GARDENING CALENDAR
TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE
BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ
March 15, 2008
When the beautiful grape-like fragrance of the Texas Mountain laurel seizes, large bean like seed pods will start forming. If there is concern of the seed pods weighing down branches and potentially breaking them, remove them as soon as possible with loppers or a pole pruner.
Short day onion transplants like 1015Y, yellow Granex and white ‘Contessa’ that are grown from mid-November through early March should be thinned out and used as green salad onions. Thinning of individual onion plants to every 4-6 inches will help size them up to larger bulbs for May and June harvesting.
With the spring planting of vegetables to the garden, the potential of insects also increases. Remember, not all insects are bad. Many insects like Lady Beatles, Lacewings and certain predaceous stinkbugs serve their purpose in eliminating the “bad bugs.” Recognize the good ones and the bad bugs. Have a reason to spray, use the least toxic pesticide and always follow label instructions. Go to the county Entomology page in help of recognizing insects in the garden at: http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/INDEX.htm.
If the concern of having seasonal weeds invading your turfgrass throughout spring or early summer arises, this would be the time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide which contains dimension. Read the label carefully and be sure your weeds are listed. Most weed problems occur in lawns because of improper maintenance issues like watering, fertilizing, and mowing.
Concerned about weeds in flower beds? Mulching with a thin two inch layer of an organic cedar or native living mulch which is replenished twice a year will significantly prevent many weed issues. Pre-emergent herbicides like Amaze, applied now and in early September in conjunction with mulching, also helps out tremendously in weed prevention.
David Rodriguez is the County Extension Agent-Horticulture with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County. For more information, call the Master Gardener “Hotline” (210) 467-6575 or visit our County Extension website at http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu.
