GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

May 31, 2008

Put the joy back into growing colorful Vinca (Periwinkles) with a new series from Goldsmith Seeds called Cora. It is not only a heat loving summer annual, but shows many signs of disease resistance, especially from devastating aerial phytophthora.

If fire ants have been a problem in the past on okra plants when they are flowering, applying pyrethroid granules at the base of the plant every 3 to 4 weeks will minimize any potential damage.

Re-apply iron supplements such as Texas Green Sand (Glauconite) to acid-loving plants, shrubs and trees to evade drought induced iron chlorosis.

Fertilize container plants and baskets regularly with water-soluble, slow-release fertilizer.

Heavy late season producing vegetable crops will benefit from supplemental fertilizer, apply two pounds of a high 50% slow-release nitrogen fertilizer per 100 square foot area every three weeks. Thoroughly water after application

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.