February 9 2008 Timely Tips

GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY  DAVID RODRIGUEZ

February 9, 2008

  • When selecting fruit trees, consider the amount of chill hours required. The chilling requirement is the number of hours between 32o and 45oF required before a plant starts normal growth in the spring. We look for trees that require from 550-650 chill hours.
  • Till composted organic matter and shredded cover crops like cereal/Elbon rye into the spring vegetable garden.
  • Prune shade trees with a purpose to restore good shape and remove damaged branches. Do not ever “top” shade trees.
  • Once established asparagus spears appear, use a high-nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of one half cup of 19-5-9 per 10 linear feet for vigorous spear development.
  • Plant nasturtium, cosmos, sweet pea, coreopsis and Mexican poppy seeds.

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.

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