Gardening Archive: January to April 2006

May gardening chores

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

April 26, 2006

CARE OF NEW PLANTINGS: While we are not in a crisis situation yet, rainfall has been several inches below normal thus far. When dry weather sets in, be sure to keep newly planted trees and shrubs well-watered.

Spring-planted trees and shrubs will be establishing their root system this year and thus are very susceptible to transplant shock during the summer if not given proper care. The first summer is a critical period for all new plantings. To reduce transplant shock, be sure to water thoroughly and deeply as needed during dry weather rather than giving more frequent, light sprinklings.

Plants should also be mulched with shredded pine bark, pine needles, compost, dried lawn clippings, etc. A 4-to-6-inch layer of mulch will also help control weeds, maintain more uniform soil moisture, and keep the soil cooler. As a result, the degree of transplant shock will be significantly minimized. Also, add to the list of benefits the fact that mulched trees and shrubs will grow much better than non-mulched transplants.

PROTECT INSECT POLLINATORS: We are busy in the garden this month and so are the bees. Let's do all we can to protect these valuable little insects. Many insecticides kill bees. Some cannot be safely applied any time plants are in bloom, while others should be applied only in the early morning or late evening when bees are not foraging for nectar and pollen.

Whenever possible, avoid spraying carbaryl (Sevin) or other insecticides on plants that are surrounded by blooming flowers or weeds. If there is clover in the area producing blooms (which are attractive to honeybees), mow it to remove the blossoms before applying any material that is hazardous to bees. In all cases, when plants in the area are in bloom, select the material least hazardous to the bees. Insecticides should be applied only during late evening if blooms are present.

Gardening - More May garden chores

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

Flowers for summer color

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

April 19, 2006

LANTANA

Gardening - Flowers for summer color

Pecan Grafting Workshop set for today

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

April 12, 2006

To learn how, attend the Pecan Grafting Workshop at Carbide Park on Wednesday, April 12, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Photo credit: Herman Auer.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice beginner, being able to successfully graft a pecan or fruit tree then watching the new graft "take" never loses its thrill. Wouldn't it be neat if you could learn how to actually create such miracles with your own two hands? Well, not only can this happen, it will happen next week.

On Wednesday, April 12, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., you can attend the Pecan Grafting Workshop activities at Carbide Pecan Orchard in La Marque to learn the how-to's of successful pecan grafting. The Carbide Pecan Orchard is part of Carbide Park which is located on the north side of FM 519 about 1.5 miles west of the intersection of FM 519 and the I-45 Gulf Freeway.

To avoid the time delays necessary to grow a pecan tree and to ensure the best varietal characteristics, superior varieties are grafted onto already growing trees. When grafting limbs of large trees at this time of the year, one of the techniques used is called inlay bark grafting. The technique basically involves the insertion of a dormant piece of wood of the desired variety under the bark of the "stump" of a sawed-off limb on the tree which is being grafted. Another grafting technique, known as the four-flap, is used when grafting onto small seedling trees and branches of larger trees.

One of the keys to successful pecan grafting is to use high-quality graftwood. In early February, Extension Fruit and Pecan Committee members harvested a limited supply of graftwood representing several varieties recommended for Galveston County. This graftwood will be made available at the field day.

Gardening - More about pecan grafting

Garden checklist for April includes Pecan Field Day

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

April 5, 2006

SUMMER ANNUALS:

One tendency shoppers have is to buy transplants of summer annuals only with open flowers. Young transplants that have few or no flowers may be a smarter purchase since these plants will grow larger before flowering. The result will be a more impressive floral display in your home gardener.

PERIWINKLES: One warm season annual that many folks set out too early is periwinkle. These are warm weather plants. Periwinkles planted before mid-April are much more susceptible to a fungal blight disease that can wipe out a whole bed of plants. Delay planting periwinkles until the weather is consistently warm.

