GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

July 30, 2011

If weeds or roots, not nematodes, have been an issue in the vegetable garden, consider solarization. This is done by mowing, spraying or removing any existing weeds, watering the area thoroughly and tightly covering with 6-mil black plastic for four to six weeks.

Once the process of solarization is complete, proceed by working in liberal amounts of enriched compost and pre-plant fertilizer to a minimum depth of six inches for the fall garden.

A mass planting of French marigolds in early September, proceeded by sowing Elbon/cereal rye in late fall, will contribute in diminishing the roots, not the nematode population.

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.