GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

September 6, 2008

Plant spring blooming bluebonnet seeds that are acid scarified for best uniformed germination at a depth of about ½ inch. This will allow adequate growth and establishment for the plants to over winter and bloom spectacularly next year. Don’t hesitate to try some Prairie Angel white and, of course, the maroon-reddish Alamo Fire.

Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds in your turfgrass this winter. Portrait is excellent for broadleaf weed control, but a Crabgrass preventer with Dimension tends to minimize both broadleaf weeds as well as annual unwanted grassy weeds. The product Amaze or XL-2G, is an excellent pre-emergent herbicide in flower beds for weed control prevention. Always read and follow label instructions.

Use a 41% plus glyphosate-type herbicide to eliminate all existing grass and weeds in areas you intend to develop this fall or next spring as cultivated beds. Always use a spreader sticker in the dilution process for better uniformity and activity of the non-selective herbicide.

Do not bag grass clippings. This is free fertilizer for your turfgrass. Most grass clippings consist of about 4% nitrogen, .5% phosphorus and 2% potassium. Clippings decompose quickly, thanks to earthworms and various microorganisms.

If you really have to bag grass clippings, spread them out in a sunny location for a day or two and incorporate them in a well balance compost heap.

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.