CALADIUMS: Select caladium tubers while there are ample stocks available but do not plant caladiums too early. They typically should be planted from April into early May. Caladiums need warm soil temperatures (at least 70 degrees) for best growth.

Gardening - Garden checklist for April

Papayas provide striking accent to the landscape and are easy to grow

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

March 29, 2006

Papayas are one of the most amazing fruits that home gardeners can try. These breathtaking trees have single trunks up to 20-30 feet tall that constantly turn heads. Papayas can provide a soft, tropical accent to the home landscape. What's even more amazing is that they are one of the easiest tropical fruits to grow.

The papaya is native to Central America and is grown in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Consequently, papayas thrive in warm, humid conditions—a perfect match for our growing environment. However, they generally are intolerant of high winds, so they need to be planted in a protected area.

Papayas also need full sun to thrive and plants should be spaced 8 to 10 feet apart. A southern or southeasterly exposure is preferred. Such exposures generally will also provide some protection in the winter as very cool weather conditions will kill young plants.

Gardening - More - Papayas Are Easy to Grow

What did you do with the clothing you wore while applying pesticides?

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

March 15, 2006

How do you handle pesticides safely?

To prevent accidents and injury, read labels and follow them carefully. Home gardeners should pay close attention to the directions provided with the pesticide label for the proper kinds of clothing and equipment to wear. Upset stomachs, diarrhea, respiratory problems, loss of vision, and many other serious illnesses can result from improper handling and applications of pesticides.

Pesticides enter the body through the mouth, skin, eyes and lungs. The pesticide label will tell you about the human hazards associated with the particular pesticide you select. For most garden applications, the greatest hazards are for skin exposure. Gardeners should wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, gloves and a head covering to shield the skin from exposure to pesticides.

Wearing gloves when handling pesticides should be standard practice. Rubber gloves are very important. However, damaged gloves could be more dangerous than using no gloves at all, because they may be wet with pesticides on the inside.

Rubber gloves must also be worn during the mixing and application of concentrated pesticides. If 2006 is to an average year, I can expect to receive a half-dozen calls from anxious homeowners who accidentally spilled a liquid pesticide on their hands during the handling and mixing process.

Many people are surprised to learn that leather should never be worn when applying pesticides. This includes hat bands as well as shoes, gloves, and belts. (I assume no one dresses up in leather pants and shirts to spray pesticides, especially in the summer.)

It is difficult to next-to-impossible to decontaminate leather. Paper and fabric gloves also absorb pesticides and should not be worn. Disposable gloves are appropriate if they can resist chemical penetration. Canvas or leather shoes absorb pesticides also; chemical resistant boots or footwear should be worn.

Gardening - More Pesticides in the Garden

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

March plant of the month: Texas Mountain Laurel

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

March 8, 2006

It must be March—the questions about a shrub with purple-blue flowers hanging in clusters have begun! The flowers clusters produce a wonderful and heavy fragrance of grape chewing gum that typically draws a closer inspection by the nose.

This picturesque shrub is commonly known as Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora). Another name by which it is known is Mescal Bean.

Texas Mountain Laurel is an attractive spring-flowering small tree with a dense canopy of glossy, evergreen leaves. The beautiful, purple-blue and wisteria-like blooms are most striking indeed.

Gardening: More Mountain Laurel

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

March gardening calendar includes March 4 seminar on Butterfly Gardening

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

March 1, 2006

Seminar On Butterfly Gardening:

What do butterflies eat? Do butterflies need to drink? When do butterflies sleep? What is this caterpillar eating all my butterfly weed plant?

If you have asked these questions, then you can get the answers to these and other questions by attending an upcoming program on Saturday, March 4, entitled "A Garden for Butterflies." The presentation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson.

The presentation will be provided by Anna Wygrys, a longtime Certified Master Gardener and resident of Santa Fe. She coauthored The Butterflies of Galveston County—What Every Gardener Needs to Know, a comprehensive, 36-page color publication that contains essential information about the 83 species of butterflies of Galveston County and the plants that nurture them.

