GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

March 19, 2011

Are your kids or grandchildren involved this spring in the gardening experience? If not, do so! One of the greatest nurturing gifts a child can have besides the responsibility of a pet is the joy of growing vegetables or colorful plants. Take the challenge this spring and give the gift of gardening.

Proper watering methods are seldom practiced by most gardeners. Let’s make every drop of water count by installing drip irrigation. Use drip irrigation for watering vegetables, ornamental and fruit trees, shrubs, vines and container grown plants outdoors. With proper management, drip irrigation reduces water loss by up to 60 percent or more as compared to traditional watering methods.

Apply approved bug baits in your vegetable garden if sow bugs (rolly pollies) are damaging the leaves of newly emerging seedlings.

Placing a shallow dish with and old sponge containing four parts water and one part honey will supplement a hungry bee’s diet which will also encourage them to revisit your garden throughout spring.

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.