May 19 2007 Timely Tips

GARDENING CALENDAR

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

BEXAR COUNTY BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ

May 19, 2007

  • Keep fruit trees well watered as long as there is fruit on the tree. Pecans that are manageable should be sprayed with a zinc liquid supplement.
  • 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.
  • Consider planting summer color plants such as 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.
  • 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 14-14-14 fertilizer has been incorporated into the potting media.

David Rodriguez is County Extension Agent-Horticulture with Texas Cooperative Extension 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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