Victoria County Master         Gardener Association

SEASONAL TIPS:

For a successful spring garden

May 30, 2014

by Marcia Kauffman/Victoria County Master Gardener

Edited by Charla Borchers Leon/Victoria County Master Gardener

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER MARCIA KAUFFMAN

Tools for trimming, snipping and transplanting require maintenance for the most effective use in the garden or greenhouse.  Clean with warm, soapy water, dry and then spray the blades with a 10 percent bleach solution to help prevent the spread of diseases elsewhere in the garden.  Don't forget to lubricate hinges to prevent rusting.

Mulching flower beds and around trees and shrubs help retain moisture in the soil and is highly recommended for upcoming hot and dry conditions.  This colorful bed filled with the sun-loving Barberry shrub, Red Yucca and several varieties of Coleus (in the foreground) with the taller blooming Esperanza and Canna (in the background on the right) has been prepared with hardwood mulch to keep moisture in the soil and help prevent weeds.

This bed of mostly cool-weather plants will likely be re-planted with transitional plantings as the spring temperatures become more like summer.  The white Alyssum, pink with white Dianthus and creamy yellow Snapdragons in the front of the bed along with the tall blue Delphinium in the back could be replaced with selections of Perennial Phlox, Zinnias, Cora Series Vinca, Fan Flower and/or tall Angelonias, which are all examples of blooming plants that will work well from spring through summer.

Deadheading, removal of spent blooms, results in plants continuing to rebloom throughout their growing season.  Spent blooms of the purple Stock plant are being snipped here by Master Gardener Marcia Kauffman to encourage continued color before the change of seasons and planting of new annuals.

Transitional Texas Superstar Suggestions

•  Angelonia Serena

•  Cora series Vinca

•  Firebush

•  New Gold Lantana

•  NuMex Twilight Ornamental Pepper

•  Victoria Perennial Phlox

Spring Vegetable Suggestions

•  Green beans

•  Green or red peppers

•  Onion varieties

•  Tomatoes

•  Yellow squash





You would think I were the owner of a manor the way I survey my yard - planning, scanning and rearranging my plants. With my children grown, my plants have become my new "babies," and I treat them as such. When the weather warms, I find it's very hard for me to restrain myself and not buy everything off the shelf. Yes, I have a cold, calculated plan of what will look good and what will work, but the impulsive me wants everything now.

The first-time gardener needs to remember that an attractive garden doesn't happen overnight. There are many things you could do to have a lovely garden if you continue your work throughout the year. These tips are for the spring time of the year with summer not actually on the calendar until later next month.

Flower beds

• Consult professional advice

When I am making choices for my garden, one of the items I consult is one of the various publications developed by Texas A&M AgriLife, which lists the "Texas Superstars." Plants that receive the designation of a Texas Superstar have been extensively tested at several locations in Texas by AgriLife Research and Extension personnel to determine their suitability for the harsh Texas environment. Some of the choices, among others, are cuphea, fall aster or firebush. Also consulting with the local nurseries will give you information to help in your yard.

• Deadhead to extend blooming life

My flowers by now have been long established, and so it is the time to deadhead flowers to encourage and enhance better growth in the plant. If you don't deadhead the flower, the plant will be tricked into thinking it still has a bloom and will not bloom another.

I move about my garden weekly and deadhead (remove spent blooms) to produce a bounty of flowers. As we move into the hotter months, take a close look at the flowers you are growing. Some plants, for example, like pansies and snapdragons, don't tolerate the heat well and will need to be replaced with flowers that do tolerate the heat - such as lantana or perennial phlox.

Vegetable garden

I planted my spring vegetable garden, according to the schedule I review at the Texas AgriLife website.

Feeding and thinning

Now it is May, and a suggested feeding should be done once a month just like for the flowers. Adequate feeding promotes healthy and tasty vegetables. Some of my vegetables need thinning such as my green bean plants. The purpose of thinning the existing plants is so the ones left behind have enough sunlight and nutrients as well as room to grow.

Amendments and mulching

I add nutrients to the soil before planting and continue doing so throughout the season. Mulching is also a necessity when gardening. Whether a gardener uses an organic mulch such as dried leaves or manufactured mulch, it helps the soil retain the moisture, keeps the weeds at a minimum and also encourages the development of the organisms living in the soil promoting better plant development

Pests

Keep a vigilant eye for any pests that can stress your plants. If I find an insect on my plants, I will first research to identify if it is beneficial or detrimental to the plant. Then I treat as needed.

Tool maintenance

I have learned from Master Gardener Lupe Cook how to properly take care of garden tools after spending time in the greenhouse at Victoria Educational Gardens. After working in the garden whether you are trimming, transplanting or snipping plants for propagation, take proper care of your tools.

First, wash your tools in warm, soapy water and then dry them. Next, spray your scissors with a solution of 10 percent bleach. This hopefully will prevent the spread of diseases to other areas of your garden. Also, spray the hinges of tools with a lubricant to prevent rusting.

Care for the gardener

Maintain your own health by using lots of sunscreen and drinking plenty of water. I wear a hat and sunglasses to add further protection. Working in your garden in the cool of the morning or the shade of the evening is also beneficial to your health.

The gardener that I am, I make note of the things I would like to change for the following year: where I would like to add more color or more texture from the leaves to go here or there.

And last of all, my suggestion to you is to just take time to stroll through your garden and enjoy the rewards from the hard work you have put forth.

The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901 or vcmga@vicad.com.