GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY  BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

July 26, 2008

Compost piles should be kept moistened and turned occasionally. They should never be allowed to dry out. A well blended and balanced compost mix is an excellent additive for the fall vegetable garden. It should be incorporated at a minimum depth of two inches.

Vegetables plants are short term crops. Fertility is crucial at initial planting and throughout the plant’s growth cycle in order to achieve the full potential of producing larger and more productive yields. Fertilize with a high nitrogen slow release 19-5-9 analysis fertilizer during the initial planting stage at a rate of one pound per every 10 linear feet of garden row. Side-dress all actively growing plants every three weeks during their aggressive growth cycle.

A late season planting of fall producing okra may be planted at this time. Look to sow varieties such as Emerald, Clemson Spineless, Cajun Delight, Dwarf Green, or Lee.

Large, healthy tomato and pepper transplants should be planted now through the first of August. The earlier the plants are planted and established, the greater chance of production before an early frost.

A drip irrigation system is an efficient means of watering a vegetable garden. All new vegetable transplants and seeds may need to be watered twice a day for the first two weeks and then every second or third day thereafter.

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.