rose Propagation & Seasonal Decorating Workshops To Be Held - October 13, 2004 article

Gardening: Extension Office To Sponsor Open House On October 29, Seasonal Decorations and Onion and Garlic Workshops - October 20, 2004 article

Gardening: Extension Office To Sponsor Open House On October 29 and County Pecan Show - October 27, 2004 article

Gardening: November Is Pansy Time - November 6, 2004 article

Gardening: County Pecan Growers Display Their Successes - November 11, 2004 article

Gardening: Gardeners' Questions On Fall Crops - November 17, 2004 article

Gardening: Gardeners' Q&As For November - November 28, 2004 article

Gardening: Gardeners' December Checklist Includes Citrus Show On Dec. 9 - December 3, 2004 article

Gardening: Citrus Show A Huge Success With 185 Entries - December 19, 2004 article

Gardening: Trees and Shrubs - December 23, 2004 article

Gardening: Cold Weather Impact - January 4, 2005 article

Gardening: Gardeners' Checklist For January Includes Several Educational Programs - January 7, 2005 article

Gardening:Announcing the 2005 Galveston County Master Gardener Training - January 13, 2005 article

Gardening:Peach & Plum Growers' Workshop To Be Held Saturday, January 29 - January 19, 2005 article

Gardening: Gardening for Texas Wildlife - January 28, 2005 article

Gardening: Wide Variety of Citrus to Be Available at February 5 Fruit Tree Sale and Home Citrus Production - January 31, 2005 article

Gardening: Fruit Trees Of The Gods Featured In February 5 Master Gardener Plant Sale - February 2, 2005 article

Gardening: "If I Were A Tomato, I Would Want To Be Grown In Texas . . . Galveston County, That Is!" Workshop to be held February 12 - February 9, 2005 article

Gardening: February Is Rose Pruning Time...Attend Rose Care Seminar to Learn How - February 16, 2005 article

Gardening: Extension Activities At The Home & Garden Show On Feb. 26-27 - February 23, 2005 article

Gardening: March Gardening Calendar Includes Seminar On Butterfly Gardening - March 2, 2005 article

Gardening: Gardeners' Q&As From The Galveston Home & Garden Show - March 10, 2005 article

Gardening: Extension Offers Program On "Living To Be 100 . . . A Commonsense Approach." - March 16, 2005 article

Gardening: Program On Plumeria Offered On March 26- March 29, 2005 article

Gardening: Garden Checklist For April Includes Pecan Field Day - April 6, 2005 article

Gardening: Hints On Harvesting Vegetables For Peak Flavor - April 15, 2005 article

Gardening: Fresh Blueberries From Your Home Garden Seminar On Saturday, April 23 - April 22, 2005 article

Gardening: Learn About Weed Control - April 27, 2005 article

Gardening: Home Gardening Chores and
May 14 Home Fruit Growers’ Tour - May 5, 2005 article