GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY  BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

April 18, 2009

Having problems watering the vegetable garden? Drip irrigation and the use of organic mulch is the most efficient and reliable means of watering properly. It minimizes foliar diseases and moisture evaporation from the soil.

When onion tops collapse over, it’s time to reap the benefits. Pull the bulbs to the surface of the garden for a day to harden off and then store them in mesh bags in a dry room.

Examine young developing pecan nutlets for Pecan nut case bearer eggs. If treatment is needed, apply Spinosad, Malathion, or liquid Sevin or release Trichogramma wasps as an alternative.

Use a water-soluble plant food such as a 20-20-20 or 6-12-6 analysis for the first four waterings of recently planted annuals and perennials.

Control Thrips insect on roses and other plants with a systemic insecticide containing Acephate.

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.