May 20 2006 Timely Tips

GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY

BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

May 20, 2006

  • The purple martins are already raising their broods, and young should be fledging in June. Martins will hang around for a month or two more, but do not breed in mid-summer. Once they move on, lower, clean out, and close up the martin house to prevent several more generations of English sparrows and starlings.
  • Consider planting summer color plants such as lantana, firebush, Poinciana, esparanza, firespike, caladium, coleus, begonia, moss rose, hibiscus, bougainvillea, purslane, cannas, verbenea and durantas. Use liberal amounts of compost and mulch at planting.
  • Seeds that may be sown directly in the warm soil include amaranthus, celosia, morning glory, sunflowers and zinnias.
  • Fertilize container plants and hanging basket plants on a regular basis with a water-soluble fertilizer product and be sure that a slow-release fertilizer has been incorporated into the potting media.
  • Keep fruit trees well watered as long as there is fruit on the tree.

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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