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November 17, 2017
By Barb Harvey - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTO BY JEAN KNOWLES/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
An alternative to growing fall and cool-season vegetables from seeds is to purchase and plant transplants in your garden like broccoli, cabbages, lettuces, Swiss chard and kale. Several mature kale plants as well as ornamental cabbage are shown here growing in pots with other cool-weather vegetables like the red-stemmed Swiss chard located to the back right. Various leafy plants are not only attractive in fall garden beds and pots but are also edible.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION
Native to North America and Texas, the Possumhaw holly is a deciduous, ornamental shrub that grows to a tree with similar height and spread of 15-25 feet. It has a thin, smooth and grayish brown bark and the leaves are glossy, oval, dark green in color and turn yellow during the fall. It is recognizable for its bright red berries during the winter season as shown here. The Possumhaw is a good choice for planting this fall season for future color in the landscape.
PHOTO BY BARB HENRY/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Mulching is a fall to-do in your landscape. Mulch beds to conserve moisture, hinder weeds and insulate the soil. While there are numerous kinds of mulch, the variety shown here in Master Gardener Barb Henry's flower bed is professional cypress marketed as one that stays where it is put and will not float, containing moisture in the bag from when purchased.
PHOTO BY BARB HENRY/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
With the recent storm damage to trees and landscapes, consider planting Texas Superstar plants for replacements, particularly where there is more sun than before. Tested for surviving harsh growing conditions throughout the state, this full, sun-loving Texas Superstar firebush plant, for example, has come back each year, full and beautiful from freeze, drought and hurricane. It is shown here currently in the back yard of Master Gardener Barb Henry.
Harvey has put my gardening schedule about three weeks behind. The first real cool night a few weeks ago surprised me. We never know when colder weather will come, especially with the changing weather patterns. Avid gardeners know that every season has its planning, prepping and planting time.
Fall is the time to plant trees
The hurricane ruined many mature trees in our area, so this is the time to plan and plant to replace your losses. Tree roots will have time to grow deep and become well-established during fall and winter to be strong before the spring.
Keep in mind the mature height and shape of the trees you choose and plant them the proper distance from structures and overhead wiring. It has been very dry since the storm, so be sure to water the area well for a few days before planting.
Less shade resulting from Harvey
Until your new trees have grown a bit, you will be dealing with less shade in your landscape as a result of the storm. Consider new plants for these areas as follows:
Refer to recent articles in this column by Master Gardener Suzanne LaBrecque on various ground cover plants. Look at your remaining plants and shrubs and assess the added hours of sun they are receiving.
Consider replacements with plants that have the Texas Superstar designation. They have proven hardy and tolerant of conditions throughout Texas and in our area as well as being disease- and insect-resistant. They are attractive natives that deal well with our adverse conditions.
Wildflowers
In addition to planting trees, it is also time to plant wildflower seeds that will bloom in spring. Did you purchase wildflower seed balls at the Master Gardener fall plant sale or the South Texas Farm and Ranch Show? Be sure to toss them wherever you wish to have flowers next spring. There are lots of Texas bluebonnet seeds available in shops now, as well as the Aggie Maroon bonnets and other native wild flower seed.
Lawn care
Fall fertilization is important to prolong fall color, keep turf dense to resist winter weeds and hasten spring greening.
According to Doug Welsh's Texas Garden Almanac, the usual date for fall fertilization is October 30th for our area, when grass blades have slowed growth and you are not mowing but every two weeks. Even though we are well into November, if you choose to fertilize, you should do so now.
Fall fertilizers should be high in nitrogen and potassium and low in phosphorus, (2-1-2 or 1-0-1). All of your plants will benefit from a good water-soluble fertilizer as winter approaches.
Mulching
Deep mulching in fall will help hold moisture and warmth in the ground around roots. It also keeps weeds from germinating. Mulch 3 to 4 inches deep around newly planted trees and in flowerbeds and other planted areas to keep them protected. As mulch materials break down, they add needed nutrients into the soil.
Cypress mulch that is not supposed to float is a good choice. Even so, Harvey dropped enough rain to cause a torrent that took mine down the sidewalk and into the street. More mulching was added to my to-do list.
Vegetable gardening
It is too late for growing most of your fall vegetables from seed, but some transfers were still available at the time of this writing. Refer to the suggested list of frost-tolerant vegetables with this article.
Always prepare your soil with compost and/or fertilizer, tilling or breaking up the soil about 6 inches deep before planting. Water regularly until plants are established.
Protection from pests depends on the eye of the gardener, so inspect your plants daily for any sign of damage or presence of pests. Use recommended pesticides when needed, and follow directions on containers very closely, especially on edibles that are near ready for harvest.
Indoor plants
As you bring your tender plants indoors, be sure to check them thoroughly for pests. All your indoor plants will need more water as heaters begin to dry the air. Browning leaf tips and yellowing leaves are indicators that the plants need more moisture.
Be prepared for first frost/freeze
The sudden dip to 37 degrees on Oct. 29 caught many off guard and reminded me that we never really know when our first frost/freeze may come. With the damage, confusion and disruption caused by Harvey, many of us may not be able to put our hands on things immediately. Do you know where your freeze covers are? Do you know which plants you need to move and/or shelter? Are you ready?
The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com.
• A few hummingbirds remain locally in route to Mexico.
• Keep a feeder fresh for them.
• Other birds need constant supply of fresh water.
• Keep birdbaths and/or water dishes clean and full.
• Beet
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens
• Garlic
• Green onion
• Leaf lettuce
• Parsley
• Radish
• Snow peas
• Spinach
• Sugar snap peas
• Swiss chard
• Turnips
Source for All Above:
Dr. Doug Welsh, Texas Garden Almanac
• Cabbage (ornamental)
• Calendula
• Dianthus
• Johnny jump-up
• Pansy
• Snapdragon
• Stock
• Sweet pea
• Viola
• American beauty berry
• Dogwood
• Possumhaw
• Yaupon
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk