GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

May 16, 2009

Fertilize container plants and hanging basket plants on a regular basis with a water-soluble fertilizer product consisting of a 6-12-6 analysis and be sure that a slow-release 18-6-12 container fertilizer has been incorporated into the potting media.

Fruit trees that have set a crop need to be watered one to two inches weekly. Pecans that are manageable should be sprayed with a zinc liquid supplement.

Add summer color plants to your landscape, which may include lantana, firebush, Poinciana, esparanza, firespike, caladium, coleus, cocktail begonia, moss rose, hibiscus, bougainvillea, purslane, cannas, verbenea and durantas. Use liberal amounts of compost and mulch at planting.

Seeds that may be sown directly in the warm soil include amaranthus, celosia, morning glory, sunflowers and zinnias.

The Purple Martin birds are already raising their broods and young; and should be fledging in June. Martins will hang around for about a month or two since they do not breed in mid-summer. Once they have departed, lower the house to clean out and close up the house to prevent several more generations of English sparrows and starlings.

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.