GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY  BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

October 2, 2010

Certified or registered white early Creole and late Italian Pink garlic sets should be planted with each individual cloves basal end down an inch deep and spaced three to six inches apart. When the plant leaves turn yellow and the flower head starts breaking apart, it is time to harvest around late May through June.

Cucumber, squash and many similar type vegetables containing seeds should be harvested at a young semi-immature size for best tasting qualities.

Use a premium enriched organic potting mix with a slow-release container fertilizer, consisting of a 14-14-14 analysis when planting seasonal bedding color in pots or baskets. Plants that are short term crops need a good start and need to be fed often. Watch the watering real close and supplement feed every 7-10 days with a 6-12-6 water soluble analysis.

Having issues with snails and slugs? Make sure when you plant your new and young bedding plants, to dust the planting area with an approved pesticide. This will prevent these critters from ravishing your new plantings.

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.