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nancyk
April 03, 2020
By Linda Hartman - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER/BRYNN LEE
It is time to harvest several fall season vegetables that take longer to mature like the artichoke shown here at Victoria Educational Gardens with vegetable and purple bloom that occurs if the vegetable is not harvested. Taking time through cool months to form a vegetable and then a bloom, artichokes like full sun, but not excessive heat. They thrive in cool, climates with rich, deep soil and ample watering to produce large and tender buds.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CREATIVE IMAGES/HENRY HARTMAN
Garden friends, alive and in art form, appear from behind foliage and plants in a spring garden. They provide new life and natural serenity to a garden that is transitioning from cold to warm and dark to sunshine as this bunny does peeping out during Easter season.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER BRYNN LEE
Poppies and bluebonnets are annuals that re-seed andn come back every year, acting like perennials. These pink poppies and Texas bluebonnets, shown currently in a bed at VEG, germinated in the fall, grew through the recent mild winter and are in bloom early spring around Easter.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER CHARLA BORCHERS LEON
Local garden centers have mulch in stock this time of year like shown here. Varieties range from organic materials including pine straw, wood chips and compost to natural cedar shredded mulch that adheres to the ground and doesn't wash or blow away. It is suggested to try to apply mulch during March or early April to capture winter moisture. It is also suggested to add mulch after seedlings have sprouted leaves.
Organic:
Inorganic:
Apply mulch now to capture winter moisture.
Add mulch after seedlings have sprouted their leaves.
Go to:
"Texas Garden Almanac" by Doug Welsh
"Late Bloomer" by Jan Coppola Bills
In a normal year, it usually begins when we all receive our first gardening catalogue in the mail during winter — or see a display of spring flowers in a garden center.
Time to add plants/remove plants
It is that urge that most gardeners feel at one time or another in the spring. Time to add new plants ... time to remove other plants. Thankfully, we do not need to wait for the snow and ice to disappear in South Texas before we enjoy our surroundings.
This year with the decree to “stay at home” and practice social distancing because of the COVID-19 scare, there likely will be more time afforded for springtime in the garden.
Things to consider for spring gardening
Spring tips for a successful garden
Go plant shopping; turn to nature and gardening
Like ladies who can’t wait for new spring fashions, all gardeners look forward to new plants on the market. Catalogues offer the latest flowers, shrubs, vegetables and trees. Fortunately, we are located in a wonderful area for searching out the newest plants for our gardens.
And while these may be unprecedented times, consider turning to a garden for health and solace. Take a deep breath and move closer to Mother Nature.
Spring is to gardeners as a new school year is to teachers. New plants – new pupils. Now is the time to prepare gardens for the spring, especially while required to stay home.
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, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk