Gardening Archive: July to November 2006

Gardeners' December checklist includes Citrus Show on Dec. 14

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

November 30, 2006

The application of a 3-to-4 inch layer of mulch around shrubs and in flower beds can help prevent most cool season weed seeds from sprouting. Photo by William M. Johnson.

After what has seemed like an endlessly blazing hot summer, cooler weather has finally arrived. The cooler weather over the pass couple of weeks–coupled at times with rather low humidity levels–has been invigorating.

Gardening - Gardeners' December checklist includes Citrus Show on Dec. 14

Gardeners' questions on fall crops

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

November 24, 2006

Fall gardening is well worth the effort and can provide tasty rewards with a variety of fast-growing salad crops.

Photo by William M. Johnson.

Q: What is the difference between onion sets and onion transplants?

A: Although many Texas gardeners use these terms interchangeably, there is a difference. An onion "set" is actually a small bulb, generally 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. An onion set is produced under conditions which caused young onion plants to rapidly make a small bulb which, when planted in the garden, will produce a larger bulb.

An onion transplant is an onion plant typically ranging from 8-to-10 weeks old which has not gone through the bulbing process and, if planted at the right time, will produce a large bulb. November is an excellent time to plant transplants of the 1015Y onion variety and several area garden supply outlets have these onions in stock.

Q: Are broccoli leaves good to eat?

A: Yes. As a matter of fact, most people would have a hard time distinguishing between the young leaves of broccoli and those of collard greens. Harvest and prepare only young and tender leaves as older leaves of broccoli become tough and often develop a somewhat bitter or off-taste.

Q: What causes the bulbs of radishes to crack?

A: This is usually a matter of waiting too long before harvesting the radishes. Cracking can also be caused by excessive fluctuations in soil moisture (especially when turnips are near maturity) which causes the mature bulb to swell and crack. Since the seeding to harvest period is rather short for radishes, it is important to maintain adequate and even soil moisture conditions throughout the growing period.

Q: I have several gourds that are mature. I want to harvest and prepare then for decorating. How should I go about this?

A: Gourds are ready for harvest when the stems dry and turn brown. It is best to harvest gourds before frost. Mature gourds that have a hardened shell will survive a light frost, but less-developed gourds will be damaged.

Gourds should be cut from the vine with a few inches of the stem attached. Take care not to bruise the gourds during harvest, as this increases the likelihood of decay during the curing process. Discard any fruit that is rotten, bruised or immature.

After harvesting, gourds should be cleaned in warm, mildly soapy water and then thoroughly rinse and dry. A small amount of a household bleach added to the rinse water can reduce problems with decay organisms.

Lay the gourds on several layers of newspaper in a dry area to remove surface moisture. Do not dry in direct sunlight as gourds can lose some of their color. It is best to use fully mature gourds as immature specimens of some species may take several months to dry completely.

Keeping gourds cooler than 65 degrees F. during the drying and curing process will help retard shriveling. Sanding and scraping the surface of some gourds improves drying and enhances their appearance. Gourds should be thoroughly dried before shellac is applied. Some gourds can be used without applying wax or shellac, but such treatment makes them more attractive.

Gardening - Gardeners' questions on fall crops

County pecan growers display their successes

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

November 16, 2006

2006 COUNTY PECAN SHOW CHAMPIONS -- Shown left to right are Jim Jackson of Texas City (Champion winner in Commercial Division for "Kiowa"; Champion winner in Classic Division for "Creek"; Reserve Champion winner in Classic Division for "Navaho"and Reserve Champion winner in Classic Division for "Navaho") and Lexi Bland of Santa Fe (Champion & Reserve Champion winner in Natives Division). Photo by William M. Johnson.

Home Composting Workshop WHAT: "The ABCs of Home Composting." Seminar and demonstrations provided by Master Gardener Ken Steblein DATE: Saturday, November 18 TIME: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. REGISTRATION: No registration fee but seating is limited and preregistration is required PLACE: Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, Dickinson CONTACT: 281-534-3413 or GALV3@wt.net

COMPOST HAPPENS & NOVEMBER 18 WORKSHOP HELPS SPEED IT UP

Compost happens. And it's a good thing it does or we would all need more than hip boots to get around. Organic matter decomposition takes place whether we are around or not.

However, as gardeners we can speed the composting process and have the finished compost retain the most nutrients for plant use. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic materials (stuff that use to be alive) using not only aerobic bacteria (ones that need oxygen, not the smelly anaerobic kind) and fungi, but also protozoans and worms.

Now you may be wondering if you have to go out and buy a bag of "starter bacteria" for your compost pile. Compost piles are kind of a "field of dreams" proposition . . . Build it and they will come. Commercial additives are not necessary and there are no magic enzymes or elixirs.

Garden soil or finished compost has all the necessary microbes and creatures in it. How convenient! Managing a compost pile is just helping these guys to do their job by providing the food, moisture and oxygen they need.

Magazine articles sometimes make it sound like you need a degree in biochemistry before you can compost anything. Once you understand the basic principles, the methods and containers for composting can be quite diverse. Composting is really no more complicated than baking a cake.

Most of the ingredients for the compost pile will be clippings and plants from the garden and landscape. Leaves and grass clippings may be the largest components. Bags of leaves can be saved to add to the pile.

Some things should not be put in the compost pile such as meat and bones, which can attract rodents, raccoons, cats and dogs. Dog and cat manure should also be left out since it can carry disease organisms. Although a well-managed pile should kill most disease organisms and weed seeds, you should leave out obviously diseased plants or weeds that have gone to seed.

Finished compost is "black gold" to gardeners. Forget buying peat moss to add to soils. Use compost instead. It acts as a great soil conditioner by loosening heavy clay soils, improving water-holding capacity of sandy soils, and adding all the wonderful microbes, fungi and important plant nutrients back into the soil.

If you want to learn the basics of home composting, be sure to reserve a seat for the upcoming workshop on "The ABCs of Home Composting" to be held on Saturday, November 18, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson.

The seminar will be presented by Ken Steblein, a Certified Texas Master Gardener as well as a Texas Master Composter. After the seminar, composting techniques will be demonstrated in the Horticulture Demonstration Garden which is adjacent to the County Extension Office. Pre-registration is required due to limited seating. Visit or contact the County Extension Office (281-534-3413, or GALV3@wt.net) to make your reservation.

Gardening - County pecan growers display their successes, list of winners and home composting

Common landscaping mistakes

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

November 9, 2006

Upcoming Program WHAT: County Pecan Show & Pecan Bake Show WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9 TIME: 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Walter Hall Park Pavilion, League City

Here are a few common mistakes that you should avoid as you make plans for your autumn landscape.

THE "WOS" LANDSCAPING PHILOSOPHY: Avoid practicing the WOS or "What’s On Sale" approach to landscaping. It is quite acceptable and appropriate to purchase high quality plants that are on sale. However, do not fall hostage to just purchasing a plant on impulse simply because it’s on sale and then deciding later where you might place the plant or how it might fit in the overall landscape scheme.

WRONG LOCATION FOR PLANT HEALTH: Selecting the wrong plant for a specific location or growing environment in the landscape is a common landscaping mistake. Proper plant selection should include only plants that are well-adapted to our Gulf Coast growing conditions and to the specific location in the landscape (e.g., shade vs. sun, well-drained vs. wet soil).

The focus of using well-adapted plants applies to your "foundation" landscape plants which can be expected to survive our hot and cold weather seasons. However, it is quite satisfactory to include tropical and subtropical plants such as papayas, citrus, hibiscus, etc. as part of the landscape. If cold weather zaps them, they can be replaced without replacing the entire landscape.

Oftentimes, homeowners see a beautiful plant in a magazine, seed catalog or even a retail nursery and decide that they must have that plant in their yard. If that plant is not suited to its environment, it is apt to die, look bad, or require too much care.

WRONG LOCATION FOR FOOT TRAFFIC OR WINDOW VIEW: Many times, homeowners will place a plant in the wrong location in the landscape. Examples of this are shrubs that get so large that they extend into a sidewalk or block a picturesque view from a window.

The scenarios are endless; however, a little bit of planning will go a long way in preventing these disasters. Be sure to note a plant’s mature height and width before you place the plant in your landscape. Plants are like puppies—they start off cute and small, but they’re going to grow quickly!

BIGGER IS ALWAYS BETTER: Purchasing the biggest trees is not always a wise investment when landscaping your home. These big trees are especially vulnerable to stress from the digging and transplanting process, and may take 5 or more years to recover from transplanting shock.

Many times, a smaller tree will re-establish itself more rapidly, producing a nicer tree in a shorter time period. With the money you save buying smaller trees, you can get a good start on the rest of your landscape.

High-quality trees are a good investment. Although there is a time and place for 'fast growers', do not overlook the dependable varieties such as many oaks and certain elms and cedars. They will last longer, and you will have fewer insect, disease, and pruning headaches in the meantime.

BURYING VS PLANTING PLANTS: Many landscape trees and shrubs start out on negative footing by being planted—or buried—too deeply. Remember to always place the topside of the soil ball of landscape trees and shrubs even with, or slightly above, the existing soil line.

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 - Common landscaping mistakes

County Pecan Show - Thursday, Nov. 9

Also, November's gardening checklist

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

November 2, 2006

Upcoming Programs Program #1 WHAT: Secrets to Home-Grown Blueberries WHO: Dr. Bob Cohen WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4 TIME: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. PREREGISTRATION: GALV3@wt.net or 281-534-3413, ext. 6 WHERE: Galveston County Extension Office Program #2 WHAT: County Pecan Show & Pecan Bake Show WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9 TIME: 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Walter Hall Park Pavilion, League City

It's pecan harvest season! So, who has the best pecans? To find out, attend the 2006 County Pecan Show on Thursday, November 9, 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. If you are interested in submitting your pecans into the show, contact or visit the Galveston County Extension Office (5115 Highway 3, Dickinson , 281-534-3413) for show entry rules, deadlines and drop-off locations.

Even if you do not enter pecans, plan to attend this year's Pecan Show to view the diverse array of pecan varieties grown in the area and to learn more about growing pecans. A question & answer session on the management of pecans will be also conducted to assist homeowners with any pecan growing problems.

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.

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.

Gardening - County Pecan Show on Thursday, Nov. 9

Don't let landscape become an high-maintenance nightmare

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

October 26, 2006

Before doing any landscaping, assess your gardening experience and the time you have. Then tailor your plant selection to that level. Choose standard, easy-to-care-for plants that are known to be good performers in our climate and soil conditions for the major portion of the landscape.

Avoid "exotics" or other plants that demand special culture, such as soil acidifiers or frequent applications of iron, unless you know that you are willing to provide for the special conditions needed.

When selecting plants, consider growth rate, mature size, and the plant's growing needs. If you are not prepared to do much pruning, choose plants that retain a desirable size without a lot of attention. Avoid planting large, vigorous-growing shrubs such as photinia or pyracantha in confining locations.

Never plant more of anything–trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials or even turfgrass–than you feel you can maintain properly and easily. Again, know your time and energy limitations. If you want a low-maintenance landscape, you may decide to limit or avoid some demanding plants such as hybrid tea roses or fruit trees such as peaches.

Whether you are developing a landscape or have an established one, many labor and time saving shortcuts can be incorporated.

Here are a few to consider:

- Prepare the soil before any planting. Mix in generous quantities of organic matter. Proper soil preparation now will reduce later problems such as compaction or poor drainage.

- Keep plants healthy and thriving with periodic fertilization. Healthy plant growth reduces susceptibility to insect and disease problems.

- Automate watering whenever possible. Proper watering can be one of your most time-consuming landscape responsibilities. Free yourself to do other chores by installing a sprinkler or drip irrigation system for large areas, or, if that is not in your budget, use soaker hoses to minimize the time you spend at the end of the hose.

- Mulch your landscape with a loose material such as shredded pine bark, cypress mulch or compost to reduce weed problems, conserve moisture and reduce soil temperatures in summer.

- Install permanent edging around flower beds, gardens and other landscape areas to make soil control easier and prevent the encroachment of grass. Edging can range from steel to molded plastic, brick or pored concrete. Many of these can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer.

Gardening - Don't let landscape become an high-maintenance nightmare

October’s garden checklist includes plant sale & three seminars

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

October 5, 2006

Pink Trumpet Ginger (Siphonochilus kirkii) produces spectacular rosy-pink funnel-shaped flowers with a soft white center and is a great choice for part-shade locations. Pink Trumpet Ginger as well as a wide variety of other landscape plants will be available at the Master Gardeners’ Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Carbide Park in La Marque. Photo by TreeSearch Farms.

After a long hot summer, most people look forward to fall weather. The first cool front arrived a bit earlier than usual and was most appreciated. The pleasant change of weather provided a reinvigorating lift to the sprit–one could even be inspired to take a causal stroll through the backyard in the middle of the day.

Master Gardeners Plant Sale : The Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale, sponsored by the Galveston County Master Gardeners on October 21, is an “absolute must” for all area gardeners. This is an early notification so area gardeners can pencil in this popular event on their gardening calendar. More than 200 types of perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs will be available including many hard-to-find varieties.

The activities will begin on Saturday, October 21, at 8:00 a.m. when Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms Nursery will present a slide seminar on perennials for the Upper Gulf Coast . She will discuss proven perennials for this area and guidelines for growing them. The Plant Sale itself will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. All activities will be conducted at Carbide Park in La Marque .

Hummingbirds & Butterflies Seminar: The Galveston County Master Gardeners will present a seminar on butterfly and hummingbird gardening on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, from 9:00-11 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. The seminar is free, but reservations are necessary, and can be made by calling 281 534 3413, ext. 6, or by e-mail to GALV3@wt.net.

Master Gardener Deborah Repasz will provide the presentation. Deborah is an accomplished photographer and her slide presentation contains a wide selection of her magnificent award-winning photographs of our butterflies and hummingbirds that occur in the area and their favorite plants. Practical tips on how and what to plant for our Galveston County butterflies and hummingbirds will be given, along with how to avoid certain gardening practices and insecticides that will harm them.

Beneficals in the Garden and Landscape Seminar: If the term “beneficial insect” is mentioned, then lady beetles or ladybugs are what most gardeners will likely think of. While the most commonly recognized beneficial insect is the lady beetle, most gardeners will likely be amazed at the variety of beneficial insects that occur in our area. Beneficials also include other animals such as green anoles, geckos and spiders.

To learn about the variety of beneficials that help control insect pests in our backyard, be sure to attend our seminar on “Beneficials in the Garden and Landscape” to be conducted on Saturday, October 28, 2006, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office. The seminar will be presented by Donya Camp and Herman Auer who are Certified Texas Master Gardeners with the Galveston County Extension Office. Preregistration is required and can be made by calling 281-534-3413, ext. 6, or by e-mail to GALV3@wt.net.

Cool weather signals start of fall gardening

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

September 28, 2006

Fall is the ideal time to plant onions and garlic in the Upper Gulf Coast area. Sam Scarcella of La Marque will conduct a workshop entitled "Grow Your Own Onions & Garlic" on Saturday, September 30, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., at the Galveston County Extension Office.
Photo by William M. Johnson.

A glorious thing takes when summer heat gives way to the cooler temperatures of early fall. We get another opportunity to reestablish the vegetable garden with hopes of a grand harvest in the cool, fall climate.

Fall vegetable gardening is in many ways better than its spring counterpart. Many vegetables seem to do best in the fall. Almost anything grown in spring will do well in the fall, with the possible exception of sweet corn and, according to some gardeners, tomatoes.

ONIONS & GARLIC SEMINAR ON SEPTEMBER 30: Two of my favorite veggies to grow in the fall garden are onions and garlic. Onions and garlic grow very well in our Upper Gulf Coast growing environment. Best production is obtained when cool temperatures prevail over an extended period of time, permitting considerable foliage and root development before bulbing starts.

Fall is the ideal time to plant onions and garlic and the Master Gardeners will be conducting a seminar on "Grow Your Own Onions & Garlic." The seminar will be conducted on Saturday, September 30, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson.

Sam Scarcella will provide the seminar. He is an expert onion and garlic grower and a Certified Texas Master Gardener with the Galveston County Extension Office.

Pre-registration is required due to limited seating and reservations are made on a first-come, first serve basis. Visit or contact the County Extension Office (phone 281-534-3413, ext. 6 or e-mail GALV3@wt.net) to make your reservation. Pre-registrations can also be made online through my website provided at the end of this column.

MASTER GARDENER PLANT SALE ON OCTOBER 21: The Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale, sponsored by the Galveston County Master Gardeners on October 21 is an "absolute must" for all area gardeners. This is an early notification so area gardeners can pencil in this popular event on their gardening calendar.

This year's offering will feature plants for creating a butterfly garden, as well as a wide selection of foundation plants for the home landscape. More than 200 types of perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs will be available including many hard-to-find varieties.

The activities will begin on Saturday, October 21, at 8:00 a.m. when Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms Nursery will present a slide seminar on perennials for the Upper Gulf Coast. She will discuss proven perennials for this area and guidelines for growing them.

The Plant Sale itself will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. All activities will be conducted at Carbide Park in La Marque.

Gardening - Cool weather signals start of fall gardening

Fall Pecan Day set for Thursday, Sept. 21, in Santa Fe

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

September 21, 2006

The Fall Pecan Field Day will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2006, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Jim Hall’s Pecan Orchard [located at 11813 - 28th Street] in Santa Fe. Whether you grow one or several pecan trees, the Pecan Orchard Tour will be of value to you in producing high yields of quality nuts. Bill Ree, Extension Pecan Entomologist from Texas A&M, will provide a presentation on insect pests on pecans. Photo by William M. Johnson.

Bill Ree, Extension Pecan Entomologist from Texas A&M, will provide a presentation on insect pests on pecans. Presentations will also be given by members of the Galveston County Extension Fruit & Pecan Committee. Performance of a wide assortment of pecan varieties will be discussed as part of the orchard tour.

Identification and control measures for current disease and insect problems will also be discussed. Individuals who have insect, disease, or other pest problems are encouraged to bring plant samples in plastic bags for diagnosis and control recommendations.

To get to the pecan orchard site, go to the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 646 in Santa Fe (there are signal lights at this intersection where Highway 646 continues south of Highway 6; Tibaldo’s Feed Store is located at this intersection). Continue south on Highway 646, cross the railroad tracks and travel one and one-tenth miles. Turn left on 28th Street. Hall’s Pecan Orchard is located behind Jim Hall’s residence at 11813 - 28th Street (approximately one-tenth mile from the turn-off at Highway 646). Look for the first concrete driveway on the right that is lined on both sides with pine trees–it leads to the brick home residence of Jim Hall.

The general public is invited to attend. The program is sponsored by the Galveston County Extension Fruit and Pecan Committee. To obtain a map and for additional information, contact the County Extension Office (281-534-3413, Ext. 6) or visit my website address listed below.

Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & sale set for October 21

This is an earlier reminder that the Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale, sponsored by the Galveston County Master Gardeners, will be conducted on Saturday, October 21. More than 200 types of perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs will be available including many hard-to-find varieties. This year's offering will feature plants for creating a butterfly garden, plus a wide selection of foundation plants for new yards.

The activities will begin on October 21, at 8:00 a.m. when Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms Nursery will present a slide seminar entitled Perinnials & Ornamentals for Gulf Coast Landscapes. She will discuss proven perennials and ornamentals for this area and guidelines for growing them. The Plant Sale itself will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. All activities will be conducted at the Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park at 4102 FM 519 in La Marque.

Gardening - Fall Pecan Day set for Thursday, Sept. 21, in Santa Fe

Stinging Caterpillars . . .Curious hands beware

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

September 14, 2006

Question: Is it true that some caterpillars can sting you like a hornet? If so, how do we know which ones to be on the lookout for?

Answer: We know that bees, yellow jackets, paper wasps, hornets and fire ants will sting to defend themselves or their nests but many people may be surprised that some caterpillars can also sting.

While most caterpillars encountered in the home landscape do not sting, several species of stinging caterpillars occur in the Upper Gulf Coast region. Stinging caterpillars have stiff poisonous hairs or spines on their bodies which are connected to poison glands. When a person comes into contact with the spines they break and venom is released.

Reaction to this venom varies from mild to severe. Small children and the elderly can have severe reactions. Injury from these caterpillars is most common among children playing in yards and trees. Fortunately these caterpillars are around only in late summer and fall.

There are several stinging caterpillars to be on the lookout for. The puss caterpillar is the worst. This one is covered in gray or brown hair. You cannot see the eyes or the legs. It is about 1 inch long.

The saddleback caterpillar is also common. This one is very colorful and striking in appearance. It too is about 1 inch long and is pale green in color but with a purple or brown center that resembles a saddle on its back. Its sting is less severe than the puss.

The Io moth caterpillar is also around. It grows to about 2 inches in length. The Io moth caterpillar sports a vibrant pale green color and looks like it was designed by a very creative artisan. It has a very striking set of stinging spines that would seem to say “Touch me and you’ll really regret it.” However, the sting is relatively mild.

ORCHID SHOW & SALE ON SEPTEMBER 16 & 17

Mention orchids to many gardeners and you will likely get two responses. The first likely response is that orchid flowers are strikingly beautiful and very elegant. The next likely response is that orchids are very difficult or next-to-impossible to grow and that all orchids are very expensive to purchase.

The first notation is well-based. Unfortunately, the second notation is based on myth as there are many types of orchids that can be grown indoors and purchased at a reasonable price. In fact, orchids have become more readily available and they now rank as a popular flowering houseplant.

If you have an interest in growing orchids, the Orchid Show & Sale would be an excellent opportunity for getting started. The 2006 show will be held on Saturday, September 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Nessler Center located at 2010 5th Avenue North in Texas City .

The Galveston Orchid Society is sponsoring this event and members will be available to answer questions. The theme for this year’s show is "Orchid Fantasy." Admission is $2 for adults and children over 12.

Gardening - Stinging caterpillars … Curious hands beware

September’s garden calendar includes educational programs

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

September 7, 2006

Swarms of lovebugs are common in September, but

What Are Lovebugs?

These insects belong to a diverse group of insects known as Diptera which includes many species of flies including the common housefly. The common name "lovebug" has been given to these black-bodied flies (with a bright orange-colored head area) because they are most often seen flying around in mating pairs. Even though they are more noticeable as swarms, they commonly occur in less concentrated numbers also.

What Damage Do They Do?

Adult lovebugs spend their time sipping nectar from flowers and searching for mates and mating while hovering in the air. Adult lovebugs do not bite or sting humans.

Be sure to clean off insects that had a head-on collision with your vehicle as they can damage the paint finish. Use one of the commercially available products containing petroleum distillates advertised to facilitate the removal of crushed, dried insect parts from auto finishes.

PROPAGATION WORKSHOPS

The Galveston County Master Gardeners will conduct two workshops on plant propagation. A workshop on “Easy Propagation Techniques for the Home Gardener” will be conducted on Saturday, September 9, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, in Dickinson.

A second workshop on “How to Graft Your Own Fruit & Nut Trees” will be conducted on Saturday, September 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Both workshops will be presented by Master Gardeners Herman Auer, Terry Cuclis, Bert Janke and Anna Wygrys who hold the title of Master Gardener Propagation Specialists in addition to being Texas Master Gardeners.

Program participants will have the opportunity to practice soft tissue propagation and grafting techniques. There is no registration fee but class size is limited and pre-registration is required (by phone at 281-534-3413, ext. 6 or by e-mail at GALV3@wt.net).

Gardening - Love is in the air — or at least the lovebugs are

September’s garden calendar includes educational programs

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

August 31, 2006

Pecan trees have produced a heavy crop this year. A Fall Pecan Field Day will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, at Jim Hall's Pecan Orchard located at 11813 28th St. in Santa Fe. Photo by William M. Johnson

PROPAGATION WORKSHOPS: The Galveston County Master Gardeners will conduct two workshops on plant propagation. A workshop on “Easy Propagation Techniques for the Home Gardener” will be conducted on Saturday, September 9, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Galveston County Extension Office, 5115 Highway 3, in Dickinson. A second workshop on “How to Graft Your Own Fruit & Nut Trees” will be conducted on Saturday, September 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Both workshops will be presented by Master Gardeners Herman Auer, Terry Cuclis, Bert Janke and Anna Wygrys who hold the title of Master Gardener Propagation Specialists in addition to being Texas Master Gardeners.

Program participants will have the opportunity to practice soft tissue propagation and grafting techniques. There is no registration fee but class size is limited and pre-registration is required (by phone at 281-534-3413, ext. 6 or by e-mail at GALV3@wt.net).

FALL PECAN FIELD DAY: The Fall Pecan Field Day will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, at Jim Hall's Pecan Orchard located at 11813 28th St. in Santa Fe. Additional information will be provided in upcoming columns but be sure to make a note on your calendar or contact the Galveston County Extension Office for more information (281-534-3413, ext. 6) or visit my website given at the end of this column.

MASTER GARDENERS PLANT SALE: The Ornamental & Perennial Seminar & Sale, sponsored by the Galveston County Master Gardeners on October 21 is an “absolute must” for all area gardeners. This is an early notification so area gardeners can pencil in this popular event on their gardening calendar. More than 200 types of perennials, vines, ornamental grasses and flowering shrubs will be available including many hard-to-find varieties.

The activities will begin on Saturday, October 21, at 8:00 a.m. when Heidi Sheesley of TreeSearch Farms Nursery will present a slide seminar on perennials for the Upper Gulf Coast. She will discuss proven perennials for this area and guidelines for growing them. The Plant Sale itself will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. All activities will be conducted at Carbide Park in La Marque.

LAWN DISEASE: In Galveston County, very late September and early October mark the beginning of the brownpatch season on St. Augustine lawns. The fungus that causes brown patch will become active again with the onset of cooler temperatures. Treat lawns the last week of September if brownpatch was a severe problem last fall and apply a fungicide containing triadimefon (such as Greenlight Fung-Away and Bayer Advanced Lawn Fungus Control), or chlorothalonil (such as Daconil 2787), or PCNB (such as Terraclor) to those areas of the lawn with a past history of brownpatch. Be sure to not overwater and overfertilize the lawn as brown patch is most likely to be a severe problem in lawns receiving high levels of nitrogen and plenty of water.

Gardening - September’s garden calendar includes educational programs

Gardeners Q&As for August

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

August 28, 2006

Hydrangeas require full sun and adequate moisture for best bloom. Photo by William M. Johnson

Question: I have some large, healthy hydrangeas that refuse to bloom other than perhaps one large bloom per year. Any ideas on what the trouble might be?

Answer: Hydrangeas require full sun and adequate moisture for best bloom. If you are meeting these needs, the only other obvious cause of lack of bloom is improperly timed pruning. Prune the plants immediately after bloom, so that new growth will be able to develop flower buds in the fall. Pruning in the spring or early summer removes the fall developed flower buds and will reduce or prevent blooms for that year.

Question: When my air conditioner unit started running overtime, I called an AC service company to check it out. The repairman told me that the cooling coils on my outside AC unit were clogged with cotton produced by cottonwood trees. I’ve noticed that some cottonwood trees produce lots of cotton while others do not have any cotton. Why does this happen?

Answer: If you have cottonwood trees growing in the neighborhood, you should periodically inspect the coil fins of your outside AC unit for blockage by cotton produced by female trees. Many people do not realize that there are male plants and female plants in some plant families. Such plants, including cottonwood trees, are called dioecious.

Male cottonwood trees produce pollen, while the female trees produce an abundance of seeds which are surrounded by ultra-light white fluff hairs that look like cotton. The "cotton" is an appendage to help disperse the cottonwood seeds so they do not fall at the base of the mother tree.

As seeds drop from the parent tree, they are carried by wind away from the mother tree. In fact, the tree seed that often stays in flight the longest is that of the cottonwood. The tiny seeds can be carried by air currents from anywhere between a minute and to a couple of days. Unfortunately for us city dwellers who are creatures of comfort, the cottony-like seeds of cottonwood often end up clogging the coil fins of our central AC units.

Be sure to keep the outdoor condensing unit free of cottonwood seeds as well as grass clippings and dirt buildup. Sufficient air cannot pass over the outdoor coil for proper cooling operation if it is clogged, which causes the unit to run longer and work harder. The cooling coils can be easily washed down with a garden hose, but shut off power to the unit before you do so. Cottonwood seeds can also clog car radiators and window AC units.

Gardening - Gardeners Q&As for August

Gardening hints for August

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

August 17, 2006

• Despite the heat, August is a prime time to plant many types of vegetables for a fall garden. Many gardeners overlook this opportunity to have a fall garden because they wait until the time the temperatures have moderated to plant and many of these types of vegetables will not reach maturity before the onset of cold weather.

• Whenever possible, choose early maturing vegetables for the fall garden. They can be planted after the early summer vegetables have been harvested and still be ready to pick before freezing weather.

The following can be seeded or transplanted in August–the dates indicate the optimal window of time for fall planting: wax bush & snap bush beans (8/15 - 9/15), lima pole & snap pole beans (8/1 - 8/15), collards (8/1 - 9/30), cucumber (8/15 - 9/30), peppers (transplants) (8/1 - 8/30), southern peas (8/1 - 8/31), summer squash (8/1 - 8/30).