The seminar is free-of-charge but pre-registration is requested due to space limitations (GALV3@wt.net or 281-534-3413, ext. 6).

Gardening: More Butterfly Seminar

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

Crape murder" & other gardeners’ dilemmas

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

February 22, 2006

Question: My neighbor and many other folks are pruning their crape myrtles now. Is this a good practice?

Answer: It’s almost an annual ritual during this time of year in Texas to "top" crape myrtles, and yes, crape myrtles are very hardy landscape trees even under such management practices.

However, severe topping is not a healthy procedure for any landscape tree. Topping causes numerous sprouts of new growth that are weakly attached to the trunk. These weakly-attached branches are thin and spindly and will droop when wet by a rainstorm and/or when flower production is heavy. Moreover, after repeated episodes of pruning back to the same area of the trunk, the pruning site often develops unsightly, knotty growths.

Gardening: More "Crape Murder" & Other Dilemmas

Fruit tree Q&As

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

February 15, 2006

Question: My peach tree started blooming in early January. Why did it bloom so early this time?

Answer: Most hardy fruit trees need a certain amount of cool winter weather to end their dormancy and to promote spring growth. Peach trees need the cool weather during the winter in order for the buds to develop properly, so the tree will bloom and leaf out normally. Weather conditions can dramatically speed or delay the onset of blooming.

Gardening: More Fruit Tree Q&As

Gardeners’ checklist for February includes variety of programs

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

February 8, 2006

Gardening: More February Gardeners' Checklist and Programs

Galveston County Extension Office announces Fruit Tree Sale & Seminar

January 25, 2006

Saturday, February 4

Location: Carbide Park’s Wayne Johnson Community Center, 4102 FM 519 in La Marque.

- Seminar begins at 8:00 a.m. with speaker Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms.

- Master Gardener's Fruit Tree Sale from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with many varieties of fruit trees and citrus. Open to the general public. No reservation required. Refer to the web site address provided below for more details.

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

Gardening: More - Edible Fruits and Tree Sale

Rare And wonderful fruit trees featured at February 4 seminar & sale

By Alcestis “Cooky” Oberg, Galveston County Master Gardener for Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

January 25, 2006

Have you been to some insanely expensive restaurant where the chefs garnished your duck with an exotic red blood orange or served your salad sprinkled with pomegranate seeds? And when you’re pushing your cart through the produce section of a gourmet specialty market, have you ever noticed that Meyer lemons cost $1.50 each and little kumquats cost $5 a pound? Meyer lemons, kumquats, pomegranates and blood oranges are all top gourmet fare, but can be easily and inexpensively grown in any back yard in Galveston County.

Gardening: More Rare And Wonderful Fruit Trees

Exotic fruit trees offer distinctive flavors and textures

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

January 18, 2006

When considering fruit trees to grow in the home landscape, the most likely candidates that come to mind include crisp apples, flavor-bursting citrus, luscious figs, and sweet-tasting persimmons as well as juicy plums and peaches. The Galveston County Master Gardeners will offer a wide selection of these "traditional" fruit trees (including 29 citrus varieties) at their upcoming Fruit Tree Seminar & Sale on Saturday, February 4, 2006.

Gardening: Exotic Fruit Trees

A little TLC will prolong the life of Christmas plants

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

January 11, 2006

Flowering pot plants carried over from the holiday season extend the holiday spirit. With a little care, they will also continue to brighten any home decor well into the New Year.

Gardening: Exotic Fruit Trees

Gardeners' checklist for January includes several educational programs

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

January 4, 2006

January is an ideal time to perform any needed pruning on landscape trees. Use proper tools and cut small limbs or branches back to their point of attachment; in other words, do not leave stubs (shown above) which interfere with proper healing of pruning cuts and promote internal trunk decay.

Gardening: Maintenance and Upcoming Events

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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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