GARDENING CALENDAR
TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ
March 3, 2007
Roses can still be planted. Consider planting Perle d’Or named the 2007 “EarthKind Rose of the Year” by Texas Cooperative Extension. This is an old garden polyantha rose that produces a wonderful display of highly fragrant peach color flowerers in the center with a silky white margin. For more information about the EarthKind Program and EarthKind Roses visit this link at: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/EKRoses/index3.html
March is the ideal month to start planting your favorite vegetables such as: tomatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, and pepper; as well as, cucumbers, lima or butter beans, cantaloupe, okra (if the soil has warmed sufficiently –65º F or higher), southern peas, pumpkin, squash, peanuts, and watermelon. For a complete listing of recommended Extension varieties for this area, please visit this link at: http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F4Best/nFallVegPlantList.htm
The last frost of spring may have already occurred but even if it doesn’t, the wind still blows which can stunt the development of the young plants. Protect tender vegetable transplants and seedlings with a thermal blanket for wind protection, insect avoidance and unexpected cold (may provide up to 5 degree cold protection).
Start planting hibiscus, bougainvillea, mandevilla, and allamanda vines in containers for tropical landscape color. In heavily shaded parts of the landscape where grass is difficult to maintain, choose one of the well-adapted groundcover plants such as English or Algerian ivy, Asian jasmine, or Mondo grass. If deer are a problem in your landscape, try one of the surefire solutions offered at: http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F4Best/nDeerResistantPlants.htm
Impatiens, fibrous begonias and coleus are summertime favorites for shade. In areas where space is limited, plant your favorite flowers and vegetables in containers or hanging baskets. Use Texas Cooperative Extension recommended varieties and they can be found at: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/PLANTanswers/vegvar.html
David Rodriguez is County Extension Agent-Horticulture with Texas Cooperative Extension 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.