• Remove old plants in the garden that have stopped producing to eliminate shelters for insects and disease organisms.

• Most bell peppers and standard-size (large) tomatoes planted earlier this year will not set fruit during the heat of summer, even though they may still be flowering. If the plants remain healthy, they may set fruit again once daytime temperatures cool a bit. Sidedress established, healthy plants with fertilizer to encourage new growth.

Gardening Hints for August

Fairy rings to lightening strikes

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

August 10, 2006

Lightning Damage to Trees

We’ve had quite a few thunderstorms this summer—the thunder has been unusually loud at times and the displays of lightning can be awesome. When lightning starts a fire in a structure, the results can be quickly seen. This is not always the case when lightning strikes landscape trees.

The woody parts of the tree may be heavily shattered, then may burn. A thin strip of bark parallel to the wood fibers down the entire length of the trunk may be burned or stripped off, the internal tissue may be severely burned without external evidence, or part or all of the roots may be killed.

The upper trunk and limbs of trees may be killed outright, while the lower portions remain unaffected. In some instances, there will not be any apparent damage but months later the tree dies from burned roots and internal damage.

However, many trees will recover from lightning strikes. If there is minimal damage and only a few strips of bark have been removed, it would be appropriate to leave the tree standing. A struck tree should be regularly monitored for decline.

Gardeners’ calendar for August

It is time to prepare for the peak of hurricane season

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

August 3, 2006

• 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 plant’s 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.

Gardening - It is time to prepare for the peak of hurricane season

Heavy rainfall & mosquitoes

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

July 27, 2006

Weather conditions this year have set the stage for our bumper crops of pesky and dangerous mosquitoes. The frequent rainfalls have flooded farmlands, filled ditches and low areas with stagnant water.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. A female mosquito (interestingly, only the females bite) that has taken a blood meal uses those nutrients to nourish up to two hundred eggs that she lays in stagnant water. Mosquitoes typically do not travel far from their "birth place" if there is no need to do so.

Understanding the connection between water and mosquitoes is the key. Thousands of mosquitoes can develop in your own back yard in a small forgotten container of water, discarded tire or clogged rain gutter.

Mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as few as ten days. Anything that can hold water (from birdbaths to old buckets) is a potential breeding spot. These need to be emptied on a regular basis, discarded or adjusted such that they do not collect and hold water.

It would be well worth the effort to make regular inspections of your property for likely mosquito breeding sites and keep in mind the following guidelines:

- Overturn or empty objects that have collected rainwater including standing water in saucers under potted plants.

- Clear gutters and down spouts of debris so that rainwater drains properly.

- Remove water that collects on sagging tarpaulins or other covers on your house or property.

- Eliminate standing water in tires, buckets, trash cans, etc.

- Empty and wash birdbaths weekly.

- Larger water-filled objects, such as water gardens that do not contain fish, can be treated with an insecticide containing the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), which does not harm fish, birds or mammals (including people).

- Discarded tires are a prime source of mosquito habitat because they cannot easily be drained.

- On one occasion, I saw a half-dozen mosquito wigglers or larvae in a clear vase of an indoor fresh flower arrangement! Just remember that still water is the key item.

Gardening - Heavy rainfall and mosquitoes

Fall vegetable gardening workshop set for Saturday, July 29

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

July 20, 2006

Despite our hot summer temperatures, August is the recommended time to plant many types of vegetables for a fall garden.

Photo credit: William M. Johnson

So you want to grow garden fresh vegetables this fall. When do you start? Where do you start?

Start out on the right track by attending our educational program entitled "Fall Vegetable Gardening Workshop" on Saturday, July 29, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson.

Luke Stripling will serve as our program speaker and is a Certified Texas Master Gardener. Luke has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience on home vegetable gardening. He will provide information on a variety of topics including soil preparation, types of vegetables that do well during the fall and winter season, variety selection, fertilization, and pest control.

Pre-registration is required due to limited seating. Visit or contact the County Extension Office (281-534-3413, ext. 6) or e-mail your request (GALV3@wt.net) to make your reservation.

Gardening - Fall vegetable gardening workshop set for Saturday, July 29

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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