GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

March 12, 2011

Optimistic gardeners will start placing their well established 1 gallon heat setting tomatoes out to have the first bragging rights of the neighborhood this spring.Tomatoes should be grown in large supporting cages with a 16-20 inch top diameter and stand at least 4 to 5 feet in height.

Wrapping early plantings of tomatoes and other vegetables with N-Sulate winter protection covering will provide plants an extra 5 to 7 degrees of insulation as well as minimizing potential wind damage.

When selecting tomato varieties for Central South Texas always plant at least one Celebrity tomato and try the newest release called Tycoon which has excellent disease package and nematode resistance.

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.