June 30 2007 Timely Tips

GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY  BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

June 30, 2007

  • To attract butterflies, you can plant coreopsis, coral vine, blue plumbago, butterfly weed, lantana, purple coneflower, yarrow, Lilac flowering Duranta, and Texas Lilac Vitex.
  • Looking for a great colorful snapdragon like flower for the summer time? Consider from the Serena Series of Fantastic Flowers, Angelonia. Angelonia comes in many colors such as lavender, lavender pink, purple, white and assorted. Another added feature is that they are drought tolerant and somewhat deer resistant.
  • Plant crape myrtles while they are in bloom so you can be sure of the color you want. For a brilliant baby pink tree variety, consider ‘Basham’s Party Pink.’
  • Now is the time to plan for next spring. Consider digging and dividing any crowded spring bulbs. Once bulbs have matured and the foliage has turned brown, it is time to spade them up and thin out the stand. Crowded bulbs produce fewer and smaller blooms. They usually need thinning every 3 to 4 years. Replant immediately in organically enriched prepared soils.
  • Dishwater and bathwater, known collectively as gray water, can be used on most trees, shrubs, and non-edible plants unless your household water is treated with water softeners.
  • Pull non-producing vegetable plants, especially the tomatoes before diseases and spider mites move in.

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.

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